Some early African American Families 

in 18th and 19th century Stoughton

David Allen Lambert

 

Note: The first section of this material consists of the families listed as African-American, Mulatto, and Native American abstracted from the 1790-1900 Census for Stoughton.  The term "African American" was not applied in the 18th and 19th century. Enumerators would often list Native American and African American Families different each census.  When comparing census material examine each census for this difference in the reporting.  If you descend from any of these families or have questions, concerns or additions please let me know.  If you wish to use this information for anything other than your own research please let me know.  

 

For more information on the Massachuset People at Ponkapoag including genealogical information.

 

 

 

 

Stoughton Census of 1790

African-Americans, Mulatto enumerated as 

"All other free persons" 

[Note: This may also included white servants in the household].

 

The 1790 census includes the portion of Stoughton that was later incorporated as Canton in 1797.  

 

"Isaac" [Williams]  - (9) for  "All other free persons" [Note: This is no doubt Isaac Williams family, who married Elizabeth Will a Punkapoag Indian from Stoughton].

 

Sampson Dunbar  - (4) for  "All other free persons"

Quork Martrick  - (4) for  "All other free persons"

 

 

Individuals listed as "All other free persons" enumerated in white households in Stoughton.

 

 

 

 

 

Stoughton Census of 1800

Search the 1800 Census for Stoughton

 

African-Americans and Mulattos enumerated with

"All free persons, except Indians not taxed"

 

No entries in the census for "All free persons, except Indians not taxed"

 

 

 

 

Stoughton Census of 1810

African-Americans, Mulatto, and Native Americans enumerated as 

"Persons of Culler" (by number and not by age or sex)

 

Abel Lewis       - (2) Males under 10; (1) Male 16 to 26; (1) Female under 10; (1) Female 16 to 26.

 

Quack Martrick  - (1) Male under 10; (2) Males 16 to 26; (1) Male 45 and upwards; (1) Female 16 to 26;

                           (1) Female 26 to 45; (1) Female 45 and upwards.

 

Isaac Williams - (1) Male 16 to 26; (1) Male 45 and upwards; (1) Female 10 to 16; (2) Females 45 and upwards.

[Isaac Williams married Elizabeth Will a Punkapoag Indian from Stoughton].

 

[Note:  The above three families are not enumerated with "Persons of Culler" but simply under Male and Females with the entire town.  These three families historically would be listed as "Persons of Color" in later census records].

 

Individuals listed as "Free Colored Persons" enumerated in white households in Stoughton.

 

 

 

 

 

Stoughton Census of 1820

African-Americans, Mulatto, and Native Americans enumerated as 

"Free Colored Persons"

( 7 Females - 6 Males): Population = 13

 

Isaac Williams            - (1) Males under 14; (1) Male 14 under 26; (1) Male 26 under 45; (1) Male 45 and upwards; 

                                                  (1) Female 14 under 26; (1) Female 45 and upwards.

[Isaac Williams married Elizabeth Will a Punkapoag Indian from Stoughton].

 

Quock Matrick             - (2) Males under 14; (1) Male 14 under 26; (1) Male 26 under 45; (1) Male 45 and upwards

                                                  (1) Female under 14; (2) Females 14 under 26; (2) Females 45 and upwards.

 

Abel Lewis                    - (3) Males under 14; (1) Male 45 and upwards; (2) Females under 14; (1) Female 26 under 45

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stoughton Census of 1830

African-Americans, Mulatto, and Native Americans enumerated as 

"Free Colored Persons"

( - Females - Males)

 

Quack Mattrick            - (2) Males 10 under 24; (1) Male 36 and under 55; (1) Male 55 under 100; (2) Females under 10;

                                                     (1) Female 10 under 24; (2) Females 24 under 36; (1) 55 under 100.

 

Isaac Williams                - (1) Male 10 under 24; (1) Male 55 under 100; (1) Female 55 under 100.

[Isaac Williams married Elizabeth Will a Punkapoag Indian from Stoughton].

 

Clarissa Hodges             - (1) Female 10 under 24.

 

 

 

Stoughton Census of 1840

African-Americans, Mulatto, and Native Americans enumerated as 

"Free Colored Persons"

(9 Females - 10 Males): Population = 19

 

Lemuel R. Mattuck        - (1) Male 24 under 36; (1) Female 10 under 24.

 

Thomas Jacobs             - (2) Males under 10; (1) Male 36 under 55; (1) Female under 10; (2) Females 10 under 24.

 

Joanna Wales                      - (1) Female 36 under 55.

 

Elizabeth Williams             - (1) Female 55 under 100. 

[Note: She is a daughter of a Punkapoag Indian, and widow of Revolutionary War veteran Isaac Williams Sr.].

 

William Whipple            - (1) Male under 10; (1) Male 24 under 36; (1) Female 24 under 36; (1) Female 36 under 33.

 

Individuals listed as "Free Colored Persons" enumerated in white households in Stoughton.

 

 

 

 

Stoughton Census of 1850

 

 

[419/518] Isa[a]c Williams, age 58, male, Black, no occupation, born in Mass, Blind.

                William Hanson, age 52, male, Black, Laborer, born in South Carolina

[Isaac Williams Jr. is a son of Isaac Williams who married Elizabeth Will a Punkapoag Indian from Stoughton.  Isaac is recognized on the Earle Report as a member of the Punkapoag Indians].

 

[420/519] Hannah Cutler, age 39, female, Black, born in Mass.

                Martha A. Cutler, age 19, female, mulatto, born in Mass.

                Caroline Cutler, age 10, female, mulatto, born in Mass., attended school.

                Benjamin Cutler, age 8, male, mulatto, born in Mass., attended school

[Source: 1850 Census, Roll: M432-329; p. 126]

 

[428/528] Thomas Jacobs, age 50, male, Black, occupation: Blacksmith, born in Mass.

               Rhoda Jacobs, age 49, female, Black, born in Maine.

               Lucy I. Shane [sp?], age 15, female, Black, born in Maine.

               Ann E. Jacobs, age 5, female, Black, born in Mass., attended school.

 

[429/529]  John Talboot [Talbot], age 44, male, Black, Boot make, born in Mass.

                Lydia Talboot, age 42, female, Black, born in Mass.

                Adeline Talboot, age 14, female, Black, born in Mass., attended school.

                Moses Talboot, age 11, male, Black, born in Mass., attended school.

                Jacob Talboot, age 6, male, Black, born in Mass., attended school.

                Franklin Talboot, age 1, male, Black, born in Mass. 

                Noah Ashport, age 26, male, Black, laborer, born in Mass. 

 

[430/530]  Henry W. Harris, age 32, male, Black, Farmer, $500 real estate owned, born in Ohio.

                Eleanor Harris, age 30, female, Black, born in Mass.

                Elizabeth Jacobs, age 18, female, Black, born in Mass., attended school.

                Thomas Jacobs, age 14, male, Black, born in Mass., attended school.

                Frederick Jacobs, age 11, male, Black, born in Mass., attended school.

[ " / 531]   Alexander Campbell, age 31, male, Black, occupation: Cook, born New Jersey.

                Cloriana Campbell, age 30, male, Black, born in N.H.

                Alexander Campbell, age 1, male, Black, born in Mass.

[Source: 1850 Census, Roll: M432-329; p. 127]

 

Stoughton Census of 1860

 

 

[1260/1265]    Eleanor S. Harris, 56, f, B, b. Mass.

                       Alexander Campbell, 48, M, B, b. Mass.

                       C[h]loe Campbell, 32, F, B, b. Mass.

                       Eleanor Campbell, 8, F, B, b. Mass.

                       George Campbell, 5, M, B, b. Mass.

                       Eunice Campbell, 3/12, F, B, b. Mass.

                       Eleanor Jones, 85, F, B, , b. Mass.

[Source: Source:  M653  Roll: 515  Page: 145 - East Stoughton]

 

 

[1261/1266]   Thomas Jacobs, 56, M, B, b. Maine   

[Source:  M653  Roll: 515  Page: 145]

 

 

[1262/1267]  Thomas Fletcher, 40, M, B, b. Mass.

                      Emma Fletcher, 39, F, B, b. Mass.

[Source:  M653  Roll: 515  Page: 145]

 

[1263/1268]   Lemuel Martrick, 49, M, B, b. Mass. (*)

                      William Whipple, 50, M, B, b. Mass.

[Source:  M653  Roll: 515  Page: 145]

 

* Lemuel R. Matrick died at Stoughton February 4, 1862, age 51 yrs. 2 mos, color "African".  He was born in Stoughton the son of Quack and Chloe Matrick.  See more on the Matrick / Martick family below.

 

[1299/1304]    Bemis Moley, 45, M, B, b. Conn.

                        Mary A. Moley, 39, F, B, b. Mass.

 

[1330/1335]  Charles Gifford, 18, M, Mulatto, barber, born in Mass.

[Source: 1860 Census - Series: M653  Roll: 515  Page: 154]

 

 

 

Stoughton Census of 1870

 

 

Living in the household of Samuel and Deborah Page

[706/879] Thomas Jacobs, M, 71, Black, occupation: Blacksmith, b. Mass.

[Source: 1870 - Census Series: M593  Roll: 636  Page: 293]

 

In the Household of Rev. Thomas Wilson's family. 

[219/267]   Amanda Moseley, 23, F, B, Domestic Servant, b. Virginia,

[Source: 1870 Series: M593  Roll: 636  Page: 261]

 

Amanda Mosely died at Stoughton October 18, 1870 age 25 yrs., due to consumption.  She was born in Virginia the daughter of Gordon and Mary according her death record.

 

Amanda  was buried at Evergreen Cemetery in Stoughton in the Wilson family plot.

 

 

Inscription: Amanda Mosely, / Born a Slave in / Virginia. / Died in Stoughton / October 18, 1870. / Aged 25 years.

In 2006 her gravestone has fallen off the base - cemetery will be notified.

 

[192/229]   Samuel Sharp, 24, M, B, Farm Laborer, b. "Hayti" [ Haiti ]

                  Caroline H., 20, F, B, Keeping House, b. not filled in. Married in Jan/June 1870

[Source: 1870 Series: M593  Roll: 636  Page: 259, side 2]

Note: Samuel is buried at the Evergreen Cemetery in Stoughton

 

[510/627]   Joseph Waugh, 35, M, B, Barber, b. Maryland

                   Hannah Waugh, 21, F, B, Keeping House, b. New Brunswick

 

Living in the household of George and Helen H. Chapin.

[784/973]    Charles Young, 19, M, B, Farm Laborer, b. Virginia

 

[313/370]    Chandler Ross, 36, M, W, Words for Boot Factory,900/360  b. Maine

                   Sarah D. Ross, 40, F, Mulatto, Keeping House, b. Mass.

                   Elbridge C. Ross, 15, M, Mulatto, Works for Boot Factory, b. Mass.

                   Edward D. Ross, 13, M, Mulatto, b. Mass.

                   Viola Ross, 8, b. Mass

                   Vivillia Ross, 3, b. Mass

[Source: 1870 Series: M593  Roll: 636  Page: 272]

 

[393/471]     Paul Purdy, 46, M, White, Farm Laborer, b. Ireland

                     Emily H. Purdy, 55, F, Mulatto, Keeping House, b. Mass.

                     Mary M. Purdy, 22, F, Mulatto, At Home, b. Mass.

                     Francis H. Purdy, 19, M, Mulatto, At Home, b. Mass.

                    Willie Purdy, 17, M, Mulatto, b. Mass.

                    Emma J. Purdy, 15, F, Mulatto, b. Mass

 

* Paul Purdy and Emily Hall were married in Stoughton February 8, 1847. Emily died at Stoughton June 4, 1899, age 85 yrs. 6 mos. 17 dys., due to heart disease.  Her parents are listed as unknown.

 

 

Stoughton Census of 1880

 

[243/272]    Chandler Ross, 46, Male, White, Laborer, b. in Maine, parents b. in Maine.

                    Sarah G. Ross, wife, 50, Female, Black, Keeping House, b. Mass., parents b. in Mass.

                    Elbridge C. Ross, son, 25, Male, Mulatto, Works for Boot Factory, b. Mass.

                    Viola Ross, daughter, 18, Female, Mulatto, b. Mass., works in Box Shop.

                    Vivilla S. Ross, 13, Female, Mulatto, b. Mass., at School.

 

North Stoughton Village 

[263/313]       Benj[amin]. F. Washington, Black, Male, 39, Tailor merchant, born in Mass., parents born in Mass.

                       Mary A. Washington, wife, Mulatto, Female, 35, Keep house,  born in Mass., parents born in Mass.

                       Benj. H. Washington, son, Mulatto, Male, 13, son, at school.

                       Rachel A. Washington, daughter, Mulatto, Female, 11, at school.

 

 

 

Stoughton Census of 1890

Veteran's Schedule

 

[257/314]     Samuel Sharpe, Private, Co. D. 55th Mass. Inf., May 27, 186? - May 25, 1865.  Crippled in right knee and shoulder.

 

Also serving in the same Regiment as Sam Sharpe was William D. Hill (1842-1911), also of Co. D. 55th Massachusetts Infantry is buried at Evergreen Cemetery in Stoughton, Mass. the last grave to the right of the G.A.R. Monument.

 

 

 

In 1870 Hill was sentenced to jail for a murder at the Bird family farm.  He would later be released from jail, and welcomed back to Stoughton as a member of Post 72 Grand Army of the Republic.  His gravestone I posted on FindaGrave.com

 

 

 

Stoughton Census of 1900

 

[Pleasant Street, near Maplewood Cemetery]

 

[555/596]     State children living in the household of George E. and Annie Rumrey.

                    Peter A. Adams, boarder, Black, b. January 1898 in Mass., parents unknown.

                    Laura King, boarder, Black, b. August 1899 in Mass., parents unknown.

 

[558/599]     Benjamin F. Washington, Black, widower, b. September 1840 in Massachusetts, parents born in Virginia.  Occupation: Florist.

                    Rachel A. Washington, daughter, Black, b. January 1869 in Massachusetts.

                    James Studervan, laborer, Black, b. December 1872 in Virginia, parents born in Virginia. Occupation: Farm laborer.

 

West Street between Frank Monk and Myron Gilbert's farms.

[745/585]    Willis Joebe [sp?], Black, b. March 1880 Massachusetts, parents born in South Carolina. Laborer on farm.

 

 

 

Some Genealogical Sketches of the African American Families of pre-1900 Stoughton

 

Ambush Family from Cuba

 

ALEXANDER AMBUSH, born at Cuba ca. 1822.  He married at Boston November 25, 1849 by Rev. T. Lynch to MARY ANN GOLDEN.  She was born at Ireland or Roxbury, Mass. ca. 1834.  Mary was a daughter of Patrick Golden.  In 1850 Alexander was a hair dresser age 28 residing with his 16 year old Irish born wife Mary A, and her sister "Cordelia Golding" age 11 born in Mass.

 

 

Cutler - Talbot Families

JOHN1 CUTLER; died between 1842-1850.  He married before 1831 to HANNAH -----.  She was born ca. 1811.  She was a widow living in Stoughton in 1850, next to Isaac Williams.

Children:

         +      i.   Martha A. Cutler, (1831-?).

               ii.  Caroline Cutler, (1840-?).

               iii.  Benjamin Cutler, (1842-?).

 

MARTHA ANN2 CUTLER,(John1)born at Boston in 1831. Martha  married at North Bridgewater, Mass. July 25, 1858 by Rev. Paul Couk to JOHN T. TALBOT of Stoughton.  He was born at Bridgewater the son of John and Lydia Talbot.

Children recorded as "illegitimate" in Stoughton Town Clerk records born before her marriage in 1858:

                i.    (Female) Cutler, born at Stoughton December 16, 1853.

               ii.     Fidelia Amelia Cutler, born at Stoughton July 1, 1856.

 

Martrick - Harris - Campbell Families

 

HENRY W. HARRIS, born in Ohio ca. 1818.  Living in Stoughton in 1850 with his wife Eleanor, age 30, and Elizabeth Jacobs, age 18; Thomas Jacobs, age 14; and Frederick Jacobs age 11.  This is the same dwelling that the family of Boston Alexander Campbell resided in 1850.

Eleanor Spencer (Matrick) Harris died at Stoughton June 26, 1862, age 64 yrs. 6 mos. 2 dys., due to pneumonia.  She was born in Stoughton ca. 1798;  daughter of Quork Matrick (born Africa) and Chloe Dunbar (b. Stoughton).

 

THOMAS JACOBS, born at Danvers, Mass. ca. 1804; died after 1860.  He married (1) to LAVINA MATRICK of Stoughton.  He married (2) RHODA B. FREEMAN.  She was born at Green, Maine ca. 1803; died at 18 Porter St., Boston, Mass., August 5, 1880, age 74 yrs. 4 mos., due to cardiac hyperthrophy (3 yrs.) and pericardial effusion (3 mos.), daughter Sampson and Mary (----) Freeman both born in Virginia.

In 1844 Thomas Jacobs is residing with his second wife Rhoda in Stoughton, and is a blacksmith.

Children:

                i.    Chloe E. Jacobs.  She married Boston Alexander Campbell. (see Campbell family)

                ii.    Elizabeth Jacobs, b. ca. 1832.  Living with her father in Stoughton in 1850, age 18.

               iii.    Thomas M. Jacobs (c. 1835-1863).

              iv.    Frederick Jacobs, b. at Lynn, Mass. April 13, 1840 [calculated]; died at Stoughton August 18, 1852, age 12 yrs. 4 mos. 

                      15 dys., due to fits.

              v.    Ann E. Jacobs, b. at Stoughton January 22, 1844.  She married at West Scituate, Mass. December 28, 1863 by Rev. Henry C.

                     Vose to Charles Roberson.  He was born in Virginia ca. 1817, the son of Peter and Mary (-----).  This was the second marriage

                     of  Charles.

 

THOMAS M. JACOBS, born at Lynn, Mass. August 1834 [calculated]; died at Stoughton April 19, 1863, age 27 yrs. 8 mos., due to consumption.  He married at Abington, Mass. June 13, 1859 by F. P. Howland to MARY A. FREEMAN.  She was born in Providence, Rhode Island ca. 1824.  She was a daughter of George Freeman.  

Child:

               i.    George N. Jacobs, b. at Abington, Mass. in 1862; died at Stoughton March 29, 1863, age 7 mos. 10 dys., due to scarletina. 

 

BOSTON ALEXANDER CAMPBELL, born at New Jersey ca. 1815; died at Hyde Park, Mass. 1 January 1877, age 61 yrs., due to dropsy.  Under the names and place of birth of his parents it states "slaves - names unknown". B. Alexander's occupation is occasionally listed as a cook. 

He married ----- CHLOE E. JACOBS.  She was born at Londonderry, Canada / Conn. / N.H. ca. 1820-25; died at 69 Phillips St., Boston, May 6, 1888, age 63 yrs., daughter of Thomas Jacobs (b. Danvers) and Lavina (Matrick) Jacobs (b. Stoughton).  Boston is listed often as B. Alexander Campbell.   By 1880 the widow Chloe E. (Jacobs) Campbell is residing with her children Everett and Sarah L. in Hyde Park, Mass.

Children:

                    i.     Alexander Campbell, born ca. 1849.

                    ii.    Eleanor Campbell, born at Stoughton February 17, 1851. 

                   iii.   George Spencer Campbell, born at Stoughton July 5, 1854.

                  iv.    Everett Webster Campbell, born at East Stoughton July 12, 1863; died at 4 Tileston, Boston, age 27 yrs., due to

                          pyaemia  (4 wks.).  Everett was an upholsterer.

                   v.   Chloe Ann Maria Campbell, born at Stoughton March 12, 1865.

                  vi.   Sarah L. Campbell, born at Stoughton July 7, 1867.

 

 

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