Historic moment for Hackney as first slave owner name removed from gardens Cassland Road Gardens was named after Sir John Cass – a politician and director of the Royal African Company making substantial profits from the enslavement of African people in the 16th and 17th centuries CHANGING TIMES: The Cassland Rd Garden removal Photo credit: Wayne Crichlow @chasingthelight_67 THE NAME of a slave owner has been removed from entrance signs to a Hackney park in the first action of Hackney Council’s review into the naming of landmarks and public spaces. The removal of the Cassland Road Gardens signs, which took place on December 5, was the first recommendation by a community steering group made up of local cultural historians, community leaders, young people and other residents, following the launch of the review earlier this year.