Espionage and Enslavement in the Revolution: The True Story of Robert Townsend and Elizabeth

Join author Claire Bellerjeau for a talk about her new book Espionage and Enslavement in the Revolution. In January 1785, a young, enslaved woman from Oyster Bay named Elizabeth was put on board the Lucretia in New York Harbor, bound for Charleston, where she would be sold to her fifth enslaver in just 22 years.  She had no idea that Robert Townsend, a son of the family she was enslaved by, would locate her, safeguard her child, and return her to New York—nor how her story would help turn one of America’s first spies into an early abolitionist.

This lecture will take place via Zoom. Registration ends at 5:30pm on the day of the lecture.











When: Thu., Jul. 8, 2021 at 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Where: Fraunces Tavern Museum
54 Pearl St.
212-968-1776
Price: Free
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Join author Claire Bellerjeau for a talk about her new book Espionage and Enslavement in the Revolution. In January 1785, a young, enslaved woman from Oyster Bay named Elizabeth was put on board the Lucretia in New York Harbor, bound for Charleston, where she would be sold to her fifth enslaver in just 22 years.  She had no idea that Robert Townsend, a son of the family she was enslaved by, would locate her, safeguard her child, and return her to New York—nor how her story would help turn one of America’s first spies into an early abolitionist.

This lecture will take place via Zoom. Registration ends at 5:30pm on the day of the lecture.

Buy tickets/get more info now