History society talk to reveal Neston and Parkgate’s links to 18th Century slave trade

Feb 3 2010 by James Hague, Heswall News

NESTON and Parkgate’s links to the slave trade are to be revealed next week.

A talk by local historian Anthony Annakin-Smithwill tell how leading members of the community invested in the “triangular” trade between Africa, Liverpool and the Americas in the 18th Century.

A number of locally built ships were used in the process, one even named the “Neston.”

Mr Annakin-Smith said: “I have been both astonished and horrified to discover how these Wirral communities made their own contributions towards the misery of thousands of men, women and children taken to be slaves in the New World.

“I hope this research, which focuses on the exploits of locally-linked ships that plied this trade, will add a new dimension to the story for Wirral residents.”

Historians believe five Neston businessmen held meetings to discuss “investment” opportunities offered by the slave trade.

Mr Annakin-Smith will talk about the area’s links to the slave trade in a meeting of the Burton & Neston History Society at Gladstone Village Hall, Burton on Thursday, February 11.

The meeting starts at 8pm.

Admission is free for first-time visitors to the society.