The Museum of the Albemarle will host History for Lunch on Wednesday, June 19, at noon in the Gaither Auditorium for an informative talk by Barbara Snowden, Currituck County Historian.
In 1780, a ship, the Polly, headed out to break the British Blockade but was captured by a privateer, the Fame. Leaving five British sailors on board, the Polly headed to New York to the Admiralty Court during one of the worst winters on record. Currituck Jack, an enslaved man owned by Henry White, was tied up on deck while the ship’s crew, including Henry White, were tied up below deck. Currituck Jack got free, freed the other captives, and together they recaptured the ship. They sailed into Annapolis where the British sailors were turned over to the Continental Congress.
Caleb White, Henry White’s son, freed Currituck Jack in his will on the condition of Jack purchasing his freedom with $100 in Spanish gold. In 1792, the North Carolina General Assembly gave Jack his freedom and included in the record his action during the American Revolution. Currituck Jack took the name John Jasper White. He went on to own his own ship, marry, and have two sons. He became a well-respected man in his community.
The Museum will offer the History for Lunch program in person and through Zoom. To attend the lecture virtually, register in advance by clicking here to receive the link.
The virtual program is supported by Friends of the Museum of the Albemarle.
About the Museum of the Albemarle
The Museum of the Albemarle is located at 501 S. Water Street, Elizabeth City, NC. (252) 335-1453. www.museumofthealbemarle.com. Find us on Facebook! Hours are Monday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Closed Sundays and State Holidays. Serving Bertie, Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Dare, Gates, Hertford, Hyde, Northampton, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Tyrrell, and Washington Counties, the museum is the northeast regional history museum of the North Carolina Division of State History Museums within the N.C.
Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, the state agency with the mission to enrich lives and communities and the vision to harness the state’s cultural resources to build North Carolina’s social, cultural, and economic future. Information is available 24/7 at www.dncr.nc.gov.
About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) manages, promotes, and enhances the things that people love about North Carolina – its diverse arts and culture, rich history, and spectacular natural areas. Through its programs, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency.
The department manages over 100 locations across the state, including 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, five science museums, four aquariums, 35 state parks, four recreation areas, dozens of state trails and natural areas, the North Carolina Zoo, the North Carolina Symphony, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, the African American Heritage Commission, the American Indian Heritage Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office, the Office of State Archaeology, the Highway Historical Markers program, the N.C. Land and Water Fund, and the Natural Heritage Program. For more information, please visit www.dncr.nc.gov.