From "Slavery in Massachusetts" by Phineas Field, in History and Proceedings PVMA Assn., Vol. I, 1879, pp. 484 & 485:
Napthalo, commonly called Naptha, died at the house of my father in Northfield, about the year 1800, aged as believed about ninety. From statistics furnished by H. W. Taft, Esq., of Pittsfield, it appears that Naptha was held as a slave by Joseph Dickinson of Hatfield, who moved to Sunderland in 1720. In 1744, the name of Napthalo is found on the list of church members, in Sunderland. In June, 1783, the town "Voted that the Selectmen be directed to require the heirs of Joseph Dickinson, formerly of this town, deceased, to signify their minds to this town whether they are willing to give bonds or any other way oblige themselves to maintain Naptha Freeman, and report to this meeting." Oct. 4, 1783, the town "Voted to stand a trial in action commenced against us by Napthalo Freeman," and appointed a Committee to attend it. March 4, 1793, the town voted that they "will not receive Napthalo Freeman in order to maintain him," and a committee was appointed "to act in the town's behalf."
My father, inheriting the homestead of his father, .... a share of Naptha's support fell to him. Dec. 9, 1793, the town "Voted to pay Heman Farnam and Benj. Graves for transporting him to Northfield."
Naptha was described as being fond of the preaching of George Whitefield, an English minister who moved to New England and helped revive Protestantism during the Great Awakening (ca. 1720-1750). He was also a leader in the early Methodist movement. Naptha "often went to hear him preach; this did not suit some of the 'standing order,' and he was reproved for it."
When approached by two young women to judge who was prettiest, he said he didn't want to say and when pressed, he replied, "I am afraid I shall make Rhoda mad."
He was represented as very tall and as having a great muscular strength. He boasted of lifting a side of a sled contianing a cord of green wood from the body of a man with his shoulder, and drawing the man out with one hand, thus saving his life. Naptha was a great lover of sacred music. He would often sit with his face towards the back of the chair, resting only his toes on the floor, so that he could beat the time with his whole frame, and then sing, using the numerals to measure the metre.