I think it is useful to make a distinction about those first Africans imported into Virginia. The Dutch traders who acquired them in the Carribean surely regarded them as slaves when they unloaded them in Jamestown. It does appear that those African workers were not then bound legally as slaves by the Virginians, however, but under terms like those of white English indentured servants. I suspect the Virginia Company was not prepared in 1619 to codify a status of chattel slavery, but were ready to use their existing system of indentures.
For a good discussion for the shift to slavery, I would suggest, Anthony S. Parent's Foul Means as a place to start. The standard source for the status of the earliest Africans in Virginia is T.H. Breen and Stpehen Innes, Myne Own Ground, but there is also an excellent study by Douglas Deal -- (though I regret my memory cannot recall the title! -- mea culpa).
David Kiracofe
David Kiracofe
History
Tidewater Community College
Chesapeake Campus
1428 Cedar Road
Chesapeake, Virginia 23322
757-822-5136
>>> Anne Pemberton <[log in to unmask]> 09/26/08 4:01 PM >>>
Folks,
As mentioned yesterday, I have started a new page on my web site for The
Slavery Era. It will contain links to all resources about Slavery, including
the migration back to Africa via Liberia, and other recently mentioned
topics.
I would like to include an overview on the page, and remember reading
somewhere that the first Africans imported were done so as indentured
servants, who served their time, and were then freed. Did the amount time of
the indenture vary? Or was it a set amount for all? If so, how many years
were required?
Also, I understand that the laws of the House of Burgesses instituted
slavery over time. That, first of all slaves were legally made slaves for
life, and that at some later point, it was decided the the offspring of
slaves would also be slaves for life. Can anyone give me some dates for
these laws, and, if possible, some more precise wording.
Thanking you all very much.
Anne
Anne Pemberton
[log in to unmask]
http://www.erols.com/apembert
http://www.educationalsynthesis.org
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