Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 18, 2026

Cesar Chelor

Cesar Chelor was an African-American woodworker, toolmaker, plane-maker and was enslaved by the colonial entrepreneur and the earliest documented American plane maker Francis Nicholson (1683–1753). Chelor is the earliest documented African-American plane maker in North America.

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Jun 18, 2026
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Cesar Chelor (born in Wrentham, Massachusetts)12 was an African-American woodworker, toolmaker, plane-maker and was enslaved by the colonial entrepreneur and the earliest documented American plane maker3 Francis Nicholson (1683–1753).4567 Chelor is the earliest documented African-American plane maker in North America.8910

Background

Chelor's exact birthdate is unknown; however, he is thought to have been born in about 1720.118 He was owned by Nicholson as early as 1736. In 1741, Chelor was admitted to the Congregational Church in Wrentham Center when he was supposedly 21. Chelor would become a freeman when Nicholson died in 1753.1213 Along with freedom, Nicholson willed Chelor a workshop, 10 acres of land, tools and materials to continue independently.

Chelor was married to Juda Russell in 1758, with whom he had shared eighta children.

In 1784, Chelor died without a will with an estate inventory valued at 77 pounds 2 shillings.1516111

References

References

  1. "17 May 1989, Page 36 - The Orlando Sentinel". The Orlando Sentinel. Archived from the original on 2021-05-03. Retrieved 2021-05-03.
  2. "25 May 1989 entry". The Journal News. White Plains, New York. 1989-05-25. Archived from the original on 2021-05-03. Retrieved 2021-05-03.
  3. "Chelor". antiquetools.com. Retrieved 2021-06-10.
  4. "26 Dec 1993, 37 - The Boston Globe". The Boston Globe. 1993-12-26. Archived from the original on 2021-05-03. Retrieved 2021-05-03.
  5. "18 Oct 1978, p. 22 - The Baltimore Sun". The Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on 2021-05-03. Retrieved 2021-05-03.
  6. "16 Jul 1982, p. 27 - Bennington Banner". Bennington Banner. Archived from the original on 2021-05-03. Retrieved 2021-05-03.
  7. "18 Jan 1997, 24 - The World at Newspapers.com". The World. Coos Bay, Oregon. Archived from the original on 2021-05-03. Retrieved 2021-05-03.
  8. "Cesar Chelor- Earliest documented African-American plane maker of North America". Lexington Herald-Leader. Lexington, Kentucky. 2001-02-04. p. 17. Archived from the original on 2021-05-03. Retrieved 2021-05-03.
  9. "Acquisitions at Williamsburg Highlight African American Experiences". Enfilade. 2017-02-04. Retrieved 2021-05-03.
  10. "Tools of the Trade". Suiter Swantz IP. 2016-09-07. Retrieved 2021-05-03.
  11. "4 Feb 2001, 17". Lexington Herald-Leader. Archived from the original on 2021-05-03. Retrieved 2021-06-03.
  12. "30 Sep 1985, 28 - The Post-Star". The Post-Star. Archived from the original on 2021-05-03. Retrieved 2021-05-03.
  13. "15 May 1989, p. 8 - The Newark Advocate". The Newark Advocate. Archived from the original on 2021-05-04. Retrieved 2021-05-03.
  14. "26 Dec 1993, 37 - The Boston Globe at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2021-06-03.
  15. "The Planes of Cesar Chelor". 2006-07-08. Archived from the original on 2006-07-08. Retrieved 2021-05-03.
  16. "26 Dec 1993, 37 - The Boston Globe at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2021-06-03.

Notes

  1. According to some sources, he had nine children, six of whom he buried himself before he died in 1784.14