1751 the house was transferred to Matthew Mulford, son of Samuel Mulford, from John Dayton (grandson) and Robert Dayton’s wife, who owned the house after Robert Dayton left it to them in his will. John Dayton left his wife a “negro girl” in his will (died, no longer living in the house). London (also spelled Lunnon) Dayton was enslaved by John Dayton (either John Dayton 4 or 5) and freed by 1799. There are many records showing London owning land, often deeded from Daytons. Aaron Isaacs was the first Jewish person (later converted to christianity) in East Hampton, married Matthew Mulford’s daughter Esther and presumably lived in the Home, Sweet Home house as we see his daughter Elizabeth living and dying there. He was seen buying may shoes for his slaves Files, an unnamed “negro child,” an unnamed “negro girl,” nab, and additionally recorded an unnamed “negro child” dying 5/11/1768 (maybe the same child).
Records give John Osborne as the owner of the land in 1655. In 1676 it was the sold to Josiah Hobart, high sheriff of Suffolk County, who built the house that stands today. Capt. Josiah Hobart came to East Hampton in the third wave of settlers, found in records by 1650. He was the Sheriff of Suffolk County. In Josiah Hobart’s 1707 will he left his “negro girl Flora” to his wife, Anne. According to Jeannette Rattray in "Up and Down Main Street," “Experts from Williamsburg, Virginia and the Brooklyn Museum have examined the house and agreed that it is, at least in part, one of the oldest on Long Island.” The house passed into the Mulford family in an exchange with Samuel Mulford on April 16, 1698. On November 22, 1715, when Samuel Mulford owned the Mulford house, a meeting was held to discuss building the second town church. Supposedly, according to the original Brooklyn Daily Eagle article in 1895, a committee member was missing and Mulford sent an enslaved girl to find him. A terrible storm arrived and the girl was lost in the snow drifts. She was found the next day and the committee decided that her death was a sign from the divine, telling them that the place where she was found should be the site for the new church. Today, Guild Hall stands on the second church’s location, marked by a sign. No one has been able to confirm the legitimacy of this story. In 1724, the Mulford was deeded to Samuel Mulford’s son, Matthew, who later owned “Home, Sweet Home.” Capt. Matthew Mulford can be found in records from the 18th century owning numerous enslaved persons. He baptized enslaved persons named Shafar and Sharper in March of 1723, Rose in May 1724, Joe in January 1764, and an unnamed “negro man” in September 1772. The town records show his “negro woman” dying in 1771, possibly Rose, and an enslaved woman named Abigail dying in 1773. In 1753 he bought a man named Prince from Seth Parsons for 68 pounds and later records show Prince baptizing his son Depth in 1779 and an unnamed son in 1780, both after the death of Matthew Mulford, but during the time that his grandson, also named Matthew Mulford, owned the home, having obtained the house during the Revolution. The East Hampton Town Records Volume III records 6 shillings being given “to Mulford’s negro two days’ work” in 1733, unclear whether it is Mulford being paid or the enslaved person.
Hedges Shoemaker Shop 74 James Ln. East Hampton, NY
Hedges Inn. The site of shoemaker's shop was described as "a small building in the back of the inn" - JER "Main Street". The Hedges kept detailed accounts of their transactions including those with those enslaved. The Hedges also owned slaves and there is a record of a "negro child" of Daniel Hedges's dying on April 17, 1790.
John "Neiger," a free black man, was recorded having land remarkably early in May 1676. In Town Records Volume I, the town writes, "John Neiger have begun to set himslefe upp a house in the Streete by the side of Mrs. Codners home lot ... to goe from the fence yt Doth belong to John Stretton Senir...the said John Neiger is to have this land for his life time in Case hee live there but he is now way to dispose of or to sell it away but if he remove from it yn it is to remain again to the the towne as before."
Records of the Town of East Hampton, Long Island, Suffolk Co., N.Y., with Other Ancient Documents of Historic Value. Vol. 1. Sag Harbor, NY, 1887.
Home, Sweet Home Museum 14 James Ln. East Hampton, NY
In 1751 the house was transferred to Matthew Mulford, son of Samuel Mulford, from John Dayton and Robert Dayton’s wife who co-owned the house. John Dayton left his wife a “negro girl” in his will (died no longer living in the house). London (also spelled Lunnon) Dayton was enslaved by John Dayton and freed by 1799. There are many records showing London owning land, often deeded from Daytons. Aaron Isaacs Jr. also lived in the house and was the first Jewish person (later converted to Christianity) in East Hampton. He was seen buying many shoes for his slaves Files, Nab, an unnamed “negro child,” and unnamed “negro girl," He additionally recorded an unnamed “negro child ”dying 5/11/1768.
Mulford Home 12 James Ln. East Hampton, NY
In 1724, the Mulford was deeded to Samuel Mulford’s son, Matthew, who later owned “Home, Sweet Home.” Capt. Matthew Mulford can be found in records from the 18th century owning numerous enslaved persons. He baptized enslaved persons named Shafar/Sharper in March of 1723, Rose in May 1724, Joe in January 1764, and an unnamed “negro man” in September 1772. The town records show his “negro woman” dying in 1771, possibly Rose, and an enslaved woman named Abigail dying in 1773. In 1753 he bought a man named Prince from Seth Parsons for 68 pounds and later records show Prince baptizing his son Depth in 1779 and an unnamed son in 1780, both after the death of Matthew Mulford, but during the time that his grandson, also named Matthew Mulford, owned the home, having obtained the house during the Revolution. The East Hampton Town Records Volume III records 6 shillings being given “to Mulford’s negro two days’ work” in 1733. It is said that the enslaved people lived in the attic of the house.
David Gardiner's 1740 home 95 Main St. East Hampton, NY
David Gardiner passed down Coseo and Will to Abraham Gardiner in his 1750 will. He also gave his wife "one negro wench as she shall make choice of out of all my negro slaves." But before, Abraham Schellinger, who owned the land, had a 1713 inventory with a "negro man priced at 40 pounds" and a "negro woman priced at 18 pounds." David Gardiner, 6th proprietor of Gardiner's Island, unclear whether or not he ever lived in this house, kept a meticulous inventory, recording a "negro man named Plato aged 35 years 52 pounds" "negro man named Dick aged 40 years, 22 pounds" "negro man named Brister aged 28 years, 52 pounds "negro man named Philip aged 22 years, 65 pounds" "negro man named Cyrus aged 21 years, 70 pounds" "negro boy named Peter age 14, 53 pounds" "negro boy named Cato age 12, 48 pounds" "negro boy named Reuben age 10, 40 pounds" "negro boy named Abel age 8, 32 pounds" "negro woman named Phillis age 52 years, 8 pounds" "negro woman named Sabinah aged 48 years, 12 pounds" and a "negro woman named Sarah aged 23, 38 pounds."
Commissioned in 1715. A 1732 town trustees vote formalized that "negroes may sit in the 2nd gallery, west side." In an 1780 town trustee record: “Ned negro to ring the bel for 30/0,” and in a 1784 record as “Jeremiah Osborn’s Ned” agreeing to ring the bell for one year for 24 shillings and so on in the ensuing years’ records, ultimately ringing the bell for 16 years. Rev. Buell's enslaved Pegg was also paid to sweep the church from 1802 to April 18, 1808.
Rev. Buell's House Main St. East Hampton, NY
In 1775, Buell recorded "my negro child Paul" died. In 1784, his "Negro man" purchased a pair of shoes from Hedges. In 1796, Rev. Buell paid "fifty pounds of lawful money of New York" to David Mulford for "my negro Servant man called Gree." We believe that Buell may have been master to seven enslaved persons, if not more. His slave Peggy Negro is recorded in the town records as hired to sweep the church from about 1802 to 1808.
Huntting Inn 94 Main St. East Hampton, NY
Only confirmed enslaved person owned by Rev. Huntting is Gene "my negro girl, died in 1746, age 1 year 9 months." But there are four other people we know about from Huntting's account books, not family members, who are sleeping under "old blankets" on homemade beds -- Gene's parents among them?
Rev. Lyman Beecher's house. 84 Main St. East Hampton, NY
Drusilla Crook, approx age 5 in 1799, called Zillah by the Beecher family. She stayed bound to them until she was 18. When Mary was born (1805) they took a sister of Zillah's named Rachel. Both moved with the Beechers to Litchfield, Conn., and stayed until their "time was out."
Jeremiah Miller's House 117 Main St. East Hampton, NY
From the Hedges account books, we know of Mol, who got a "pair of pumps" in 1771. Steven, who got shoes in 1785. We know of a "negro woman named Aca and her son Silas" sold by Mehitable Baker to Jeremiah Miller in 1787. Cyrus, "the mother of said child I hold as a slave," born in 1802.
Gardiner White House Main St. East Hampton, NY
Abraham Gardiner, who lived here, became master of Coseo and Will in David Gardiner's will in 1750. Peggy Negro, who is buried in the South End Cemetery, may have been baptised in 1764. A "negro child" died in 1766. A "negro man" died in 1770. He left Zel and Ruben (also known as Tobe) to his daughter Mary in his will. Also Rufus, an unnamed woman or women, and Cato getting shoes in 1785.
143 Main St. East Hampton, NY Owned by Wm. Fithian then in 1670 Matthias Burnett, 1776 Burnett Miller, and Jonathan Dayton (1764-1824). An enslaved man, Peter, is left by Matthias Burnett to Burnett Miller, “I leave to my grand son, Burnet Miller, all my lands, meadows, and commonage, and all my right on Montauk, and all stock and cattle, and all wainage and farming tools, and all my books, gun and sword, and my negro peter and my indian boy John." Peter, negro sevt. of Capt. Burnet, baptised Nov. 17, 1723. 1749 2 negro children of Burnett Miller recorded dead in 1749, as did a child of Matthias Burnett later that same year. Another Burnett Miller negro child died in 1757. In the 1790 Census, John Dayton owned two enslaved people, and in both 1800 and 1810 one.
An enslaved woman of African heritage, Boose is the earliest known named enslaved person in East Hampton. She was part of the Lion and Mary Gardiner holdings and mentioned in at least two contemporary sources.
(Possible runaway) ...also agreed by major vote to hire Isac Isaacs to carry Mingo negro the servant man of Pinchus Faning to Southold & to Deliver him to his master. Possible connection: Also in 1774 in Southold, Constant Booth left “Joe” to his son Joseph. His “negro boy Mingo” was to be sold. At the time of his death, the house in “Sterling” was the only house in what is now Greenport. The Disposition of Slaves on the East End of Long Island from 1680 to 1796 by Patricia and Edward Shillingburg, 2003
East Hampton Town Trustee Records, Oct. 3, 1785
A black child "Soon after Lion Gardiner had sued both the Garlicks . . . a black child disappeared."
Orion, Loretta, It Were as Well to Please the Devil... P. 23.
one Indian Captive girle about Thirteene or foorteene yeeres of age Comonlie Called or knowne by ye name of Beck for him ye sd James Loper his heires or assignes or Either of them for to have hould posses and enjoy as his or their proper estate duringe her naturall life...
"John Hedges negro" East Hampton, L.I., British Colonial America, 1709 Took part in flax harvest
"Negro slaves" involved in cutting up and trying out whale oil 1710 East Hampton, New York, British Colonial America
"Negro man" 1713 East Hampton, L.I., British Colonial America
“Negro Woman” 1713 East Hampton, Amagansett, British Colonial America
“A Slave Girl” 1715 East Hampton, British Colonial America
“A slave” 1719 East Hampton, British Colonial America
“negro servt.” 1723 East Hampton, British Colonial America
“negro woman servt. ” 1724 East Hampton, British Colonial America
"Hannah negro servt of Wid Osborne" 1725 East Hampton, British Colonial America
"negro maid" 1726 East Hampton, British Colonial America
"negro woman" 1726 East Hampton, British Colonial America
"Indian servt. " 1726 East Hampton, British Colonial America
"Indian boy" 1726 East Hampton, British Colonial America
"A son of Peter & Hannah, negro" 1727 East Hampton, British Colonial America
"Negro Boy " 1729 East Hampton, British Colonial America
"negro sevt. of Mr. Chatfield" 1730 East Hampton, British Colonial America
"negro" 1730 East Hampton, British Colonial America
"A son of Peter, negro" 1730 East Hampton, British Colonial America
"William Hedges' Negro" 1733 East Hampton, British Colonial America
"Mulford's Negro" 1733 East Hampton, British Colonial America
"negro girl Luce" 1733 East Hampton, British Colonial America
"negro woman servt. " 1736 East Hampton, British Colonial America
"negro maid/ servt. " 1736 East Hampton, British Colonial America
"negro servt." 1736 East Hampton, British Colonial America
"son of Sharper, negro" 1736 East Hampton, British Colonial America
"woman negro servt. " 1736 East Hampton, British Colonial America
"children of Simene, negro servt. " 1736 East Hampton, British Colonial America
"children of Chriss, negro servt." 1736 East Hampton, British Colonial America
"son of Chriss, servt." 1738 East Hampton, British Colonial America
"daughter of Simene, negro servt. " 1739 East Hampton, British Colonial America
"a negro man" 1738 East Hampton, British Colonial America
"a negro woman" 1738 East Hampton, British Colonial America
"negro servt." 1740 East Hampton, British Colonial America
"negro servt. " 1740 East Hampton, British Colonial America
"children of Mol, negro servt. " 1740 East Hampton, British Colonial America
Son of Peter, negro servt. of Capt. Burnet, and Chriss his wife, serct. of Josiah Miller. East Hampton, British Colonial North America
Indian servt. 1675 East Hampton, British Colonial America
Two Black male youths and one female Black youth placed in John Gardiner's care, July 17, 1699
"negro man formerly a servant to John Dayton"
"the mother of said Simeon is held as a slave by me"
Son of Simene, servt. of Deacon Mulford's widow. See, Abigail, daughter of Simene
East Hampton, Long Island, British Colonial North America
Baptism record and will of Capt. Mathias Burnet
Servt to Capt Abraham Gardiner aged 22 years
one negro slave named Coseo, and also one negro slave named Will
child of Peter Negros, John Hedges's negro man
My Negroes namely Jack Violet & the negro child
Unrecorded Name - UNID76 1785 East Hampton
"Peter Negros" son found in East Hampton Church baptism records.
"Negro Stephen" found in a shoemaker's account book in January and December.
The Lost Freetown Cemetery: Newspaper item from 1930 hints at slavery-era mystery Freetown, a section of East Hampton depicted in a 1916 Suffolk atlas, may contain a lost cemetery holding the remains of 20 or more formerly enslaved people who died in the early 1800s.
The Early History of Southampton, L. I., New York: With Genealogies, By George Rogers Howell. Page 42
The Early History of Southampton, L. I., New York: With Genealogies, By George Rogers Howell. Page 212
The Early History of Southampton, L. I., New York: With Genealogies, By George Rogers Howell. Page 72
Enslaved man in the estate inventory of Thomas Jessup of Southampton, 1684
Mixed ancestry; African and Northwest European
Mixed ancestry: African and Northwestern European
Mixed ancestry: African and Northwest European
Seaman, colored, resident of Shelter Island.
Mixed ancestry; African and Northwest European.
Also a negro woman named aca and her son silas
There was an old aunt temp in Watermill who had been a negro slave in the Halsey family. She was freed after the Manumission Act of 1788 but both she and her son were always looked after by the Halseys until they died.
Enslaved person listed in the 1800 Census
female child...the mother of said child I hold as a slave
the mother of said child I hold as a slave
"Peggy negro," also referred to as "peg negro," "peg buell," peg buel"
"a female child, daughter of Dinah, a slave to me"
the mother of said child is held as a slave by me
male child by the name of William, born of a slave on the 16th of December 1805, to the town of Southampton, after it became one year old, as per certificate May 6, 1806.”
that mother of said Simeon is held as a slave by me
One of two female colored persons, age 14-26
Black girl bound to Lyman Beecher's household, c. 1805