Downtown in Boston in Suffolk County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)
Zipporah Potter Atkins
Photographed by Mary Mangan, October 19, 2023
1. Zipporah Potter Atkins Marker
Zipporah Potter Atkins (c1645-1705), the only 17th century woman of African descent to buy land in Boston, purchased a house on this site in 1670. Born free despite enslavement of Africans in Massachusetts, She was a North End resident from 1670-1699 when she became the first African woman to sign her initials on a Deed in Suffolk County.
Erected 2014 by The Heritage Guild, Inc.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Colonial Era • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1670.
Location. 42° 21.746′ N, 71° 3.396′ W. Marker is in Boston, Massachusetts, in Suffolk County. It is in Downtown. It can be reached from the intersection of John F. Fitzgerald Surface Road and Hanover Street, on the right when traveling north. Located on the Rose Kennedy Greenway, on top of the granite wall. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Boston MA 02109, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Massachusetts’ Historic Boston. 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: Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway (here, next to this marker); Boston Timeline (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Boston Timeline (within shouting distance of this marker); The Bell-in-Hand (about 300 feet away, measured
this page online
Also see . . . Zipporah Potter Atkins (Wikipedia). (Submitted on July 8, 2025, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)
Credits. This page was last revised on July 8, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 2, 2025, by Mary Mangan of Somerville, Massachusetts. This page has been viewed 109 times since then and 37 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on July 2, 2025, by Mary Mangan of Somerville, Massachusetts. • Michael Herrick was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. A wide view photo of the marker and its surroundings. • Can you help?
