African Sal

Those black people who found employment in 18th Century London became domestic servants, soldiers and sailors, classical and street musicians, actresses, street salesmen and, if all else failed, prostitutes, beggars, thieves and highwaymen. Some achieved fame in these fields and a few won recognition for their achievements on an equal footing with their white compatriots.

In his will, Dr. Johnson left £70 to his black servant, Francis Barber (who was born in Jamaica in 1735) who became a schoolmaster. Ignatius Sancho, who was born on a slave ship in 1729, wrote poetry and plays while employed as butler to the Duke of Montagu and was a friend of Dr Johnson, David Garrick and Laurence Sterne. Olaudah Equiano was born in Nigeria around 1745, was kidnapped and sold as a slave and eventually became a black political leader and an early champion of civil rights. The musical prodigy George Bridgtower (born around 1779), performed for many years as principal violinist in the Prince of Wales band at the Royal Pavilion. Beethoven originally dedicated the Kreutzer sonata to him before they quarrelled.

	Billy Waters

Billy Waters had served as a sailor and lost his leg before becoming a street musician, playing his fiddle for visitors to the Drury Lane Theatre. He was elected King of the Beggars shortly before his death in 1823. He was one of several black personalities featured by Pierce Egan in Life in London (pub.1821), illustrated by George Cruikshank. Others included African Sal, her baby Mungo and Massa Piebald, another ex-sailor turned beggar whose real name was Charles MGee.

	Crib Vs Molineaux. Thomas Molineaux fought Tom Cribb (Champion of England) in 1810 and again in 1811. He narrowly lost both fights but his strength and skill astounded 20,000 spectators.

Black sportsmen excelled at prize-fighting. Bill Richmond was born in New York in 1763 and came to Britain as a servant in 1777. He became a successful boxer, married well and retired to run The Horse and Dolphin, a fashionable tavern near Leicester Square. He trained several champions, including the American Thomas Molineaux. Other famous pugilists included Massa Kendrick and James Wharton. Prize-fighting and its promotion offered one of the few opportunities for black people to acquire wealth and social status.