HistoryPoints News

Oct 1, 2020

Vicar's slavery secret uncovered


As Black History Month begins, take a look at our new web page which reveals how a large house in Rhyl was built by a respected vicar - using some of the fortune he'd amassed from exploiting black slaves in the Caribbean. The family ...

of Rev Benjamin Winston appears to have kept quiet about slavery after moving to Rhyl. There is no mention of the subject in obituaries to him or his son, who was famous locally as Rhyl's first stationmaster and a supporter of worthy causes. Research by the Centre for the Study of Legacies of British Slave-ownership shows that the Rev Winston changed his name in order to inherit estates and slaves. He recorded ownership of 179 slaves in 1823. For more about the fascinating hidden history of Bodannerch on Russell Road, scan the HistoryPoints QR codes on the gatepost with your mobile, or click here to see the web page and a map