Born in 1736 and sent to America in shackle in 1752, Yarrow Mamout worked for the Beall Family for 44 years until freed in 1796. Yarrow distinguished himself as a jack-of-a trades; a brick layer, a basket weaver, saving enough money to purchase a house and invest in the Columbia Bank of Georgetown. He was a devout Muslim, could read and write Arabic, refused pork and alcohol. Presidential painter Charles Peale painted Mamout when he came to paint President Monroe in 1819. In 1822, Georgetown art professor James Alexander Simpson painted a portrait of Yarrow, which is now owned by DC Public Library and on loan to the National Portrait Gallery. The home replacing his home on Dent Street sustained damage from Hurricane Irene in 2011, was never repaired and the City moved to demolish it. Another house which replaced it later was destroyed by a tree. Yarrow had a son, Aquilla, who moved to Maryland to a place which bears his name, Yarrowsburg. There is evidence to suggest that Yarrowsburg was actually named after his daughter–in-law because she was the local mid-wife. Yarrow died in 1823. Aquilla likely died in 1832.
(Source: DC Public Library)
Yarrow Mamout, oil on canvas. Created by James Alexander Simpson, 1822.
Photo courtesy of Georgetown Neighborhood Library Peabody Room
Yarrow Mamout – Turner family tree.
Photo courtesy of Georgetown Neighborhood Library Peabody Room
Emma Turner Ford, Mamout’s nephew’s daughter.
Photo courtesy of Georgetown Neighborhood Library Peabody Room
House marked at the top to the right of Lake Ridge.
Photo courtesy of Georgetown Neighborhood Library Peabody Room
Robert Turner Ford, Emma Turner Ford’s son and Harvard Graduate.
Photo courtesy of Georgetown Neighborhood Library Peabody Room
Yaro, Yarrow Mamout’s given name before arrival in the America, gained his notoriety after being featured in the Chorographical and Statistical Description of the District of Columbia:
Photo courtesy of Georgetown Neighborhood Library Peabody Room
Photo courtesy of Georgetown Neighborhood Library Peabody Room
Photo courtesy of Georgetown Neighborhood Library Peabody Room
Photo courtesy of Georgetown Neighborhood Library Peabody Room
Photo courtesy of Georgetown Neighborhood Library Peabody Room
Photo courtesy of Georgetown Neighborhood Library Peabody Room
Photo courtesy of Georgetown Neighborhood Library Peabody Room
Photo courtesy of Georgetown Neighborhood Library Peabody Room
The home replacing Yarrow’s house after being struck by a tree:
Photo courtesy of Georgetown Neighborhood Library Peabody Room
Photo courtesy of Georgetown Neighborhood Library Peabody Room
Photo courtesy of Georgetown Neighborhood Library Peabody Room
Photo courtesy of Georgetown Neighborhood Library Peabody Room
Photo courtesy of Georgetown Neighborhood Library Peabody Room
It was noted in Mamout obituary that, “He prayed towards Mecca in the southeast corner…,” which prompted the archeological excavation in the rear of the property in search of his remains. Archeologist found nothing.
Photo courtesy of Georgetown Neighborhood Library Peabody Room
Yarrow’s signature transferring deed to Aquilla Arabic, 1803.
Photo courtesy of James H. Johnston
Yarrowsburg Mennonite Church sign.
Photo courtesy of James H. Johnston
Slave ship announcing the arrival of the Elijah, the ship which carried Yarrow to America.
Photo courtesy of James H. Johnston
Yarrowsburg‘s street sign.
Photo courtesy of James H. Johnston
Yarrowsburg’s street, view with no commercial buildings in the community.
