(Back)

The deed from Daniel Crommelin's farm.

On Feb. 9, eighth grade students witnessed “A Rare Glimpse of the Enslavement of Indians in Orange County, New York,” a historical presentation given by Clifton Patrick, Town of Chester Historian, and Ray Decker, local author.

The presentation included a slide show of information about Daniel Crommelin, who in 1720 sold his Gray Court farm near the Blooming Grove/Chester/Goshen boundary. Among the properties listed in the deed were three slaves, who were identified by name and race.

“This rare document is believed to be the sole surviving record of the enslavement of Native Americans in the county,” said Decker.

The presentation was part of the middle school’s month-long Black History Month and Cultural Diversity celebration.