Oxley, Jesse
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Person Biography
Jesse Oxley was born in 1785. He married Lovice Chilton in 1817, and they had one daughter, Louisa, born in 1819. In April 1831, Oxley married Sarah Hesser. They had no children together. Jesse Oxley died in the autumn of 1834 as a result of “injuries sustained from a free mulatto man,” according to his death notice in the Leesburg Genius of Liberty. It is unclear who killed Oxley or why, but, because his assailant was apparently a free person of color, his trial would have taken place in the Virginia General Court.
Oxley died without a will, but left a substantial estate, which was valued at about $1,990 at the time of his death. Listed in his possession are four African American children—two boys and two girls—between the ages of five and twelve. These children were not sold as part of his estate. Instead, Oxley’s brother, Thomas Oxley, became their guardian. In addition, it was specified that Thomas was to repair and maintain the tavern in Waterford that Jesse Oxley had owned and rented to J. Paxon.
By Anne Champlin
