The Rooted Project is excited to share the findings of researcher Colin McCrossan @colin_mccrossan who has uncovered that in the 1700s Villanova University's land was a site of enslavement. Follow along with this thread to learn more @VillanovaU 1/ In the 1700s, the Morgans, a family of white Quaker enslavers, owned land that's now the main part of Villanova’s campus. The Morgans owned two large properties in Radnor Township - a 100 acre (now part of Villanova’s campus) one and 160 acre one. Both lots had farms & houses. 2/

The Rooted Project is interested in Villanova University’s relationship with enslaved and indentured labor both on- and off-campus. We’ve shared the story of William and Julia Moulden, but our research does not stop there. 1/ Early Villanova students hailed from across the US—North and South—and even a few other countries, and, as in most American universities, many students’ families were invested in enslaved and indentured labor. 2/

We like to say Villanova was “founded” in 1842. But really, 1841 is a more important year to our understanding of the school’s history. That was the year Julia and William Moulden were married, and later in 1841, the Augustinians acquired the property from the Rudolph family. 1/ “Villanova” was really just a dream in the eyes of three friars, but William and Julia Moulden would help make that dream become a reality. 2/

William and Julia Moulden attended Sunday Mass at Villanova regularly. During the week, William worked the couple’s farm in Radnor. Julia cooked, cleaned, and washed clothes for the white students and priests at the college. 1/11 On Sundays they did not work for others; they dressed in their best to attend Mass. As a Black couple walking into an all-white church—Julia and William turned heads. Especially when Julia wore a striking green silk dress to mark the occasion of St. Patrick’s Day. 2/11

William Moulden was born to Isaac and Mary Moulden in 1818. Under Pennsylvania law, Moulden was indentured to John Rudolph of Radnor Township, PA, until 1846 when he turned 28 years old. 1/9 Pennsylvania’s gradual abolition law was passed in 1780, the “first in the nation” to abolish slavery, but the law didn’t actually free anyone. Instead, the law created a system of indenture-hood. 2/9

Villanova students love attending Mass and for years undergrads dreamed of getting married in St. Thomas of Villanova Church, whose iconic spires grace the campus. But, how many know that the FIRST person to donate to that church was a Black man named William Moulden? 1/5 William Moulden was a Black former indentured servant whose own children were not allowed to attend Villanova College. Even so, Moulden donated money to build a new church. 2/5