Ishmael was one of seven children of Arthur and Joan Prutt, who were enslaved by Isaac Chauncey (1670-1745) of Hadley, Massachusetts. He was born in January of 1726.
Entries for Ishmael appear in the account book of Samuel Gaylord, of Hadley. Between 1782 and 1787, he purchased a penknife, clothing and shoes, had shoes repaired, and borrowed a horse and cash. On at least one occasion he paid his bill by working for Gaylord.
Sources Consulted
History of the Black Population of Amherst, Massachusetts, James Avery Smith, 1999, p. 110