EnslavedMD

A Guide to the History of Slavery in Maryland

1780

Daniel Coker, black Methodist minister, is born in Frederick County.

Pennsylvania enacts a gradual emancipation law.

1783

Maryland prohibits the importation of slaves. Massachusetts outlaws slavery.

May 15, Maryland Gazette publishes ‘ Vox Africanorum editorial on the inequality of the new nation promoting liberty and justice for all while keeping thousands enslaved.

1784

Connecticut and Rhode Island enact gradual emancipation laws.

1786

Maryland courts begin hearing petitions from enslaved blacks who claim their freedom based on descent from white women. These freedom suits are facilitated by a court ruling that oral testimony can be accepted as evidence in such cases.

1789

Anti-slavery advocates, including Charles Carroll of Carrollton, found the Maryland Society for the Relief of Poor Negroes and Others Unlawfully Held in Bondage. In 1789 and 1790, the organization unsuccessfully petitions the Maryland General Assembly to enact a gradual emancipation law. The organization also provides legal assistance to slaves petitioning for their freedom.

1791

Benjamin Banneker publishes the first edition of Banneker’s Almanac and aids in the survey of Washington, D.C..

Slaves and free blacks launch the Haitian Revolution. During the following decade, many displaced Haitian planters and their slaves settled in Maryland along with free people of color.

Banneker’s Almanac

1792

Thomas Brown campaigns for the Maryland House of Delegates by placing an ad in the Philadelphia-based John Dunlap and David Claypoole’s American Daily Advertiser.

1793

Congress passes the first fugitive slave law, which allows for the prosecution of runaways and their return to their masters.

1796

Maryland courts declare that black testimony is inadmissible in freedom suits.

The Maryland General Assembly liberalizes the state s manumission laws. Slaveholders can now manumit their slaves during their final illness and by will.

1798

Joshua Johnston, believed born 1765 in the West Indies, places an advertisement in the Baltimore Intelligencer. He is the first African American artist to receive widespread recognition.

1799

New York enacts a gradual emancipation law.

1802

Maryland’s General Assembly declares that free blacks cannot vote.

Josiah Henson, believed to be the inspiration for “Uncle Tom” in Harriet Beecher Stowe’s novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin, is born in Charles County, Maryland.

Josiah Henson



A Guide to the History of Slavery in Maryland

1780 Daniel Coker, black Methodist minister, is born in Frederick County. Pennsylvania enacts a gradual emancipation law. 1783 Maryland prohibits the importation of slaves. Massachusetts outlaws slavery. May 15, Maryland Gazette publishes ‘ Vox Africanorum editorial on the inequality of the new nation promoting liberty and justice for all while keeping thousands enslaved. 1784 Connecticut and Rhode Island enact gradual emancipation laws. 1786 Maryland courts begin hearing petitions from enslaved blacks who claim their freedom based on descent from white women. These freedom suits are facilitated by a court ruling that oral testimony can be accepted as evidence in such cases. 1789 Anti-slavery advocates, including Charles Carroll of Carrollton, found the Maryland Society for the Relief of Poor Negroes and Others Unlawfully Held in Bondage. In 1789 and 1790, the organization unsuccessfully petitions the Maryland General Assembly to enact a gradual emancipation law. The organization also provides legal assistance to slaves petitioning for their freedom.	1791 Benjamin Banneker publishes the first edition of Banneker’s Almanac and aids in the survey of Washington, D.C.. Slaves and free blacks launch the Haitian Revolution. During the following decade, many displaced Haitian planters and their slaves settled in Maryland along with free people of color.
		Banneker’s Almanac
	1792 Thomas Brown campaigns for the Maryland House of Delegates by placing an ad in the Philadelphia-based John Dunlap and David Claypoole’s American Daily Advertiser. 1793 Congress passes the first fugitive slave law, which allows for the prosecution of runaways and their return to their masters. 1796 Maryland courts declare that black testimony is inadmissible in freedom suits. The Maryland General Assembly liberalizes the state s manumission laws. Slaveholders can now manumit their slaves during their final illness and by will. 1798 Joshua Johnston, believed born 1765 in the West Indies, places an advertisement in the Baltimore Intelligencer. He is the first African American artist to receive widespread recognition. 1799 New York enacts a gradual emancipation law. 1802 Maryland’s General Assembly declares that free blacks cannot vote.
Josiah Henson, believed to be the inspiration for “Uncle Tom” in Harriet Beecher Stowe’s novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin, is born in Charles County, Maryland.

Josiah Henson

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