Caesar
Possibly the earliest-born person ever photographed, also the last slave to be manumitted in New York
About Caesar
Lived 1737 – 1852 (aged 114–115).
Caesar ( (supposedly) – 1852) was a slave who is notable for possibly being the earliest-born person ever photographed while alive, when his daguerreotype was taken in 1851. He was also the last slave to be manumitted in New York.
Biography Caesar was supposedly born in 1737, on the property of Rensselaer Nicoll (1706-1776), who owned the Bethlehem House property in Bethlehem, New York. If his recorded age is correct, he would not only be one of the earliest-born people ever photographed (surpassing Conrad Heyer, John Adams and other such claimants), he would be one of the longest-lived people in the history of the United States.
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Important facts
People in Caesar's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Caesar's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Caesar?
possibly the earliest-born person ever photographed, also the last slave to be manumitted in New York
When was Caesar born?
Caesar was born in 1737 in Bethlehem House.
When did Caesar die?
Caesar died in 1852.
Sources & further reading
· DBpedia: Caesar (enslaved man)
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Caesar. https://biography.guide/caesar-1737/
MLA: "Caesar." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/caesar-1737/.
Chicago: "Caesar." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/caesar-1737/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-26 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
Page generated 2026-09-27 05:13 UTC