Jacob Gaskins was born into slavery in Virginia but was freed by his owner and came to New Berlin as a free man in 1817. He married Hannah, and they became known as hardworking, industrious neighbors. When he arrived, he mistakenly cleared land that was not his own. He was pleased to discover that the rightful owners understood and even wanted to pay him for his labor. He was a favorite of the neighbor children. “At his death, he owned over 375 acres of valuable land…and a fine residence in New Berlin” which was on the property where M & H Beans is currently located (Basner 60-61).