The system of slavery in New England was often markedly different from that of the Southern colonies. Not only did the enslaved frequently work alongside their enslavers and reside with them, but they might also be sent to serve in the militia, fight in wars, and were allowed to hold accounts in local stores. One enslaved man in Deerfield, Massachusetts, was even sent on occasion to run his enslaver’s store in Hinsdale, New Hampshire. The account book pages for the store run by Elijah Williams in Deerfield include accounts for people such as Ishmael, who was enslaved by Thomas Dickinson and Titus, who was enslaved by the Reverend Jonathan Ashley. Each account includes a page listing a person’s purchases with values in pounds, shillings, and pence, and an opposing page listing the ways in which these people paid for their items. In Ishmael’s case, payment included cash, two days of work, and “By Digging Jno [Jonathan] Tutes Grave”.
Williams, Elijah. Pages from Elijah Williams (Old Soldier’s) account book, Vol. 2. Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, American Centuries. https://americancenturies.org/collection/l00-045/. Accessed on March 2, 2025.
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