Join us in Abney's Chapel for an author talk by Katie Sweeting, who will be signing copies of her book Remnant, inspired by the life of Joanna Vassa and her aunt. Joanna Vassa (1795-1857) is buried here at Abney Park, the daughter of the influential abolitionist and writer Olaudah Equiano. Join us to find out more about this revolutionary family.

Kidnapped along with her brother Ledu (Olaudah Equiano) at the tender age of eleven, Olu is dragged across Nigeria, deposited on a slave ship for the Middle Passage, and dropped on a rice plantation in Charles Town, South Carolina in 1753. During the Revolutionary War she attempts to escape. Will she succeed? Will she reunite with any of her family members?

Joanna Vassa (daughter of Equiano) is introduced to William Wilberforce and the abolition movement when she is eleven. A biracial orphan, Joanna is raised by her guardian, and while away at boarding school she encounters racist attitudes and struggles to make friends. She seeks information about her Aunt Olu. Will they ever meet? Remnant is a bildungsroman about two young women of color striving to carve out meaningful lives despite monumental obstacles. Will a family separated by slavery ever be reunited?

Access information: The ground floor of the Chapel is fully accessible and there are accessible toilets available in the Chapel, as well as babychanging facilities. Ramp access at our Church Street entrance, level access at the High Street entrance.