Caesar Bailey

Bio

Caesar (c1749-c1783) was enslaved by Nathaniel and Samuel Dickinson, two brothers who jointly owned a farm in the Mill River section of Deerfield, Massachusetts. In addition to benefitting from Caesar's labor on their farm, the Dickinsons also profited by hiring him out to work for others. In 1757, the Reverend Jonathan Ashley paid Samuel Dickinson ten shillings "to Casors driving plow a day."

In 1771, Caesar stole a gallon of rum. His Hampshire County court record is below:

To Thomas Williams one of his Majesties Justices of the Peace for the County of Hampshire, John Williams of s^d County, Gentleman, against Cesar a laborer, a servant of Nathaniel Dickinson of Deerfield aforesaid that on the last day of November A.D. 1771, he s^d Cesar did at Deerfield aforesaid, feloniously take steal and carry away one gallon of West India Rum, of the value of four shillings Lawful money, the property of y^r complainant and other enormities there and then did against the peace & contrary to law. Wherefore y^r complainant prays that a warrant may issue against s^d Cesar, that he may be apprehended and dealt with according to law & as in duty bound.

Caesar was brought to trial, but the outcome is unknown.  The expenses for his trial are listed in pounds, shillings, and pence:

Sheriffs fees for service                             1-4
one assistant one day                              4-
Two witnesses 1 day each   Titus negro   1-6 
John Linsey                                             1-6
Comp t  [complaint] & warrant              1-6
Entry & c.                                               3-4
Total                                                     13-2

Threefold damages                              12- £1-5-2

Examined and allowed Thomas Williams Justo Pace. [Justice of the Peace] 

Caesar appeared as "Caesar Dickinson" on the muster roll for Deerfield's Minuteman company in April, 1775 and served for 9 days during the Lexington alarm. He subsequently enlisted in the militia for 8 months. For his service he was paid £2 and 5 shillings. In 1781, he enlisted in the Continental Army for three years. From Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolutionary War (Vol. 1, pg. 526), we learn that Caesar was 32 years old when he enlisted in 1781. He was 5' 7" tall, with a black complexion and black hair. His occupation was listed as farmer. 

First Church of Deerfield records show that on January 16, 1778, Caesar married Hagar. Both were recorded as being "servants to Samuel Dickinson." Nathaniel and Samuel's farm was seized by the Massachusetts government due to Nathaniel's being an outspoken Tory (a loyalist who wanted Massachusetts to remain part of Great Britain). Following the confiscation, Caesar and Hagar then became Samuel's property; Nathaniel was exiled from Massachusetts.

Caesar died while serving with the army and years later Hagar filed for his pension but was turned down, due to "no proof of service, contradictory statements." 

Military Service

• Apr. 19, 1775; private in Capt. Jonas Locke’s Co., Col. Williams’ Regiment; served 9 days; at the Lexington, MA alarm
• May 15, 1775; private in Lieut. Nathaniel Sartell’s Co., Col. William Prescott’s Regiment; served 78 days
• Oct. 7, 1775; Captain Ephraim Corey’s Co., Col. William Prescott’s Regiment
• Oct. 31, 1775; Captain Ephraim Corey’s Co., Col. William Prescott’s Regiment; on order for a bounty coat or its cash equivalent; at Camp Cambridge, MA
• Apr. 3, 1781; enlisted for 3 years