Portsmouth in Rockingham County, New Hampshire — The American Northeast (New England)

James (Stavers)

Portsmouth Black Heritage Trail

Photographed by James R. Murray, August 18, 2016

1. James (Stavers) Marker

Inscription. In the midst of the American Revolution in 1777, James, enslaved by tavern owner John Stavers, was ordered to stop a zealous patriot from chopping down the tavern sign. Although James nearly killed the man, it was his owner, a suspected Tory, who was arrested. James had no accountability in the eyes of the law because he was a slave.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Industry & Commerce • War, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included in the New Hampshire, The Black Heritage Trail of series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1777.

Location. 43° 4.597′ N, 70° 45.244′ W. Marker is in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, in Rockingham County. It is at the intersection of Atkinson Street and Court Street on Atkinson Street. Marker is located on a pole near the ticket booth of the Strawberry Banke Museum. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Portsmouth NH 03801, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on New Hampshire’s Seacoast. It is also in the American Northeast

and in New England.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Oracle House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Portsmouth Veteran's Memorial (about 400 feet away); Temple Israel (about 500 feet away); Memorial Bridge 1923-2012 (about 600 feet away); Portsmouth NH Marine Railway

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(about 600 feet away); Red Light District (about 600 feet away); Liberty Pole and Bridge (about 700 feet away); Portsmouth Pier & Wharves (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Portsmouth.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Portsmouth Black Heritage Trail

Also see . . . Portsmouth Black Heritage Trail.
This three-story tavern, built in 1766, is most remembered as the scene of Revolutionary turmoil and visits of famous patriots. Enslaved people were a recurrent part of tavern-owner John Stavers’ life. In earlier years Stavers was charged with beating someone else’s black servant. He also auctioned people imported from the West Indies, advertised for his run-away 16-year-old slave named Fortune, and charged a fee to view a 9-year-old albino African boy. (Submitted on April 7, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Photographed by James R. Murray, August 18, 2016

2. James (Stavers) Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on September 7, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 20, 2016, by James R. Murray of Elkton, Florida. This page has been viewed 620 times since then and 22 times this year. Last updated on April 7, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 20, 2016, by James R. Murray of Elkton, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.