Derrick Oxford
Derrick was a slave of William Gallup of N.Hartland. He enlisted in the Revolutionary War. His grave was recently located and the VA provided a headstone. There was a short dedication service at Coryville Cemetery (Ladieu Rd) in Plainfield, NH on May 19th 2018. Members of the First NH Regiment re-enactment group fired a musket salute. Descendents of both Derrick Oxford and William Gallup attended.
I’m so happy Derrick was honored and an appropriate marker placed for him! I became acquainted with him through his previous enslaver Isaac and Mary (Shepard) Wheeler of Stonington, CT. While doing research on merchant Mary, I read Derric name as one she had with her on merchant equestrian trips which was reported she went alone from Stonington to Boston. She also traded in the West Indies. At the time I looked him up to see if he managed to get to make more of his life and away from her fiery temper. I was thankful to see that he had. I hope he felt he had at least somewhat a better life. I also have Gallup ancestors. His story was an influence in my desire to share my ancestral enslavers in hopes of helping the descendants of those they enslaved find their ancestors.