Black Families

Jacob Dunham treated black families that had a mix of free and enslaved members.

Dunham 142 Phoebe.jpg

Phoebe's account

A free black woman named Phoebe enlisted the services of Dr. Dunham on June 15, 1821 for “vaccinating child.” Dunham’s account book describes Phoebe as “a free black woman & wife of Mr. Holcomb’s blk man.” It seems Phoebe’s husband was enslaved. If their child was born to Pheobe while she was free, then the child would also hold free status.

Dunham 11 Lucy.jpg

Lucy's account

On April 7, 1821 Jacob Dunham recorded the medical service he provided to a “woman of coular” named Lucy. She received a purge, draught and antimonial powder. Lucy’s spouse appears to have been owned by the Van Anglen family, as Dunham’s account book describes Lucy as the “wife of Van Anglen’s man.” Lucy was able to pay off her debt for Dunham’s services on June 17, 1824. She likely worked in the town of New Brunswick, and it is also possible that her husband could earn some money even while he was enslaved.