Blacks of the Chesapeake Foundation

The Blacks of the Chesapeake Foundation had its start as the Blacks of the Chesapeake Project (BOC), which was founded by Vincent O. Leggett in 1984.  The BOC documented this historically close relationship between the bay and its surrounding land which has existed for centuries in Maryland.  The Black watermen/farmer was an important partner to this lifestyle.  Blacks were working the water during the oyster, clamming, crabbing and fishing seasons, and the farms during the summer.  Crops, such as tobacco, being shipped via the bay enabled blacks to work as laborers, longshoremen, and seafood, vegetable and fruit packers throughout the Chesapeake region.  These packing houses provided work opportunities for the entire family, including women and children.  Innovative black men “sharecropped the bay”, where the riverbed was used as a farm, the men brought young shellfish and planted them by hand.  The crop would then be harvested and sold at market.  The men worked hand-tonging for oysters and served on Skipjacks as they dredged for oysters.  Black watermen also served as captains and crew on other bay-built boats fishing, crabbing, clamming and harvesting oysters.  In some cases, blacks piloted schooners and bugeyes up and down the bay hauling seafood, farm supplies, and produce to distance markets.  During the steamship era blacks worked as stokers, firemen, stewards, and deck hands to support the bay activities.  Some of the best oyster tongs in Maryland and Virginia were crafted along the bay settlements by African American blacksmiths who supplied many other tools for use on land and sea.  To the surprise and fascination of many, blacks were sail makers, boat builders and owners of seafood processing plants.

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