NYSA_A1894-78_V056_096

Petition of Saran Robins, a "free born Indian woman", to Governor Robert Hunter, ca. 1711. Robins asked for the governor's protection and legal assistance, as she had been threatened with slavery if she did not convert to Christianity.

New York State Archives, NYSA_A0212-78_V12_L1730_Ch560

An Act for the more Effectual Preventing and Punishing the Conspiracy and Insurrection of Negro and other Slaves; for the better regulating them and for repealing the Acts herein Mentioned Relating thereto, 1730.

Other, NYSHA_SC_BB_BogardusWill

Will of Rachel Bogardus, October 2, 1781.

Other, Schodack_Manumission_Mink

Manumission of Mink, April 28, 1795. White New Yorkers were divided over slavery even after the close of the American Revolution. They remained divided over the issue of equal rights for blacks far longer. While gradual emancipation proceeded according to state laws passed in 1799 and 1817, other laws and the 1821 state constitution barred large numbers of free blacks from voting. New York's black abolitionists had many allies in the fight to end slavery nationwide, but found fewer supporters in their quest for equal voting rights in their own state. Following the Civil War, many white New Yorkers resisted the national movement for a constitutional amendment guaranteeing equal voting rights for all men. As late as 1869, a majority of the state's voters cast ballots in favor of retaining property qualifications that kept New York's polls closed to many blacks. African American men did not obtain equal voting rights in New York until ratification of the Fifteenth Amendment in 1870.

New York State Archives, NYSA_13036-78_L1799_Ch062

New York laws of 1799, an act for the gradual abolition of slavery, specifying that children born to a slave mother after July 4, 1799 were declared legally free--but not until male children had turned 28, and females 25. Slaves born before that date remained in servitude, although they were redefined as indentured servants.

New York State Archives, NYSA_B1718-00_01

Overseer of the Poor Record for Support of Children of Slaves, Town of Orange, Rockland County, April 13, 1803.

Other, NYSHA_SC_Carpenter_Reward

Broadside for Killis, January 5, 1807.

Other, NYSHA_SC_Carpenter_B102_F19

Letter from Killis to Mr. James Carpenter, Goshen, June 17 1816.

New York State Archives, NYSA_13036-78_L1817_Ch137_p2

An act relative to slaves and servants, 1817, containing a provision freeing every child born of a slave in the state who was born after July 4, 1799. This was, however, a gradual process. All such children were still bound to the master of their mother until age 28 (for males) or age 25 (for females). Every child born of a slave after this act was passed was also legally owned by the mother's master until age 21. According to the terms of the law, all slaves were to be free by 1827.

New York State Archives, NYSA_A3045-78_A3625

A newspaper advertisement for a runaway slave, printed in the Ulster Plebian, Kingston, New York, September 17, 1823.

Schenectady County Historical Society. SCHC

Receipt for the Sale of an Enslaved Women from Isaac Marselis to Charles Toal, both of Schenectady in October of 1769.

Schenectady County Community College. SCHS