Abraham was born on April 15, 1814, at Liberty Hall or outbuildings on the property. We know that his mother was enslaved and that Susan Niemcewicz claimed ownership over her. We know that Peter Kean served as Susan Niemcewicz’s attorney and registered Abraham’s birth with the county on her behalf.
Very little else of Abraham’s life was recorded. His mother’s name was not even listed on his birth certificate, let alone his father’s. Because she was enslaved, Abraham’s mother had no legal claim on her own son. Her name was less legally relevant to Abraham’s birth certificate than Susan Niemcewicz’s, even though her son was technically free. The state did not find it important to recognize relationships between enslaved family members except to identify claims of ownership.