Alpheus Freeman (1766-1813)
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This white person has 2 related events in the database, listed at the bottom of this page.
This person is related to Rutgers University history. See our research guide Rutgers University & Slavery for more information about finding university affiliates and archival sources in our database.
- Identifier
- NJS-PER-00610
- Given Name
- Alpheus
- Family Name
- Freeman
- Birth Date
- December 6, 1766
- Death Date
- December 29, 1813
- Sex
- Male
- Occupation
- Legal
- Biographical Description
- Alpheus Freeman was an enslaver in New Brunswick, NJ. He was born in 1766, probably in Metuchen, NJ (which was part of Woodbridge Township at the time). He attended Queen's College (now Rutgers University), receiving his degree in 1788, after which he established a law practice in New Brunswick. He married Mary Parker in Philadelphia in 1803. He owned several properties in New Brunswick, including a large building on the corner of George Street and Prince (now Bayard) Street. He died suddenly on December 29, 1813, aged 47, and was interred with military and masonic honors. Archival documents show that he was the enslaver of a young man named Dick (who ran away) and a young woman who was sold by the executors of his estate to settle Freeman's accounts.
- Keywords
- white person
- enslaver
- Rutgers University history
- Organization
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Rutgers University
- Relationship to Rutgers
- Alumnus 1788
- Enslaver of
- Dick (b. ca. 1789)
- Child of
- James Freeman
- Elizabeth Payne Freeman
- Spouse of
- Mary Parker Freeman (d. 1858)
- References
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Bayker, Jesse, Christopher Blakley, and Kendra Boyd. "His Name Was Will: Remembering Enslaved Individuals in Rutgers History." In Scarlet and Black: Vol. 1, Slavery and Dispossession in Rutgers History, edited by Marisa Fuentes and Deborah Gray White, 58–81. New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press, 2016. https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt1k3s9r0.7
Special Collections and University Archives, Rutgers University Libraries. Rutgers University Biographical Files: Alumni, Box 2, Freeman, Alpheus, 1788.
This person is represented on the following page(s):
Find a Grave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/112897904 - Record Contributor
- Jesse Bayker
- Linked Sources
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Author:
- Runaway ad for Dick, by Alpheus Freeman (Runaway ad for Dick, by Alpheus Freeman, "Twenty Dollars Reward," Guardian, Or, New-Brunswick Advertiser, November 12, 1807. Archival location: Special Collections and University Archives, Rutgers University Libraries. Rutgers University Biographical Files: Alumni (R-Bio Alumni). Box 2, Freeman, Alpheus, 1788.)
- Linked Events
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Additional Participant in:
- 1807-07-16 Freedom Seeking: Dick (Role: Enslaver, Advertiser)
- 1814-01-26 Advertisement: Black woman aged 24 (Role: Enslaver, Deceased)