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For Adam's Sake: A Family Saga in Colonial New England
In the tradition of Laurel Thatcher Ulrich’s classic, A Midwife’s Tale, comes this groundbreaking narrative by one of America’s most promising colonial historians. Joshua Hempstead was a well-respected farmer and tradesman in New London, Connecticut. As his remarkable diary—kept from 1711 until 1758—reveals, he was also a slave owner who owned Adam Jackson for over thirty years. In this engrossing narrative of family life and the slave experience in the colonial North, Allegra di Bonaventura describes the complexity of this master/slave relationship and traces the intertwining stories of two families until the eve of the Revolution. Slavery is often left out of our collective memory of New England’s history, but it was hugely impactful on the central unit of colonial life: the family. In every corner, the lines between slavery and freedom were blurred as families across the social spectrum fought to survive. In this enlightening study, a new portrait of an era emerges.
464 pages, Hardcover
First published February 4, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
May 30, 2013
An interesting insight into a topic that I have rarely seen discussed, slavery and servitude in Colonial New England. In full disclosure, this was a book I felt compelled to buy and read as several of the people discussed in the book are direct ancestors of mine. This no doubt made the book considerably more interesting to me, than it might to an unconnected reader. The side stories in the book involving the Livingstons, Winthrops, Saltonstalls, and Dudleys, although generally unflattering, are the stories of my ancestors and thus I found to be particularly fascinating. The main story revolves around Joshua Hempstead, a member of the artisan class and the author of a diary that gives some insight to life in Colonial New England, and Adam Jackson, a slave in his household. The front half of the book introduces us to the backstories of the people whose lives interconnect and result in Adam Jackson becoming the slave of Joshua Hempstead. The large number of people involved in the backstory may justifiably confuse the reader, and possibly turn off some. Somewhere towards the middle of the book, the backstories begin to converge and the connections to Joshua Hempstead and Adam Jackson become clear. Any story of slavery is perforce a story of injustice, and this story is no different. The fact that the story takes place in the North, and that occasionally disadvantaged participants in the story achieve some measure of justice - through the backing of advantaged patrons - makes it unusual and an interesting read.
January 31, 2020
Overall a solid history of early colonial life in New England, particularly the area around New London, Connecticut, c.1670-1750. I was particularly interested in this title as my family has an 18th century home in Mystic, and reading about the early settlement of that particular region was therefore of local interest, covering an area I love and know well. I was struck by how many names familiar from living there in the 21st century — Beebe, Minor, Mason, Ledyard and others — were already well represented by the 1720s,
I believe the author has done the best one can with scanty records of that early period, chiefly the scrupulously kept (but sadly terse, impersonal, and unrevealing) decades-long diary of New London shipwright, farmer, and public figure Joshua Hempstead, further augmented by legal records, correspondence, and other documents, but still, much here is speculative. There’s less in terms of historical color and character than one might wish, most of the figures diiscussed remaining ciphers rather than fully-fleshed people one might identify with or grow to care about. The writing is also occasionally marred by needless repetition, and by a rather dry style that may reflect its origin as a PhD dissertation. However, I appreciate the effort Di Bonaventura made to compare and contrast the lots of figures from the top to bottom of society — from the ‘aristocratic’ Winthrops and Livingstons down through solid yeomen like Hempstead, and even casting light on enslaved and free blacks and local Native Americans who were an integral part of the community. These last are often footnotes at best in New England histories and deserve their due. The titular “Adam” was Hempstead’s loyal and capable slave and figures often in a summary way in his diary — but the kind of relationship they had, the kind of man Adam was, remains obscure despite the implication of the title. His story, scant as it is, is largely confined to the last third of the book. More interesting is the saga of his parents John and Joan Jackson, and their continuing brave struggle to achieve and maintain their own freedom, ultimately at the terrible cost of separation from a number of their children who remained enslaved.
Locals and scholars of Early New England history may find this of greater interest than the average layman.
I believe the author has done the best one can with scanty records of that early period, chiefly the scrupulously kept (but sadly terse, impersonal, and unrevealing) decades-long diary of New London shipwright, farmer, and public figure Joshua Hempstead, further augmented by legal records, correspondence, and other documents, but still, much here is speculative. There’s less in terms of historical color and character than one might wish, most of the figures diiscussed remaining ciphers rather than fully-fleshed people one might identify with or grow to care about. The writing is also occasionally marred by needless repetition, and by a rather dry style that may reflect its origin as a PhD dissertation. However, I appreciate the effort Di Bonaventura made to compare and contrast the lots of figures from the top to bottom of society — from the ‘aristocratic’ Winthrops and Livingstons down through solid yeomen like Hempstead, and even casting light on enslaved and free blacks and local Native Americans who were an integral part of the community. These last are often footnotes at best in New England histories and deserve their due. The titular “Adam” was Hempstead’s loyal and capable slave and figures often in a summary way in his diary — but the kind of relationship they had, the kind of man Adam was, remains obscure despite the implication of the title. His story, scant as it is, is largely confined to the last third of the book. More interesting is the saga of his parents John and Joan Jackson, and their continuing brave struggle to achieve and maintain their own freedom, ultimately at the terrible cost of separation from a number of their children who remained enslaved.
Locals and scholars of Early New England history may find this of greater interest than the average layman.
October 24, 2022
Great history from a first hand source!
November 11, 2014
Adam Jackson, for whom this book was titled, was a black slave who spent his life working in 17th-early 18th century New London, CT. But Adam's own story does not begin until the book's second half. The title's second part, A Family Saga, is a more apt description of what this book is all about, though the word saga suggests much more drama than can be found here. Allegra Di Bonaventura, a scholar with a legal background, wrote a doctoral dissertation based upon the 47 year long Diary of Joshua Hempstead, an almanac-like account of his daily life in 17th/18th century Connecticut. For more than 30 of those years,Hempstead was Adam's owner.
As a scholarly study, For Adam's Sake is outstanding. The research is impeccable, much of it painstakingly extracted and interpreted from New London County Court records. There is a wealth of detail about the families whose activities shaped town development during its first century, with detailed information about the Rogerenes, a religious sect that engendered sharp conflict in the region, the Winthrops, of the ruling class, the Jackson family, part free and part slave, and of course, the Hempsteads. It is the chronicle of the way these factions interacted that forms the focus of most of the narrative. When Adam steps onto the scene midway through, most of the evidence concerning his own experiences is conjectural, based largely upon some 50 or so terse diary entries. Throughout the book, the narrative voice is dispassionate, as befits a study of this sort. Readers in search of a "saga" will not find it here; although there are some rather dry sections, there are also many interesting stories to be found within its pages.
Those who might enjoy visiting the house where the Hempsteads and Adam lived should now that it still stands in New London, and is operated as a museum by Connecticut Landmarks.
As a scholarly study, For Adam's Sake is outstanding. The research is impeccable, much of it painstakingly extracted and interpreted from New London County Court records. There is a wealth of detail about the families whose activities shaped town development during its first century, with detailed information about the Rogerenes, a religious sect that engendered sharp conflict in the region, the Winthrops, of the ruling class, the Jackson family, part free and part slave, and of course, the Hempsteads. It is the chronicle of the way these factions interacted that forms the focus of most of the narrative. When Adam steps onto the scene midway through, most of the evidence concerning his own experiences is conjectural, based largely upon some 50 or so terse diary entries. Throughout the book, the narrative voice is dispassionate, as befits a study of this sort. Readers in search of a "saga" will not find it here; although there are some rather dry sections, there are also many interesting stories to be found within its pages.
Those who might enjoy visiting the house where the Hempsteads and Adam lived should now that it still stands in New London, and is operated as a museum by Connecticut Landmarks.
January 4, 2019
I never gave any thought to the idea of slavery in New England until I picked this up at a bookstore and read the back. This book starts out very slowly, and it’s a scholarly work...but very educational regarding this topic. It covers 1600’s and into the 1700’s before the Revolutionary War. Slavery took many forms in New England during this time. Fascinating look at families and how they lived and worked from the point of view of both masters and bonded people.
January 15, 2014
What an outstanding written history! Beautifully written, good flow, incredibly researched. I'm sure I will run out of adjectives for this one. If you're a lover of history as I am, and the pre-Revolutionary War period is of interest to you, this is a must read. Outstanding is all I can say.
June 7, 2019
The book was good, very good. Why 3 stars? My enjoyment of the writing stemmed from dwelling in an area that is right around where this story occurred. Place names meant something to me. The work is detailed and the action is limited. It is real life in every sense. I now have a much greater understanding of early Connecticut life and of the complexities related to slave ownership at that time in US history. While the story hinged to some extent on Adam and his owner, I was surprised about how many of the pages were about things tertiary to their lives.
April 4, 2020
Where to start? New London Connecticut history great. However, Adam Jackson doesn’t show up in the story until page 241 of 344 except for a mention of his birth and upbringing. Very brief mention. Thought this book would be better but very convoluted. Author talked about 4-5 families and jumped all over the place. The history interspersed throughout the book was good. I learned about a part of the state that I’ve lived in all my life but didn’t know much about. Could’ve even gone with a 1 star rating but didn’t because I learned something new.
July 8, 2020
One of the most beautiful histories I've ever read! Colonial Connecticut as seen through the people, their families, their loves, their struggles and their faith. It's no tidy Pilgrim or Puritan saga, either, as the whole spectrum of these people in a new land is studied: farmer, landowners, ministers, reprobates, and, yes, slaves, including one named Adam. This is a deeply-researched, and lovingly crafted story of the people who made this area in a community and state. Richly detailed, chock-full of primary resources, it is a joy to read.
February 27, 2021
(I listened to this on audiobook.) This book was especially fascinating to me as I'm descended from Joshua Hempstead and his daughter Betty, as well as Winslow Tracy who was mentioned a couple times. As a lifelong student of my family's genealogy, this book brought to life the historical context of colonial life in New London, CT. I have a copy of Joshua's diary but I've always found it intimidating to try to read--I'm thankful for di Bonaventura's research deciphering it and filling in so many gaps I wouldn't have known.
October 9, 2021
Lots of speculation, but what else can one do with a paucity of written documents. Very well researched and although the African Americans are rather sketchy, one does get a sense of their personality.
October 23, 2021
As a person who grew up in Southeastern Connecticut just outside of New London, this history is so important and rich. I really enjoyed the narrative telling of all of the stories and life experiences. And I appreciated learning about enslavement in the town I grew up in.
October 6, 2018
Interesting history of 3 families in New England. Made me more aware of the continuum of levels of slavery in US history.
August 31, 2022
Certainly very interesting, but a bit tedious towards the end.
April 23, 2016
This really brought colonial culture to life. I have never been particularly interested in the era, but found this book fascinating and vivid. Read almost like a 1600-1700's soap opera at times, which made it more contemporary, actually, and sort of humorous. - everyone is suing everyone else, but she touches on all aspects of the lifestyle. She also discusses the issue of colonial slavery in New England. The amount of research she did to pull it all together was massive! And it seems like New London has ALWAYS been a backwater.
September 5, 2013
The library wants this book back so I'm returning it having read a little over half plus the epilogue. The book gives some fascinating insight into colonial New England life, with a special focus on slavery and religions. Unfortunately, so much of it is speculation that I found it easy to put down in spots so never finished it in my allotted 3 weeks. Others with more of a connection to the area or the people involved might find it riveting.
May 26, 2013
Very "choppy" and hard to follow at times. Too many non central characters introduced and little development of what I assumed to be the central character, Adam Jackson. That being said, the book does provide an interesting account of the struggles and subsistence living during early American colonial times.
August 14, 2013
Riveting story of life during the early 18th century for the common man, slaves, & indentured servants. Based on historical facts, the author weaves a wonderful story of the Jackson family (slaves) , the Hempsteads (shipwrights) & other residents of New London, Ct. Fascinating story! Must visit the Hempstead House soon.
February 5, 2014
Being a native Nutmegger and somewhat familiar with the areas of the state covered in this excellent history really enhanced my reading experience. I enjoyed this well-done slice of social history.
March 31, 2014
Read more like a genealogy of a several families and was a bit dry.
June 27, 2014
This is an excellent study of slavery in Colonial America. Well researched and written.
September 12, 2016
Thesis-like; Extremely detailed saga. Tons of information so I guess it depends on what you are looking for in a book like this.
October 5, 2016
Different perspectives on day to day life in colonial new england with good history of slavery in new england. Well-written.
July 26, 2017
Excellent historiography of Colonial New England and Slavery. The author's rich detail and meticulous research will make this a pleasure to read and retain.
I am a lineal descendant of the Hempstead, Douglas, and Tongue of New London and I know New London County intimately in the modern world. The immersion into a comprehensive, detailed spectrum of 17th-18th century was fully appreciated.
I am a lineal descendant of the Hempstead, Douglas, and Tongue of New London and I know New London County intimately in the modern world. The immersion into a comprehensive, detailed spectrum of 17th-18th century was fully appreciated.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews