Oxford's Record: The First 175 Years - by Dorothy DeBisschop - page 22

Rachel Hall (colored) daughter of Timothy and Olive Drake, d. July 12, 1857, aged 36 years.

The slave was never a full citizen of the community. He or she could hold property, church membership and even sue for his or her freedom if maltreated. They could not hold office in the town. It would appear that they never held offices in the church, though in some communities slaves were Deacons and we know of one slave who became a pastor of a Congregational Church in Connecticut.
Slavery in Oxford was not extensive. It was considerate for its time in history. The black was a part of our community and most likely contributed to our early growth and stability.

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OXFORD FAMILIES WHICH ARE REPORTED TO HAVE OWNED AT LEAST ONE
SLAVE ACCORDING TO OLD DOCUMENTS OR COMMUNITY TRADITION.

John Holbrook family owned Titus, for whom Titus Lane was named.
Josiah Nettleton, owned Black Sim.
Captain John Wooster, owned Tobias and Rechel.
Old Lum family on Rock House Hill is reputed to have owned slaves.
Isaac Knowles, owned Peter.
David Johnson, owned Pal and Jenne
Deacon Ebenezer Riggs, owned Huldah
James Wheler, owned Pero and Phylis.

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SOME INTERESTING ITEMS VOTED UPON IN EARLY TOWN MEETINGS.

    December 10, 1804:
        "Voted to pay the selectmen for doing town business at one dollar per day."
    December, 1806:
        After having elected the new selectmen the assembly voted, "the selectmen do their service to the town the year ensuing gratis."


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