Hercules (b. 1815) {son of Claresse}
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This person of African descent has 2 related events in the database, listed at the bottom of this page.
This person was a victim of a notorious slave trading ring in New Jersey. To learn more about the scheme, see our guide to the Van Wickle Slave Trading Ring.
- Identifier
- NJS-PER-00670
- Given Name
- Hercules
- Birth Date
- May 2, 1815
- Sex
- Male
- Biographical Description
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Hercules was one of the victims of the Van Wickle slave trading ring in Middlesex County, New Jersey, in 1818. He was born around May 2, 1815, as inferred from the age listed on his removal certificate, which was issued on March 9, 1818. He was taken to Louisiana aboard the brig Mary Ann, together with his mother Claresse, in March 1818.
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 when he was 2 years old. 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. - Keywords
- African descent person
- Van Wickle victims
- trafficked South
- Record Contributor
- Jesse Bayker
- Linked Events
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