War of 1812, Connecticut

Historic Wakeman Family Fairfield, CT Slavery and Accounting Ledger Dating From the War of 1812
Family Ledger heavily scripted in the hand of Samuel Wakeman with several early entries dating back to 1808, including "November 10, 1808 / Isaac Jennings to Samuel Wakeman to carting a lode of wood from Grenfield," and the vast majority of entries from 1812 to 1824. Approximately half of the book is mostly blank. Paper boards with original leather spine, 16" x 6.75", with the family name of "Jennings" scripted to front end paper. Boards are soiled, rubbed and toned. Leather has dried and is mostly intact although cracking and peeling with slight surface loss. Contents on thick laid paper, soiled, foxed and nicked. The sewn binding is shaken with numerous full leaves that are loose.

A handsome period Fairfield, Connecticut ledger with entries from the period circa the War of 1812. Many recurring family names are noted including with the family names of Jennings, Burr and Wakeman throughout the ledger. The front end paper has the scripted family name of Jennings which would allow for reasonable conjecture that this book belonged to the Jennings family of Fairfield. Of additional other noted interest are the numerous slave names that show up scattered throughout. This period was post emancipation which occurred in principle, in CT in 1783, however CT was quite conservative in their approach. CT first banned the importation of slaves in 1784, only allowing Freedom to slaves born after 1784 when they reached 25 years and in good health. Freedom was also offered to slaves for their service in the Revolutionary war. But the process was slow and slavery was formally abolished in Connecticut in 1848. By the time of this ledger, it would be possible for numerous slaves to have been freed from either their contribution to the war or those who were turning of age (a child born in 1784 would meet the 25 years of age requirement by 1809). Freed slaves often took the surname of "Freeman" . Such examples are the names of "Jeffery Freeman, 1820 to Frederick picking appels (sic) two days", "Primus Burr Freeman, 1818, for mecking (sic) fence one day, to yearing corn two days …, to butchering one day, to sowing one day, to carting dung one day …", (Primas Burr is also in the ledger, perhaps the same person before he achieved his freed status as it was common for slaves to take the family name of their owner), and "Titus Freeman, 1819", all of which are found quite often scattered about the ledger. The linking elements to the rich history of Fairfield, the relationships of the surnames in the ledger and the historical timing with the abolition of slavery makes one's mind wander as they read the book.

In Fairfield's relatively cash-poor economy, the people who worked for Wakeman did so for the most part to build up credit that they could later draw upon as notional payment for goods (mainly provisions) that Wakeman would provide; they did not work primarily for cash, although they sometimes did receive cash to balance accounts. The work was casual labor, done when needed, not steady work and so could not have been a primary source of livelihood. The goods received seem to have been either products the individuals could not produce on their own, the use of daft animals and pasture or wood when supplies fell short. Since this was a system of debits and credit with little cash, it relied on trust.

Isaac Jennings was a farmer living in Fairfield from 1743-1819 , and a lieutenant in the revolution. His house was the first one burned by the British soldiers. Numerous early entries in the ledger are ones of farming with the name of Isaac Jennings, and received payments. Some of the final entries at much later dates discussing medical cures. Of odd coincidence, one of Isaac Jennings sons, also named Isaac became a renowned doctor in the area. Perhaps these were his son's famous remedies? Either way, as one reads through the ledger it leaves one wanting to explore more, and certainly lends itself to further research. Below are some interesting entries of both the medical cures for various diseases, and others entries revolving around farming during the civil war era:

"Cure for the gout take a ounce of picking and put into a vial put into brandy (sic) and take ..ful at nit (night) just as you are going to bed take your feet in hot water and ashes and rule your legs down and" …

"A Cure for the dropsy (was also called Oedema)

One quart of white wood bark from the root of the tree on the north side one pint horse radish half a pint mustard seed one (illegible) haired liver mixed together. Let it stand 24 hours then take a wine glass twice or three times a day"

April 7, 1812 Jarimiah Jennings to Samuel Wakeman to plowing one day to plant

May 7, 1812 Wiliam Sharp to plowing to planting one day

May 23, 1812 Nathanial Burr to plowing one day for planting

December 7, 1810 Daniel, Mallory to a pear [sic] of oxen on a half day carting stone

With two full pages of entries dating from 1808 and 1809 listed as "Isaac Jenning to Samuel Wakeman"

October

To carting wood one day

To chopping wood one day

To sowing one day

To planting potatoes one day

To farming corn one day

There is a total of eight individuals with African ancestry mentioned in the ledge, Jeffrey Freeman, Frederick, Primus Burr, Titus Freeman, John, Ned Freeman, Hiram and Primas Jennings. Although certainly a consideration for speculation, it is unclear if the Primus Freeman mentioned in the ledger was related to the Primus who signed the 1779 petition for the abolition of slavery.

Certainly a thought provoking book, and one tied into the Connecticut roots of the era of the War of 1812.

Exhibition History: Wilton Historical Society, 2019.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.