Free Blacks of the North Terence Chiu and Nick Robertson

Introduction n n In the 19th century, life changed for blacks in the Hudson Valley. They were free, but they still faced many tremendous obstacles in obtaining equality. The blacks were still faced with racism, discrimination and segregation.

Facts of Free Northern Blacks n n Free blacks in the North were able to travel and assemble much more freely than those in the South. n n It was easier for them to organize and sustain churches and schools in the North. n n Although African Americans in the North had more freedom, they still weren’t treated as citizens.

Life in the North n Wealthy black families contributed money to the anti- slavery movements. n Free blacks were afraid of the slave traders operating on the coast of Maryland. n There was a sizeable free black population residing on the eastern shore of Maryland. n There were many black Baptist congregations in the North by 1787.

Frederick Douglass n Douglass was born into slavery in Maryland but in 1838 escaped to freedom in New York. At age 23 he went to work for abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison, travelling and speaking on behalf of Garrison's paper The Liberator. Eloquent, smart and determined, Douglass gained fame as a speaker, began his own anti-slavery publications and became a 'conductor' on the Underground Railroad. In later years he became a personal friend of Abraham Lincoln and helped persuade Lincoln to issue the Emancipation Proclamation. He is considered by many to be the founder of the American civil rights movement.

Anthony Johnson n Anthony Johnson was an African Slave who had owned land in Virginia. He was named “Antonio the Negro” in the 1625 Virginia census. He was brought to the colonies in Johnson became free and married a African American slave. He owned land, cattle, and even had slaves of his own.

Injustice in the North n Many free blacks suffered injustice in the North. Reverend Samuel Green was one example. He lived in Maryland as a blacksmith. He was charged with freeing his son and other slaves to Canada. Green was found guilty just because he owned a copy of Uncle Tom’s Cabin, a map of Canada, and north bound railroad routes and schedules. He was sentenced for twenty years, but was released after five years, and was pardoned only if he left the state within sixty days.

Dates + Events n 1623: Governors of the Netherlands sent what becomes known as the Dutch West India Co. to colonize Manhattan. n 1644: Enslaved Africans formerly held by the Dutch West India Co. are given conditional freedom. n : Peter Stuyvesant surrenders New Amsterdam to the British. It is now New York. n 1780: Pennsylvania declares that all black children born slaves will be freed at age 28.

Dates + Events cont. n 1780: Elizabeth Freeman wins her suit for emancipation under the new state constitution. n 1783: The Quock Walker decision ends legalized slavery in Massachusetts. n 1783: Black Loyalists gather in New York City for the British evacuation. n 1784: Rhode Island and Connecticut pass gradual emancipation legislation. n 1785: New York State outlaws slavery.