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TfL is urged
to rename Maryland station because of 'links to local slave owner
with plantations in America' despite doubts about name's origin
Newham
councillors called for review of Maryland station amid alleged
slave link
But
academics argued the name's origin is from Old English word for
boundary
If
approved, the name change could lead to other stations in London
to change
Transport for
London has been urged to rename Maryland railway station over
fears of 'offensive' links to a local slave owner who had
plantations in North America.
Newham
councillors have called for TfL to review the name of the east
London station over alleged links to slavery during a discussion
over electoral ward names in the borough.
But academics
have questioned whether the origins of Maryland station's name is
even linked to slavery.
Instead, they
argue that the most likely origin of 'Maryland' is in fact the
Old English word 'mære', meaning boundary.
If the move
is approved by TfL, it could lead to other rail and underground
stations in the capital to have their names changed.
Stations such
as Elephant and Castle, East India and Canning Town have been
highlighted for their past associations with the slave trade.
Maryland,
which is on the Great Eastern Main Line, was allegedly given as
the station's name through US slave trader Robert Lee, whose
family owned tobacco plantations in the Mid-Atlantic state.
Lee, who had
emigrated to Virginia around 1640 and invested in large-scale
slavery, made several voyages to England and he purchased
property in Stratford.
He is said to
have brought the name Maryland from his estates in Virginia.
The name
Maryland has now been proposed as a new ward in Newham borough,
but Labour councillors have said it could cause 'deep
disappointment' to Afro-Caribbean residents, reported The
Telegraph. The alternative name New Town has been put forward
instead.
But retired
professor Ged Martin argues that the name is not derived from the
merchant.
In an essay,
he says that Lee, who only owned property in Stratford High
Street, did not have a 'profound connection sufficient to impose
any place-name on the district'.
Mr Martin
also argues that the merchant's economic interests were almost
entirely in Virginia rather than Maryland. As a colonial
politician, Lee did not always agree with Marylanders.
The retired
professor instead argues that the name Maryland comes from the
Old English word for boundaries. It refers to the area's position
close to West Ham, Wanstead and East Ham.
A Newham
council report stated that councillors will discuss renaming the
station with TfL.
Newham Mayor
Rokhsana Fiaz said the Maryland name was a 'disservice to the
diversity of the borough'.
'Anything
that has some connection to slavery does offend some of us,' said
Labour's Newham councillor Anthony McAlmont.
A boundary
commission report reads: 'We received suggestions from the
Council and a resident that Maryland ward should be renamed New
Town because of the name's possible links to a prominent figure
in the colonial governments of North America.'
It does
however add: 'Other evidence casts doubt on the origins of the
name and points to earlier place name derivations.
'The Council
acknowledges that there is uncertainty about the matter.'
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