A plaque honoring “Widow Rocker” to tell HERStory

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The African American Heritage Trail of Martha’s Vineyard

 

Honors

 

“Widow Rocker”

 

In 1886, Eunice Matthews-Rocker a Chappaquiddick women of African, and Wampanoag descent fought against the systemic racism and forced removal of People of Color from Chappaquiddick, Noepe (Martha’s Vineyard) and the Commonwealth of MA and won. A court ruled the city and state had acted unlawfully and used unnecessary force to remove Eunice, a widow, and her 9 children from Martha’s Vineyard when they sent them to the infamous Tewksbury Almshouse. The court awarded Eunice Matthews-Rocker $450, which she used to purchase a home for her family, and other property in Cottage City.

 

Eunice had been targeted by the European-American leadership on Martha Vineyard because she demanded unlimited access to their Chappaquiddick Tribal homelands for her and her extended family which had led to ongoing contentious discussion with Edgartown officials, and their limiting the families access to the Chappaquiddick Ferry. As self-employed laundresses, the women’s time was self-directed, and many new White residents to the island disliked these Women of Color and their children not being under the direct control of employers. Unlike most other Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color on the Islands at the time that were “in-service”, and whose free time was heavily regulated by their employers.

 

On February 2, 1883, constables arrived at the Rocker owned home here at 14 Central Avenue, as reported by The Dukes County Intelligencer, February 2006. “Armed with a warrant directing the family be removed to the almshouse in Tewksbury. “Eunice Rocker, her daughter, sister, and three neighbors- “six strong able-bodied working-colored women” in the words of the Cottage City Star—brandished irons and knives at the constable and flung pots, pans, boiling water, and hot fat at him, forcing him to temporarily retreat. He, in turn, summoned reinforcements and attempted to break down the door with an axe. The violence subsided without causing serious injuries.” Eunice and eight of her children were taken to Tewksbury, and the three neighbors to jail. Within two weeks, however, unnamed “supporters” in New Bedford arranged for the Rockers’ release, settled them in a rented house in that city, and helped Eunice to file suit against Cottage City.”

 

The Rocker family women worked as laundresses with their family and friends on the property Eunice purchased them for decades. Today, some Rocker family members remain on the Island with the majority of Rockers living in the state of Massachusetts, and Rhode Island visiting the Chappaquiddick, and Noepe as Tribal citizens.

 

This plaque will be funded by the Chappaquiddick Tribe of the Wampanoag Nation, Whale Clan members that are direct descendants of Eunice Matthews-Rocker, and their allies and supporters to the African American Heritage Trail of Martha’s Vineyard.

 

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