Joseph Sharp

by


Despite little direct evidence, we believe that this individual known as Joseph Sharp was a "free" member of the early Afro Albanian community.

From the inscription on his gravestone,we know that Joseph Sharp was born about 1748. We seek defining information on his origins and the first five decades of his life.

On November 8, 1803, he purchased the freedom of "Cate," from John Stevenson for $150. At that time, she was called "his wife." On November 20, he was identified as a barber. On November 27, he married Cate Stevenson at St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Albany.

Otherwise, his activities have not yet been encountered in our sweeps of community based records.

A headstone inscription found in the African Methodist Episcopal plot of the "removed stones" at Albany Rural Cemetery noted his passing on November 27, 1813 and that he had lived sixty-five years. His will passed probate on November 30, 1813.


biography in-progress


notes

the people of colonial Albany Sources: The life of Joseph Sharp has not been assigned a CAP biography number. This sketch is derived chiefly from community-based resources. With so little qualitative information currently at hand, we recognize that this profile is pre-mature. An Internet search has brought up a number of intriguing but as yet-not-connected leads. We can only wonder at any connection to the Sharp family of early Albany.




first posted: 3/25/07; revised 1/4/15