In this exhibit, the R. Stanton Avery Special Collections has selected items from their extensive collection of family papers and institutional records to pay tribute to students past and present. View Exhibit
February is Black History month and in celebration of this event we will be highlighting some interesting items from our manuscript collection related to African American history and genealogy. The first is an original 18th century manumission of slave Cuff by his owner John Hoar of Lincoln, Mass., call number Mss A 6628.
An account of what happened to Cuff Hoar after receiving his freedom can be found in John C. MacLean’s book, A Rich Harvest: The History, Buildings, and People of Lincoln, Massachusetts (Lincoln Historical Society: 1987). MacLean’s research reveals Cuff changed his surname to Kneeland and appears to have remained in the Lincoln area. His marriage intention to Dinah Young of Sudbury was published in the town on 3 January 1781. Sudbury records show the couple married 1 February 1781. Their union was brief, as Cuff died on 11 March 1781 at Lincoln.
Cuff Kneeland is also mentioned in the online article by John C. MacLean, “Resources for Researching Massachusetts Slaveholders and Slaves.”
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Transcription of Manumission of slave, Cuff, Lincoln, Mass., <au 28. 1776
Know all men by these present that I John Hoar of Lincoln in the county of Midlx in the colony of Massachusetts Bay in New England Gentleman - in consideration That my Negro man servant named Cuff Hath been a good and faithfull Servant Unto me – and he now desiring to be made Free: I do therefore by these present for my Self fully and absolutely free him and dis- charge him the P. Cuff to act for himself So long as he behaves and conducts himself regularly and well – without the denial or contradiction of me his P. master Witness my handLincoln may 28 1776Benjamin Danforth John Hoar