Othello

c. 1746 – 1818
Image
Othello, who had been given his freedom, remained a faithful servant to Colonel Henry Bromfield.

In 1765, there were twelve inhabitants of African descent in Harvard. The majority were probably “servants for life” as enslaved people were then called. Othello, who had been freed, chose to remain in service to Colonel Henry Bromfield, who became a permanent resident of Harvard in 1777.

According to Nourse’s “History of Harvard,” Othello was “an eccentric character, as well known in Harvard as his master.” He was born in Africa, bought in England, and then brought to America about 1760. Later, after being given his freedom, he chose to remain with the Bromfield family and became an inseparable attendant to the colonel. Bromfield’s granddaughter, Margaret Blanchard, wrote that she remembered her grandfather walking to church. “Behind him followed his faithful servant Othello, who had been manumitted but chose to remain in service.” Othello died in 1818, two years before the colonel himself.

Othello’s grave stands by itself in the extreme northwest corner of Harvard’s Center Cemetery, behind the Congregational Church, at least 25 feet from any other grave in the cemetery.

The small slate marker reads:

The faithful friend of Henry Bromfield
Came from Africa about 1760,
Died 1818. Aged about 72.

(#13 on the Center Cemetery Tour map) e

 

More about Harvard people...

The Whitney Portraits

These portraits portray Captain Aaron Whitney, his wife Susannah, and their sons, who lived at 165 Littleton County Road. You…
Featured image for “The Whitney Portraits”
Featured image for “The Whitney Portraits”
These portraits portray Captain Aaron Whitney, his wife Susannah, and their sons, who lived at 165 Littleton County Road. You…

Frederick Fiske Warren

Fiske Warren is most famous as a staunch advocate of Henry George’s single-tax system, a version of which he attempted…
Featured image for “Frederick Fiske Warren”
Featured image for “Frederick Fiske Warren”
Fiske Warren is most famous as a staunch advocate of Henry George’s single-tax system, a version of which he attempted…

Ida Harris

Ida was active in the Harvard Woman’s Club and in the Harvard Historical Society. She chaired a committee to gather…
Featured image for “Ida Harris”
Featured image for “Ida Harris”
Ida was active in the Harvard Woman’s Club and in the Harvard Historical Society. She chaired a committee to gather…

Ann Lee

Mother Ann Lee, founder of the Shakers, established a community in Harvard in 1781, the second oldest Shaker settlement in…
Featured image for “Ann Lee”
Featured image for “Ann Lee”
Mother Ann Lee, founder of the Shakers, established a community in Harvard in 1781, the second oldest Shaker settlement in…

Elvira Scorgie

A woman of many talents, Elvira Scorgie was an authority on the history of the town of Harvard. Her research…
Featured image for “Elvira Scorgie”
Featured image for “Elvira Scorgie”
A woman of many talents, Elvira Scorgie was an authority on the history of the town of Harvard. Her research…

Simon Stone

Simon Stone, born c.1686, was a founding father of Harvard and served in town government.…
Featured image for “Simon Stone”
Featured image for “Simon Stone”
Simon Stone, born c.1686, was a founding father of Harvard and served in town government.…

Peter Atherton

Peter Atherton was Harvard’s first town clerk, and in that role, he entered the first records in the town books.…
Featured image for “Peter Atherton”
Featured image for “Peter Atherton”
Peter Atherton was Harvard’s first town clerk, and in that role, he entered the first records in the town books.…

Florence (Burt) Haskell

Flora was inspired to join the Civil War effort as a nurse and serve under Dorothea Dix, who was recruiting…
Featured image for “Florence (Burt) Haskell”
Featured image for “Florence (Burt) Haskell”
Flora was inspired to join the Civil War effort as a nurse and serve under Dorothea Dix, who was recruiting…

See all...