Stately home: Carshalton Park House, c1830, the home of slave-owner George Taylor who made his fortune with slave-worked sugar plantations
An exhibition exploring Sutton's surprising links to the transatlantic slave trade is the centrepiece of the borough's celebration of Black History and Diversity Month.
These days the borough is known for its enviable green spaces, schools and recycling rates, but as the exhibition reveals, it once had strong links to the cruel trade.
In the 1700s a prominent resident not only contributed to the trade but introduced slaves from the West Indies to Sutton.
George and later John Taylor of Carshalton Park House lived off a family fortune made on slave-worked sugar plantations on the islands of St Kitts and Nevis.
When George Taylor returned from the Caribbean, he continued to make use of slaves by bringing people back from the plantation to serve him in the borough.
Over the past few months a project undertaken by Sutton Council and funded by a £36,500 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has started to piece together the lives of Taylor and his slaves.
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Borough archivist and local studies manager Kath Shawcross said: "Most residents do not know that slavery was once the hidden resource that helped to underpin the economy.
"The HLF funding will enable us to raise awareness among the local community and schools about how slavery affected everyone.
Investigating the past: Visitors find out more about Sutton's role in the slave trade
"Most people wouldn't think Sutton had anything to do with the slave trade - they would probably associate that with Bristol and Liverpool, but we know there were people here who had black servants who were slaves.
"I think it is important we investigate and find out more about this period from a local point of view."
One of George Taylor's hidden secrets revealed by the project was that he had a black butler by the name of Samuel Mudian who was brought over as a slave from St Kitts to work in Taylor's mansion.
Samuel went on to marry a white woman from Carshalton, and continued to live in the borough between the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
And it turns out the Taylors were not the only ones to benefit from the despicable slave trade - references to other slaves can be found in the records held in Sutton archives.
A book exploring their tale is due to be published after the exhibition and will be distributed free to all schools and interested organisations in the borough.
Speaking at the launch of the Gentlemen Slavers Exhibition, Councillor Lord Graham Tope said that he was pleased the project would act as a legacy for schools for years to come.
He said: "Reflecting on the 1807 Act, when the transatlantic slave trade was officially abolished, compels us to reassess the history of the period and opens up the gateway to a richer, more complete knowledge about the roots of present day British society."
The Gentlemen Slavers Exhibition runs from October 2 until 31, and admission is free.
Other activities throughout Black History and Diversity Month include a councillor shadowing scheme set up by Sutton's Black and Minority Ethnic Forum to enable people from varying backgrounds to get a taste for work as a councillor.
"There are so many people in Sutton who are interested in contributing to their community but are not sure how to go about it," said deputy leader of the council, Ruth Dombey. "This is an excellent opportunity to find out what it means to be a councillor."
The purpose of the scheme is to enable people from different backgrounds to become aware of the routes into community activism.
For three weeks, participants will attend council meetings and other committees, visit the House of Commons and City Hall, and observe Sutton's mayor in her formal role, at a citizenship ceremony, attending meetings of local community organisations and opening ceremonies.
In conclusion, on October 21 the Eid Festival and Islamic Arts and Crafts Show will celebrate the end of Ramadan with food stalls and games for the whole family between 11am and 4pm, at Wentworth Hall, Ruskin Road in Carshalton.
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