Uncovering the Past: Old Cato, former slave

By Grace Bounty, research volunteer in the Marcus Research Library.

I came across the death notice of Old Cato in The Advocate, and, as my grandchildren go to school in Suffield, CT, I became interested it.  I originally contacted the Suffield Historical Society, and then by coincidence we received a research request from a gentleman in Suffield who in return for our assistance agreed to do a little sleuthing for us in Suffield about Old Cato.  I am still following this up with the West Suffield Congregational Church, looking for information about the place of burial for Mr. Erastus H. Weed and for Old Cato.

The following death notice appeared in the Stamford Advocate, Friday, January 14, 1886:

An old colored man died a few days ago in the poor house of the Town of Suffield in this state who was formerly a slave owned in this town.  He was known time out of mind as “Old Cato”, and though the date of his birth is unknown there is good reason for believing that it was prior to the Declaration of Independence in 1776.  The Suffield people believe he was “nearer 120 than 100 years old”, and a piece of reliable evidence on this point is furnished by our townsman, Mr. George Davenport, of North Stamford, who distinctly remembers seeing “Old Cato” over sixty years ago, and he then “appeared to be a middle-aged man.”

Here follow known facts that we hope will tell part of the story as to what may have happened during Old Cato’s long life:

1790 – 1793:  Cato was owned by Major John Davenport in Stamford, CT.

1812:  Cato was offered his freedom by Major John Davenport if he enlisted to serve in The War of 1812.  He accepted the offer, served and returned to Stamford.

1825:  Cato moved to Suffield, CT with Erastus Huntington Weed of Stamford, CT.  Mr. Weed purchased and was proprietor of the West Suffield Tavern, where Cato was employed.  He lived with Mr. Weed until the latter’s death in 1844.  He then moved around within the community of Suffield.

1844 – December 16:  Cato is paid $2.25 plus 50 cents to ring the bell at The West Suffield, MA Congregational Church.

1845 – December 28:  Cato is paid $1.50 to ring the bell at The West Suffield, MA Congregational Church – the surname of Oakley appears in church records.

1884  – 1886:  A Mrs. H. F. Fox of Suffield cared for Cato.

1886:  R. J. Wandke is paid $4.00 to bury paupers in the Town of Suffield (location not as yet found; perhaps Cato is among these burials).

In checking the Census Records, several entries were found, perhaps belonging to “Old Cato.”

1810 – New York City – Ward 6: Cato Oakley

1850 – Massachusetts:  Cato Oakley – age 64 – Black – Home: Southwick, Hampden, MA

1860 – Connecticut:  Cato Oakley – Age 74 – Birth year about 1786 – Birthplace: Connecticut.  Home: Suffield, Hartford, CT – Race: Colored (Black) – Post Office: West  Suffield – Household members: Joseph Smith – age 44

1870 – Connecticut:  Caly Oakley – Age 107 – Estimated birth: About 1763 – Birthplace: Connecticut.  Home: Suffield, Hartford, CT – Race: Black – Post Office: Suffield

1880 – Connecticut:  Cato Oakly - Age 113 – Birthplace: Connecticut – Parents birthplace:   Connecticut – Home: Living with William Holmes, Suffield, CT – Race: Black

I could not have done all of this research without the help of Mr. Ed Chase, President of the Suffield Historical Society, Suffield, CT, and Mr. Charles Zanor, resident of Suffield.  I hope that when I next visit Suffield, I will be able to locate Cato Oakley’s place of burial.

Stay tuned!