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Laws
[edit]The first recorded law in Connecticut in regard to slavery is from December 1, 1642. It is listed as the tenth law of the Capital Laws of Connecticut and states, "If any man stealeth a man or mankind, he shall be put to death."[1] This law was understood in those times to only pertain to those of the white race.
Connecticut's black code began in October, 1690. This code included laws targeting those labeled as a "negro, mulatto, or Indian servant."[1]
Court Cases
[edit]1700s
[edit]One of the earliest Connecticut court dates involving an enslaved man named Abda, dates back to the early 1700s. The case centers around an enslaved man named Abda, who was a multiracial person. The court detailed how Abda escaped from his master, Captain Thomas Richards of Hartford, Connecticut. Abda was tried in court. Abda countered any claims of wrongdoing by claiming twenty dollars worth of damages from Richards. The County Court determined on February 25 that Abda would be granted twelve dollars. The verdict was said that Abda was able to gain freedom on behalf of the part of his white heritage.[1]
An enslaved woman named Hagar of New London asked the Governor and Council for freedom for her and her children from their former master, James Rogers. The courts warranted this, thereby allowing her to also refuse herself as a slave to to Rogers' grandson, James Rogers Jr. [1]
Schooner Speedwell
[edit]A schooner named Speedwell arrived in New London, Connecticut on July 17, 1761 carrying 74 Africans who had been taken captive in West Africa. The schooner initially left West Africa carrying 95 Africans. 21 of those taken captive did not survive the journey. The Speedwell is the only known ship to have arrived in New London from West Africa carrying enslaved individuals. One of the Speedwell's owners include Normand Morison from Bolton, Connecticut. [2]
Some of the captives that arrived on the Speedwell were sold into slavery right in New London. [3] The rest of the African captives were sold into slavery in Middletown, Connecticut. Some were also sold onto a farm in Bolton, Connecticut, owned by Normand Morison.[2]
The Speedwell's Journey
[edit]The Speedwell arrived in New London, Connecticut on July 17, 1961 from West Africa. The Speedwell harbored in New London for a few days while some of its captured passengers were sold into slavery. The Speedwell then sailed to Middletown, Connecticut via the Connecticut River, where the remaining captured Africans aboard the ship were sold into slavery.[2]
New London's Role in Slave Trade
[edit]New London, Connecticut and its waters played a large role in slave trade. Up to 40 ships harbored in New London's waters have been recorded to have played a part in the trading of enslaved people. The schooner Speedwell is the only ship known to have arrived in New London from West Africa, carrying enslaved individuals.[3]
Samuel Gould ran a slave trading business in New London. His records include evidence of three ships that traveled to West Africa from New London with the intent of capturing individuals to enslave them.[3]
The Saltonsall family of New London, ancestors of New London's founder John Winthrop, are documented to have owned enslaved individuals. Dudley Saltonsall alone was responsible for the capture of more than 63,000 enslaved people brought from Africa.[3]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d Steiner, Bernard C. “History of Slavery in Connecticut.” Johns Hopkins University Studies in Historical and Political Science, edited by Herbert B. Adams, IX–X, The John Hopkins Press, Baltimore, MD, 1893, pp. 7–84. 11.
- ^ a b c Courant, Deidre Montague | Hartford (2022-07-15). "New London to mark designation as slave ship landing site". Hartford Courant. Retrieved 2024-11-12.
- ^ a b c d "New London: A Fault Line in the Story of Freedom and Slavery in the Atlantic World - Segregation and Community on New London's Hempstead Street". 2023-09-20. Retrieved 2024-11-12.