The President's House - Philadelphia
Extensive information and evidence of the history, historical research of excavation of the site of the President's House at 190 High Street in Philadelphia and the subsequent creation of the National Park Site
To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 24 April 1791
In this letter, George Washington tells his personal secretary Tobias Leart o move his enslaved people in and out of Philadelphia in order to prevent their becoming free as a result of PA law
if a Slave is brought into the State and continues therein for the space of six months, he may claim his freedom, let the cause of his being brought be what it may; and that this extends, in its full force, to those slaves who may be brought here by the Officers of the General Government or by members of Congress.
if, before the expiration of six months, they could, upon any pretence whatever, be carried or sent out of the State, but for a single day, a new era would commence on their return, from whence the six months must be dated for it requires an <span style="font-style: italic">entire</span> six months for them to claim that right
If Hercules should decline the offer which will be made him of going home, it will be a pretty strong proof of his intention to take the advantage of the law at the expiration of six months.
Avalon Project - Articles of Capitulation; October 18, 1781
This is the text of the surrender terms agreed to by Washington and Cornwallis at Yorktown. Give this one phrase to students and let them stew in a while, trying to figure out what it means and what exactly the "property" is. Don't give them any context other than that this is the terms of the surrender. How long will it take them to figure out that Washington wants to make sure the British return the slaves of Virginia? "It is understood that any property obviously belonging to the inhabitants of these States, in the possession of the garrison, shall be subject to be reclaimed."
British Evacuation of New York - 1783
Fascinating subtext to the American Revolution, the country that celebrates its War for Independence as a fight for liberty, ended that war bickering over the enforcement of the treaty provisions which required that slaves be returned to their owners. This article describes how the British Commander Sir Guy Carleton refused George Washington's request and took about 3,000 slaves out of New York City when the British evacuated in 1783. The Carleton did, however, promise to keep a list of all of the slaves that were taken so, in the event that owners needed to be compensated they could be. Look for "Book of Negroes" at the National Archives and you'll see that list
George Washington's Maryland Gazette Runaway Slave Advertisement, August 20, 1761 ·
Peros, Jack and Neptune sound like names from an animated Disney movie. Yet they were three slaves who escaped enslavement from George Washington. This is the runaway advertisement published by Washington and his offer of 60 shillings for the capture and return of his slaves
Agreement of Joseph Warren with Joshua Green regarding payment for a slave, 28 June 1770
Despite John Trumball's iconic painting of Warren's death on Bunker HIll, Joseph Warren is one of the greatest "unsung" leaders of the patriot cause. Teachers can craft a lesson that follows that path of thought - how Warren should be as well known as the other "founding fathers" than throw in this document - how should slavery fit into the Revolutionary War's narrative canon?
George Washington first became a slave owner at the early age of eleven.
When Washington’s father Augustine died in 1743, George Washington became a slave owner at the early age of eleven. In his will, Augustine left his son the 280 acre family farm near Fredericksburg, Virginia. In addition, Washington was willed ten slaves
A Conversation on Slavery, 26 January 1770 - Ben Franklin
In this fictional conversation between an American and an Englishman, Ben Franklin has his "American" explain to the Englishman that slavery in England is worse than slavery in America. He is referring to English soldiers - who are forced into the army and must kill. Franklin claims that an American slave is not forced to commit murder
Letter from Abigail Adams to John Adams, 22 September 1774
Abigail Adams tells her husband of colonists training for war seven months before Lexington and Concord. She also tells him of a "conspiracy of Negros" while asking why it is colonists can fight for their own freedom while enslaving others.
Next tuesday they are warned at Braintree all above 15 and under 60 to attend with their arms, and to train once a fortnight from that time, is a Scheme which lays much at heart with many.
It <span title="always">allways</span> <span title="appeared">appeard</span> a most iniquitious Scheme to me-fight ourselfs for what we are daily robbing and plundering from those who have as good a right to freedom as we have. You know my mind upon this Subject.
Advertisement for a Runaway Slave, 7 September 1769
Runaway slave advertisement written by Thomas Jefferson could be used in a DBQ or for a lesson introduction. How do students react to this advertisement? What can be inferred from Jefferson's description of the horse, the stolen shoemaker's tools and Sandy himself.
Appeals for abolition, 1773-1783, excerpts
Primary source collection, already edited and organized for us in class, but teachers should know that greater lesson would require more research. These should not be presented to students without the replies of others justifying slavery. Or perhaps after reading these and completing the assignment, present the opposite view and ask students if they have been tricked by their teachers
An address to the inhabitants of the British settlements in America, upon slave-keeping :Benjamin Rush 1773
Harry Washington Discovery Cart - Museum of the American Revolution
Harry Washington (or the man given that name by his captors) was kidnapped in Africa in 1763, taken to North America, purchased as an enslaved person by George Washington. He escaped under Dunmore's Proclamation, served in the Ethiopian Regiment, went to Nova Scotia after the war and made his way back to Africa
From George Washington to Joseph Thompson, 2 July 1766
This can show students what George Washington thought one black human was worth - One hogshead of molasses, etc.
From James Madison to William Bradford, 19 June 1775
James Madison writes to his friend about Dunmore's Proclamation, explaining how slavery is the Achilles heel of the patriot cause.
Our friend Mr Wallace I hear is well & has entered into the Connubial state with one Miss McDowell, daughter of one of the representatives of Bottatourt County.<a class="ptr" id="JSMN-01-01-02-0047-fn-0006-ptr" href="#JSMN-01-01-02-0047-fn-0006" title="jump to note 6">6</a>
It is imagined our Governor has been tampering with the Slaves & that he has it in contemplation to make great Use of them in case of a civil war in this province. To say the truth, that is the only part in which this Colony is vulnerable; & if we should be subdued, we shall fall like Achilles by the hand of one that knows that secret.<a class="ptr" id="JSMN-01-01-02-0047-fn-0009-ptr" href="#JSMN-01-01-02-0047-fn-0009" title="jump to note 9">9</a>
It is imagined our Governor has been tampering with the Slaves & that he has it in contemplation to make great Use of them in case of a civil war in this province. To say the truth, that is the only part in which this Colony is vulnerable; & if we should be subdued, we shall fall like Achilles by the hand of one that knows that secret.
A Virginian Responds to Dunmore's Proclamation
The time it takes teachers and students to unravel this article will be worth it. It is not beyond their reach, but with a little time and attention they will see how twisted the arguments are concerning slavery in Revolutionary America. This writer blames slavery on Great Britain (As does the Declaration of Independence) and further claims that Africans will be better off owned by Americans than by British. This one primary source deserves half a class period - or be at the center of a lesson
Can it then be supposed that the Negroes will be better used by the English, who have always encouraged and upheld this slavery, than by their present masters, who pity their condition, who wish, in general, to make is as easy and comfortable as possible, and who would willingly, were it in their power, or were they permitted, not only prevent any more Negroes from losing their freedom, but restore it to such as have already unhappily lost it.
Abigail Adams to John Adams, 25 October 1775
Here Abigail says clearly that slavery is a sin. She goes further to say that the people in the colonies are suffering because of the evil they have done
We have done Evil or our Enimies would be at peace with us. The Sin of Slavery as well as many others is not washed away.
Massachusetts Constitution and the Abolition of Slavery | Mass.gov
The institution of slavery ended in many different ways in different states. The state of Massachusetts formal recounting of the end of slavery in the state
When Did Slavery End in New York? - Historical Society of the New York Courts
Teachers minimizing slavery in the North should take a quick look at this to see how late enslaved people were still found in New York State - 1827! In this article also - New York State admits that Alexander Hamilton owned people
Alexander Hamilton, John Jay and other prominent New Yorkers owned slaves at one time, but the more reform-minded of these formed organizations to end slavery in New York, such as the New York Manumission Society.
Fighting For Freedom: African Americans Choose Sides During the American Revolution | American Battlefield Trust
Essay explore the wide range of participation of African Americans in the American Revolution. Students would most likely find this article easy to misunderstand, teachers should know of this wide range of participation before talking about it in class
African Americans who had been fighting in Massachusetts were grandfathered into the army after new rules went into effect on July 10, 1775, which barred both free and enslaved black Americans from enlistment.
Records show that only about 5,000 black soldiers fought for American independence with the army over the eight years of war. But we also must remember that the Continental Army was never larger than 15,000 strong at any given time, and that the army became divided into four separate entities by 1780: northern, main, southern, and western. Having a detachment of three hundred men with less than fifty of whom were black is not insignificant, nor should we assume it was that way for purely racial reasons.
, but a sizable amount, particularly those who were enslaved, were signed up by their masters to serve in their place.
Despite the ban of enlisting slaves into the army, those serving in place of their masters were taken. When policies loosened, and individual states began recruiting whoever they could get to satisfy muster rolls for the army, more enslaved people filled the ranks of the army.
What Lies Beneath: Recent Archaeological Investigations at Marlpit Hall and the Allen House - YouTube
Hour long presentation for teachers to introduce them to slavery in New Jersey. The recent findings at Marlpit Hall and the development of an interpretation program for visitors to the Hall.
MCHA Education Unbroken chains of Marlpit Hall
Slavery in NJ - excellent lesson