hidden presence
A community-engagement project in Chippenham
In 2010 a gravestone was discovered in the Moravian burial ground in East Tytherton, a tiny village just outside Chippenham. The gravestone is that of Leonora Casey Carr, 1808 to 1837.
The discovery of Leonora's gravestone is important in terms of our national heritage. It is the only one to commemorate the life of a slave or manumitted slave in Wiltshire, and one of only a few in the United Kingdom.
Leonora Casey Carr was nine years old when she was transported from Antigua to England 140 years ago.
She was the daughter of General George Carr and Fanny Loving who was a slave. Shortly after arriving in England Leonora was freed.
When she was twelve years old, Leonora joined the Moravian Girls' School in East Tytherton. After completing her schooling she transferred to the Single Sisters' House in the village. She lived in this small community until she died at the age of 28. Most likely she died of tuberculosis.
Leonora's short life spanned two very different cultures. She would have been a rarity in the rural community, where she lived most of her life. However, beside entries into the Moravian church records, such as the taking of communion, there is almost no record of her presence in the community.
Hidden Presence is a project inspired by the missed opportunity to document and preserve the story of Leonora's life and experiences.
Our community is diverse and enriched by people from foreign cultures settling among us. The aim of Hidden Presence is to acknowledge the diversity of our community, and our similarities with people from all over the world.
Chippenham Primary School's year-six students took on the role photo-journalists for Hidden Presence. Their assignment, to interview and photograph someone in their community from a foreign culture. This could be someone from Scotland or Ireland, Europe, or as far away as Antigua.
Hidden Presence contributors
Hidden Presence is a joint arts and heritage project partnered by:
Chippenham Museum
Wiltshire County Council
Pound arts centre
PLaCE, University of the West of England
