Aaron's Legacy

Aaron, the son of Asa, was born in 1788, less than ten miles from where his own father and grandfather had been born and raised. Having endured a war for freedom which had lasted almost eight years and ended only five years earlier, Massachusetts was reeling from the devastation and poverty of financing the heavy cost of independence. Men were flocking home, in search of work and there was little to be found.

Homes were shoddy and in need of maintenance. Disease was rampant and hunger was common. Communities were filled with widows who were desperately trying to solely support families and provide food, shelter and clothing to their children, having been left behind by those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms of our country. Towns were flooded with wounded men, living with life long disabililities of war. Goods were depleted after years of boycotting trade with England and the fishing fleets had been virtually demolished as they were used as a Navy to fight the larger, more power British marine forces. And rebellion was breaking out in some part of the American colonies.

War had been difficult, requiring sacrifice. Developing an independent democracy was far from simple. The United States Constitution had only been passed only months earlier, taking four years for the framers to agree upon what it should state and had not yet taken effect, however there had been in place, a weaker non-centralized Articles of Confederation which was non-binding and put into place in 1777.

Despite the adversity, a spirit existed within the people. A spirit of hope and triumph which offered strength to a budding new nation. This, coupled with pride for and within those those who had sacrificed to insure freedom was insured to those who were formerly oppressed eased the pain and healed wounds. The sweet taste of victory resulting from the resolve not to give up absorbed the weaker emotions of despair and brought hope to a strong people.

Aaron's father was a common laborer, a free man of color, who worked in the fields after spending most of his life as a soldier, first in the British military then in the American Continental Army after he heard the cry for freedom from his long time friends and family members in the Colonies. Freedom was sweet, however there was a tremendous price which was paid. It certainly was not free.

Aaron's childhood was spent alongside his brothers and his fifty year old father, toiling for long days performing backbreaking work within the fields and there was an everconstant search for employment when available. Times were difficult, not only for them but for everyone. Often, there was little food and long treks by foot had to be made in order to obtain firewood to keep the family warm from the biting cold winds which swept through the Massachusetts winters.

Asa believed his children should raise themselves above that of their parents. He made certain his children were educated, able to read and write, learned a good work ethic and had a sense of personal responsibility. Though poor in material possessions, the family was rich in faith and in values, something which Aaron treasured.

By the time Aaron was twelve years old, he and his male siblings were bonded out to local farmers, their income used to assist in supporting the family. There was never a complaint--nor an sense of self entitlement or thought of self. It was simply something that had to be done out of necessity to insure survival for all.

By the time he had reached his teens, Aaron was bonded to a family which had relocated to a farm in a small town in Maine. He lived and worked there for a period of several years and after his mother had died and his father was old and infirm and unable to care for his children. After he was able to establish himself, he was able to acquire the means to support his younger and brothers and sisters who came to live with him. His father chose to remain in the Massachusetts town where he had been born, choosing not to be a burden upon his family and cared for by the community who appreciated his sacrifices to our country.

His family was the only one of color within the small village--mulattos living amongst those with lighter skin. A quiet, nonassuming man, there is little about him written in history with the exception of the stories passed down through the generations. Apparently, there was little controversy or even concern about his color as, through the years, the censuses reflected him no longer as a "free man of color" as had prior censuses, but just prior to 1860, listed as white.

Aaron married a woman who was a direct descendant of the first settlers of Plymouth Rock. She was educated and didn't see the world through a "black - white" axis, but merely saw a man who was honest, hardworking, kind and very intelligent. At that time, it appears there were no characterizations of "black men" or "black women," but merely people who were judged upon their character, not the color of their skin. Everyone sailed in the same boat, within basically the same economic situations and realized they had to rely upon one another in order to survive. Clearly, tolerance of the differences between people prevailed within that small, pioneering community.

Their life though not much different than many many others, was difficult. A succession of children dying at birth or at young ages coupled with the harsh Maine winters and the struggle to develop their lives in the midst of a frontier was far from easy. However they succeeded, buying a farm which set on one of Maine's largest rivers and and eventually becoming one of the first successful breeders of cattle in Maine.

Aaron wanted more for his children than what he had as a child and also carried forward the tradition that his children raise themselves higher than the parents. He made certain each of his children were educated, learned to be independent and carried forward the values which were instilled within him. His was a family of faith, devout Congregationalists, who despite the difference in the color of his skin, were able to not only maintain during difficult times, but assist their neighbors, even employing the once most powerful, who were not able to maintain their businesses during time of depression.

Aaron's attitude and character was displayed and most defined when his youngest son was diagnosed with a lung disorder which the doctor felt may be terminal. He pondered his son's wishes to continue his rigorous studies, despite the doctor's orders. Finally, he came to a decision. "If he has but three years to live, during that time he shall pursue that course that will contribute most to his happiness."

It proved to be one that was very wise. His son grew up to be the first politician of color in the State of Maine and a staunch member of the Republican party. He is remembered most for his honesty and foreright approach in dealing in public matters in education and in local public administration.

Aaron's successes, which later became his legacy were those in being a good parent, guiding his children through adolescence to become responsible adults, leaders in their communities and to be independent in caring for themselves and their families during times of adversity. He carried forward a hard work ethic, a sense of faith, a sense of social consciousness, family loyalty and the tradition of living outside one's self -- of viewing self to be part of an entire family of humanity.

Aaron's legacy were the qualities maintained in his son Charles, the politician, his son, David, who became a Judge and his son, Moses, who became a well known abolitionist and who made sacrifices which lead to positive change in a budding nation and providing values through the centuries which followed.