Existing comment:
Slave shackles
These wrist shackles date from the late 1600s or early 1700s, and were the type worn by Africans who were carried across the Atlantic on slaving vessels. Between 1701 and 1760, historians estimate that over 188,600 African slaves were brought to North America.
How Slavery Came to Virginia:
1639. Act X:
All persons except negroes are to be provided with arms and ammunition or be fined at the pleasure of the governor and council.
1667. Act III:
An act declaring that baptisme of slaves doth not exempt them from bondage.
Whereas some doubts have risen whether children that are slaves by birth, and by the charity and piety of their owners made pertakes of the blessed sacrament of baptisme, should be verute of their baptisme be made free; It is enacted and declared by this grand assembly, and the authority thereof, that the conferring of baptisme doth not alter the condition of the person as to his bondage or freedome; that diverse masters, freed from this doubt, may more carefully endeavour the propagation of christianity by permitting children, though slaves, or those of greater growth if capable to be admitted to that sacrament.
1662. Act XII.
Children to be bond or free, according to the condition of their mother.
Whereas some doubts have arrisen whether children got by any Englishman upon a negro woman should be salve or free. Be it therefore enacted and declared by this present grand assembly, that all children borne in this country shall be held bond or free only according to the condition of the mother. And that if any christian shall committ fornication with a negro man or woman, hee or shee soe offending shall pay double the fines imposed by the former act.
1670. Act V.
Free Negroes and Indians not permitted to buy Christian servants, but may those of their own nation.
Whereas it hath beene questioned whither Indians or negroes manumited, or otherwise free, could be capable of purchasing christian servants. It is enacted that noe negroe or Indian though baptized and enjoyed their owne freedome shall be capable of any such purchase of christians, but yet not debarred from buying any of their owne nation.
1670. Act XII:
Indians taken in war, & sold by Indians, not to be slaves -- Servants, not Christians, imported by shipping, slaves; if by land, to serve a certain term only.
Whereas some dispute have arisen whither Indians taken in warr by any other nation, and by that nation that taketh them sold to the English, are servants for life or terme of years. It is resolved and enacted that all servants not being christians imported into this colony by shipping shalbe slaves for their lives; but what shall come by land shall serve, if boyes or girles, untill thirty yeares of age, if men or women twelve years and no longer.
1680. Act X.
No negro, or other slave to carry arms, offensive or defensive; or go from his owner's plantation without a certificate, &cc.
Bee it enacted by the kings most excellent majestie by and with the consent of the generall assembly, and it is hereby enacted by the authority aforesaid, that from and after the publication of this law, it shall not be lawfull for any negroe or other slave to carry or arme himselfe with any club, staffe, gunn, sword, or any other weapon of defence or offence, nor to goe or depart from of his masters ground without a certificate from his master, mistris or overseer, and such permission not to be granted but upon perticuler and necessary occasions.
1682.
All servants, except Turks and Moors, while in amity with the king of England, whether Negroes, Moors, mulattoes or Indians, not being Christians, when purchased, tho' afterwards converted, and brought in by sea or land to be slaves. Also all Indians sold by neighbouring Indians or others trading with us to be slaves.
And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid that all servants except Turkes and Moores, whilst in amity with his majesty which from and after publication of this act shall be brought or imported into this country, either by sea or land, whether negroes, Moors, Mullatoes or Indians, who and whose parentage and native country are not christian at the time of their first purchase of such servant by some christian, although afterwards, and bringing into this country, they shall be converted to the christian faith; and all Indians which shall hereafter be sold by our neighbouring Indians, or any other trafiqueing with us as for slaves are hereby adjudged, deemed and taken, and shall be adjudged, deemed and taken to be slaves to all intents and purposes, any law, all intents and purposes, any law, usage or custome to the contrary notwithstanding.
1691.
White man or woamn, bond or free, intermarrying with a negro, mulatto or Indian, to be banished forever.
Be it enacted by the authoritie aforesand, and it is hereby enacted, that for the time to come, whatsoever English or other white man or woman being free shall intermarry with a negroe, mulatto, or Indian man or woman bond or free shall within three months after such marriage be banished and removed from this dominion forever.
1705. XXXIV.
Killing slaves, under corection, no felony.
And if any slave resist his master, or owner, or other person, by his or her rder, correcting such slave, and shall happen to be killed in such correction, it shall not be accounted felony; but the master, owner, and every such other person so giving correction, shall be free and acquit or all punishment and accusation for the same, as if such accident had never happened.
1723. XVII.
How slaves may be emancipated.
And be it further enacted, by the authority aforesaid, That no negro, mullato, or indian slaves, shall be set free, upon any pretence whatsoever, except for some meritorious services, to be adjusted and allowed by the governor and council for the being, and a licence thereupon first time had and obtained.
1923. XXIII.
Free negroes, not to vote.
And be it further enacted, by the authority aforesaid, and it is hereby enacted and declared. |