This set contains all persons of African descent who have been added to our database. This page only displays the name and description for each person.
The best way to browse, sort, filter, and search these records is by using the EXPLORE PERSONS interface, which is linked below.
Aaron was a Black man born circa 1792. He was enslaved by Aaron Borden or Allentown and then by Elijah Blackwell of Princeton, NJ. Evidently, he labored for Blackwell under an agreement that he should serve until approximately 1823 (when Aaron would be about 31 years old). He ran away from his enslavers twice by the time he was 19 years old.
He may have fathered a child with a white woman (whose name is not known). Elijah Blackwell's runaway ad related to Ben's second escape in 1811 noted that Ben was followed by a white woman (whose name was not mentioned) and the woman's child (who was described by Blackwell as a "mulatto child"). They were accompanied also by Aaron, who was also enslaved by Elijah Blackwell.
Aaron was born in 1804, the child of Kate (enslaved by John Van Nuis of North Brunswick, NJ). Under the provisions of New Jersey's Gradual Abolition Act of 1804, he was considered a slave for a term of 25 years and would become eligible for emancipation upon reaching that age.
Aaron was born in 1805, the child of a woman enslaved by Elijah Voorhies of West Windsor, NJ. Under the provisions of New Jersey's Gradual Abolition Act of 1804, he was considered a slave for a term of 25 years and would become eligible for emancipation upon reaching that age.
Aaron, son of Peggy, was born around 1805 and was enslaved by Henry Suydam, a resident of New Jersey. In 1818, when Aaron was 13, Henry Suydam sold or otherwise transferred Aaron to an enslaver named Stephen Mundy of Piscataway, Middlesex County, New Jersey. Stephen Mundy then moved to the village of Caneseraga in Allegany County, New York, and took Aaron with him. This relocation separated Aaron from his mother.
Abigail was an enslaved woman who lived in New Jersey in the early 19th century and was manumitted by Ephraim Pyatt of Piscataway, NJ. Her certificate of manumission was issued on August 8, 1808. Abigail was aged 21 to 40 at the time of manumission.
Abigail was born in 1805, the child of Margaret (enslaved by Oakey Vanosdol of West Windsor, NJ). Under the provisions of New Jersey's Gradual Abolition Act of 1804, she was considered a slave for a term of 21 years and would become eligible for emancipation upon reaching that age.
Sussex County Births of Enslaved Children microfilm contains a birth record for Abigail (or Abegel).
The locality is not specified on the birth certificate, but Abigail's enslaver Severyn Westbrook was known to be a resident of Montague, and it is likely that the child was born around that area.
Abner was a Black man born circa 1759. He was enslaved by Isaac Tunnell of Dagsborough, Delaware, and escaped from his enslaver in 1799. His enslaver thought that Abner may have gone to Pennsylvania or New Jersey and advertised for him in a Trenton newspaper.
Abraham was an enslaved man, born around 1782, who was manumitted by John Runyon Jr. of Piscataway, NJ. The deed of manumission was executed on March 14, 1812. Abraham was aged 30 at the time of manumission.
Abraham was an enslaved man, born around 1784, who was manumitted by Charles Smith of North Brunswick, NJ. The certificate of manumission was issued on June 27, 1823. The deed of manumission was executed on the same day. Abraham was aged 39 at the time of manumission.
Abraham was born in 1805, the child of On (enslaved by Jeremiah Van Deventer of Piscataway, NJ). Under the provisions of New Jersey's Gradual Abolition Act of 1804, he was considered a slave for a term of 25 years and would become eligible for emancipation upon reaching that age.
Abraham Glasgow was an enslaved man who lived in North Brunswick, New Jersey, in the early 19th century. His enslaver was Andrew Kirkpatrick (1756-1831), the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of New Jersey and a prominent Rutgers trustee. On April 29, 1809, Andrew Kirkpatrick manumitted Abraham Glasgow. Abraham Glasgow was aged 21 to 40 at the time of manumission, but his exact year of birth is not known.
Abraham Sherrit was a Black man born circa 1794. He was enslaved by a sea captain named Joseph Clark and worked as a steward aboard Clark's brig called Friendship, which sailed between Montserrat (an island in the West Indies) and New York City. In 1817, Abraham Sherrit ran away from his enslaver in New York.
Adam (or Addom) was an enslaved man who lived in New Jersey in the early 19th century and was manumitted by James Morgan of South Amboy, NJ. The certificate of manumission was issued on May 29, 1815. Adam was aged 21 to 40 at the time of manumission.
Sussex County Births of Enslaved Children microfilm contains a birth record for Adam and for his younger sister Peggy, although their mother's name is not listed on the certificate.
Adam Hill was a Black man held in the Middlesex County jail as a suspected runaway in 1799. He told the jailer that he had been enslaved by William McMurtie of Philadelphia.
Sussex County Births of Enslaved Children microfilm contains a birth record for Albert Francis Grove, son of Jane, enslaved by Mary Coursen of Hardwick township.
Alexander was a French-speaking Black man born around 1774 to 1776. He grew up in Saint Domingue (now Haiti). He was enslaved by Jacques Philipe Rossignol de Grandmont, a French planter who fled the island during the Haitian Revolution. Alexander was brought to Trenton, New Jersey, when Grandmont relocated there in the 1790s. In 1804, Alexander was living and working in the household of Andrew S. Hunter of Flemington, Hunterton County, likely hired out to Hunter by Grandmont. Alexander ran away from Hunter's house in July 1804 and was pursued by Hunter and Grandmont. Prior to Alexander's escape from Hunter's house, three other people ran away from Grandmont's household in Trenton, and it is possible that their escapes (or their assistance) influenced Alexander's decision to run away.
Alexander (also called Ellick) was born in 1805, the son of Elizabeth, enslaved by Jeremiah Manning of Piscataway, NJ. Under the provisions of New Jersey's Gradual Abolition Act of 1804, he was considered a slave for a term of 25 years and would become eligible for emancipation upon reaching that age. In 1806, his enslaver filed an abandonment certificate for Alexander, giving him up to the Overseers of the Poor of Piscataway.
Alexander was born in 1812, the child of Jane (enslaved by Austin D. Blackwell of Mapletown, NJ). Under the provisions of New Jersey's Gradual Abolition Act of 1804, he was considered a slave for a term of 25 years and would become eligible for emancipation upon reaching that age.
Alfred was born in 1832, the child of Caroline (enslaved by Robert Adrain of New Brunswick, NJ). Under the provisions of New Jersey's Gradual Abolition Act of 1804, he was considered a slave for a term of 25 years and would become eligible for emancipation upon reaching that age.
Alfred's mother died when he was a baby.
All was an enslaved man, born around 1787, who was manumitted by David Dunn of Piscataway, NJ. His certificate of manumission was issued on May 4, 1808. All was aged about 21 at the time of manumission.
Ambo was a woman of African descent enslaved by John Neilson in New Brunswick, NJ. Her exact date of birth is unknown, but she was likely born in the 1790s.
She married an enslaved man named Mark Harris in 1811 and gave birth to four children between 1812 and 1818: Clara, Ann, Eliza, and Mark Jr. In 1822, Ambo was manumitted by John Neilson and became a free woman.
Amey was one of the victims of Jacob Van Wickle's slave trading ring in Middlesex County, New Jersey, in 1818. The legal documents related to the removal of Amey from the state of New Jersey to Louisiana suggest that she was born around 1796 and was aged 22 at the time of these events. However, Jacob Van Wickle falsified the age of some of his victims, making young children appear older than they really were and listing some children as adults in order to circumvent parental consent rules. For this reason, the birth year for Amey is questionable.
Amy was a Black woman enslaved by Joshua D. Austin of Sussex County, NJ, in the early 19th century. She was married to a Black man named Dr. Edward Cook. They had at least two children together, Rosannah and Mary.
Ann was an enslaved woman, born around 1799, who was manumitted by Henry Cotheal and David Cotheal both of Woodbridge, NJ. The certificate of manumission was issued on November 20, 1823. The deed of manumission was executed on the same day, signed jointly by Henry Cotheal and David Cotheal. Ann was aged 24 at the time of manumission.
Ann was a girl of African descent and the daughter of Flora, born circa 1780s. In January 1787, Flora's enslaver Anthony L. Bleecker of New York City sold Flora together with her daughters Phillis and Ann to John Neilson of New Brunswick, NJ. Ann's age at the time of this sale is not known.
Ann was a woman of African descent who was born in New Brunswick, NJ, on June 23, 1814, to parents Ambo and Mark Harris Sr. Ann's parents were both enslaved at the time of her birth, but Ambo would eventually become free when enslaver John Neilson manumitted her.
Ann's birth was reported to the Middlesex County Clerk by enslaver John Neilson, who was the legal owner of her mother Ambo. Under New Jersey's gradual abolition law, Ann was considered a "slave for a term" of 21 years, and she was bound to serve John Neilson and his heirs until the year 1835 when she would become eligible for emancipation.
Ann was the second child of Ambo and Mark Harris Sr. Her older sister was Clara, and her younger siblings were Eliza and Mark Jr.
Anthony (also called Tony or Toney) was an enslaved man, born around 1789, who was manumitted by Sarah Voorhees of the City of New Brunswick in North Brunswick Township, Middlesex County, New Jersey. The certificate of manumission was issued on July 12, 1819. The deed of manumission was executed on the same day. Anthony was aged 30 at the time of manumission.
Anthony was born on September 29, 1804, and was enslaved by Joseph W. Hagaman of Princeton, NJ. Under New Jersey's gradual abolition law, he had the status of a slave for a term of 25 years. This meant he was bound to serve his enslaver until age 25, and then he would become eligible for emancipation. In 1812, Joseph W. Hagaman moved from the state of New Jersey to Cincinnati, Ohio, and took Anthony with him. The removal certificate related to this move stated that Anthony had no parents residing in New Jersey.
Antony was an enslaved man, born around 1786, who was manumitted by Aaron Hassert of New Brunswick, NJ. The certificate of manumission was issued on December 18, 1823. The deed of manumission was executed on the same day. Antony was aged 37 at the time of manumission.
Augustus was one of the victims of Jacob Van Wickle's slave trading ring in Middlesex County, New Jersey, in 1818. The legal documents related to the removal of Augustus from the state of New Jersey suggest that he was born around 1814 and was aged 4 when he was forced to leave New Jersey for Pointe Coupee Parish, Louisiana, together with his mother Hager and his siblings Mary and Roda.
Under New Jersey's gradual abolition law, he had the status of a slave for a term of 25 years. This meant he was bound to serve his enslaver until age 25, and then he would become eligible for emancipation. His right to emancipation at age 25 was recorded by the judges who authorized his removal from New Jersey at age age 4. However, going to Louisiana as a child effectively deprived him of the opportunity to gain freedom because enforcing his legal rights under New Jersey law would be nearly impossible in Louisiana.
Azor was a French-speaking Black man born circa 1763. He grew up in Saint Domingue (now Haiti). He was enslaved by Jacques Philipe Rossignol de Grandmont, a French planter who fled the island during the Haitian Revolution. Azor was brought to Trenton, New Jersey, when Grandmont relocated there in the 1790s. Azor was one of the people who ran away from Grandmont in 1804.
Bell was a Black woman who was enslaved by William Livingston (New Jersey's first governor after the Revolution and namesake of Livingston College at Rutgers University). She lived with the Livingston family in Elizabeth, New Jersey. Bell gained freedom in October 1787 when William Livingston manumitted her together with her son Lambert. The manumission document mentioned that she was born in the Livingston family "in a state of slavery." She was most likely born in New York State where Livingston lived until 1772 before he moved to Elizabeth.
Ben was an enslaved man who lived in New Jersey in the early 19th century and was manumitted by Joseph Grover of South Brunswick, NJ. The certificate of manumission was issued on April 15, 1820. The deed of manumission was executed on the same day. Ben was aged 21 to 40 at the time of manumission.
Ben was a young Black man who lived at Three Mile Run near New Brunswick and was enslaved by Leffert Waldron in the mid-18th century. He was born circa 1750. In 1769, he ran away together with another young Black man named Jack.
Ben was a man of African descent born circa 1787. He was enslaved by Elijah Blackwell of Princeton, NJ, and evidently, there was an agreement that Ben would serve Blackwell until spring 1822 (when Ben would be about 35 years old). In November 1811, Ben ran away from Blackwell together with a young Black man named Aaron and a white woman (whose name is not known) and the woman's child (who was described by Blackwell as a "mulatto child"). The runaway ad published by Elijah Blackwell described Ben as "a mulatto, rather white" and a "great professor of religion."
Ben was born around 1799 and was enslaved by James Smith of Middlesex County, NJ. In 1817, James Smith sold Ben to a man named Jacob Klady who took Ben away from New Jersey to Klady's plantation in Ouachita Parish, Louisiana. Ben was 18 years old at this time.
Ben was born in 1805, the child of Cate (enslaved by Richard Field of Piscataway, NJ). Under the provisions of New Jersey's Gradual Abolition Act of 1804, he was considered a slave for a term of 25 years and would become eligible for emancipation upon reaching that age.
Benjamin was an enslaved man who lived in New Jersey in the early 19th century and was manumitted by James Randolph of Piscataway, NJ. The certificate of manumission was issued on April 8, 1816. The deed of manumission was executed on the same day. Benjamin was aged 21 to 40 at the time of manumission.
Benjamin was an enslaved man, born around 1794, who was manumitted by Robert Boggs of North Brunswick, NJ. The certificate of manumission was issued on July 27, 1822. The deed of manumission was executed on the same day. Benjamin was aged 28 at the time of manumission.
Benjamin James was a Black man born around 1782. He grew up in slavery and was manumitted by enslaver Samuel Eli (or Ely) of East Windsor, NJ, on April 17, 1807. Benjamin James was aged 25 at the time of manumission.
On June 10, 1820, when Benjamin James was about 38 years old, he manumitted an adult Black man named George Wiles. This 1820 manumission certificate listed the enslaver as "Ben James blackman of the township of East Windsor." This is one of two manumissions recorded in Middlesex County where the enslaver performing the manumission is a Black person. It is possible that Benjamin James and George Wiles may have been related. African Americans in the early 19th century sometimes purchased and then manumitted their own family members as a way to secure freedom for their relatives. It is uncertain whether a familial relationship existed between Benjamin James and George Wiles.
Benjamin Mendes was an enslaved man, born around 1784, who was manumitted by Benjamin Davids of Woodbridge, NJ. The certificate of manumission was issued on March 19, 1819. The deed of manumission was executed on March 17, 1819. Benjamin Mendes was aged 35 at the time of manumission.
Bet was born in 1807, the child of Han (enslaved by Abraham Dunham of Piscataway, NJ). Under the provisions of New Jersey's Gradual Abolition Act of 1804, she was considered a slave for a term of 21 years and would become eligible for emancipation upon reaching that age.
Betsey (also known as Eve) was an enslaved woman, born around 1789, who was manumitted by Robert Boggs of North Brunswick, NJ. The certificate of manumission was issued on March 29, 1823. The deed of manumission was executed on the same day. Betsey was aged 34 at the time of manumission.
Betsey was one of the victims of Jacob Van Wickle's slave trading ring in Middlesex County, New Jersey, in 1818. The legal documents related to the removal of Betsey from the state of New Jersey to Louisiana suggest that she was born around 1796 and was aged 22 at the time of these events. However, Jacob Van Wickle falsified the age of some of his victims, making young children appear older than they really were and listing some children as adults in order to circumvent parental consent rules. For this reason, the birth year for Betsey is questionable.
Bett was a Black woman enslaved by Isaac Tomkins of Hardyston, NJ, in the early 19th century. A birth certificate for her daughter in 1804 listed her daughter's name as Billa Whitney, from which we infer that Bett's family name was Whitney.
Betty was an enslaved woman who lived in New Jersey in the early 19th century and was manumitted by the last will and testament of Arietta Smock of North Brunswick, NJ. The certificate of manumission was issued on September 16, 1814. Betty was aged 21 to 40 at the time of manumission.
Betty was a Black woman enslaved by a wealthy farmer named Jacob Van Dike of Middlesex County. Van Dike provided for her freedom in his will written in 1803.
Betty was a Black woman enslaved by C. Dusenbery of Mansfield Township, Sussex County (now part of Warren County), New Jersey, in the early 19th century.
Betty was a Black woman who lived in Stillwater, Sussex County, NJ, in the early 19th century. She was enslaved by Abraham Shaver (or Shafer), the proprietor of the Shafer Grist Mill. Betty's husband, named Nun, was also enslaved by Abraham Shaver.
Abraham Shaver died in 1820, and it appears that Betty later served Abraham's son Nathan Armstrong Shafer as inferred from a birth certificate for Betty's daughter Harriet that Nathan signed in 1824.
Betty was a Black woman who lived in the area of Connecticut Farms in Essex County, New Jersey (present-day Union Township in Union County), in the 1820s. She was enslaved by Amos Day. In 1823, she left her enslaver's house, prompting Amos Day to notify the public that Betty had "eloped" and warning neighbors not to extend credit to Betty on his account because he was not going to pay her debts. A year after the original notice, Amos Day published another notice that Betty had absented herself without his consent. The second notice offered to sell Betty for $10, potentially opening up a pathway for Betty, or whoever was harboring her, to buy her freedom.
Betty was an enslaved woman, born around 1783, who was manumitted by Anna Covenhoven of South Amboy, NJ. The certificate of manumission was issued on October 4, 1814. The deed of manumission was executed on the same day. Betty was aged 31 at the time of manumission.
Betty was one of the victims of Jacob Van Wickle's slave trading ring in Middlesex County, New Jersey, in 1818. The legal documents related to the removal of Betty from the state of New Jersey to Louisiana suggest that she was born around 1796 and was aged 22 at the time of the events in 1818. However, Jacob Van Wickle falsified the age of some of his victims, making young children appear older than they really were and listing some children as adults in order to circumvent parental consent rules. For this reason, the birth year for Betty is questionable.
Bill was born in 1807, the child of Catharine (enslaved by Andrew McDowell Jr. of South Brunswick, NJ). Under the provisions of New Jersey's Gradual Abolition Act of 1804, he was considered a slave for a term of 25 years and would become eligible for emancipation upon reaching that age.
Bob was a Black man enslaved by James Lake, whose residence was listed in 1802 as "Somerset, New Jersey, near Princeton." He ran away from James Lake in 1802.
Bob was a Black boy born circa 1789. He was enslaved by Reuben Hunt of Maidenhead, Hunterdon County (present-day Lawrence, Mercer County). Bob ran away from his enslaver in 1805.
Bob was a Black man born circa 1796. He was enslaved by John W. Stiles in Elizabethtown, Essex Count (now Elizabeth, Union County), New Jersey. He ran away from John W. Stiles in 1817.
Bob was born on October 21, 1799, and was enslaved by Joseph W. Hagaman of Princeton, NJ. Under New Jersey law, he had the status of a slave for life. In 1812, Joseph W. Hagaman moved from the state of New Jersey to Ohio and took Bob with him. The removal certificate related to this move stated that Bob had no parents residing in New Jersey.
Bob was born in 1807, the child of Abb (enslaved by Matthias Vanderveer of North Brunswick, NJ). Under the provisions of New Jersey's Gradual Abolition Act of 1804, he was considered a slave for a term of 25 years and would become eligible for emancipation upon reaching that age.
Bob was born in 1807, the child of Betty (enslaved by Henry Cortleyou of South Amboy, NJ). Under the provisions of New Jersey's Gradual Abolition Act of 1804, he was considered a slave for a term of 25 years and would become eligible for emancipation upon reaching that age.
Bonaparte was born in 1805, the child of Hagar (enslaved by John James of East Windsor, NJ). Under the provisions of New Jersey's Gradual Abolition Act of 1804, he was considered a slave for a term of 25 years and would become eligible for emancipation upon reaching that age.
Boss was one of the victims of Jacob Van Wickle's slave trading ring in Middlesex County, New Jersey, in 1818. The legal documents related to the removal of Boss from the state of New Jersey to Louisiana suggest that he was born around 1799 and was aged 19 at the time of the events in 1818. However, Jacob Van Wickle falsified the age of some of his victims, making young children appear older than they really were and listing some children as adults in order to circumvent parental consent rules. For this reason, the birth year for Boss is questionable.
Sussex County Births of Enslaved Children microfilm contains a birth record for the son of Bet Dunkins, a boy named Brigs (or a different name that begins with Bri; the record is somewhat difficult to decipher).
Bristol was an enslaved man born around 1774. He was married to an enslaved woman named Mary (b. 1782). Bristol and Mary were both manumitted by enslaver Erkuries Beatty (1759-1823) of West Windsor, NJ, on October 13, 1807. Bristol was aged 33 at the time of manumission.
Bristor was born in 1807, the child of Hanna (enslaved by Jacob Van Dike of Ten Mile Run, NJ). Under the provisions of New Jersey's Gradual Abolition Act of 1804, he was considered a slave for a term of 25 years and would become eligible for emancipation upon reaching that age.
Broffo Bowles was an enslaved man who lived in New Jersey in the early 19th century and was manumitted jointly by John Combs and Lewis Combs of South Amboy, NJ, on May 3, 1803. Broffo Bowles was aged 21 to 40 at the time of manumission.
Bunn was born in 1806, the child of Lenah (enslaved by Samuel Longstreet of South Amboy, NJ). Under the provisions of New Jersey's Gradual Abolition Act of 1804, he was considered a slave for a term of 25 years and would become eligible for emancipation upon reaching that age.
