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Statue Celebrates Freedom Seeker Who Reached England
20 Nov
Summary
- Statue honors Mary Ann Macham, who fled slavery in the US.
- Macham found freedom in North Shields, England, in the 1830s.
- A bronze figure by artist Keith Barrett will be unveiled soon.
A poignant statue commemorating Mary Ann Macham, a woman who endured slavery and torture in the United States before finding freedom, is set to be unveiled in the northern English town of North Shields. Macham's arduous escape from Virginia, which involved hiding for weeks and stowing away on a ship, culminated in her arrival in North Shields in the early 1830s, where she was embraced by a Quaker family.
She spent the remainder of her life in the town, marrying and living to the age of 91. Her remarkable story of resilience and liberation is now immortalized in a bronze figure created by North Shields-based artist Keith Barrett. The sculpture is positioned to overlook the sea, a poignant reminder of her journey.
The re-discovery of Mary Ann's harrowing account, detailing her escape from a life of regular whippings and torture, has led to widespread recognition. Her story was brought to light by a teacher and her grandmother, sparking an exhibition and the erection of a headstone for her unmarked grave, culminating in this public statue.
