Dan Cambridge was a free African American who lived
in the Farmingbury (Wolcott) area of Waterbury. He achieved
a certain level of financial success; Waterbury’s
tax lists for 1783 show him to have a taxable worth of
£19. His life is summarized by the estate inventory
recorded upon his death in 1788. His wardrobe included:
a white silk handkerchief; a beaver hat; a blue straightbodied
coat; a reddish-brown pair of breeches; a white linen
waistcoat; a pair of gold show buckles; and a pair of
silver sleeve buttons. He owned five sheep and three pounds
of fine sheep wool. Also included in the inventory were
a Bible, the Chorister’s Companion music book,
and a copy of Rev. Benjamin Trumbull’s 1773 Discourse
at the Freemans’ Meeting.
Trumbull’s discourse was delivered at the anniversary
meeting of the New Haven freemen, all white men. It begins
with the Old Testament story of Exodus, then moves on
to other examples of people being governed by “foreigners”.
The main focus of the discourse illustrates the difficulties
and inadequacies of being governed by England.
Dan Cambridge died following a long illness, and a list
of his creditors includes several doctors he consulted:
Preserved Porter was one of them. Cambridge is buried
in Wolcott.
Rev. Benjamin Trumbull, Discourse
at the Freeman's Meeting - 1773
The first page of a discourse delivered on the anniversary
of the founding of New Haven. A copy of this publication
was owned by Dan Cambridge. Collection of the Mattatuck
Museum.
Dan Cambridge's Estate Receipt- 1789
A receipt from Dr. Preserved Porter for payment of the
debt owed to him by Dan Cambridge. Nathaniel Suttlif was
the administrator of Cambridge's estate. Collection of
the Connecticut State Library, State Archives.
Dan Cambridge's Estate Inventory -
1788
The first of six pages. Collection of the Connecticut
State Library, State Archives.
Dan Cambridge's Estate Inventory- 1788
The second of six pages. Collection of the Connecticut
State Library, State Archives.
Dan Cambridge's Estate Inventory- 1788
The third of six pages. Collection of the Connecticut
State Library, State Archives.
Dan Cambridge's Estate Inventory- 1788
The fourth of six pages. Collection of the Connecticut
State Library, State Archives.
Dan Cambridge's Estate Inventory- 1788
The fifth of six pages. Collection of the Connecticut
State Library, State Archives.
Dan Cambridge's Estate Inventory- 1788
The last of six pages. Collection of the Connecticut State
Library, State Archives.
back to Waterbury's African Americans List
