The Philipsburg Manor Inventory

This New York property was a 52,000 acre provisioning plantation more than triple the size of Manhattan, with a water-powered gristmill that was key to production and a profitable dairy operation. The community of enslaved people who lived here was torn apart after the death of Philipse, the plantation’s owner, in 1750.

The plantation's namesake, Adolph Philipse (1665–1750), died a wealthy bachelor with no children, so Philipsburg Manor was passed down to his eldest nephew, Frederick Philipse II. Shortly thereafter, Frederick posted advertisements to sell or lease his newly inherited property, including the enslaved people.

The list of “Negroes” on the inventory indicates that there were 23 enslaved men, women, and children who lived and worked at Philipsburg Manor in 1750. The decision to place the names of members of the enslaved community first on the list suggests that Philipse’s “human property” was considered to be his most valuable asset.

Caesar was named first among those enslaved, suggesting that his work on the site was the most valuable to his enslaver. Because milling was crucial to the operation of Philipsburg Manor, and other primary documents note that the miller was an enslaved man, it is likely that Caesar was the name of the miller.

Samson and Kaiser were most likely the two enslaved men responsible for farming the 750 acres surrounding the Upper Mills. On March 10, 1750, both men were sold to Lawrence Kortwright of New York City.

The enslaved women at Philipsburg Manor were primarily responsible for butter production in the commercial dairy. Abigal was sold to Adolph Myer of New York City on March 22, 1750.

Massy, along with her unnamed child, was sold to Cornelius Van Horne on April 19, 1750. The child was probably Hendrick, as he is the only child who does not appear in later documents.

Dina gave birth shortly after the inventory was taken. Dina and her newborn infant were sold to Adrian Hoglandt of New York City on May 8, 1750.

This designation suggests that the appraiser considered these men too old or too injured to be productive laborers. However, they may have been highly respected within the enslaved community at Philipsburg Manor. Elders were esteemed as teachers and culture keepers throughout much of West Africa.

An elder on the 1750 inventory, Venture may have been the person of that name present at a cockfight held at Adolph Philipse's Manhattan home in 1737. This cockfight was organized by Cuffee, another enslaved man owned by Philipse, and attended by several enslaved men who were accused of arson and conspiracy in 1741.

The ages for the boys listed range from 16 months to nine years old. Where are the 10-, 11-, and 12-year-olds? They were probably considered fully productive adults and would be listed as men. There was no “Girls” header in this inventory.

On April 19, 1750, a public auction, also known as a vendue, was held at Philipsburg Manor. Fifteen enslaved men, women, and children were advertised for sale. Three were sold that day, including Sam, an eight-year-old child who was sold, alone, to Abraham DePeyster of New York City.

Many of the enslaved men and boys shared the same first names, suggesting fathers and sons, and the women listed in the inventory were certainly mothers in the community. However, men, women, and children were listed separately on the inventory because the law recognized the enslaved only as property and not as family units.

Because the Philipse family rarely visited Philipsburg Manor, girls were not needed there for domestic labor and adult enslaved women were responsible for the commercial dairy. After reaching a certain age, young enslaved girls were most likely moved to Frederick Philipse’s larger home in Yonkers for training in housework. Within a year, Betty was moved to Yonkers.

After listing the enslaved community, the inventory continues for another six pages, listing the remainder of Philipse’s possessions at the Upper Mills including livestock, luxury goods, furniture, and so on.

Although the Philipse family rarely stayed at Philipsburg Manor, they owned enough silverware to keep several silver tankards, mugs, utensils, and a pepper box in the Manor House, which suggests their material wealth.