Gravestone of ‘Primus’ in Andover, MA
A tribute to the virtues of a faithful servant. This is among the epitaphs in the Old Burying Ground (Now North Andover)
Epitaph:
In Memory of
Primus
Who was a Faithful
Servant of Mr. Benjamin
Stevens, Jr.
Who Died July 25, 1792
Aged 72 Years, 5 Months, 16 Days.
I’m wondering if this ‘Primus’ might be the same individual as an enslaved man named ‘Primus alias Isaac’ I’ve found researching my own family’s history. I just recently learned that my great-5 grandfather Samuel Morgareidge in Newbury, MA, “owned” slaves. The following was published in Nov 26 1744 Boston Post-Boy:
“Ran away from Samuel Morgareidge of Newbury, Shipwright, a Negro Fellow called Primus alias Isaac, near 6 feet high, well set, strait lim’d, speaks good English; had on when he went away, a scarlet Waistcoat with white metal Buttons, a blew outside Jacket pretty much worn, and Leather Breeches, new Shoes and Hose, and a check’d woolen Shirt, no Hat or Cap: Whosoever shall safely convet him to his above-said Master, shall have Five Pounds, old Tenor, Reward, and all necessary Charges paid them by me. [written in old style with f for s.]”
Apparently Primus was captured and returned to Samuel, for Primus is listed among his possessions bequeathed to his wife upon his death (along with two other enslaved negroes Lucy and Peter), which occurred in 1753 or 54. His widow Mary apparently had sold Primus (but not the other two) by the time her estate was settled in 1765, but I haven’t yes found a record the buyer. All I know is from “History of Newbury, Massachusetts, 1635-1902”, courtesy of Google Books. Does anyone know anything further about Primus?
Hi George, I suggest contacting the Museum of Old Newbury in Newburyport. They may be able to trace the records of the Stevens family to see when (if) Primus was purchased from them at that time. Bethany Groff Dorau the director of the Museum old Old Newbury is an ace.
Hello George,
Unfortunately I don’t know anything more about Primus. I just now saw that chilling advertisement on the Morgrage/Morgridge genealogy document on Roland Rhoades genealogy site (www.rolandrhoades.com- flagged by Firefox as not secure). I googled Primus and came up with this website and saw your note. In 2014 I wrote a history of my family’s Morgridge line. I am a descendant of Samuel’s son, Samuel Jr. and his son Richard Morgridge, who moved to Ohio around 1816. Did you ever find out more about Primus?
I did see that a man named Peter Waters (“mulatto servant of wid. Mary Morgaridge”) married Susanna Brooks of Methuen on March 21, 1771.