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Women and African American History: 1700-1799

New York passed a law prohibiting public gatherings by three or more enslaved Africans, prohibiting testimony in court by enslaved Africans against white colonists, and prohibiting trade with enslaved Africans.

Virginia Slave Codes of 1705 were enacted by the House of Burgesses in the Colony of Virginia. These laws more clearly delineated differences in rights for indentured servants (from Europe) and slaves of color.

The latter included enslaved Africans and Native Americans sold to colonists by other Native Americans. The codes specifically legalized the trade in enslaved people and established rights of ownership as property rights. The codes also prohibited the Africans, even if free, from striking white people or owning any weapons. Many historians agree that this was a response to events, including Bacons Rebellion, where white and black servants had united.

A Pennsylvania law outlawing slavery was overturned by Britains Queen Anne.

New York City opened a public slave market on Wall Street.

New York responded to a slave revolt that year by passing legislation targeting black and Native Americans. The legislation authorized punishment by slave owners and authorized the death penalty for enslaved Africans convicted of murder, rape, arson or assault. Freeing those enslaved was made more difficult by requiring a significant payment to the government and an annuity to the one freed.

The colony of South Carolina limited the right of voting to free white Christian men.

Pennsylvania passed An Act for the Better Regulating of Negroes in this Province, providing more property rights to owners, limiting contact and freedom of Free Negroes and Mulattoes, and requiring a payment to the government if a slave were freed.

South Carolina laws required freed slaves to leave the colony within three months or return to enslavement.

Fugitive slaves establish a permanent settlement at Gracia Real de Santa Teresa de Mose, Florida.

A few white citizens

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