Slavery, Freedom, and Mobility: Black Labor at Cooch’s Bridge Historic Site

• Anne Hicks, History Education, University of Delaware

• Dael Norwood, University of Delaware Anti-Racism Initiative, University of Delaware

The public reputation of Cooch’s Bridge Historic Site is centered on its role as a Revolutionary War Battlefield and the historic influence of the Cooch family members in Delaware politics. However, the success of the Cooches would not have been possible without the exploitation of enslaved and free black people. Cooch’s Bridge has an extensive history of both free and enslaved labor, which allowed them to gain wealth through the exploitation of Black men and their skills. This research delves into the lives of Black men who worked in the fields and mills of the Cooch family, following them from bondage through the remainder of their lives as free people. By tracking the lives of black working men through census records, indenture and manumission deeds, and newspapers, we can explore the lesser-told stories of black folks in Northern Delaware and the making of free black communities. The paper sheds light on the challenges faced by free Black men, including restrictions on mobility and the need to rely on white connections for stability. It also highlights the significance of free Black communities, where support and shared resources allowed for economic mobility. Overall, this research contributes to a deeper understanding of the complexities of being free and Black in Delaware, emphasizing the resilience and contributions of Black laborers at Cooch’s Bridge whose stories have not yet been told.