African Heritage

DCHS Collections Documents of Enslavement A Fishkill man named Dick is sold by James Slight to Thomas Parker October 30, 1801 Witnessed by John Beckwith.

Gilder Lehrman Documents Related to Locsl Enslavement June 30, 1783 Rhinebeck’s renowned medical doctor Ananias Cooper, writes to Robert Livingston at Livingston Manor about the condition of his enslaved man “Jack”

Dutchess County Free Black Communities:Opportunities & Risks of Maritime Adventure Before the Civil War We are grateful for the ongoing support of the Dutchess County Government in its sponsorship of this program and our Virtual Event Space for Black History Month, 2024. This program is different from our regular programs in that it is more of a sampler of emerging findings that relate to maritime activities of the pre-Civil War free Black community of Dutchess County. Books like Blackjacks and Sailing Toward Freedom have been opening up interest and dialogue in the maritime Underground Railroad and broader maritime life and work of the Black community in America’s first century. With a view to encouraging and inviting others to join in the work of “discovery” DCHS offers this sampler of emerging stories. ~ Bill Jeffway, February, 2024. One hour video documentary program: A few program highlights: We examine the dual water and inland routes, and dynamic of maritime opportunities and risks Expanding our understanding of the free Black community of Baxtertown Verbatim script:Downloadable pdf. Family histories written by descendants: Other topics related to local Black history Silent Sentinels of Local Rhinebeck History Black History DCHS Yearbook Encore Edition

Below: The story of Andrew Frazier, the ancestor. The only Black family with a large plot. Adjacent to and facing, but not technically within, “Colored Section E.” Below: Images and profiles.

Starting Places People Places Things Words from the past Newer Perspectives Other Starting Points The Walter M. Patrice Collection focuses largely on the history of the Smith AME Zion Church in Poughkeepsie, which through Mr. Patrice’s efforts was listed on the national historic register. Although unable to part with the photo album, Mr. Patrice allowed DCHS to take photographs and use the images from his mother’s family’s photo album. In most cases, his mother was not able to identify specific individuals (aside from her father, Jasper Jackson) but she confirmed that it is the family album of Henry and Alma Jackson of the Town of Milan. Below right are some striking images by Reuben Van Vlack of men preparing to serve in World War One in 1918.

DCHS Collections: Documents of Enslavement Two adult men, and adult woman, and a young boy are sold in 1775.

DCHS Collections: Documents of Enslavement Bartholome Noxon, Jr., records payments by his “negro boy Cezar” who literally purchases his own freedom.

DCHS Collections: Documents of Enslavement In this document we see the certification by the overseers of the poor of the Town of Washington (Stephen Thorn and Thomas Howard), permitting Isaac Smith to manumit an enslaved woman named Dinah.They certify that she is under the age of 45, and in such a condition that she will not become an economic burden to the town. This step was required of anyone wishing to manumit an enslaved man, woman, or child. DCHS Collections.

DCHS Collections Documents of Enslavement A woman named Rachel is “sold” to Christian Tobias on February 4, 1771 Know all men by these presents that I [Mical?/Michael] Obberocker of Beekman Precinct in Dutchess County do for the consideration of the sum of 65 pounds good and lawful money of New York to one in hand paid by Christian Tobias of Charlotte Precinct in said County, have bargained, sold [  ] and delivered one certain Negro woman named Rachel for term of life to have and to hold to the proper use benefit and [   ]  of him the said Christian Tobias his heirs executors and assigns… February 4, 1771 Signed in the presence of Bartholomew Noxon, Jr. and Thomas Tobias.