Hampstead Heath Land Linked to Slave Trade Funds
A forthcoming report details how Parliament Hill Fields was acquired using money with indirect slave trade connections.
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Part of Parliament Hill Fields, situated on Hampstead Heath, was acquired in the 19th century using funds that had indirect connections to profits derived from the slave trade. This finding is set to be detailed in a report commissioned by the City of London Corporation, which is expected to be published in September.
Research into Historical Links
The City of London Corporation commissioned the research in December 2024 to investigate its historical connections to the slave trade. Professor William Pettigrew from Lancaster University is leading this investigation, which aims to identify past Lord Mayors, Aldermen, and other members who held financial interests in the slave trade between 1640 and 1807. The study will also examine related institutional investments. A paper published prior to this commission noted that other institutions, such as the Bank of England and the Church of England, have already undertaken similar historical reviews.
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The forthcoming report, anticipated to highlight numerous links with the City, is expected to include extensive details concerning the connections between former Corporation members and the trafficking of African slaves. It is understood that the research will also cover institutional investments tied to the slave trade.
Acquisition of Parliament Hill Fields
The report specifically outlines how the purchase of Parliament Hill Fields in the 19th century involved the use of funds indirectly linked to the slave trade. Following the Metropolitan Board of Works' acquisition of Hampstead Heath in 1871, it was deemed necessary to also purchase the adjacent Parliament Hill Fields. A new charity, the City Parochial Foundation, which was formed from the amalgamation of local parish charities that had received donations from slave traders, was identified as a contributor to this land purchase alongside other bodies like the Board of Works.
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A spokesperson for the City of London Corporation stated that addressing this part of its history openly and honestly is important for building an inclusive City. The spokesperson confirmed that Professor Pettigrew was commissioned to research historical links using the London Archives and the Register of British Slave Traders, with the report scheduled for publication later this year. Members of the Corporation have been invited to awareness training sessions in anticipation of its release.
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