Last updated: December 20, 2023
Place
Alfred Pope House
NPS Photo/R. Maher
Quick Facts
OPEN TO PUBLIC:
No
Amenities
1 listed
Cellular Signal
The blue house on the corner was built by Alfred Pope. Many of you have probably never heard of Alfred Pope---but you should have.
In 1848, Alfred and 76 other enslaved men, women, and children escaped from Washington, DC by sneaking out of their homes and boarding the schooner “The Pearl.” Their plans were foiled after two days of sailing against the wind, a posse from Georgetown overtook the ship and brought the freedom seekers back to Washington City. The slave owners they were returned to often sold the ‘fugitives’ to traders who took them to the Deep South. Alfred Pope was owned by South Carolina Congressman John Carter, who sent Alfred back to South Carolina briefly before bringing him back to Washington, DC. Pope was granted his freedom in the will of the congressman who died in 1850.
Also manumitted was Pope’s wife Hannah. Hannah Cole Pope had been born in Georgetown on the estate of Thomas Peter and Martha Custis Peter—Tudor Place. The Popes decided to stay in Georgetown where Alfred took on the job of “Town Scavenger.” Alfred worked and was eventually able to purchase land. He started businesses involving real estate and building materials. He was selected as one of the representatives of Georgetown that testified before Congress in 1870 regarding whether or not Georgetown would remain an independent city within the District of Columbia or be absorbed into Washington City.
Alfred was a trustee for the Public DC Colored schools, Mount Zion Church (which shares the lot with this house), and was owner of five single family homes and five tenements within Georgetown.
Learn more about the Pearl Incident here.
The Alfred Pope house is a private home. Please respect the privacy of the residents.
In 1848, Alfred and 76 other enslaved men, women, and children escaped from Washington, DC by sneaking out of their homes and boarding the schooner “The Pearl.” Their plans were foiled after two days of sailing against the wind, a posse from Georgetown overtook the ship and brought the freedom seekers back to Washington City. The slave owners they were returned to often sold the ‘fugitives’ to traders who took them to the Deep South. Alfred Pope was owned by South Carolina Congressman John Carter, who sent Alfred back to South Carolina briefly before bringing him back to Washington, DC. Pope was granted his freedom in the will of the congressman who died in 1850.
Also manumitted was Pope’s wife Hannah. Hannah Cole Pope had been born in Georgetown on the estate of Thomas Peter and Martha Custis Peter—Tudor Place. The Popes decided to stay in Georgetown where Alfred took on the job of “Town Scavenger.” Alfred worked and was eventually able to purchase land. He started businesses involving real estate and building materials. He was selected as one of the representatives of Georgetown that testified before Congress in 1870 regarding whether or not Georgetown would remain an independent city within the District of Columbia or be absorbed into Washington City.
Alfred was a trustee for the Public DC Colored schools, Mount Zion Church (which shares the lot with this house), and was owner of five single family homes and five tenements within Georgetown.
Learn more about the Pearl Incident here.
The Alfred Pope house is a private home. Please respect the privacy of the residents.