John Springfield - From Zanzibar to Guildford

John Springfield was born on 1 July 1847, the son of Jumbalowagee, a Zanzibar chief. At the age of nine, whilst picking fruit, he was kidnapped by Portuguese sailors. Realising John was a child and not a man, they left him for dead. He was saved by a woman, but was unable to return to his tribe because he had broken his caste: he had eaten white man?s bread.

John was rescued by Dr David Livingstone and served aboard the HMS Victoria as valet to its captain James G. Goodenough for three years. It was during this period that John Springfield received his western name.

The records include his certificate of naval service, which tells us that at the age of 17 he was 5ft 1 inch tall, had black hair and dark eyes, a scar on each temple and in the opinion of the captain had a very good character.

John left naval service aged 20 and went to America to preach anti-slavery. Finding America unreceptive he came to England where he married Eliza Andrews at Croydon in Aug 1870. The couple had one child, Miriam and moved to Guildford, where John earned his living as a bootmaker. He also taught cobbling at Robert Macdonald?s Guildford Mission Industrial School. John Springfield died on 21 February 1891 and is buried in Stoughton Road cemetery, Guildford.

'The Diverse Cultures of Surrey': how to find out more about John Springfield and how he was researched in the archive.



Portrait photograph of John Springfield, c. 1880s (Ref/1714/1)

 Certificate of naval service (Ref: 1714/3)

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