Sally Maria Diggs
Sally Maria Diggs (c. 1851[1] – ?) was an African-American slave girl, also known as "Pinky," whose freedom was famously bought by Henry Ward Beecher in 1860, during a sermon at Plymouth Church, Brooklyn, NY.[2] Beecher famously said, "No child should be in slavery, let alone a child like this’ and raised $900 to purchase her freedom.[3] The episode was celebrated in a number of paintings and drawings at the time, including Eastman Johnson's "Freedom Ring."[4]
In 2010, "Pinky" was celebrated by sculptor Meredith Bergmann.[5]
In 1927, "Pinky" returned to Plymouth Church to celebrate the 80th anniversary of Henry Ward Beecher's first sermon at Plymouth Church.[1]
References
- ^ a b "Negroes: Again: Pinky". Time. May 23, 1927.
Sixty-seven years ago the congregation of Plymouth Church, Brooklyn, saw Pastor Henry Ward Beecher* mount the pulpit, accompanied by a trembling nine-year-old Negress.
- ^ http://www.brooklynpubliclibrary.org/civilwar/cwdoc013.html
- ^ Strausbaugh, John (October 12, 2007). "On the Trail of Brooklyn's Underground Railroad". The New York Times.
- ^ http://www.brooklynpubliclibrary.org/civilwar/cwdoc013.html#
- ^ http://brooklynbeforenow.blogspot.com/2010/11/artists-run-loose-in-brooklyn.html