Podcast Summary: All Of It – "Trace/s' Connects Slavery in Brooklyn With Present Day Families"

Introduction

In the February 26, 2025 episode of All Of It, hosted by Alison Stewart on WNYC, the discussion centers around a poignant new exhibition titled "Traces: Family History Research and the Legacy of Slavery in Brooklyn". This exhibition, hosted at the Center for Brooklyn History (CBH), part of the Brooklyn Public Library, delves into the enduring impacts of slavery on Brooklyn's cultural and economic landscape. The episode features an in-depth conversation with Dominique Jean Louis, the Chief Historian at Brooklyn Public Library, who provides insights into the exhibition's significance and the stories it unravels.

Overview of the Exhibition

Alison Stewart introduces the exhibition by highlighting its focus on connecting present-day New Yorkers with their ancestors who were enslaved in Brooklyn. The exhibition, aptly named "Traces", not only explores historical documents but also showcases personal stories and artifacts that bridge the past and present.

Key Figures and Artifacts

Dominique Jean Louis emphasizes the exhibition's mission to uncover and honor the lives of those who were enslaved in Brooklyn and their descendants. A central feature of the exhibition is the juxtaposition of two significant portraits:

1. John A. Lott: A prominent lawyer and judge instrumental in Brooklyn's urbanization post-emancipation. His portrait symbolizes the influential families whose wealth was built on slave labor.

   “[...] a direct relationship between the kind of family wealth that’s derived from owning enslaved people to being able to not only live a life of comfort but also live a life of influence and have a say on how Brooklyn develops so very much.”
   — Dominique Jean Louis [15:16]

2. Mildred E. Jones: The great-great-granddaughter of Samuel Anderson, an enslaved man owned by the Lott family. Her portrait, commissioned by the CBH, includes personal touches reflecting her family's heritage and the enduring legacy of slavery.

   “...Mildred requests that [...] we painted her with these two statues that she has reflecting her family’s West African ancestry before enslavement.”
   — Dominique Jean Louis [17:27]

An intriguing artifact featured is a bill of sale for a young girl named Mercy, highlighting the gradual emancipation process. The document not only records her sale but also includes stipulations for her education, symbolizing the fragile transition from bondage to freedom.

“Mercy is being sold by herself. We don’t know what family she comes from or what happens to her afterwards, but that document is so much a part of her story...”
— Dominique Jean Louis [05:48]

The Role of Slavery in Brooklyn's Development

Louis elaborates on the profound impact slavery had on Brooklyn's growth. Before emancipation in 1827, approximately 40% of Brooklynites owned enslaved people, with certain areas like Flatbush having even higher concentrations.

“Slave ownership in Brooklyn was very prominent. [...] Brooklyn was really defined by its relationship to the institution of slavery for many years.”
— Dominique Jean Louis [01:51]

Slavery was integral to Brooklyn's role as the "breadbasket" for the expanding New York City. Enslaved labor produced essential agricultural goods such as cabbages, potatoes, and carrots, which were vital for Manhattan's sustenance and growth.

“Slave labor and the production of these agricultural products, it's hard to overstate how important that is for the New York City and the Brooklyn that we know today.”
— Dominique Jean Louis [02:21]

Family Histories and Legacy

The exhibition underscores the importance of personal histories in understanding the broader narrative of slavery's legacy. Louis discusses the meticulous research involved in piecing together fragmented historical records to assemble comprehensive family stories.

“It's about really examining the documents from all angles, pulling in all the context you can being and staying curious about what questions can you ask these documents?”
— Dominique Jean Louis [07:01]

One notable story is that of Muriel Roberts, who discovered a document from 1825 declaring her ancestor Rachel as a free Indigenous woman. This revelation highlighted the intersection of Indigenous and African American histories within Brooklyn.

“Rachel [...] has this document signed by the mayor of New York City at the time, declaring that she's a free woman.”
— Dominique Jean Louis [21:50]

Another significant figure is Gus Harris, Muriel's brother, whose diligent research efforts uncovered crucial family history, ensuring that their legacy is preserved and celebrated.

“...it was really Gus that led the charge for [...] they always knew that they were always from Brooklyn.”
— Dominique Jean Louis [18:49]

The Lott Family's Influence

The Lott family's prominence is a focal point in understanding how slave labor contributed to Brooklyn's wealth and infrastructure. John A. Lott's influence as a judge and his family's extensive land ownership are directly tied to their history of slave ownership.

“The streets we walk on, the way that space is organized, the way that land derives its value, has everything to do with the fact that Brooklyn was a place where slave labor happened.”
— Dominique Jean Louis [15:16]

The exhibition reveals how streets and landmarks named after prominent families, such as the Lotts, Bergens, Vanderbilts, and Lefferts, reflect the enduring legacy of these families' wealth derived from enslaved labor.

“We see some of them on display in the exhibition. We see the Bergens and the Vanderbilts and the Lefferts [...] why they’re so influential.”
— Dominique Jean Louis [15:35]

Artifacts and Symbolism

Mildred E. Jones's portrait includes symbolic elements like a cowbell, an heirloom passed down through generations, linking her directly to her ancestor Samuel Anderson and the history of her family's enslavement.

“She’s holding a cowbell [...] this is her great-great-granddaughter. This is an artifact representing Samuel Anderson and their past of their family’s enslavement in Brooklyn.”
— Dominique Jean Louis [17:41]

Conclusion

The "Traces" exhibition serves as both a historical archive and a bridge connecting past injustices to present identities. By highlighting personal narratives and artifacts, the exhibition fosters a deeper understanding of how slavery has shaped Brooklyn's cultural and economic fabric. Dominique Jean Louis emphasizes the exhibition's role in honoring descendants, preserving family legacies, and educating the community about the nuanced history that underpins modern Brooklyn.

“...doing family history is useful. A family history is always going to offer a more nuanced picture, a picture that centers humanity more than the archival record does.”
— Dominique Jean Louis [20:19]

For those interested in exploring these stories firsthand, the exhibition is open to the public at the Center for Brooklyn History until August 30, 2025.

Notable Quotes

• Dominique Jean Louis [01:51]: "Slave ownership in Brooklyn was very prominent. [...] Brooklyn was really defined by its relationship to the institution of slavery for many years."

• Dominique Jean Louis [02:21]: "Slave labor and the production of these agricultural products, it's hard to overstate how important that is for the New York City and the Brooklyn that we know today."

• Dominique Jean Louis [05:48]: "Mercy is being sold by herself. We don’t know what family she comes from or what happens to her afterwards, but that document is so much a part of her story..."

• Dominique Jean Louis [15:16]: “The streets we walk on, the way that space is organized, the way that land derives its value, has everything to do with the fact that Brooklyn was a place where slave labor happened.”

• Dominique Jean Louis [20:19]: "A family history is always going to offer a more nuanced picture, a picture that centers humanity more than the archival record does."

This episode of All Of It not only sheds light on a critical yet often overlooked aspect of Brooklyn's history but also underscores the importance of personal narratives in shaping our understanding of cultural legacies.