mˈɛnɪəv ðɪ ˈɜːli ɪnhˈæbɪtənts tə sˈɛɾəl ðə sˈɪɾi wɜːɹ ʌv ˈæfɹɪkən lˈɪnɪɪdʒ, ɪspˈɛʃəli ðoʊz hˌuː hæd ɛskˈeɪpt slˈeɪvɚɹi.
Many of the early inhabitants to settle the city were of African lineage, especially those who had escaped slavery.