George Nutt’s life story, as captured from census records and historical documentation, paints a picture of his changing racial classification, his family life, and his move to Minnesota:
George Nutt was born between 1817 or 1820, based on the census data. In the 1850 census his race was classified as black. His birthplace was in Ireland. In the 1860 census, his racial classification changed to mulatto. His birthplace was now in New York. These racial classification were provided by the census taker.
He married Alice Electa McDuffy, who was classified as white and was born in Vermont. They had four children: Alonzo, George, Alice, and Albert. George’s wife preferred her middle name, Electa. She used it most of the time. Her death certificate had her full name.
Between 1850 and 1860, the family resided in Beekmantown. In 1860, George stated his occupation as a farmer, owning property valued at $700.00 and having a personal estate worth $195.00.
In 1870, George Nutt moved to Pleasant Prairie, Martin County, Minnesota. He did the census there and was the only one in the household. It appears that his wife did not complete a census that year, and his family seemed to have remained in Beekmantown. Learn More