This generalized thinking situates Indiana’s African-Americans as part of a national story, but fails to reveal the stories of free blacks and formerly enslaved people who settled the state much earlier. With questions beginning with his origins and about his life after 1800, at this time we move on from this onetime Albany resident.Popular understanding of Indiana black history focuses on post-Civil War African-American migration to cities in the north, such as Evansville, Fort Wayne, Gary, Indianapolis and South Bend.

But in 1800, he was listed as the head of city household in the same general location.Īfter 1800, the name of Buckridge Webb has not been found in the community-based records or during our sweep of available Internet resources. In 1799, only his scant personal property was valued on the first ward assessment roll. In 1790, his South End household included four residents. In 1788, his first ward home and property received modest assessments. However, a few days later he petitioned to be excused from serving due to his poverty and to being a refugee. In October 1781, he was appointed constable for the second ward. However, aftrerwards, he was accorded a land bounty right in conjunction with the Albany militia regiment. We seek information on his wartime activities. A decade later, his property and holdings were assessed in the first ward. In March 1779, his house was valued moderately on the second ward assessment roll.

However, he does not seem to have been much of a presence in pre-war New York City.Īt some point during the 1770s, he re-located to Albany. However, his name seems to be absent from the extant Albany Dutch church records. At least three children were christened there prior to the oubreak of the War. In February 1764, he was identified as one of the sergeants who were petitioning for a share of lands allotted to 'disbanded officers.' In April, a survey was returned of a tract of 200 acres in Albany County (Charlotte, Vermont) to be allotted to soldiers from the 60th Regiment.īy 1770, he had married Catherine Sees or Sweet at the Dutch church in New York City. He is said to have been born in Philadelphia and to have served in the French and Indian War. Buckridge Webb lived in Albany during the last quarter of the eighteenth century.

Stories of Albany by Catherine J. Webb