The Montiers: From Slavery to Paul Robeson and Beyond—An African-American Family’s Interracial Roots to Philadelphia’s Colonial Past

The African-American Montier family traces its roots to the British-born Causasian son of Philadelphia’s first mayor, Richard Morrey, who had a relationship with Cremona, a young woman who had been enslaved by the Morrey family, resulting in five mixed-race children. Before his death, Richard would pass to Cremona 200 acres of land, giving her an almost unique position in 18th-century Philadelphia. On this land a small Black town known as Guineatown would grow up, with an associated cemetery. Cremona’s descendants include Cyrus Bustill, a black activist and baker who made bread for the Continental Army; David Bustill Bowser, an 19th-century activist who designed and created the colors for eleven African-American regiments at Camp William Penn; the great Paul Robeson, renowned scholar, lawyer, diplomat, athlete, singer, and actor; and William Pickens, Sr., a co-founder of the NAACP. The Montiers traces this unique family to the present day.