| Notes |
- **THE STORY OF A PRINCESS.**
**Stolen From Madagascar and Sold as a Slave in New York.**
*From the New York Sun.*
Near the end of the last century Archibald Mercer, the owner of mill property at Millstone, New Jersey, bought a slave girl in this city. It is the legend about her that her features were almost as clear cut as those of a Caucasian, and her complexion of a light copper hue. She was slender and shapely, and her bearing was proud, almost haughty. After she became somewhat reconciled to Mr. Mercer's service, and could speak English, the beautiful young slave told a sad story of her life. She was, she said, a king's daughter, and in her native land, Madagascar, she wore a dress fashioned of the plumage of the brightest-hued birds. Her head-dress was also of feathers, and her neck, arms, and ankles were encircled with bands of gold and strings of many colored beads. One day she wandered to the sea shore, alone and intent upon her pastime. Suddenly she felt herself grasped from behind by rude hands. She had been captured by the crew of a slave ship. The slaves tied a handkerchief over her mouth and carried her to their boat. Then they rowed swiftly to their ship.
Dreading her father's anger, the captain ordered sail to be made at once. The captive princess was forced to exchange her costly attire for a coarse cotton gown, and to herd with the slaves ironed between decks. No manacles were put on her, because she was passively obedient to every command. The slave ship entered a port of the United States, and the girl was brought to this city for sale.
Within a few years the captive Princess fell in love with a fellow slave, of a lighter hue than his comrades, and they were married. Their first child, a daughter, was born in 1773. They called her Rachel. About this time Mr. Mercer, the girl’s owner, sold his property and moved to Newark. There Theodore Frelinghuysen, one of the founders of the well known New Jersey family, of which Senator Frelinghuysen is a member, won the hand of his daughter Charlotte. Mr. Mercer gave the slave Princess and her child, Rachel, to his daughter on her wedding day. When Rachel grew to womanhood she was as beautiful as her mother had been. She was married to Samuel Williamson, a slave belonging to Mr. Frederick Frelinghuysen. Six children, two of whom are living, were the fruit of the marriage.
Rachel’s mother lived until she was fully one hundred years of age. She was in her later years an object of affectionate solicitude on the part of the Frelinghuysens. She was not allowed to do any work, and at eleven o'clock every day a glass of fine old wine was sent to her, with the master’s and mistress’ best wishes. She was of incorruptible honesty, and jewels, plate and money of very large value were often left under her charge by the Frelinghuysens.
Rachel, who has been living for many years in the household of Mr. Dumont Frelinghuysen, a brother of the senator, and a gentleman of independent means, in Somerville, New Jersey, fell into her dotage about a year ago, when she had attained her one hundred and fourth year. On Saturday, the 10th inst., Mr. Frelinghuysen determined to send her to her daughter’s house on the outskirts of Somerville. Rachel seemed pleased with the change. On Sunday her daughter, who is about eighty years of age, had a great mustering of her friends to show off Rachel or "Mammy," as she was generally called. On Monday Rachel was in fine spirits, and ate heartily. In the evening she was stricken with paralysis of the right side and throat. She lingered, without solid food, until Tuesday last and then died. Her body was interred in the colored cemetery near Somerville, by the side of a colored woman who died at the age of 103. The whole Frelinghuysen family, including the senator, attended the funeral in their carriages.
Mr. Dumont Frelinghuysen said yesterday that he does not doubt that Rachel Williamson was about 105 years of age. She often spoke of playing with the Mercer children, who, if now living, would be between 103 and 107 years of age.
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