The short life of Tom Highflyer

Previously unknown grave

Last year Bert Williams (one of the co-founding members of Brighton & Hove Black History group) received a tweet from a colleague, about the surprisingly well-preserved grave of a young African boy, hidden away in Woodvale Cemetery. When the grave was located and cleared, a fascinating piece of Brighton’s black history was uncovered.

African child died 1870

The grave was of an African child who had been laid to rest in 1870. Carved on his gravestone were the words:
“In memory of Tom M.S. Highflyer, Rescued from a slave dhow August 24, 1866, Baptised by his own request at Brighton, March 30, 1870, Died at Brighton June 20, 1870, Supposed to be about 12 years old.”

Rescued from slavery

Research showed that, at the tender age of eight, Tom M.S. Highflyer was rescued  from a life of unimaginable hardship on a slave dhow. He was named after his rescuer, Captain Thomas Malcolm Sabine Pasley, of the Royal Navy’s East African Anti-Slave Trade Squadron. He subsequently came to Brighton to be educated and attended St Mark’s School, where he was a well behaved and popular pupil.

Death at only 12 years old

Brighton was seen as a healthy place to live but unfortunately, Tom’s time here was shortlived. He fell ill, possibly as a result of his hard years at sea, dying in 1870 at the tender age of 12. But thanks to the efforts of the Black History Group and others, his story has at last been told. His unkempt grave has been refurbished and was dedicated at a special ceremony held in Woodvale Cemetery today.

You can find out more on the story of the life of Tom Highflyer on Brighton & Hove Black History.