Inspiration, Music Grace African Burying Ground

As soon Carlyle Brown's show ended at the Music Hall on Wednesday night, many members of his audience made their way to the African Burying Ground on Chestnut Street for a candlelight procession.

More than 200 people participated in a candlelight vigil that began in front of the Music Hall on the upper end of Chestnut Street and proceeded to the lower half of the street. The area where more than 200 African slaves were buried was cordoned off by Portsmouth Police and the city Public Works Department.

For nearly 30 minutes, those who gathered to remember those who were laid to rest in unmarked graves below the city street more than 200 years ago reveled in the melodic sounds Con Tutti, Brown and Randy Armstrong who led a group of African drummers.

According to Music Hall officials, Brown's show raised money for the African Burying Ground Memorial and the design for the memorial was also unveiled. Participants also observed solemn moments of prayer and reflection offered by several Portsmouth clergy members. The Rev. Arthur Hilson of the Hope Baptist Church read the petition that 20 African slaves had submitted to the New Hampshire Legislature in 1779 seeking their freedom.

After the names of the 20 African slaves were read aloud, the South Church bells tolled 20 times as the procession participants huddled in the cold and remembered all of the African slaves were were buried beneath them.

Currently, funds continue to be raised to create a $1.2 million African Burying Ground Memorial Park. In January, toward their goal.

What follows is a video of Wednesday night's candlelight vigil.