Simmie and Mim had the privilege of visiting Keith Barrett’s studio in North Shields, where he is working on a monumental 10-foot-high bronze sculpture. This artwork, destined to stand proudly at the top of the new walkway overlooking the sea, celebrates the extraordinary life of Mary Ann Macham.
Mary Ann was an escaped enslaved woman from Virginia who made her way to North Shields, where she became a cherished member of the community in the 19th century. Keith Barrett, who has been a resident artist in North Shields for 35 years, was inspired to create this piece after North Tyneside Council invited artists to tender for public art commissions as part of the town’s regeneration. Mary Ann’s story stood out to Keith, who felt it essential to honor her courage and resilience. “Mary Ann is a lesser-known figure in North Shields’ history,” Keith said. “It’s important to celebrate her life and ensure that future generations remember her bravery and how she was welcomed into the local community.”
Mary Ann Macham, born in Virginia, USA, was the daughter of an enslaved woman and a plantation owner’s son. Sold into slavery and subjected to years of cruelty, she managed a daring escape. Stowing away on a ship bound for the Netherlands, she endured a long and treacherous journey before arriving in North Shields on Christmas Day in 1831. She was met and befriended by the Spence family, prominent local business people, Quakers, and supporters of the abolition movement. Mary Ann married James Blyth, a local rope-maker, and enjoyed over 60 years of freedom. The couple, who had no children, lived in various houses on Howard Street in North Shields. She is buried alongside her husband in Preston Cemetery, North Shields, near the graves of the Spence family and other local Quakers who supported her.
Nina Brown, a trustee at the Old Low Light Heritage Centre, has been instrumental in sharing research from the center’s 2019 exhibition “Breaking Chains,” which chronicled Mary Ann’s journey from enslavement to freedom. This prominent sculpture will stand as a beacon of inspiration, reminding all who see it of Mary Ann Macham’s incredible journey and the enduring fight for freedom.
