History Department Faculty Publications

Review of The Forging of Races: Race and Scripture in the Protestant Atlantic World, 1600-2000 by Colin Kidd

Edward E. Andrews — Thu, 23 May 2013 08:40:21 PDT

Reviews the book, The Forging of Races: Race and Scripture in the Protestant Atlantic World, 1600-2000 (New York: Cambridge University Press, 2006) by Colin Kidd.

Review of The Creation of the British Atlantic World edited by Elizabeth Mancke and Carole Shammas

Edward E. Andrews — Thu, 23 May 2013 08:40:18 PDT

Reviews the book The Creation of the British Atlantic World (Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2005) edited by Elizabeth Mancke and Carole Shammas.

Review of Rebecca’s Revival: Creating Black Christianity in the Atlantic World by Jon F. Sensbach

Edward E. Andrews — Thu, 23 May 2013 08:40:16 PDT

Reviews the book Rebecca’s Revival: Creating Black Christianity in the Atlantic World (Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 2005) by Jon F. Sensbach.

The First Prejudice: Religious Tolerance and Intolerance in Early America

Adrian Chastain Weimer — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 09:05:52 PST

Reviews The First Prejudice: Religious Tolerance and Intolerance in Early America, edited by Chris Beneke and Christopher S. Grenda.

Christian Missions and Colonial Empires Reconsidered: A Black Evangelist in West Africa, 1766-1816

Edward E. Andrews — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 19:01:22 PDT

The article presents an exploration into the work of the late 18th-century West African Anglican missionary Philip Quaque and the relationship between imperialism and religion during the colonial era. The author points out and criticizes the dominant historiographical trend of over-conflating White imperialism with Christian missions. Quaque's life and writings are examined, highlighting the lack of forced cultural conversion within his missionary activities. Discussion is also given regarding the complex identity dynamics within Quaque as a Christian and as an African.

“Creatures of Mimic and Imitation”: The Liberty Tree, Black Elections, and the Politicization of African Ceremonial Space in Revolutionary Newport, Rhode Island

Edward E. Andrews — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 18:58:24 PDT

The article explains how African slaves changed the colonial space of 18th century Newport, Rhode Island by transporting and preserving cultural and political concepts and codes. African slaves who came directly to Newport frequently came from the Gold Coast and consisted of Mandingo, Mende, Ibo, Ashanti and Fante peoples. Although the city's black population came from various regions and groups, its Africans could draw on a common cultural vocabulary that gave trees a sacred, and even cosmic, importance.

Digging Up History: How Photo-Flo and Elbow Grease Are Saving New England’s Historic Cemeteries

Edward E. Andrews — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 18:57:58 PDT

Gravestones seem to be, like the memories of the people they honor, eternally immutable, intransient reminders of the lives, loves, and losses of the past. Even the substance they're made of is a metaphor for durability and permanence. And yet, as any resident of New England knows, soil moves, water erodes, tree limbs fall, frost heaves erupt, sun rays blister, roots expand, and mold advances. Constant attacks from weather, in addition to the mechanization of landscaping, conspire to destroy these stones as they once stood. Ironically, New England's historic cemeteries are dying. Fortunately, a handful of preservationists are laboring to safeguard the invaluable treasures within these early American cemeteries. Fannin-Lehner Preservation Consultants, my summer employer, is an award-winning company out of Concord, Massachusetts, that does just that. Although it is a small firm, it has taken on the ambitious task of restoring and repairing cemeteries throughout New England and beyond. And the company is not alone. Dozens of other people, from preservationists and historians to local townsfolk and eager volunteers, are energetically preserving these endangered markers from oblivion.