Headline Nathan Woodward Dies Slave
EX-SLAVE DIES AT 110 YEARS OF AGE. Sold at one time for a yoke of oxen by his New Jersey Owner
Basking Ridge, July 16. 1901
Nathan Woodward, a colored man, familiarly known as “Uncle Nate,” died this morning at the age of 110 years. “Nate” was born at Whitehouse. Hunterdon County, and was owned by Simon Wyckoff, who sold it to Matthew Woodward. The record of the sale fixed the age of the old man beyond dispute. Some years later, Woodward sold “Nate” to S. Barkalow, who owned the Lord Stirling Farm, for a yoke of oxen. It was stated that he died from the excessive heat at the time of his passing.
Nathan married Sarah, a slave owned by Mr. Bedell, of Basking Ridge, and became Bedell’s coachman. Sarah died about eighteen years ago, at the age of ninety. Sarah was one of the three slaves in the State to be freed by Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation (January 1, 1863), not having been affected by the law of 1808 and remaining a slave until the general abolition of slavery. She had, however, been virtually free for years. Nate had been supported by Bernards Township since he had been unable to work. His death occurred at the home of George Apgar. He enjoyed excellent health until July 4, when he complained of the “intense heat” and became prostrated. He slowly sank until this morning, when the end came. MLH found a George B. Apgar of Liberty Corner, born 1872, who appears in local family files and later records tied to Basking Ridge.
