From NKAA, Notable Kentucky African Americans Database (main entry)

Cato (former slave/then again slave)

It was reported in the New York Times that in 1850 a widow named Shaw sold a slave named Cato to Dr. Benjamin Beall and B. Tucker. The article stated that Cato received his freedom in 1856, as had been stipulated by Shaw prior to the sale. Once free, Cato went to Cincinnati but was unable to find work, so he returned to Alexandria, KY, to work again for Beall. Cato accompanied Beall to Lexington, KY, to sell his cattle. After selling the cattle, Beall sold Cato for $900, and he was then shipped down South. In 1857, Beall sued the Cincinnati Enquirer for libel when it ran an article insinuating that he had enticed Cato back to Alexandria from Cincinnati in order to sell him into slavery. Beall won his case. For more see article 5 in the New York Times, 08/02/1865, p. 6 and the untitled article in the New York Times, 03/12/1857, p. 2.

Item Relations

Cited in this Entry

NKAA Source: The New York times (newspaper)
NKAA Source: Cincinnati post (newspaper)

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Cite This NKAA Entry:

“Cato (former slave/then again slave),” Notable Kentucky African Americans Database, accessed October 14, 2024, https://nkaa.uky.edu/nkaa/index.php/items/show/581.

Last modified: 2024-06-14 19:09:20