Purchased From Slavery

Purchased From Slavery. . The Russell Family, On April 15, 1841, Ann and Gerrit Smith arranged to purchase the freedom of Harriet Sims Russell and her family. Harriet had been a slave of Ann’s family in Maryland. The Smith’s hired James C. Fuller, a Quaker abolitionist from Skaneateles, to escort the Russells from Kentucky to Peterboro. Because African-Americans could not use public transportation Fuller bought a stagecoach in which to transport the family. The Smiths deeded the Russells a house in Peterboro for one dollar. Harriet Sims Russell became manager of The Laundry, a building on the estate., Harriet’s husband Samuel brought with him a Johann Georg Mendel violin, which he had played in a plantation orchestra. As the years passed, Samuel’s health failed and the family paid the doctor’s fee selling the violin. Samuel died on December 28, 1857., Harriet’s father William Sims joined the family in 1859 and lived in Peterboro until his death at 102 years., Harriet’s daughter Mary worked and lived with Elizabeth Fitzhugh (Ann’s sister) and James Birney, the 1840 and 1844 candidate for U.S. President., Harriet’s daughter Emily lived with Ann and Gerrit for a time., Harriet’s son William played the fiddle for dances. William died in 1914. His descendants live in the area and in 2010 organized the first Emancipation Day in 75 years., Harriet’s son Richard “served” in the 157th Volunteer Infantry as a laborer in 1862 and after the Emancipation Proclamation served as a corporal in the 8th United States Colored Troops. Richard was injured in a battle at Olustee, Florida. On April 4, 1895, a $500 U.S. Pension for Richard arrived at Peterboro, but Richard had died on March 12., Harriet’s daughter Malvina (Viney) spent nearly all of her adult life working for the Smith-Miller family. Malvina and her brother Richard lived in the home inherited from their parents. In 1925, she died in Peterboro at the age of 85. Her funeral was held in the Smith Mansion parlor. Malvina was the last Peterboro resident to have been born a slave., Harriet’s son Gerrit Smith Russell was born in Peterboro in 1842. Smith wanted the Russells to name the baby Freeborn, but the Russells chose to name him after their benefactor. Gerrit accompanied the 157th as a fifer and stayed with the regiment until after the battle of Fredericksburg. Following the Emancipation Proclamation, Gerrit was a principal musician of Company B in the 8th U.S. Colored Troops. For many years, Russell was employed by Dr. Goertner of Hamilton College and later by Dr. Oren Root, father of Elihu Root, Secretary of State in 1906., (captions) , Malvina Russell , Indenture , Letter from Gerrit Smith to James Canning Fuller about arrangements for Russell family liberty.

To James C. Fuller , I herby constitute + appoint you my attorney to purchase for me and at my cost a family of slaves owned by Mr. Worthington of Mississippi, the names of the parents in which family are Samuel + Harriet. By a Letter of June 6th last from Mr. Worthington I learn that he is spending the summer in Harodsburg Kentucky , Witness my hand , This 16th day of July 1841 , Gerrit Smith , Of Peterboro Madison Co , State of New York

Emancipation Day , In 2010 descendants of African Americans who came to Peterboro reinstituted the Emancipation Day that black families had celebrated in the 1920s and 1930s, by eating, singing, preaching, walking to the Peterboro Cemetery, and laying wreaths on the grave of a freedom seeker and of Gerrit Smith. , Emancipation Day August 7, 2010