Uncovering the Hidden Story of Boston Bell

Bedford’s town history includes, although not on its list of “notable men,” the story of Boston Bell, enslaved by John Bell. John Bell arrived in NH from Scotland in 1739 in one of the early waves of immigrants fleeing religious persecution. John and his brother Joseph, a blacksmith, lived in District 5 of Bedford on what came to be known as “Bell Hill.” Flora Bell, enslaved by Joseph, lived nearby on her own lot and gave birth to Ephraim “Boston” Bell in 1746. Boston became the “property” of John Bell.

The New Hampshire Gazette, in 1766, listed Boston as a runaway, describing him as 20 years old, “stout and lusty.” Said to be wearing a brown homespun coat with metal buttons, it was also noted that Boston spoke “broad Scotch.” History does not share the story of whether Boston returned home on his own, or not. At some point, however, he was back at Bell Hill. Joseph, perhaps still feeling the sting of Boston’s desertion, sold him in 1777 to Robert Wilson of Londonderry, a successful merchant, also of Scottish descent.

Four years later, in 1781, it appears that Boston enlisted with the Massachusetts Third Regiment and gained the rank of private. Upon his discharge in 1786, he brought suit against Wilson, claiming in the Rockingham County Court of Common Pleas that Wilson had assaulted, imprisoned, and restrained him of his liberty, selling him into the army for a large sum of money. Boston lost the case probably due to witnesses for Wilson who claimed that Joseph Bell had given Boston leave to choose his new master and Boston had chosen Wilson. Boston was required to pay damages.

In 1790, into his mid-40s, Boston married Florissa Taggart Sherburne, widow of Pompey Sherburne, who also served in the military and was one of two Black heads of household in Bedford in the 1790 census. Pompey had bought Florissa’s freedom before he died which allowed Boston and Florissa to settle in Londonderry after their marriage and live as free persons. In 1795, they were warned out of Londonderry and moved back to Bedford. (Warning out was a widespread practice in New England for communities to pressure or coerce “outsiders” to settle elsewhere.)

Boston died in 1811, and was buried with coppers on his eyelids under a large oak in Bedford Center Cemetery.

This article is part of an ongoing series aimed at highlighting and honoring the stories of notable Black historical figures and families who helped shape New Hampshire and Maine. These stories were originally collected by the Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire for a project with the Episcopal Church of New Hampshire. Stories are being shared with the partners in The Granite State News Collaborative.