Additional information has surfaced on Reuben Freeman (1827-1912) who was profiled in the May 2024 THSSH Newsletter (scroll to page 3). Reuben was the free black man, born to slave parents in Liberty Corner, who was required by law to work for William Annin (1790-1872) until he reached age 25 around 1852.
After that date, Reuben appears to have worked for Annin under yearly contracts. The Ledger of William Annin records contracts and accounts for Reuben between the years 1860 and 1869 (see examples below). During this time, Reuben supported his wife Ann and young daughter Fannie.
The Ledger of William Annin
p.23 – Contra acct. of Reuben Freeman. “Reuben is to work for me 1 year at 5 / day I am to pasture & winter his cow he is to give me 35 Doll rent”.
p.79 – Contract with Reuben Freeman (“Agreement made between William Annin & Reuben Freeman for one year work beginning the first of April 1861 The said Reuben agrees to work for the said Wm Annin for one year for the sum of 50 Ct a day with addition of ten Dollar added to the above sum thro hay & harvest or [?] the month of July”)
William Annin died in 1872, and by 1880 Reuben had moved to Annandale, Hunterdon Co.
Many thanks to Richard Juterbock and Kevin Fox of the Liberty Corner Presbyterian Church for bringing this information in the church archives to our attention.
See Death Certificate of Reuben Freeman.
See Death Certificate for Ann E. Freeman.
