Sometime in the near future, I plan to make my way to Duke University to spend time in their Special Collections Library, where among many other artifacts, is housed a collection of Wilkes County (Georgia) and Hanover County (Virginia) WINGFIELD slave documents.

But tonight it’s not the WINGFIELD documents that made me catch my breath, it’s the story of Caesar, a slave purchased from New York by William GIBBONS of Chatam County Georgia in 1785.

I can’t speak for any other African-American researcher but in the quest to find my roots, with the abundance of historic data I go through daily, many times the severity of what I’m reading temporarily escapes me.

I don’t believe it’s a matter of my becoming desensitized to the history but more so a case of mentally committing to remove the “sting” of what I am reading to allow me to maintain objectivity.

After all, my goal is not to curse the deeds of the past — it’s to give voice to the stories and life of my Ancestors.

But tonight, Caesar stuck with me and but for a moment — I thought about his plight as seen through the docs at Duke University and felt the familiar sting of realizing what our Ancestors have endured and survived:

1785. William GIBBONS purchases Caesar from Stephen TINKER in NY. How old was he? I wonder if he left behind a mother, wife or children?

1794. Almost 10 yrs. later, Caesar has runaway to Connecticut as noted in a document empowering Joseph GIBBONS to secure his return to William GIBBONS. What made Caesar head to Connecticut? How did Caesar travel such a long distance from Georgia to Connecticut? Did he have “A Friend of Friends” help? I pray so!

1801. In a letter from Mitchell D. to William GIBBONS it appears Caesar is trying to negotiate the terms of his return — he wants to work for his freedom and from what Mitchell writes, seems to believe his owner will comply. Wow! He just wants to be free and is willing to work towards that end. I wouldn’t dare speculate how this letter was received by his owner.

Undated Correspondence. A list of GIBBONS slave names to whom shoes were delivered and sadly, Caesar’s name is on this list. Like the archivist, I wonder if this document was post 1801 and an indication of Caesar’s return to the plantation. I will not allow myself to think of what punishment he endured upon his return if that is the case.

I wonder what became of Caesar and if he found the freedom he was seeking. I also pray that a descendant of Caesar’s {possibly a GIBBONS or TINKER} is out there researching and happens upon this post and/or Duke University’s Collection.

Because as painful as it might be reading the struggle of Caesar, it also speaks to his TREMENDOUS strength, intelligence and will.

Peace to you Caesar.

Luckie.