Joshua Aldridge (1800 - 1872)

Born 1800 in New York, New York, United States

Descendants

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Biography

Joshua Aldridge is a part of US Black heritage.

Older brother of American Shakespearean actor Ira Frederick Aldridge.^[1] They both were sons of Daniel Aldridge.

He worked as a whitewasher between 1826 and 1865.

He married first to Francis Valeer. Their known children include:

1. David J Aldridge (1831-1907) ^[2]
2. Sarah R. Aldridge (1835–1882) ^[3]

In 1830, the family of "Joshua Oldridge" lived in New York Ward 8, New York, New York, United States.^[4]

• Free Colored Persons - Males - 24 thru 35: 1
• Free Colored Persons - Males - 10 thru 23: 1
• Free Colored Persons - Males - Under 10: 3
• Free Colored Persons - Females - 24 thru 35: 1
• Free Colored Persons - Females - 10 thru 23: 1
• Free Colored Persons - Females - Under 10: 1
• Total Free Colored Persons: 8

In 1840, the family of "Joshua Aldrich" lived in New York Ward 8, New York, New York, United States.^[5]

• Free Colored Persons - Males - 36 thru 54: 1
• Free Colored Persons - Males - 24 thru 35: 1
• Free Colored Persons - Males - 10 thru 23: 3
• Free Colored Persons - Males - Under 10: 2
• Free Colored Persons - Females - 36 thru 54: 1
• Free Colored Persons - Females - 10 thru 23: 1
• Free Colored Persons - Females - Under 10: 1
• Total Free Colored Persons: 10

He married second to Francis Deboy on 17 Dec 1857 in New York City.^[6] The had at least one child:

1. Julia (Aldridge) Brown (1857–Deceased)

From 1866 until his death, Joshua lived at 121 W. 25th. His son also lived at the same address from 1867 until 1876. ^{[7] [8]}

The 1870 Census^[9] shows him at age 67 with his wife Fanny, and daughter Julia living next to his son David including his wife and two children in the 8th Election District of the 16th Ward of New York City, New York County, New York. The entire family of seven people was enumerated again six months later: Another entry in the 1870 Census^[10] shows him at age 71, miss-named Josiah with his wife Francis, daughter Julia, son David, David's wife Anna, and their two children in 11th Election District of the 16th Ward of New York City, New York County, New York. The similarity of the family names and ages is sufficient to convince most that they are the same family enumerated twice.

The San Francisco Elevator reported the death on 16 September of "Joshua Aldridge, a native of New York, aged 72 years. Mr. Aldridge was an elder bother of Ira Aldridge, the celebrated tragedian."^[11][12]

Research Notes

Not found on 1850 or 1860 census. Note his daughter's marriage lists her as white, not mulatto. ^[13]

There is another "colored" (word used in the directories) Joshua Aldridge in New York City. This "other" Joshua appears in the New York City directories from 1870 through at least 1881, living at 87 Thompson.

Sources

1. ↑ Wilson, Tracy V. and Holly Frey. "Ira Frederick Aldridge, Famous Unknown Shakespearean." Stuff You Missed in History Class (Podcast). 6 Feb 2017. How Stuff Works.com (Web). 5 May 2017.
2. ↑ "New York, New York City Municipal Deaths, 1795-1949", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2WDK-XM9 : 3 June 2020), Joshua in entry for David Aldridge, 1907.
3. ↑ "New York Deaths and Burials, 1795-1952", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FD1D-6ML : 18 January 2020), Joshua Aldridge in entry for Sarah R. Aldridge, 1882.
4. ↑ "United States Census, 1830," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XH5M-WQ5 : 29 July 2017), Joshua Oldridge, New York Ward 8, New York, New York, United States; citing 217, NARA microfilm publication M19, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 97; FHL microfilm 17,157.
5. ↑ "United States Census, 1840," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHTN-RDL : 19 May 2020), Joshua Aldrich, New York City, New York County, New York, United States; citing p. 428, NARA microfilm publication , (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll ; FHL microfilm .
6. ↑ "New York, New York City Marriage Records, 1829-1940," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:24Z1-VJ1 : 10 February 2018), Joshua Aldridge and Frances Deboy, 17 Dec 1857; citing Marriage, Manhattan, New York, New York, United States, New York City Municipal Archives, New York; FHL microfilm 1,671,673.
7. ↑ "United States City and Business Directories, ca. 1749 - ca. 1990", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6ZVQ-PWRR : 1 February 2022), Joshua Aldridge, 1865-1868.
8. ↑ "United States City and Business Directories, ca. 1749 - ca. 1990", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6ZMT-WGT4 : 25 January 2022), Joshua Aldridge, 1869-1872.
9. ↑ "United States Census, 1870", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M8FC-9GC : 29 May 2021), Joshua Aldridge, 1870. New York > New York > New York City, ward 16 > image 1774 of 2423; citing NARA microfilm publication M593 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
10. ↑ "United States Census, 1870", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M8X7-JYX : 29 May 2021), Josiah Aldridge, 1870. New York > New York > New York City, ward 16 > image 662 of 2423; citing NARA microfilm publication M593 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
11. ↑ "Ira Aldridge's relatives in New York City" by Bernth Lindfors, Afro-Americans in New York Life and History January 1, 2007
12. ↑ Ira Aldridge, Volume 1 By Bernth Lindfors. University Rochester Press, 2011 . p.21.
13. ↑ "New York, New York City Marriage Records, 1829-1940," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:24S7-M29 : 10 February 2018), Perry G. Brown and Julia Aldridge, 04 Mar 1883; citing Marriage, Manhattan, New York, New York, United States, New York City Municipal Archives, New York; FHL microfilm 1,570,107.