GRISTMILLS and SLAVERY: An early Ulster County map reveals an untold story.

The article focuses on a 1797 map of Marbletown and Hurley in Ulster County, New York, which reveals the locations of gristmills and provides insights into the lives of enslaved people who worked in the region’s early agricultural economy. It highlights how many prosperous farmers relied on enslaved African labor for wheat cultivation and milling, with census records documenting significant enslaved populations in Ulster County at the time. The map, combined with wills, census data, and fugitive slave advertisements, offers a rare perspective on enslaved mill operatives like Mink and Robbin, illustrating their skilled roles and the gradual decline of slavery following New York’s manumission laws. This case study demonstrates how historic maps can serve as valuable tools for uncovering overlooked narratives about enslaved individuals and their contributions to local industries. [Extracted from the article]