EnslavedMD

Slavery in Maryland & Its Legacy, 1634-2007

1634

200 settlers found St. Mary’s

City. Mathias De Sousa

(Matt Das Sousa) arrives

1717

Marriage between white women and free Negro or mulatto men is forbidden. Any white man that shall intermarry with any Negro or mulatto woman, such Negro or mulatto shall become a slave during life, excepting mulattoes born of white women, who, for such intermarriage, shall only become servants for seven years. Law relating to Servants and Slaves, Proceedings and Acts of the General Assembly of Maryland, May 28 - June 8, 1717 Bacon’s Laws of Maryland, V.33; Chap. XIII; V.

1731

On November 9, the black astronomer and mathematician Benjamin Banneker is born to free parents in Ellicott City, Maryland.

in Maryland aboard the

Ark. As an indentured servant,

De Sousa must face seven years

of servitude to pay off his debts and

earn his freedom.

1642

Mathias De Sousa (Matt Das Sousa) is the first person of African descent to sit in a legislative assembly in the English Colonies. In 1642 he votes as a freeman in the Maryland Proprietary Assembly.

1663/1664

Maryland legalizes slavery. Free white women who enter into marriage with a black slave are declared slaves for the duration of the life of their spouse. Imported Africans are given the status of slaves for life. Maryland passes a law prohibiting marriage between white women and black men. An Act Concerning Negroes & other Slaues [sic], Proceedings and Acts of the General Assembly, September 1663/1664.

1681

Maryland passes a law that children born to free black women and black children of white women would be free. An Act concerning Negroes & Slaves, Proceedings and Acts of the General Assembly, August/September 1681.

1692

Maryland passes a law requiring white men to serve seven years of indenture for marrying or having children with African American women. African American men who have sexual relations with white women are also penalized. The Act concerning Negroes and Slaves, Proceedings and Acts of the General Assembly, May 10/June 9, 1692.

1767

Kunta Kinte (featured in Alex Haley’s Roots) arrives in Annapolis as part of a cargo of slaves.

1774

Duties are placed on importation of Negroes into Maryland.

\*i 1^H1'I-J

jinnapdis, Sept. ao, x 7^7*" JUST IMPORTED! lit ths Ship Lord Legokier, C*pt, DA VIES, front the Riva- GjiunjL, iu Africa, shJ u bt fcld by tbt Sub/crib/rsi ia Afli« afoli&_t for Ccijkt or pboJ Bitu of Exchange n Wtdncfdaf the ^tb of October *uf,

A CaS-^O Of CHOICE KEALTHV SLAVES-

J\ The faid Sh[p will take TOBACCO to Lonnos. on Liberty* at ■r?/. Sterling per Ton> * \s JOHN RIDOUT, */\ DANIEL or St. THCK JENIFER,

N. B. Any Pcrfcti that vill contract for a Quantity of Lumber* may meet with Encouragement* by applying to D. T. Jumflr,

^YFANTS EMPLOYMENT, a vomit* Man.

Notice of slave auction, 1767

1775

In an attempt to intimidate rebellious colonists, Virginia’s royal governor, Lord Dunmore, promises freedom to the slaves of disloyal masters.

American Revolution begins.

1776

Continental Congress declares independence from Great Britain.

Figure 41: (Opposite page) Captured slaves walking in coffle



Slavery in Maryland & Its Legacy, 1634-2007

1634 200 settlers found St. Mary’s City. Mathias De Sousa (Matt Das Sousa) arrives	1717 Marriage between white women and free Negro or mulatto men is forbidden. Any white man that shall intermarry with any Negro or mulatto woman, such Negro or mulatto shall become a slave during life, excepting mulattoes born of white women, who, for such intermarriage, shall only become servants for seven years. Law relating to Servants and Slaves, Proceedings and Acts of the General Assembly of Maryland, May 28 - June 8, 1717 Bacon’s Laws of Maryland, V.33; Chap. XIII; V. 1731 On November 9, the black astronomer and mathematician Benjamin Banneker is born to free parents in Ellicott City, Maryland.

in Maryland aboard the
Ark. As an indentured servant, De Sousa must face seven years of servitude to pay off his debts and earn his freedom.
1642 Mathias De Sousa (Matt Das Sousa) is the first person of African descent to sit in a legislative assembly in the English Colonies. In 1642 he votes as a freeman in the Maryland Proprietary Assembly. 1663/1664 Maryland legalizes slavery. Free white women who enter into marriage with a black slave are declared slaves for the duration of the life of their spouse. Imported Africans are given the status of slaves for life. Maryland passes a law prohibiting marriage between white women and black men. An Act Concerning Negroes & other Slaues [sic], Proceedings and Acts of the General Assembly, September 1663/1664. 1681 Maryland passes a law that children born to free black women and black children of white women would be free. An Act concerning Negroes & Slaves, Proceedings and Acts of the General Assembly, August/September 1681. 1692 Maryland passes a law requiring white men to serve seven years of indenture for marrying or having children with African American women. African American men who have sexual relations with white women are also penalized. The Act concerning Negroes and Slaves, Proceedings and Acts of the General Assembly, May 10/June 9, 1692.
	1767 Kunta Kinte (featured in Alex Haley’s Roots) arrives in Annapolis as part of a cargo of slaves. 1774 Duties are placed on importation of Negroes into Maryland.	\i* 1^H1'I-J
		jinnapdis, Sept. ao, x 7^7" JUST IMPORTED! lit ths Ship* Lord Legokier, Cpt,* DA VIES, front the Riva- GjiunjL, iu Africa, shJ u bt fcld by tbt Sub/crib/rsi ia Afli« afoli&_t for Ccijkt or pboJ Bitu of Exchange n Wtdncfdaf the ^tb of October uf, A CaS-^O Of CHOICE KEALTHV SLAVES- J\ The faid Sh[p will take TOBACCO to Lonnos. on Liberty at ■r?/. Sterling per Ton> * \s JOHN RIDOUT, /\ DANIEL or St. THCK JENIFER, N. B.* Any Pcrfcti that vill contract for a Quantity of Lumber* may meet with Encouragement* by applying to D. T. Jumflr, ^YFANTS EMPLOYMENT, a vomit* Man. Notice of slave auction, 1767
	1775 In an attempt to intimidate rebellious colonists, Virginia’s royal governor, Lord Dunmore, promises freedom to the slaves of disloyal masters. American Revolution begins. 1776 Continental Congress declares independence from Great Britain.

Figure 41: (Opposite page) Captured slaves walking in coffle

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