Hidden chains

The book reveals the links between some of the North East's wealthiest, most prominent families and the slavery on plantations of the New World. It also tells the story of ordinary people from Northumberland, Durham and Tyneside who were caught up in the slavery business. Some were bonded labourers; others crossed the Atlantic on ships carrying human cargo, returning with tobacco, sugar, rum and other profitable goods. At the same time the North East's men and women were playing a determined part in the anti-slavery movement and their vital contribution to abolition is also explored.  The publication came out of the Remembering Slavery project in 2007, and is published in association with Tyne and Wear Museums.