Captured in Gambia

A gravestone in St Mary's churchyard still marks the resting place for one of Cassiobury's black servants, George Edward Doney c. 1758-1809.

George, known as Edward, worked for 44 years for the 5th Earl of Essex. The inscription on his gravestone reveals that he was captured from Gambia as a child and sold into slavery.

Poor Edward blest the pirate bark which bore
His captive infancy from Gambia's shore
To where in willing servitude he won
Those blest rewards for every duty done -

Kindness and praise, the wages of the heart;
None else to him could joy or pride impart,
And gave him, born a pagan and a slave,
A freeman's charter and a Christian's grave.