Nathan Ford Fonds
There are a few items in this fonds that refer to slavery. One is a letter written to the Morris County Gazette in Morristown, New Jersey, in 1797. In the letter, the author notes that he will "...confine myself to the question of the right of the Legislature to deprive any citizen of his property, which he became possessed of under the Laws of the Land. The question of conscience must be left to every man's own feelings that slavery was an Institution of the [supreme?] Ruler of the Universe, every man believing in the Bible will admit. It is true that the new doctrine of the Age of Reason & the Rights of Man deny the truth of the Holy Scripture and perhaps will not be willing to admit the Bible as evidence against their position but trust there are but few public advocates, for those who deny the Bible ...". It is signed "a friend to liberty & property".
A letter written by Ford to Thomas Morril in 1802 concerns a slave of Morril’s. Ford writes that Morril’s slave came to him that morning and informed him that she and his slave had engaged each other as companions. Ford states that he will take her for sixty pounds if Morril can vouch for her as "honest, sober, and industrious".
Nathan Ford (1763-1829) was one of the founders of Ogdensburg, St. Lawrence County, New York. He was an agent for Colonel Samuel Ogden and helped to establish a settlement at what was previously known as Oswegatchie, New York. Ford was very active in the community affairs at Ogdensburg and is largely credited with establishing the settlement. During the War of 1812, the British captured Ogdensburg in a surprise attack. The victory was small, but it helped ensure that the St. Lawrence remained available as a supply line for the British. The barracks, distillery and some other property were destroyed during the conflict. Ford submitted a claim for damages to the government, which took many years to resolve. He was eventually compensated for his losses, although the claim was undervalued and he only received a portion of the actual damages.
RG 784 Nathan Ford fonds, 1792-1903
A letter to the Morris County Gazette about slavery, September 30. 1797
In this letter Ford shares his thoughts on slavery.
Letter to the Morris County Gazette about slavery, September 30, 1797, p. 4
It is signed "a friend to liberty and property".
Letter to Thomas Morril from Nathan Ford about their slaves, May 11, 1802
Ford writes "you must fiind with her a bill of sale warranting her to be a slave & that you have a right to sell her".