The Rhode Island Historical Society is hosting “Food, Fortune, and Freedom: The Jumel Northup Collection” with an presentation by Mary Lancaster.
This event will take place on Thursday, March 13, 2014 at 6:30 PM at the Aldrich House
110 Benevolent Street, Providence, RI.
Eliza Jumel, born the impoverished Betsy Bowen in Providence, Rhode Island, was one of the wealthiest widows in New York City, as well as being the former wife of Aaron Burr. Anne Northup was a free black woman living in Saratoga Springs, New York, and the wife of Solomon Northup, who was kidnapped in 1841 and spent twelve years as slave in Louisiana.
While the recent Oscar Nominated and Golden Globe winning movie, Twelve Years a Slave, suggests Anne faced hardship in her husband’s absence, her skills as a cook and her connections with Madame Jumel enabled her to make a living and support her children.
Jane Lancaster will explore links between the two women, examine the role of Anne Northup in the development of American cooking, and assess the contributions of the Northups to the fight over Madame’s fortune.
