Hannah Oakham

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This person of African descent has 1 related event in the database, listed at the bottom of this page.

This person is related to Princeton University history. See our Princeton University research guide for more information about finding Princeton affiliates and campus locations in the New Jersey Slavery Records database.
Identifier
NJS-PER-00528
Given Name
Hannah
Family Name
Oakham
Sex
Female
Biographical Description
Hannah Oakham was a Black woman who lived in New Jersey in the early 19th century. She would have been born sometime between 1764 and 1783, but her exact year of birth is unknown. She was enslaved to Mary Minto of West Windsor, NJ. Hannah was married to Richard Oakham, a free black man. In 1804, the Oakhams purchased Hannah's freedom for the price of 50 pounds. Mary Minto manumitted Hannah Oakham in 1804. The manumission certificate, dated October 13, 1804, stated that Hannah was between the ages of 21 and 40 at this time.

In a note dated November 28, 1804, Mary Minto wrote that she had already received most of the purchase money for Hannah Oakham's freedom, but Hannah still owed 19 weeks of wages. As a free woman, Hannah would continue working for Mary Minto without receiving wages until the purchase price was fully paid off. Hannah's agreed-upon wages were 2 shillings and 6 pence per week. At this rate, her debt to Mary Minto would be paid off on April 10, 1805. The wages over the 19-week period from November 28, 1804, to April 10, 1805, would amount to 2 pounds 7 shillings and 6 pence. After April 10, 1805, Hannah could begin receiving cash wages for her work.
Keywords
African descent person
Princeton University history
Places
West Windsor
Enslaved by
Mary Skelton Minto (d. 1824)
Spouse of
Richard Oakham
Record Contributor
Jesse Bayker
Linked Events

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Resource class
Agent