Time line of Slavery in Massachusetts

The Settlement of Massachusetts

 
Date:Event:Notes:Source:
1620The Separatists (aka Pilgrims) establish Plimouth Colony General knowledge
August 1622Wessagussett Colony was settled. Near present day Weymouth.Settled by 50 to 60 colonists, who were unprepared to establish a new colony in NE. They did not bring enough supplies. The colony dissolved in March 1623. Some of these colonists returned to England and others joined the Plymouth Colony.“Thomas Weston and the Early Settlers of Wessagussett.” The Weymouth Historical Society. Online article: https://weymouthhistoricalsociety.org /early_settlers.htm  
1630The Winthrop fleets begin arrivingThe first of John Winthrop’s Great Migration ships arrive and establish the Massachusetts Bay ColonyGeneral knowledge
1636Dedham is settled.To relieve the burgeoning population in Boston, Watertown, & Cambridge, The General Court of Massachusetts allowed for the establishment of several new towns in 1635; Concord & Dedham. Dedham area was large, extending all the way down to Rhode Island. Eventually 15 towns would be set off from DedhamWilliam Francis Galvin. “Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates.” Online interactive exhibit.  https://www.sec.state.ma.us/cis/ cisctlist/ctlistalph.htm

Slavery in Massachusetts

  
Date:Event:Notes:Source:
1636-1638The Pequot War.Native New Englanders captured and enslaved. Some locally and some exported.“February 26, 1638: The First Slaves Arrive in Massachusetts” MassMoments.org online exhibit
26 Feb 1638First Enslaved people arrive on the “Desire”Notation is in the diary of John WinthropGeneral knowledge
1638Samuel Maverick is recorded as buying two slaves. He is said to be one of the first slave holders in MassachusettsSamuel was in Massachusetts before Winthrop settled Boston (abt 1624). He was lived in Winnissimet (near part of the failed Wessagusset settlement), before moving to BostonAnna Marie Hoey, “Maverick Square, which Honors States First Slave Owner, Should be Renamed.” Commonwealth Magazine, April 21, 2021. (Boston: commonwealthmagazine.org) AND “Samuel Maverick Writes a Guide to the Wonders of New England: in 1660” The New England Historical Society. https://www.newenglandhistoricalsociety.com/samuel-maverick-writes-a-guide-to-the-wonders-of-new-england-in-1660/
1641Bodies of Liberties written: Massachusetts becomes the first colony to legalize slaveryWritten by Puritan minister Nathaniel Ward. This law is said to be the first law in the colonies to legalize slaverySee: Mass.gov “Massachusetts Bodies of Liberties: Synopsis of the History of the Massachusetts Bodies of Liberties”
1643The Massachusetts Bay Colony, the Plymouth Colony, Connecticut and New Haven adopt the fugitive slave lawThis law provided for the return of a fugitive slave back to the colony from which the slave had fled.thirteen.org/wnet/slavery /timeline
1644Massachusetts participates in the “Triangle Trade”Boston merchants began to import slaves directly from Africa, selling them in the West Indies, then bringing sugar to Boston to make rum.“Triangular Trade in the New England Colonies” The Boston Tea Party Historical Society. Online article: http://www.boston-tea-party.org/triangular-trade.html
1652LawMassachusetts requires all black and Indian servants to receive military trainingthirteen.org/wnet/slavery /timeline AND https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/slavery-and-law-in-early-ma.htm
1662 (or 1656)Law reversalMassachusetts reverses law regarding military training for black and Indian servantsthirteen.org/wnet/slavery /timeline AND https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/slavery-and-law-in-early-ma.htm
1670Bodies of Liberties amendedIt now notes that all children born to enslaved women were also enslaved.Johnson, Timeline of Slavery
1675Slaves were considered property in Massachusetts Robert Spector. The Quock Walker Cases (1781-83).
1675-1678King Philip’s War.Many Native Americans were captured and enslavedGeneral knowledge
1680Laws enactedThe Commonwealth begins to enact laws restricting the movements of people of colorLorenzo Greene. The Negro in Colonial New England: 162-1776. (New York: Columbia University Press, 1946)
1700An enslaved man, Adam, sued his owner, John Saffin, for his promised freedom. He won in 1703 “Eighteenth Century” The African American Trail Project. Tufts University
1703Manumission Bond orderMassachusetts requires every master who liberates a slave to pay a bond of £50 or more in case the freedman becomes a public charge.Lorenzo Greene. The Negro in Colonial New England: 162-1776. (New York: Columbia University Press, 1946)
1703Curfew establishedA law enacted that barred people of color (enslaved and free alike) from being out past 9pm.https://arlingtonhistorical.org/slavery-in-colonial-new-england…AND Robert Spector. The Quock Walker Cases (1781-83).
1705censusApproximately 500 black residents, both enslaved and free, were living in Boston.“Eighteenth Century” The African American Trail Project. Tufts University
1705LawMassachusetts makes marriage and sexual relations between blacks and whites illegal.Lorenzo Greene. The Negro in Colonial New England: 162-1776. (New York: Columbia University Press, 1946)
1713-1714Peace of Utrecht“Once Britain acquired the Asiento from Spain by the Peace of Utrecht in 1713-14, giving her the right to supply thousands of slaves to the Spanish colonies in the New World, the slave trade became a major commercial enterprise for some of Boston’s best families.”Robert Spector. The Quock Walker Cases (1781-83).
1723LawBoston passed a law forbidding enslaved men and women to be on the streets or on Boston Common, at night or to be found “idling or lurking together.”https://www.massmoments.org/moment-details/first-slaves-arrive-in-massachusetts.html
1728LawProhibited from carrying sticks and canesRobert Spector. The Quock Walker Cases (1781-83).
1754Massachusetts Slave population census. It listed approximately 4,500 enslaved people in Massachusetts over 16 years old.The Commonwealth ordered a census of all enslaved people over the age of 16 to he taken.   Total of enslaved people over 16 living in the original Dedham area: 51W. Dean Eastman and Kevin McGrath, “1754 Massachusetts Slave Census.” primaryresearch.org. Online interactive exhibit.
1764-177417 Freedom Cases heard in Massachusetts courts Lorenzo Greene. The Negro in Colonial New England: 162-1776. (New York: Columbia University Press, 1946)
5 Mar 1770The Boston MassacreEscaped slave, Crispus Attucks, is killed by British forces in Boston, Massachusetts. He is one of the first colonists to die in the war for independence. Crispus was part African and part Wampanoag and it is believed he was from FraminghamSee: National Park Service. “Crispus Attucks” https://www.nps.gov/people/crispus-attucks.htm  
1 Sept 1773“Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral” Phillis Wheatley’s first book is publishedPhillis Wheatley becomes the first published African-American poet when a London publishing company releases a collection of her verse  Carretta, Vincent. “Phillis Wheatley: Biography of a Genius in Bondage.” (Athens, GA: The University of Georgia Press, 2014).
April 1775Battle of Lexington and ConcordThe first battles of the Revolutionary war are waged between the British and Colonial armies at Lexington and Concord, Massachusetts. Black Minutemen participate in the fighting.  General knowledge  
July 1775George Washington announces a ban on the enlistment of free blacks and slaves in the colonial army. By the end of the year, he reverses the ban, ordering the Continental Army to accept the service of free blacks.  It is estimated that approximately 5,000 African Americans participated (American side) in the Revolutionary  War. And approximately 100,000 fled and served on the English sidethirteen.org/wnet/slavery /timeline AND “African Americans and the End of Slavery in Massachusetts,” online exhibit, Massachusetts Historical Society. “Revolutionary Participation.”
1780Massachusetts State Constitution is written and voted in. It states all men are born free and equal.   General knowledge
1781Brom and Bett v AshleyMum Bett & Brom sue for their freedom based on Mass Constitution, arguing they were being held in slavery unlawfully. And they won.“The Revolution and the End of Slavery in Massachusetts.” Online exhibit The Royall House & Slave Quarters, Medford, MA
1783Commonwealth v Jennison   (aka “The Quock Walker Case”)Judge Cushing rules the Mass Constitution does not allow slavery in Mass. This makes Massachusetts the first state to judiciously  “abolish” slavery.Robert Spector. The Quock Walker Cases (1781-83).
1783Gradual Emancipation begins in MassachusettsAlthough slavery was judiciously abolished, it did not immediately end slavery in Mass. It is believed it took over 10 years to occur 
1787African Mason Lodge, in Boston, MA is foundedPrince Hall founds the first black fraternal organization, the African Mason Lodge, in Boston, Massachusetts. It provides services to the black community and lobbies against slavery and discrimination  Lorenzo Greene. The Negro in Colonial New England: 162-1776. (New York: Columbia University Press, 1946)
1790The first US Federal Census is taken. No slaves recorded in Massachusetts (and Maine)Total of “All other People” living in the original Dedham area: 1181790 United States Federal Census