Stephen VAIL

7/28/1780 - 1864

• Name	Stephen VAIL
  Birth	7/28/1780	NJ
  Gender	Male
  Death	7/12/1864	Morristown, NJ [?Speedwell,NJ]
  Person ID	I112178552	The Briggman Family Genealogy
  Last Modified	2 May 2026

  
  

  Mother	Hannah MOORE,   b. 4/21/1761, Southampton,NY d. 5/9or22/1822, Littleton, NJ
  Family ID	F49722560	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Notes

  occupation: Judge. according to a note by Dale Sands "Stephen owned 2 slaves. An "Act of Abolish Slavery" was approved 18 April 1846. In accordance with the Act, "AuntPhebe" and "Cuffy", slaves of Stephen were given their freedom papers and gayly embarked upon their new-found freedom. The winter following proved to be very severe. On day, as Stephen was sitting before the open fire in his library, in shivered his two former slaves. Before he could interfere, they had thrown their freedom papers into the fire, exclaiming, 'Massa Stephen we ain't free no mo', you's gotta take care o'us. We's yo'niggahs once more."