Shenandoah County will be on full display Saturday during Shenandoah County Heritage Day 2024, co-hosted annually by the Shenandoah County Historical Society (SCHS) and the Shenandoah County Library Archives.
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New Hampshire Magazine
Honoring an unsung patriot
Courtesy photo
Raised in an era known for the trade of sugar and slaves, Wentworth Cheswill became the first African American elected to public office. Like Paul Revere, he rode as a messenger for the patriotic cause. He was also an early archaeologist who donated books and funds to establish his community’s first library. I believe his story could inspire generations, if only people knew about it.
When it occurred to me that Cheswill’s 275th birthday was on the horizon (this April), I dreamed of a community toast. Church bells would chime as families stepped from their homes to honor him in the street. Unfortunately, that was only a dream, because no one knew who he was. When I looked him up, he was marginalized as the Black Paul Revere if mentioned at all. Cheswill’s birthday would go unnoticed unless I did something about it. So, I started with my children.