Nestor’s tablet

Black HistorySlave tradeResin

Feb 26

Written By Florence Okoye

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A resin cast of a grave plaque. It is grey in colour and wrapped in clear plastic.

A resin cast of a grave plaque. It is grey in colour and wrapped in clear plastic. This is a close up view so one can read the following: “Buried here Dec.r 1787. Aged 36. NESTOR, a black, 22 Years a Servant of James Ramsay, by robbers torn from his

A square resin cast of a wall-plaque. On the back the text “Nestor Tablet Original in Teston Churchyard, Kent Reconstruction carved by Emma Lavender 2002”. On the front of the plaque reads “Buried here Dec.r 1787. Aged 36. NESTOR, a black, 22 Years a Servant of James Ramsay, by robbers torn from his country and enslaved, he attached himself to his Master, hating idle visiting, he was employed constantly in his work, being himself careful, he suffered not other servants to waste his property. His neat dress, his chaste, sober life, his inoffensive manners subdued the prejudice his colour raised, and made friends of his acquaintance. From his humble state he fixed his faith in Christ and looked up to Heaven for happiness. Reader, use thy advantages as this honest Negro did his misfortunes, for a spur to diligence in duty, and when thy Redeemer comes to Judgement, Thou shalt hear pronounced ‘Well done thou good and faithful servant. Enter into the Joy of thy Lord’”

On the front of the plaque reads “Buried here Dec.r 1787. Aged 36. NESTOR, a black, 22 Years a Servant of James Ramsay, by robbers torn from his country and enslaved, he attached himself to his Master, hating idle visiting, he was employed constantly in his work, being himself careful, he suffered not other servants to waste his property. His neat dress, his chaste, sober life, his inoffensive manners subdued the prejudice his colour raised, and made friends of his acquaintance. From his humble state he fixed his faith in Christ and looked up to Heaven for happiness. Reader, use thy advantages as this honest Negro did his misfortunes, for a spur to diligence in duty, and when thy Redeemer comes to Judgement, Thou shalt hear pronounced ‘Well done thou good and faithful servant. Enter into the Joy of thy Lord’”