Sarah Fairbairn reviews a revelatory book by three local historians
Sitting on the perimeter of the Green Man interchange, partly subsumed into the Tesco superstore, is a Georgian mansion with a
fascinating history.
The Leyton and Leytonstone Historical Society have recently published an incredibly thorough examination of the history of the house and its residents and visitors. It’s an astonishing achievement, not least because it seems that facts about the house’s celebrated owners have continuously been misnamed and mis-referenced in everything from parish records to blue plaques.
The book brims with revelatory details on the house’s history, such as its connection to both the British slave trade and the number of Black Africans who were visitors to Leytonstone House.
Some may be already aware that a significant anti-slave-trade coalition was founded in Waltham Forest by the Foxwell Buxtons, who
lived at Leytonstone House. But authors Claire Weiss, Peter Ashan, and Geoff Nichols, are at pains to draw attention to the Samsons, who were less well-known residents.
Philip Samson was a key member of the Society for Effecting the Abolition of the African Slave Trade. Samson was a self-made man, rising from obscurity to wealth and influence in Victorian Britain. The prominence of the family is evident by the large tomb dedicated to them in St Mary’s, Leyton.
But the authors are not interested in lauding local achievements without introspection. The real – and much needed – focus of this detailed piece of research is to examine the intricate motivations of those who were involved in the abolition movement.
They ask probing questions. Yes, Philip Samson was a prominent member of an influential anti-slavery group, but how exactly did he become a successful banker if not via the slave trade?
Why is it that we have blue plaques commemorating the high-profile MPs who lived in the house, but no mention of the women who worked with as much vigour and determination for the same cause? Most importantly, the authors question why we are allowing the voices and stories of the formerly enslaved Black people who were connected with Waltham Forest to be erased.
‘Slave-trade Abolition and Leytonstone House: the Samsons, the Buxtons and Black History’ by Claire Weiss, Peter Ashan, and Geoff Nicholls was published by The Leyton and Leytonstone Historical Society on 16th October
Email: [email protected]
No news is bad news
Independent news outlets like ours – reporting for the community without rich backers – are under threat of closure, turning British towns into news deserts.
The audiences they serve know less, understand less, and can do less.
If our coverage has helped you understand our community a little bit better, please consider supporting us with a monthly, yearly or one-off donation.
Choose the news. Don’t lose the news.
Monthly direct debit
Annual direct debit
£5 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else, £10 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else and a print copy posted to them each month. £50 annual supporters get a digital copy of each month's paper before anyone else.
More information on supporting us monthly or annually
More Information about donations
