Sandy Ground History
What year did New York abolish slavery?
1827
Who wrote a book about her family's roots in Sandy Ground?
Janise LaBoard's Grandmother (Lois AH Mosley)
What type of educational resource does the Sandy Ground Historical Society provide?
A full-blown curriculum that incorporates cultural, agricultural, and marine life concepts.
What motivated Janise LaBoard to write her children’s book?
To preserve and pass down the stories of Sandy Ground to the younger generation.
What is Janise LaBoard’s main concern about the future of Sandy Ground?
n: What is Janise LaBoard’s main concern about the future of Sandy Ground?
Answer: That the legacy may not be sustained as the community and its preservers age.
Who was one of the first recorded Black landowners in Sandy Ground?
Captain John Jackson
Who is the fictional character in Janise LaBoard’s book that discovers his family's history?
Landin Henry
What did Captain John Jackson and other migrants from Maryland seek in Staten Island?
Financial freedom and the opportunity to operate their businesses.
Why is the preservation of Sandy Ground’s history challenging today?
The community is shrinking, original buildings are disappearing, and the historical society’s members are aging.
How does Janise LaBoard’s book contribute to the preservation of Sandy Ground’s history?
By educating and inspiring the younger generation about their heritage.
Why did many Black shipworkers migrate to Staten Island in the 1820s and 1830s?
They sought to escape restrictive laws in Maryland and find financial freedom.
Which family member of Janise LaBoard is buried in the Rossville A.M.E. Zion Church cemetery?
Her grandmother, Lois Augusta Henry Mosley
What is the importance of the artifacts and stories preserved by the Sandy Ground Historical Society?
They educate the public, especially schoolchildren, about the historical significance of Sandy Ground.
What does Janise LaBoard emphasize about her great-great-great-uncle Captain John Jackson?
He was a free Black man, not a freed Black man.
What role does the Rossville A.M.E. Zion Church play in preserving Sandy Ground’s history?
It manages the property and keeps the historical records of the community.
What industry was Captain John Jackson associated with in Sandy Ground?
Oystering.
How does Janise LaBoard describe the Sandy Ground community in relation to slavery?
As a prosperous Black community that existed outside of the institution of slavery.
What notable recent event helped raise awareness about Sandy Ground’s history?
Mayor Eric Adams commissioning a Staten Island Ferry boat named for Sandy Ground.
How does the Sandy Ground Historical Society contribute to modern education?
By safeguarding archival documents and using them to educate the public and schoolchildren.
What is one way students can help preserve their community’s history, inspired by Janise LaBoard’s efforts?
By documenting and sharing their own community’s stories and histories.
What is the significance of the Rossville A.M.E. Zion Church in Sandy Ground’s history?
It served as a central hub for the community and aided escaped enslaved people as part of the Underground Railroad.
What is the title of Janise LaBoard’s children’s book?
The Summer Adventures of Landin Henry
What is the significance of the Rossville A.M.E. Zion Church’s records dating back to 1850?
They provide historical documentation of the church’s role in aiding escaped enslaved people and serving the community.
What recent addition to the New York City public school curriculum helps preserve Sandy Ground’s history?
The inclusion of Sandy Ground in the public school curriculum.
What does Janise LaBoard describe as "magical" about Sandy Ground?
The sense of community and the heart of its people, which nurtures wonderful individuals across generations.