Archives of Maryland
(Biographical Series)
Punch Cooler
MSA SC 3520-16524
Biography:
Punch Cooler was a free black laborer who lived near the town
of
Brookeville in Montgomery County, Maryland. He was a farmhand for
wealthy Brookeville resident Gerard
Brooke between 1809 and 1812, and a
laborer for Gerard's son, Richard Brooke until at least 1816.1 During this
time, he lived alone on his property near Brookeville.2
Cooler primarily cleared the meadows surrounding
Brookeville, for which he was typically compensated $4 per acre, either
in cash or food.3
Punch Cooler's whereabouts after 1816 are unknown.
Kyle Bacon, DAR
Research Fellow, 2013
Notes:
- SPECIAL
COLLECTIONS (Mary Farquhar Green Collection) Account book of
Gerard Brooke, 1802-1821 [MSA SC 566-1-98,
00/09/06/06]; SPECIAL
COLLECTIONS (Mary Farquhar Green Collection) Account book of
Gerard Brooke, 1802-1821
[MSA SC 566-1-100, 00/09/06/05]. Cooler is mainly compensated for work
in Gerard Brooke's accounts, although he purchased food in exchange for
work from Richard Brooke several times.
- Third Census
of the United States, 1810, Population Schedule,
Montgomery, Maryland for Punch Cooler, Roll M252.
- SPECIAL
COLLECTIONS (Mary Farquhar Green Collection) Account book of
Gerard Brooke, 1802-1821: Cooler appeared in this account book
several times between 1809 and 1812, mainly being compensated for
clearing meadows "next to Brookeville." for around $4 per
acre; SPECIAL COLLECTIONS (Mary Farquhar Green
Collection) Account book of Richard Brooke, 1812-1822 [MSA SC
566-1-100, 00/09/06/05]: Cooler appeared between 1815 and 1816, where
he was compensated between 40 and 60 cents per day of "work" in both
food and cash.
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