African American Life
at the Hermitage
African Americans were an integral part of life at the Hermitage, shaping the site through their labor, skills, and presence, yet their stories were often excluded from historical narratives. Enslaved and free individuals lived and worked here under profoundly unequal conditions within a society shaped by slavery and racial injustice. The Hermitage seeks to share their histories, honor their dignity, and present a fuller, more honest account of the past.
Colonial Times
Enslaved African Americans played a significant role in the operation of the Hermitage during Colonial times and the Revolutionary era, and likely earlier during the Lane family’s ownership in the 1760s. Their labor supported the household and agricultural work associated with the property.
During the Revolutionary War, Theodosia Prevost traveled to New York City under a flag of truce accompanied by a manservant, who was likely an enslaved African American. In the later years of the war, as her relationship with Aaron Burr developed, Burr’s enslaved attendant, Carlos, was frequently present at the Hermitage.
In 1774, a newspaper advertisement sought the return of Mark and his wife, two enslaved people who had escaped from the Hermitage. The repeated publication of the advertisement over several months underscores both their resistance to enslavement and the persistence with which enslavers attempted to reclaim people they considered property.
During the Revolutionary War, Theodosia Prevost traveled to New York City under a flag of truce accompanied by a manservant, who was likely an enslaved African American. In the later years of the war, as her relationship with Aaron Burr developed, Burr’s enslaved attendant, Carlos, was frequently present at the Hermitage.
In 1774, a newspaper advertisement sought the return of Mark and his wife, two enslaved people who had escaped from the Hermitage. The repeated publication of the advertisement over several months underscores both their resistance to enslavement and the persistence with which enslavers attempted to reclaim people they considered property.
Gradual Abolition of Slavery
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In 1804 the New Jersey state government passed "Gradual Abolition of Slavery Act," despite much opposition, particularly from Bergen County. It was the last northern state to do so. According to the Act, all enslaved persons would remain the property of their owners, unless they were manumitted. Any child born to an enslaved woman after July 4, 1804 would be free, but remain a servant to their mother's owner until age 21 (women) or age 25 (men).
A provision of this act allowed people to release enslaved children to the local overseers of the poor, a social welfare agency. Family that agreed to take in these children were provided a subsidy of $3 per month for their care. Caregivers were required to provide their wards with food, clothing, education (reading and writing), and labor training, such as farming. It was cruel custom at the time for a slave owner to turn a child over and then adopt them back to collect the monthly subsidy. |
"Return of the Whole Number of Persons within the Several Districts of the United States" 1791
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Early 19th Century
Elijah Rosegrant and his wife Cornelia came from slave-holding families in Sussex County, New Jersey, and New Antrim, New York. In the early 19th century, Bergen County had the highest percentage of both free and enslaved African Americans of any county in New Jersey. In the community then known as Hopperstown (now Ho-Ho-Kus), many members of the extended and influential Hopper family enslaved African Americans. After moving to the Hermitage in 1807, Elijah Rosegrant acquired enslaved individuals, reflecting the family and local practice of using enslaved labor during this period.
In 1808, Elijah’s brother Levi purchased a 16-year-old enslaved boy named Tom from Henry Van Emburgh for $250, a transaction witnessed by Elijah and Cornelia Rosegrant. That same year, Elijah purchased an adult African American woman named Gin and her 3-year-old son Caesar from Elsie Hopper for $175. Because Gin had been born before the passage of New Jersey’s Gradual Emancipation Act of 1804, she was required by law to remain enslaved for life. Born after the act, Caesar was legally bound to serve until the age of 25 and then should have been made free.
While enslaved at the Hermitage, Gin gave birth to three more children on record: Harry, born July 18, 1808; Jack, born November 3, 1810; and Phebe, born December 25, 1813. The identity of the children's father or fathers is unknown.
In 1810, Elijah turned young Caesar over to the local overseers of the poor, one of whom was Henry Hopper. The overseers then indentured Caesar back to Elijah, a legal but exploitative maneuver that allowed Elijah to retain control over Caesar while collecting an additional financial subsidy. In 1811, Elijah transferred Caesar’s indenture to Garret Zabriskie, a carpenter in Harrington, New Jersey.
In 1808, Elijah’s brother Levi purchased a 16-year-old enslaved boy named Tom from Henry Van Emburgh for $250, a transaction witnessed by Elijah and Cornelia Rosegrant. That same year, Elijah purchased an adult African American woman named Gin and her 3-year-old son Caesar from Elsie Hopper for $175. Because Gin had been born before the passage of New Jersey’s Gradual Emancipation Act of 1804, she was required by law to remain enslaved for life. Born after the act, Caesar was legally bound to serve until the age of 25 and then should have been made free.
While enslaved at the Hermitage, Gin gave birth to three more children on record: Harry, born July 18, 1808; Jack, born November 3, 1810; and Phebe, born December 25, 1813. The identity of the children's father or fathers is unknown.
In 1810, Elijah turned young Caesar over to the local overseers of the poor, one of whom was Henry Hopper. The overseers then indentured Caesar back to Elijah, a legal but exploitative maneuver that allowed Elijah to retain control over Caesar while collecting an additional financial subsidy. In 1811, Elijah transferred Caesar’s indenture to Garret Zabriskie, a carpenter in Harrington, New Jersey.
Mid-19th Century
During the 1820s, Silva (also known as Sill or Sylvia) moved to the Hermitage and gave birth to son Pompey in 1826. According to the federal Census in 1830, the household included four free African Americans: three males—one under 10, one aged 10–24, and one aged 24–36—and one female aged 24–36. Gin was no longer listed as part of the household.
Letters from teenage Elijah Rosencrantz II offer glimpses into everyday life with African Americans at the Hermitage. In 1827, 13-year-old Elijah wrote to his older brother John (age 17): “Harry says he has blacked your boots so often for nothing that you could afford to buy him a pair second hand. Harry also says that you must not forget his flute.”
In 1832, Elijah wrote again: “Harry and I are building a house. I had to do all the ploughing and Harry had to do all the mason.”
At the time, Harry, likely one of Gin’s children, was about 24 years old.
The 1840 Census recorded two free African Americans at The Hermitage: a male aged 10–14 and a female aged 24–36. In 1850, the household included Silva Rosencrantz, described as “black, 40, born N.J., illiterate,” and her son, Pompey A. Rosencrantz, “black, 22, laborer, born N.J., illiterate.” Since Pompey was born while living at the Hermitage, this demonstrates that the Rosencrantz family did not provide him with an education.
That same year, in the nearby household of Henry and Charity Hopper, lived Charick and Marianne Rosencrantz, both African American, age 35, and listed as laborers. Also present were:
Letters from teenage Elijah Rosencrantz II offer glimpses into everyday life with African Americans at the Hermitage. In 1827, 13-year-old Elijah wrote to his older brother John (age 17): “Harry says he has blacked your boots so often for nothing that you could afford to buy him a pair second hand. Harry also says that you must not forget his flute.”
In 1832, Elijah wrote again: “Harry and I are building a house. I had to do all the ploughing and Harry had to do all the mason.”
At the time, Harry, likely one of Gin’s children, was about 24 years old.
The 1840 Census recorded two free African Americans at The Hermitage: a male aged 10–14 and a female aged 24–36. In 1850, the household included Silva Rosencrantz, described as “black, 40, born N.J., illiterate,” and her son, Pompey A. Rosencrantz, “black, 22, laborer, born N.J., illiterate.” Since Pompey was born while living at the Hermitage, this demonstrates that the Rosencrantz family did not provide him with an education.
That same year, in the nearby household of Henry and Charity Hopper, lived Charick and Marianne Rosencrantz, both African American, age 35, and listed as laborers. Also present were:
- Jane Rosengrant, 18
- Thomas, 24
- Benjamin, 22
- Susan, 14
- John, 2
1850 Census showing Elijah (35), Cornelia (70), Silva (60), and Pompey (22)
By the 1850s, at least two African American women who lived nearby—Nancy Kipp and Anne Johnson—worked in the Rosencrantz mill. Anne’s daughter, Fanny Johnson, would later work as a laundress for the Rosencrantz family in the 1890s. It is likely that other African American people worked at the Hermitage in non-residential roles into the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
In 1860, Sill was listed for the last time in the Census as part of the Hermitage household: “black, 50, servant, born N.J.” She is the final African American on record to live at the Hermitage.
In 1860, Sill was listed for the last time in the Census as part of the Hermitage household: “black, 50, servant, born N.J.” She is the final African American on record to live at the Hermitage.
Why this history matters today:
Museums have a responsibility to present history fully and honestly, including stories that were long marginalized or omitted. The African Americans who lived and labored at the Hermitage, many of whom were enslaved, helped sustain this site and the community around it, yet their experiences were shaped by a system that denied them freedom, autonomy, and basic human rights.
The legacy of slavery did not end with emancipation. Its social and economic consequences continue to influence American life today. By researching, preserving, and sharing these histories, the Hermitage seeks to honor the dignity, humanity, and resilience of African Americans connected to this place, and to encourage reflection on how the past informs our present and future.
The legacy of slavery did not end with emancipation. Its social and economic consequences continue to influence American life today. By researching, preserving, and sharing these histories, the Hermitage seeks to honor the dignity, humanity, and resilience of African Americans connected to this place, and to encourage reflection on how the past informs our present and future.