No.73: Duchess Quamino
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Ever wondered how an enslaved woman from West Africa could one day buy her way to freedom in Colonial New England? Hold on to that thought because today's story is about a woman whose journey defies the norms of her time.
I'm Shae, a PhD Candidate at Harvard, and today, we're diving into the incredible life of Duchess “Charity” Quamino—a name you might not know, but after today, you won’t forget.
Duchess “Charity” Quamino was born in West Africa and brought to Newport, Rhode Island as an enslaved person in the mid-18th century where she became enslaved to the Channing family. She was married to John Quamino, a fellow enslaved man who fought in the Revolutionary War. He eventually gained his freedom. John was determined to purchase her freedom, but tragically, he died in the war before he could do so.
Left to fend for herself, Duchess refused to be defeated by her circumstances. She turned to what she did best—baking. Duchess started a catering business in Newport, Rhode Island, and her pastries quickly became the talk of the town. Known as the “Pastry Queen of Rhode Island,” she earned enough through her culinary talents to buy her own freedom, an extraordinary feat for an enslaved woman during that time.
But her influence didn’t stop there. Duchess was also a key figure in the free Black community, contributing to the establishment of Newport’s first African American church. Her life was a testament to what could be achieved despite the constraints of slavery, serving as a beacon of hope and strength for those around her.
Here’s an interesting fact: after gaining her freedom, Duchess decided to remain in the household of her enslaver William Channing. In 1780 the last child of William Channing, William Channing Junior was born, and he would go on to become the famous clergyman and abolitionist.
If you were inspired by Duchess Quamino’s story today, don’t forget to follow and rate this podcast 5 stars so more people can hear these incredible stories of historic Black women. And hey, while you’re at it, follow me on social media and subscribe to my YouTube channel for even more content like this. Let’s keep these stories alive and thriving!
