This 1851 daguerreotype is believed to show Caesar, an elderly man traditionally said to have been born around 1737. If that date is accurate, he would be among the earliest-born people ever photographed. Photo restoration by me.
Caesar, a man believed to be born around 1737 having his photo taken in 1851.
This photo is believed to be one of the earliest-born humans ever captured on camera.
Caesar was born before the United States even existed.
Before the American Revolution.
Before George Washington became president.
He spent his entire life on the Nicoll estate in Bethlehem, New York, witnessing generations come and go. He lived through an era most of us can barely comprehend, and is said to have been the last enslaved person in New York State.
After decades of forced labor, he finally stopped working at the age of 80 in 1817, and still lived long enough to be photographed here in 1851.
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Caesar, a man believed to be born around 1737 having his photo taken in 1851.
This photo is believed to be one of the earliest-born humans ever captured on camera.
Caesar was born before the United States even existed.
Before the American Revolution.
Before George Washington became president.
He spent his entire life on the Nicoll estate in Bethlehem, New York, witnessing generations come and go. He lived through an era most of us can barely comprehend, and is said to have been the last enslaved person in New York State.
After decades of forced labor, he finally stopped working at the age of 80 in 1817, and still lived long enough to be photographed here in 1851.
Image restoration by me. Original photo [here](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caesar_(enslaved_man)#/media/File%3ADaguerreotype_of_Caesar_-_A_Slave%3B_1851.jpg)
No way that guy is 114 years old.