Ukawsaw Gronniosaw

Ukawsaw Gronniosaw (born ca. 1705 - 1775) was a freed slave and autobiographer.

Life and works

Gronniosaw was probably born in Bornu (now north-eastern Nigeria). His "A Narrative of the Most remarkable Particulars in the Life of James Albert Ukawsaw Gronniosaw, an African Prince" was the first Slave narrative in the English language. Published in 1772 it gives a vivid account of Gronniosaw's life, from his capture in Africa through slavery to a life of poverty in Colchester and Kidderminster. He was attracted to this last town because it was at one time the home of Richard Baxter, a seventeenth century Calvinist minister whom Gronniosaw much admired.

In the preface, the reverend Walter Shirley, cousin to Selina, the Countess of Huntingdon interprets Gronniosaw's experience of enslavement and his journey from Bornu to New York as an example of Calvinist predestination and election.

A reference to his white-skinned sister, his willingness to leave Africa as his family believed in many deities instead of one almighty God, the fact that the closer to a white European he became - through clothing but mostly via language - the happier he was, his description of another black servant at his master's house as a 'devil', have led critics to the conclusion that the narrative is devoid of the anti-slavery backlash ubiquitous in subsequent slave narratives."The Signifying Monkey", by Henry Louis Gates, Jr, Oxford University Press, hardcover, pages 133-140]

The Chester Chronicle of 2 October 1775 has a short obituary, found by local historian Terry Kavanagh: 'On Thursday died, in this city, aged 70, James Albert Ukawsaw Gronniosaw, an African prince, of Zoara. He left the country in the early part of his life, with a view to acquire proper notions of the Divine Being, and of the worship due to Him. He met with many trials and embarrassments, was much afflicted and persecuted. His last moments exhibited that cheerful serenity which, at such a time, is the certain effect of a thorough conviction of the great truths of Christianity. He published a narrative of his life. Chester St Oswald's Burial 28th Sept. 1775: James Albert (a blackm), aged 70.'

References

Additional Sources

Echero, Michael. "Theologizing 'Underneath the Tree': an African topos in Ukawsaw Gronniosaw, William Blake, and William Cole." "Research in African Literatures". 23.4 (Winter 1992). 51-58.

Harris, Jennifer. "Seeing the Light: Re-Reading James Albert Ukawsaw Gronniosaw.” "English Language Notes" 42.4, 2005: 43-57.