Born in New Jersey around 1803, Nean was enslaved there, first by Jacob Vanderanter and then by his sons, Jason and Peter. Rather than free him, the brothers chose to sell Nean at age 13 to Hendrick Brokaw. In 1827, at age 24, Nean self-emancipated. He traveled to Connecticut, where he was legally manumitted by Rev. Simeon Jocelyn and others.