Lewis Top
by
Stefan Bielinski


Lewis Top probably was born about 1787. He was of African ancestry. We seek defining information on his origins.

In 1813, the first published Albany city directory identified him as a ferryman living at 20 Union Street in Albany. In 1820, he was identified as the head of an Albany household that included no Whites but two "free" men and two "free" women. We take that to mean they were "free people of color!"

We believe he was the kinsman and neighbor of musician John Top.

Lewis Top died in December 1838 and was buried in the Aftican Methodist Episcopal plot. Later, his stone was moved to Albany Rural Cemetery. He had lived fifty-one years!

biography in-progress



notes

the people of colonial Albany Sources: The life of Lewis Top/Topp is CAP biography number 7751. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources.




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first posted: 11/10/04