Negro Pews
Portsmouth Black Heritage Trail
Until the mid 1800's, most New England churches assigned pews to parishioners by their social rank. Black people, enslaved or free, usually were seated as far as possible from the pulpit.
Negro pews in the North Meetinghouse, which stood here from 1711 to 1854, were located in the upper balcony high above the front door.
Marker is on Congress St (U.S. 1) just from Church Street, on the left when traveling west.
Courtesy hmdb.org
