Her death record is found in the Massachusetts Vital Records, vol. 131, page 161. Her age is listed as 100 years, 3 months, and 6 days, which is inconsistent with the date of birth on her grave marker. She is listed as a colored slave and her cause of death is old age.
Her grave marker is the only inscribed marker the cemetery and indicates that it is a reproduction of the original.
Information for NPS Underground Railroad locator: Her remains were re-interred in the New Almshouse Cemetery in 1995. Born on Maryland's Eastern Shore, Mrs. Nancy Adams first escaped around the age of twenty, into nearby woods with her husband and two children. After five months, the family was located and persuaded to return by a new slaveholder, Jesse Waters. Mrs. Adams, was "sold south" with her children and traveled, first overland, then by water to Port Gibson, Mississippi. A daughter, died on the journey. Mrs. Adams worked decades in Louisiana's cotton fields. Her 19-year old son received 400 lashes and was "salted and peppered." She wrote, " . . . I was treated as bad as was possible and live . . . my eyes have seen what my tongue dares not speak." In feeble health, she hired herself out. On a trip to Norwich, Connecticut she managed her second escape and hid for two days in an ice house (Adams, Par-sons). Her third escape came as her former slaveholder sought her. She found safety in Uxbridge, Massachusetts. Recent studies of Mrs. Adams remains reveal a woman who suffered from a tragic and difficult life and with severe disabilities.
Her grave marker is the only inscribed marker the cemetery and indicates that it is a reproduction of the original.
Information for NPS Underground Railroad locator: Her remains were re-interred in the New Almshouse Cemetery in 1995. Born on Maryland's Eastern Shore, Mrs. Nancy Adams first escaped around the age of twenty, into nearby woods with her husband and two children. After five months, the family was located and persuaded to return by a new slaveholder, Jesse Waters. Mrs. Adams, was "sold south" with her children and traveled, first overland, then by water to Port Gibson, Mississippi. A daughter, died on the journey. Mrs. Adams worked decades in Louisiana's cotton fields. Her 19-year old son received 400 lashes and was "salted and peppered." She wrote, " . . . I was treated as bad as was possible and live . . . my eyes have seen what my tongue dares not speak." In feeble health, she hired herself out. On a trip to Norwich, Connecticut she managed her second escape and hid for two days in an ice house (Adams, Par-sons). Her third escape came as her former slaveholder sought her. She found safety in Uxbridge, Massachusetts. Recent studies of Mrs. Adams remains reveal a woman who suffered from a tragic and difficult life and with severe disabilities.
Her death record is found in the Massachusetts Vital Records, vol. 131, page 161. Her age is listed as 100 years, 3 months, and 6 days, which is inconsistent with the date of birth on her grave marker. She is listed as a colored slave and her cause of death is old age.
Her grave marker is the only inscribed marker the cemetery and indicates that it is a reproduction of the original.
Information for NPS Underground Railroad locator: Her remains were re-interred in the New Almshouse Cemetery in 1995. Born on Maryland's Eastern Shore, Mrs. Nancy Adams first escaped around the age of twenty, into nearby woods with her husband and two children. After five months, the family was located and persuaded to return by a new slaveholder, Jesse Waters. Mrs. Adams, was "sold south" with her children and traveled, first overland, then by water to Port Gibson, Mississippi. A daughter, died on the journey. Mrs. Adams worked decades in Louisiana's cotton fields. Her 19-year old son received 400 lashes and was "salted and peppered." She wrote, " . . . I was treated as bad as was possible and live . . . my eyes have seen what my tongue dares not speak." In feeble health, she hired herself out. On a trip to Norwich, Connecticut she managed her second escape and hid for two days in an ice house (Adams, Par-sons). Her third escape came as her former slaveholder sought her. She found safety in Uxbridge, Massachusetts. Recent studies of Mrs. Adams remains reveal a woman who suffered from a tragic and difficult life and with severe disabilities.
Her grave marker is the only inscribed marker the cemetery and indicates that it is a reproduction of the original.
Information for NPS Underground Railroad locator: Her remains were re-interred in the New Almshouse Cemetery in 1995. Born on Maryland's Eastern Shore, Mrs. Nancy Adams first escaped around the age of twenty, into nearby woods with her husband and two children. After five months, the family was located and persuaded to return by a new slaveholder, Jesse Waters. Mrs. Adams, was "sold south" with her children and traveled, first overland, then by water to Port Gibson, Mississippi. A daughter, died on the journey. Mrs. Adams worked decades in Louisiana's cotton fields. Her 19-year old son received 400 lashes and was "salted and peppered." She wrote, " . . . I was treated as bad as was possible and live . . . my eyes have seen what my tongue dares not speak." In feeble health, she hired herself out. On a trip to Norwich, Connecticut she managed her second escape and hid for two days in an ice house (Adams, Par-sons). Her third escape came as her former slaveholder sought her. She found safety in Uxbridge, Massachusetts. Recent studies of Mrs. Adams remains reveal a woman who suffered from a tragic and difficult life and with severe disabilities.
Inscription
Mrs
NANCY ADAMS
A respectable colored
woman
was born in Louisiana
Mar. 31, 1766
died in Uxbridge
June 6, 1859
Back of marker is engraved "Reproduction of Original"
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