>some
>were even set free by pious masters for accepting Christianity.  For a 
>brief
>time belief in Christ overpowered slavery,

Thanks for all the responses. I have slave codes, sermons and some legal 
cases on the broad issue - and records of manusmission but I wonder if any 
slaveholder expressly articulated this in individual cases of emancipation 
in the 17thc.  The Elizabeth Key case is the most relevant - but she pleaded 
freedom on multiple grounds and  the records on her case as to exactly why 
she was granted her freedom were destroyed in the mid-19thc.

Emily

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