A man named George Rex, identified in official records as “The Last Slave,” froze to death in Brooklyn in 1885 at age 89, according to research shared by the New York City Department of Records.
Entry 983 in the death ledger for Newtown, Queens (1881-1897) lists Rex’s occupation simply as “The Last Slave”—a designation that has prompted Department of Records researchers to investigate his life and the broader history of slavery in Queens and Brooklyn.
Department of Records Associate Commissioner Kenneth Cobb and Research Associate Marcia Kirk recently visited Lit NYC to share their findings about Rex’s life, death, and family history. The researchers have been working to piece together the story behind the stark entry in the 19th century death records.
“George Rex froze to death in Brooklyn in 1885 at the age of 89,” Cobb explained during the presentation. The circumstances surrounding his death and the official designation as “The Last Slave” provide insight into the persistence of slavery’s legacy in New York City well into the post-Civil War era.
The research sheds light on a lesser-known chapter of New York City history. While slavery was gradually abolished in New York State through legislation passed in 1799 and 1827, the discovery of Rex’s case suggests that individuals identified with slavery continued to live in Queens and Brooklyn decades later.
Newtown, where Rex was recorded in the death ledger, was a town in Queens County that included what is now Elmhurst, Corona, and parts of other neighborhoods. The area had a significant history with slavery, as many wealthy New York families maintained country estates with enslaved workers in Queens and Long Island.
The Department of Records’ investigation into Rex’s story represents part of ongoing efforts to document and understand the full scope of slavery’s impact on New York City’s boroughs. Queens and Brooklyn both had substantial enslaved populations before abolition, though this history often receives less attention than Manhattan’s role in the slave trade.
Kirk noted that the research into Rex’s background has revealed details about his family history, though the researchers continue to uncover information about his life and circumstances. The designation “The Last Slave” raises questions about whether Rex was among the final generation of people who had been enslaved, or whether the term reflected his community standing in some other way.
The findings provide historical context for residents of Queens and Brooklyn about the legacy of slavery in their neighborhoods. The research comes as institutions across New York City work to better document and acknowledge the role of slavery in the city’s development.
For those interested in learning more about the Department of Records’ historical research, Lit NYC continues to host presentations on New York City history and archival discoveries.
Featured image: THE CITY (record: NYC Municipal Archives / Department of Records)
