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Sarah Forbes Bonetta: A Remarkable Life in Victorian England

Introduction

The life of Sarah Forbes Bonetta (1843-1880) was one of extraordinary resilience, achievement, and defiance of societal norms. Born into the Yoruba royal family in what is now southwest Nigeria, Sarah was orphaned at a young age, enslaved, and ultimately gifted to Queen Victoria, who became her godmother and lifelong supporter. Through her intelligence, talent, and grace, Sarah navigated the complex world of Victorian England, forging a unique path that challenged prevailing attitudes about race, class, and identity.

From Enslavement to Royal Patronage

Sarah‘s early life was marked by tragedy and upheaval. Born in 1843 in the Egbado village of Oke-Odan, she was originally named Aina, which means "one who is blessed" in Yoruba (Aroboto, 2019). In 1848, when Sarah was just five years old, King Gezo of Dahomey‘s army attacked her village, killing her parents and taking her as a slave.

Sarah‘s fate took an unexpected turn in 1850, when she was liberated by Captain Frederick E. Forbes of the Royal Navy. Forbes had been sent to Dahomey as a representative of the British government, and King Gezo gifted Sarah to him as a "present from the King of the Blacks to the Queen of the Whites" (Forbes, 1851, p. 21). Forbes was struck by Sarah‘s intelligence and potential, and he brought her back to England, renaming her Sarah Forbes Bonetta after himself and his ship, the HMS Bonetta.

Upon arriving in England, Sarah was presented to Queen Victoria, who was immediately taken with the young girl‘s charm and intellect. The Queen took Sarah under her wing, providing her with an education and financial support. Sarah initially struggled with the cold English climate and was sent to study at the Female Institution in Freetown, Sierra Leone in 1851. However, she returned to England in 1855 and continued her education under the tutelage of several prominent scholars (Elebute, 2013).

A Groundbreaking Marriage

In 1862, Sarah received a marriage proposal from James Pinson Labulo Davies, a wealthy Yoruba businessman who was 13 years her senior. Although Sarah was initially hesitant to accept the proposal, Queen Victoria encouraged the match, recognizing the potential for the union to strengthen ties between Britain and the Yoruba people.

Sarah and James‘ wedding, which took place on August 14, 1862, at St Nicholas‘ Church in Brighton, was a grand affair that attracted significant public attention. The couple‘s wedding party included ten carriages and sixteen bridesmaids, and newspapers remarked on the interracial composition of the guests, noting the presence of "White ladies with African gentlemen, and African ladies with White gentlemen" (Elebute, 2013, p. 26).

The marriage of Sarah Forbes Bonetta and James Pinson Labulo Davies was groundbreaking in many ways. Not only did it represent a rare example of a mixed-race union in Victorian England, but it also challenged prevailing notions about the role and status of Africans in British society. As a successful businessman and political figure, James provided a level of social and economic capital that helped to elevate Sarah‘s standing and influence.

Life in Lagos

After their marriage, Sarah and James relocated to Lagos, which was then a growing center of trade and commerce under British colonial rule. The couple quickly established themselves as prominent members of the city‘s elite, hosting lavish parties and entertaining visiting dignitaries.

James, in particular, was deeply involved in the political and economic life of Lagos. He served as a member of the Legislative Council and was a key figure in the development of the city‘s infrastructure, including the construction of the Lagos Railway (Olukoju, 2020). James‘ business dealings, which included trade in palm oil, textiles, and other goods, made him one of the wealthiest and most influential men in West Africa.

For Sarah, life in Lagos offered both opportunities and challenges. On the one hand, she was able to maintain her connection to Yoruba culture and to forge new relationships with other members of the African elite. On the other hand, she also faced discrimination and prejudice from some quarters of British colonial society, who viewed her marriage to James as a threat to the racial hierarchy (Bressey, 2005).

Family Life and Royal Connections

Sarah and James had three children together: Victoria Davies (born 1863), Arthur Davies (born 1871), and Stella Davies (born 1873). The couple‘s eldest daughter, Victoria, was named after Queen Victoria and was also goddaughter to the monarch. The Queen took a keen interest in Victoria‘s life and education, granting her an annuity and maintaining regular correspondence with the family (Elebute, 2013).

The relationship between the Davies family and the British royal family was a source of both pride and complexity. While the Queen‘s patronage undoubtedly provided Sarah and her children with unique opportunities and a level of social capital, it also served to reinforce the power dynamics of the British Empire and the ongoing colonization of Africa.

Despite these tensions, Sarah and James worked to provide their children with the best possible education and opportunities. Victoria, in particular, excelled in her studies and went on to attend the prestigious Cheltenham Ladies‘ College in England (Bressey, 2005). The Davies children also maintained close ties to the Yoruba community in Lagos, learning the language and customs of their father‘s people.

Legacy and Impact

Sarah Forbes Bonetta‘s life was tragically cut short by tuberculosis in 1880, when she was just 37 years old. Her husband, James, was devastated by the loss and commissioned a granite obelisk in her memory, which still stands in Lagos‘ Ijon Cemetery today. The inscription on the monument reads:

"IN MEMORY OF SARAH FORBES BONETTA

WIFE OF THE HON J.P.L. DAVIES

DIED 15 AUGUST 1880

AGED 37 YEARS

A LOVING AND DEVOTED WIFE

A TENDER MOTHER, A FAITHFUL FRIEND

A SINCERE CHRISTIAN, EVER READY TO DO GOOD

‘BLESSED ARE THE PURE IN HEART
FOR THEY SHALL SEE GOD‘"

Despite her untimely death, Sarah‘s legacy has endured and continues to inspire new generations. In recent years, her story has been the subject of numerous books, articles, and artistic works, including the novel "Breaking the Maafa Chain" by Anni Domingo (2021) and the BBC documentary "Black and British: A Forgotten History" (2016).

Sarah‘s life and accomplishments also hold significant meaning for contemporary understandings of race, identity, and the Black British experience. As a woman who navigated the complex worlds of Victorian England and colonial Nigeria, Sarah challenged many of the prevailing stereotypes and assumptions about Africans and people of African descent. Her intelligence, talent, and grace served as a powerful counter-narrative to the racist ideologies of the time.

At the same time, Sarah‘s story also highlights the ongoing legacies of slavery, colonialism, and empire. Her experiences as a young enslaved girl, a ward of the British Crown, and a member of the African elite in Lagos were all shaped by the power dynamics and inequalities of the 19th century world. In this sense, Sarah‘s life serves as a reminder of the complex and often painful histories that continue to shape the present.

Conclusion

The remarkable life of Sarah Forbes Bonetta is a testament to the resilience, determination, and brilliance of a woman who defied the odds and challenged the norms of her time. Through her intelligence, talent, and grace, Sarah navigated the complex worlds of Victorian England and colonial Nigeria, forging a unique path that inspired and influenced countless others.

Sarah‘s story is also a powerful reminder of the ongoing legacies of slavery, colonialism, and empire, and the ways in which these histories continue to shape our world today. As we reflect on her life and accomplishments, we are called to grapple with the complex and often painful realities of the past, and to work towards a more just and equitable future for all.

References

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