George Scipio Africanus (1987) by Len GarrisonBlack Cultural Archives
Explore the hand drawn family tree
The BCA collection of documents around George Africanus' family were given by Ray Gale. Here we will explore the hand drawn family tree by BCA founder Len Garrison, showing the Africanus and Molineux families.
George John Scipio Africanus (c. 1763 – 19 May 1834)
Africanus is known as a former slave who became a successful entrepreneur. Little is known about Africanus' early life, except that he was born in Sierra Leone around 1763.
He was believed to have arrived in England in 1766. He was placed in the care of Benjamin Molineux of Molineux House and baptised in the Collegiate church of St Peter in Wolverhampton.
Marriage to Esther Shaw
After moving to Nottingham around 1784, Africanus met a local woman called Esther Shaw. They married on the August 3, 1788 at St. Peter's Church, Nottingham
Africanus and Shaw had seven children together; George Jr, Samuel, Elizabeth, Sarah, Samuelshaw, Hannah, and Ann.
Tragically, only one child lived to adulthood - Hannah.
Marriage of Hannah to Samuel Cropper
Hannah married the watch and clock maker Samuel Cropper at St. Mary's Church, Nottingham, in 1825. They had three children together.
Granddaughter Esther
Esther married Charles Edward Turnbull at St. Mary's Church, Nottingham, on September 28, 1865. The 1881 census stated that they lived at 9 St. Paul's Crescent, London and they had three children: Arthur, Fredrick, and Margaret Hannah. Esther died at the age of 69 in Surrey.
Discover more stories about George Africanus' life and legacy in the Black Cultural Archives.
