The DeGrasse Family of New York City

Prof. Prithi Kanakamedala will present on their project examining the life of George DeGrasse and his family, who lived on land in New York City donated by Aaron Burr in the early nineteenth century. DeGrasse, listed as being born in Calcutta, India, and often claiming to be Burrs former servant, becomes the focus of a reevaluation in light of new research suggesting Burr may have had a secret Black and Indian family in the Caribbean. This work explores the possibility that the DeGrasse family represents an early Indo-Caribbean presence in New York, and will culminate in a digital site and book chapter as part of a broader book project.