Samuel Oldham advertised that he had just received, in addition to his former stock, an assortment of merchandise which had been purchased at the most reduced prices and would be sold low for CASH at his store on Main Street. He returned his acknowledgments to his old friends and customers and solicited a continuance of their favors (Kentucky Gazette, Jan. 8, 1830, Lexington Public Library). Although he was a barber and hair dresser by profession, from this advertisement it was learned that Samuel also dealt in the sale of personal care and small household goods. Samuel provided a much needed service to the developing Lexington community as evidenced by the growth of his income.
He had earned enough money to secure his freedom in April 1826 and four years later, was able to purchase the freedom of Daphney and two children, Samuel and Lawson Mitchell. Immediately, Samuel filed a deed of emancipation to them on January 11, 1830. The question became, why had he done this and who were these individuals? The laws regarding purchase of enslaved individuals by a free person was such that he would have become a free black who owned slaves; filing this deed indicated that was not his desire. The deed indicated Daphney was his wife and the two children were his sons. He and Daphney Harris must have formed a union while they both had been slaves, but as free persons, they married on July 19,1831. Between 1835 and 1840, Samuel's name appears on the deeds of emancipation of five other individuals, including another son and his wife. The 1840 census listed nine in the household.
By 1835, they had accumulated enough to purchase two adjacent lots on which they erected a two story brick home. An architect historian described it as a Federal period, two story, five bay, central passage dwelling. There are interior chimneys on the gable ends, Greek Revival style baseboard in the passageway and two pegged windows dating from the time the Oldham family would have lived in the house. The Oldhams only lived here until 1839 when they sold the house and lot for $5,500. The home is still standing and currently being restored. The property is in the South Hill Historic District where other structures are being renovated for urban dwellings. This and other homes of free blacks can be seen on a walking tour.
Because of his economic stability and property ownership, Samuel had become a trustee of the First Baptist Church (African); his name was listed on a deed of 1834.
Samuel Oldham's Barber Shop and Baths were listed at #18 East Main Street in the 1838 city directory. A review of subsequent directories indicated that he and his son, Samuel A. Oldham, continually operated from this location until 1876. The Oldhams were on the south side of Main Street, between Limestone and Mulberry Streets, when the man who was to become the sixteenth president of the United States visited the city in 1847 and 1849.
