Program

NYS Historic

Subject

People

Location

289 S Pearl St, Albany, NY 12202, USA

Lat/Long

42.64146, -73.756769

Grant Recipient

Mohawk Chapter National Society Daughters of the American Revolution

Benjamin Lattimore was born in Connecticut ca. 1761. After serving in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War, he moved to Albany. Lattimore was noted as a man of “irreproachable character and uprightness.” (McClintock, John. Academy History in Albany. Albanyacademyhistory.org. Accessed November 26, 2024)

In 1811, Lattimore was a cartman licensed by the city. The role of cartmen was critical to commerce and the life of the city. They were the only individuals permitted to move goods through the streets. “Everyone, Black and white, knew the cartmen. Only they could move your “stuff”, whether a featherbed or cargo from a newly docked ship. A responsible cartman, who didn’t price gouge, and delivered your goods in a timely manner, undamaged, after having navigated steep Albany hills and three large creeks (the Beaverkill, the Ruttenkill and the Foxenkill) was a man who was well-known and well-respected by both the Black and white community.” (O’Connor, Julie. Against all odds – building Albany’s free black community in the early 1800s. Friends of Albany History. Accessed November 26, 2024)

The same year, Lattimore purchase a lot on Malcolm St. (now Broad St.) from Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton, widow of Alexander Hamilton. Later, the Albany School for Educating People of Color was established on this lot. (Education of black children in 19th century Albany. www.rogergreen.com. Accessed November 26, 2024)

On April 12, 1816, the “school of people of color” was incorporated by the New York State Legislature with Lattimore as one of seven trustees.

Benjamin Lattimore died in 1838 and is interred in the Albany Rural Cemetery. (Findagrave.com. Accessed November 26, 2024)