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 First Known African American Poet - Guilford, VT Posted by:  neoc1
N 42° 48.756 W 072° 34.038
18T E 698891 N 4742875
An historical marker describes Lucy Terry (Prince) as the first known African American poet. The marker is located at the northwest corner of the Guilford Welcome Center on the northbound side of US Route 91 in Guilford, VT.
Waymark Code: WM18Q9R
Location: Vermont, United States
Date Posted: 09/10/2023
Views: 0
The a double sided historical marker is inscribed with raised gold letters against a green background. The front of the marker provides the evidence for the claim that Lucy Terry (Prince) was the first known African-American poet. At the top of each side is the seal of the State of Vermont. The marker is inscribed:
VERMONT
FREEDOM
& UNITY
ABIJAH AND LUCY TERRY PRINCE
EARLY LANDOWNERS AND FIRST KNOWN
AFRICAN AMERICAN POET
Abijah Prince (c. 1706-94) served in the French &
Indian Wars, as a slave and freedman. In 1751, he
achieved his freedom and registered as a taxpayer
and proprietor for land ownership.
Lucy Terry (c. 1730-1821) was stolen from Africa as
a child and enslaved in Deerfield, MA. Her only
surviving poem “Bars Fight” records the 1746 attack
on Deerfield settlers. The singsong ballad, the
earliest existing poem by an African American,
endured in oral tradition for over 100 years before
appearing on the front page of the Springfield Daily
Republican in 1854.
Lucy became free sometime after they married in
1756. In 1769 they began settling 100 acres in Guilford.
Continued on the other side
Vermont Division of Historic Preservation - 2021
VERMONT
FREEDOM
& UNITY
ABIJAH ND LUCY TERRY PRINCE
SEEKERS OF JUSTICE TO PROTECT LAND RIGHTS
Continued from other side
The Princes valued the importance of land ownership
and used the law to protect their rights. Upon
settling in Guilford, they faced ongoing harassment
that resulted in damaged property and crops. In
1785, Lucy brought the case before the Governor
and Council, winning her protection request. In
1803, Lucy’s sons brought a land rights case against
Eli Brownson, which went as far as the Vermont
Supreme Court. She was awarded $200 but not the
land in Sunderland. As the widow of an original
proprietor, she continued to claim her rights to the
land. By 1806, the Princes were able to settle on
lots the Sunderland Selectmen purchased from
Brownson to truly settle this debt.
Vermont Division of Historic Preservation - 2021
FIRST - Classification Variable: Person or Group
Date of FIRST: 01/01/1746
More Information - Web URL: [Web Link]
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