Transcriber’s Note
Footnotes were numbered consecutively (with the exception of note 37a,likely an interpolation during printing), beginning anew with eachchapter. They have been renumbered here in a single sequence tofacilitate searches.
In this version, for smoother reading and more convenient reference,notes have been moved to the end of the text.
The cover image was created by the transcriber and is placed in the publicdomain.
Please consult the Transcriber’s note at the end of this text for anyother textual issues, and their resolution.
SLAVERY IN PENNSYLVANIA
A DISSERTATION
SUBMITTED TO THE BOARD OF UNIVERSITY STUDIES OF THE JOHNS HOPKINS
UNIVERSITY IN CONFORMITY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE
DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY, 1910
BY
EDWARD RAYMOND TURNER
Professor of History in the University of Michigan
THE LORD BALTIMORE PRESS
BALTIMORE, MD., U. S. A.
1911
CHAPTER I.
The Introduction of Negroes into Pennsylvania.
There were negroes in the region around the Delaware river beforePennsylvania was founded, in the days of the Dutch and the Swedes.As early as 1639 mention is made of a convict sentenced to be takento South River to serve among the blacks there.[1] In 1644 Anthony,a negro, is spoken of in the service of Governor Printz at Tinicum,making hay for the cattle, and accompanying the governor on hispleasure yacht.[2] In 1657 Vice-director Alricks was accused of usingthe Company’s oxen and negroes. Five years later Vice-director Beekmandesired Governor Stuyvesant to send him a company of blacks. In 1664negroes were wanted to work on the lowlands along the Delaware. Acontract was to be made for fifty, which the West India Company wouldfurnish.[3] In the same year, when the English captured New Amstel,afterward New Castle, the place was plundered, and a number of negroeswere confiscated and sold. From Peter Alricks several were taken; ofthese eleven were restored to him.[4] At least a few were living on theshores of the Delaware River in 1677.[5] A year later an emissary wassent by the justices of New Castle to request most urgently permissionto import negroes from Maryland.[6]
Thus negroes had been brought into the country before Pennsylvaniawas founded. Immediately after Penn’s coming there is record of themin his first counties. They were certainly present in PhiladelphiaCounty in 1684, and in Chester in 1687.[7] Penn himself noticed themin his charter to the Free Society of Traders. In 1702 they werespoken of as numerous.[8] By that time merchants of Philadelphia madethe importation of negroes a regular part of their business.[9]Thenceforth they are a noticeable factor in the life