Facing up to the Past - Slavery and Bolton

James Watkins was a freed slave who travelled to Bolton to enlist the support of local mill workers for the Abolition of Slavery movement. His story was played out by two actors in the Museum galleries as part of the commemoration of the Bicentennial of the abolition of Slavery.

The play Facing Up To The Past being performed at Bolton Museum

Watkins used Bolton as his base while staying in Lancashire.

From here he visited local millworkers to petition their support for the anti-slavery movement, emphasisng the connection between the cotton industry and the slave trade.

The play acknowledges the challenge he faced persuading people who would potentially feel the economic impact of the abolition. Ultimately the local workers gave their support, identifying with the plight of the slaves.

The play was performed several times over two days taking place in the Museum gallery and even used Crompton's original Spinning Mule as a prop.

The finale saw James Watkins encouraging the audience to join in a rowsing abolition song to the tune of Aul Lang Syne!

The play took place as part of the commemoration of the Abolition of Slavery. There are more details about slavery and Bolton in the Revealing Histories, Remembering Slavery section of this site.