121

FREE BLACKS AND MANUMISSIONS: A comprehensive archive of six booklets and one large ledger sheet...

Currency:USD Category:Everything Else / Other Start Price:NA Estimated At:600.00 - 800.00 USD
FREE BLACKS AND MANUMISSIONS: A comprehensive archive of six booklets and one large ledger sheet...
FREE BLACKS AND MANUMISSIONS: A comprehensive archive of six booklets and one large ledger sheet listing the number of free blacks, slaves, and partial slaves residing in seven townships in Washington County, Pennsylvania during the year 1800. It is a little known fact that Pennsylvania was a "Slave State" at this time. However, in 1780 the state had adopted a policy of gradually emancipating its slaves, dividing black residents into three classifications: slave, partial slave (to be eventually emancipated), and totally free. Each multi-page booklet was compiled by the township's tax assessors, who listed over 2000 taxable individuals, black and white, as well as blacks under the age of 21(who were by the Emancipation Legislation born free). Because of the gradual emancipation policy, the state of Pennsylvania needed to list the number of blacks in each of the three classes, hoping to ensure that those who were legally freed were not wrongfully enslaved. Very good to fine. $600-800