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Esther

Enslaved by Thomas Coffield

Esther’s work at the tavern included helping to grow, harvest, preserve, and cook food, take care of tavern guests, and tend livestock.  She would also help to clean and mend clothes for the Coffield family and their other slaves enslaved people.  On June 6, 1810, 18-year-old Esther took a chance and escaped from the Coffields.  Thomas Coffield added her name to an advertisement he had placed in the Pennsylvania newspaper, the Aurora General Advertiser, for another escaped slave named Moses,


The last known mention of Esther in the historical record is in an escaped slave advertisement published on January 22, 1811.

Associated Keepers
Esther
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