Grave of a Slave called Scipio

Roger Harper, on March 30, 2007, said:

Scipio Africanus was servant to Charles William Howard, 7th Earl of Suffolk and is thought to have lived on the Blaise Estate, part of Henbury Manor. Scipio died in 1720 aged 18. We don’t know anything else about his life, but the elaborateness of his headstone and footstone in St Mary’s Churchyard, Church Close, Henbury, Bristol BS10 suggests that he was well thought of.

The headstone for the grave of Scipio Africanus, At Henbury Churchyard. It reads, Here Lieth the body of Scipio Africanus Negro servant to y Right Honourable Charles William Earl of Suffolk and Bradon who died y 21st December 1720 Aged 18 years.

The Foot Stone Reads:- reads, I who was born a pagan and a slave Now sweetly sleep a Christian in my grave What tho my hue was dark my saviours sight Shall change this darkness into radiant light Such grace to me my Lord on earth has given To recommend me to my Lord in heaven Whose glorious second coming here I wait With saints and angels Him to celebrate.