Samuel Maxfield, former slave d. 1922

MAXFIELD, MILLER

Posted By: Dorothy Gosse (email)
Date: 10/12/2010 at 23:08:19

FAYETTE COUNTY'S
OLDEST SLAVE DEAD
Samuel Maxfield, of near Fayette,
passed away at his home Christmas.
Mr. Maxfleld was over a hundred years
of age, was a southern slave until
after the Civil war, being brought to
Fayette county by a returning captain,
a man by the name of Miller. Maxfield
lived in the negro settlement near
Fayette, where he received an education
in the rural schools. He was of a
thrifty disposition and soon bought
a tract of land which is now his home.
In relating his experiences he remembered
of his being sold five times
and one of these times was sold to his
master's whiskey bill. He showed no
marks of a slaves' life and his remarkable
age was testimony of the
clean life he led. He was a factor in
his community and was well liked by
all and his demise is regretted.

Oelwein Daily Register - 30 Dec 1922

Samuel Maxwell, the man who was
once a slave died at his home near
Fayette, Christmas day. He was
born in Virginia, and although his
age is merely conjecture it is believed
he was over 100 years old at the time
of his death. He told of incidents
that led to believe that he had been
a soldier in the Black Hawk war.

Elgin Echo - 11 Jan 1923
Note: Burial at Lima cemetery