Georgetown in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Mahmoud Yarrow or Yarrow Mamout
Georgetown African American Historic Landmark
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), December 4, 2021
1. Mahmoud Yarrow or Yarrow Mamout Marker
Yarrow Mamout, born in 1736, arrived in Annapolis in 1752 on the Elijah and served the Beall family until 1796. His name indicates he was Fulani, an educated devout Muslim, he could read and write in Arabic. Freed at age 60, he used money earned as a craftsman to finance Georgetown merchants and owned stock in the Bank of Columbia. Racim embedded in the slave codes prevented him from attending meetings or suing to enforce contracts. White friends interceded in his legal affairs.
"Massa tink he got all de work out of Yaro bone. He tell Yaro, go free. You been work nuff for me. Go work for you now. Tankee, Yaro say. Yaro work a seoon, a late, a hot, a cold. Massa take sick, die—money gone. Yaro go to work again. Get more dollars. Gib him to young massa, he no die. Young massa den broke—den go away. Yaro old for true now. Must work again."
Yarrow Marmout (Recorder of Deeds' copy, signed 1803)
Yarrow lived in a wood frame house here until his death in 1823. Archaeologists have failed to confirm whether he is buried here facing Mecca.
Erected 2020 by Georgetown African American Historic Landmark Project, 400 Years of African-American History Commission.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans
this page online
Location. 38° 54.706′ N, 77° 4.021′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Georgetown. Marker is on Dent Place Northwest just west of 33rd Street Northwest, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3324 Dent Pl NW, Washington DC 20007, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Freed Slave and Future President (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); 1667 Wisconsin Ave. NW (about 400 feet away); Hilleary's Smiling Corner (about 400 feet away); The Original Georgetown Reservoir (about 400 feet away); Edward Clark Thomson (about 500 feet away); In Memory of Grosvenor Chapman (about 500 feet away); "The Birth of Camelot" (about 500 feet away); Brinetown and Western High School (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Northwest Washington.
Additional commentary.
1. African American History Category
This marker has been
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), December 4, 2021
2. Mahmoud Yarrow or Yarrow Mamout Marker
The marker is on the site of Yarrow's home, near present-day 3322 Dent Place.
Additionally, it is important to note that Muslims have been living in the United States since the country's origins. Yarrow Mamout's life is a famous example in the Colony of Maryland, the State of Maryland, and then the District of Columbia.
— Submitted December 4, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
Additional keywords. American Muslims
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 4, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 276 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 4, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
