Bedford Cemetery where slaves are buried

This is never an easy subject, but it's one that I thought should be addressed.  Yes, Billerica
had slaves at one time or another.   I do know that by the year 1754, Billerica had at least 8
slaves - 5 of whom were females.  I've been able to find and name a few and who owned them
which I've listed below.  As you peruse the lists below, you will find in some cases the word
servant.  This can sometimes be taken as another term for slave or in some cases as a
servant who was free and paid for their services.  The books are not clear on how to take
this word in most cases but I've added them to the list with the supposition that they could
be later found out to be slaves.

One curious fact I found is that when a slave died, he or she was usually not buried in the
same section as his white counterparts.  They usually had a certain section of the graveyard
reserved for these poor souls.  In Bedford, which was once part of Billerica and Concord 
until the year 1729, their slaves were buried in the land Israel Putnam (of Billerica/Bedford)
had set aside for a cemetery and they were buried in the African section reserved for them.
It is doubtful there were any headstones made for these individuals probably because they
were viewed as nothing more than property.  Billerica's slaves may also be buried here.  

I've included Bedford slaves and Tewksbury slaves on this list simply because some of the
residents of these towns were once considered part of Billerica.  As I research further and
hopefully find out more, these slaves may one day be found to have been owned by
former Billericans before the splits of Bedford from Billerica and Tewksbury from Billerica.

You will notice that some of the slaves when they were freed, decided to stay with their
masters.  This was probably due to the fact that they knew they were better off where they
were than trying to go out on their own.  Instead, they tried to negotiate with the family,
wages, for their work in their newfound freedom.  After all, who would hire a former slave
and treat him or her as well as a white man?  Not many and the former slaves knew this.  
Life would be extremely tough for them due to the prejudices surrounding them based on
their race.

As usual, any errors will be corrected in the future as found.  Unfortunately, when you 
read these books by the early town historians, they are not always straightforward.  They
can take the long route around to a simple explanation.  I tried my best to decipher what
they were saying.  It ain't easy folks.

Billerica
John Warrick - Indian servant (servant is another common term used for slave) owned by
     Jonathan Danforth senior.  John Warrick died 11-15-1686.
Simon - African slave owned by Reverend Samuel Whiting.  Freed 11-30-1693 at around
     the age of 40.  The slave was given in 1709, a land grant of 17 acres and in his will,
     he willed the land to his former master's descendants.
? - slave owned by Nathaniel Page.  This slave was valued at £15 in Page's will.
Dick - African servant to Simon Crosby.  Died 2-7-1674
Cato - African child owned by Simon Blanchard and Rebecca.  Baptized 4-22-1753.
Phebe - African slave probably owned by William Crosby.
Diana - African daughter of slave Phebe.  Owned by William Crosby.  Baptized 6-3-1753.
Enos - African child owned by Ebenezer Dowse.  Baptized 10-3-1773.
Jenny - African slave probably owned by William Crosby.
Lois - African daughter of slave Jenny.  Owned by William Crosby.  Baptized 4-30-1749.
Nimri - African son of slave Jenny.  Owned by William Crosby.  Baptized 5-19-1751.
Osmur - African child owned by David Stickney.  Baptized 6-12-1768.
Peter - Mixed race boy owned by Josiah A. Stearns? (see Bedford list).  Baptised
     10-12-1777.
Pompey - African child belonging to Thomas Kidder Esq.  Baptized 10-20-1752.
Phillis - African servant of Ebenezer Jones (of Wilmington which was once part of Billerica
     and another town).
Titus - African servant who married servant Phillis above.

Bedford (which was once formerly Billerica and Concord)
Torrey More - African owned by Col. John Lane (once considered a Billerica native).
     Torrey had originally been sold to Col. John Lane by Mary Lynden of Boston.  He was
     freed on 3-23-1761.
Cuff - African owned by Zacheus Whitney.  Cuff died 11-2-1737.
Domire -  African owned by John Lane (possibly Col. John Lane who may have been a
     former Billerica native).  He died 8-3-1749.
Jefferee - 5 year-old African slave of Joseph Hartwell 
Dinah - African slave
Violet - African owned by John Moore.  Last freed slave in Bedford.  She is thought to have
     lived until 100 years of age.
*Peter - owned by Josiah A. Stearns.  He was considered an honored family servant and 
     when he died, Josiah his master, buried him and gave him a memorial stone.  He may
     possibly be buried in the African section of the Shawsheen Cemetery in Bedford.
Quimbo - African slave
Jack - African slave
Abraham - African slave (son of Jack above)
Hannah Drury - African slave
Zebedee Drury - African slave
Lois Burdo - African slave
Toney - African slave
Pomp - African slave
Caesar Jones - African slave
Cambridge Moore - African slave owned by Captain Moore.  During the American 
     Revolution, Cambridge was pressed into service by his owner and his wages were given
     to his owner for his military service.  I'm assuming Capt. Moore once lived in Bedford
     and may be the same John Moore listed above.
Caesar Jones - African slave also used during the American Revolution by his owner.
Caesar Prescott - African slave also used during the American Revolution by his owner.
? - African slave owned by John Page bought off of Nathaniel Tay in 1691.

Tewksbury (all of Tewksbury was once part of Billerica)
Caesar - African slave owned by Capt. Hunt.  He died 11-28-1749.
Fortune - African slave owned by Timothy Rogers Jr.  He died 2-19-1772.
Henry (alias Cuff) - African servant of Lt. Timothy Rogers.  He died 1-26-1784.
Lois - African slave owned by Sergeant Sameull Trull.  Died 2-8-1752.
Lois - African servant of widow Sarah Kittridge.  Died 5-28-1765.
Phillis - African slave owned by Deacon Spaulding.  Died June 1820 at age 90.  She had 
    been freed but requested that she be allowed to stay with the family.  She was a maid.  
    She also requested that when she died, she be buried at the feet of Deacon Spaulding.  
    She got her wish.
Reuben - African servant of Joseph Kittridge.  Died 6-29-1777.  This one, unfortunately,
     was not freed until 1-16-1755 after his master had died.
Rose - African slave owned by Samuell Frizel.  Died 10-9-1757.  This one, I believe, was
     also owned by a Mrs. Rogers.  She was freed but requested that she be allowed to 
     stay with the family.  She was their maid.
African child - owned by Samuell Trull.  Died 4-26-1759.
African child - owned by Timothy Rogers.  Died 12-14-1759.
African servant - owned by Davis Chapman.  Died 8-17-1767.
African child - owned by Ebenezer Whitemore.  Died Dec. 7 or 8, 1770.

Sources:  "History of Bedford, MA" by Abram English Brown , "History of Billerica" by
Henry Hazen, "Billerica Vital Records", "Bedford Vital Records", and "Tewksbury Vital 
Records".

-Binny     

copyright 2003