B. FREE BLACK CHILDREN IN THE NORTH

1. The abolition of slavery in Pennsylvania, with provision for children, 1780

"An Act for the Gradual Abolition of Slavery," 1780 _ ch. 881, Penna. Statutes at Large, X (Harrisburg, 1904), 68-69.

And whereas the condition of those persons who have heretofore been denominated negro

and mulatto slaves, has been attended with circumstances which not only deprived them of the common blessings that they were by nature entitled to, but has cast them into the deepest afflictions by an unnatural separation and sale of husband and wife from each other, and from their children, an injury the greatness of which can only be conceived by supposing that we were in the same unhappy case. In justice, therefore, to persons so unhappily circumstanced, and who, having no prospect before them whereon they may rest their sorrows and their hopes, have no reasonable inducement to render that service to society which they otherwise might, and also in grateful commemoration of our own happy deliverance from that state of unconditional submission to which we were doomed by the tyranny of Britain . . .

Be it enacted . . . That all persons, as well negroes and mulattoes as others who shall be born within this state, from and after the passing of this act, shall not be deemed and considered as servants for life or slaves; and that all servitude for life or slavery of children in consequence of the slavery of their mothers, in the case of all children born within this state from and after the passing of this act as aforesaid, shall be and hereby is utterly taken away, extinguished and forever abolished . . .

Provided always . . . That every negro and mulatto child born within this state after the

passing of this act as aforesaid who would in case this act had not been made, have been born a servant for years or life or a slave, shall be deemed to be and shall be, by virtue of this act the servant of such person or his or her assigns who would in such case have been entitled to the service of such child until such child shall attain unto the age of twenty-eight years, in the manner and on the conditions whereon servants bound by indenture for four years are or may be retained and holden, and shall be liable to like correction and punishment, and entitled to like relief in case he or she be evilly treated by his or her master or mistress, and to like freedom dues and other

privileges as servants bound by indenture for four years are or may be entitled unless the person to whom the service of any such child shall belong shall abandon his or her claim to the same, in which case the overseers of the poor of the city, township or district, respectively where such child shall be so abandoned, shall [by indenture] bind out every child so abandoned as an apprentice for a time not exceeding the age hereinbefore limited for the service of such children.

2. The Pennsylvania legislature remedies defects in the abolition statute, 1788

"An Act to Explain and Amend an Act Entitled 'An Act for the Gradual Abolition of slavery,' " 1788 _ ch. 1345, Penna. Statutes at Large 1787-1790, VIII (1908), 52-56.

This act was passed to close loopholes that had appeared in the earlier law.

And be it further enacted . . . That no negro or mulatto slave or servant for term of years . . . shall be removed out of this state with the design and intention that the place of abode or residence of such slave or servant shall be thereby altered or changed or with the design and intention that such slave or servant if a female and pregnant shall be detained and kept out of this state till her delivery of the child of which she is or shall he pregnant or with the design and intention that such slave or servant shall be brought again into this state, after the expiration of six months from

the time of such slave or servant having been first brought into this state without his or her consent . . .

And be it further enacted . . . That all persons who now are or hereafter shall be possessed of any child or children born after the first day of March, one thousand seven hundred

and eighty, who would by the said act be liable to serve till the age of twenty-eight years, shall on or before the first day of April one thousand seven hundred and eighty-nine, or within six months next after the birth of any such child, deliver or cause to be delivered in writing to the clerk of the peace of the county, or the clerk of the court of record of the city of Philadelphia in which they shall respectively inhabit the name, surname and occupation or profession of such possessor and of the county, township, district or ward in which they reside and also the age (to the best of his or her knowledge) name and sex of every such child or children, under the pain and penalty of

forfeiting and losing all right and title to every such child and children, and of him, her or them immediately becoming free, which said return or account in writing shall be verified by the oath or affirmation of the party which the said clerks are hereby respectively authorized and required to administer, and the said clerks shall make and preserve records thereof, copies and extracts of which shall be good evidence in all courts of justice when certified under their hands and seals of office.

And whereas the practice of separating which is too often exercised by the masters and

mistresses of negro and mulatto slaves or servants for terms of years, in separating husbands and wives and parents and children, requires to be checked so far as the same may be done without prejudice to such masters or mistresses.

... Be it enacted , . . That if any owner or possessor of any negro or mulatto slave or slaves or servant or servants for term of years shall from and after the first day of June next separate or remove or cause to be separated or removed a husband from his wife, a wife from her husband, a child from his or her parent or a parent from child, of any or either of the descriptions aforesaid, to a greater distance than ten miles with the design and intention of changing the habitation or place of abode of such husband, or wife, parent or child, unless such child shall be above the age of four years or unless the consent of such slave or servant for life or years shall have been obtained and testified in the manner hereinbefore described, such person or persons shall severally forfeit and pay the sum of fifty pounds with costs of suit for every such offense to be recovered by action of debt, bill, plaint or information, in the supreme court or in any court of common pleas, at [the] suit of any person who will sue for the same, one moiety thereof when recovered, for the use of the plaintiff the other moiety for the use of the poor of the city, township or place from which such husband or wife, parent or child shall have been taken and removed.

3. Rhode Island's abolition statute, 1784

"An Act authorizing the Manumission of Negroes, Mulattoes and others, and for the gradual Abolition of Slavery," Laws of Rhode Island (Providence, 1784), p. 7.

February, 1784.

No Person or Persons, whether Negroes, Mulattoes, or others, who shall be born within

the Limits of this State, on or after the First Day of March, A.D. 1784, shall be deemed or considered as Servants for Life, or Slaves; and... all Servitude for Life, or Slavery of Children, to be born as aforesaid, in Consequence of the Condition of their Mothers, be, and the same is hereby taken away, extinguished and for ever abolished.

And whereas Humanity requires, that Children declared free as aforesaid remain with their Mothers a convenient Time from and after their Birth; to enable therefore those who claim the Services of such Mothers to maintain and support such Children in a becoming Manner, It is further Enacted . . . That such Support and Maintenance be at the Expence of the respective Towns where those reside and are settled: Provided however. That the respective Town-Councils may bind out such Children as Apprentices, or otherwise provide for their Support and Maintenance, at any Time after they arrive to the Age of One Year, and before they arrive to their respective Ages of Twenty-one, if Males, and Eighteen, if Females.

And whereas it is the earnest Desire of this Assembly, that such Children be educated in

the Principles of Morality and Religion, and instructed in Reading, Writing and Arithmetic: Be it further Enacted . . . That due and adequate Satisfaction be made as aforesaid for such Education and Instruction. And for ascertaining the Allowance for such Support, Maintenance, Education and Instruction, the respective Town-Councils are hereby required to adjust and settle the Accounts in this Behalf from Time to Time, as the same shall be exhibited to them: Which Settlement so made shall be final; and the respective Towns by Virtue thereof shall become liable to pay the Sums therein specified and allowed.

1. Reports of abolition societies in New York and Philadelphia on the schools for Free Black Children in the North black children maintained in those cities, 1797

Minutes of the Proceedings of the Fourth Convention of Delegates from the Abolition Societies Established in Different Parts of the United States, Assembled at Philadelphia, May 3, 1797 (Philadelphia, 1797), pp.29-34.

After the abolition of slavery in the northern states during the last quarter of the eighteenth century, the abolition societies directed their attention to the education of young Negroes.

New-York Society.

The New York society many years since, instituted a school for the instruction of African

descendants, in various species of knowledge; this institution, which considerable experience has proved to be of the highest importance to the progress of emancipation and the welfare of the subjects of our care, has since the last Convention received a new share of our attention, undergone a renovation, and is now on a more nourishing and respectable footing than at any former period. By an appropriation of the principal part of the funds of the society, to this object, together with the annual dividend of the bounty of the state, and the contributions of individuals, we have, at an expense of more than fourteen hundred pounds, purchased a building and lot suitable for our purpose, and the school is now maintained at the rate of about one thousand dollars a year. This institution, as the Convention will observe from the constitution of the society, is under the immediate inspection of a board of Trustees. It is provided with a master, usher and mistress, by whom the pupils are taught reading, penmanship, arithmetic, English grammar and geography, and the female scholars, in addition, needlework. The number of scholars on the first of January 1797, was one hundred and twenty-two; of whom sixty-three were males, and fifty-nine females, and this is about the usual number; many of them being of sufficient age to be occasionally serviceable to their parents and masters, some irregularity unavoidably happens in their attendance, but this is not so considerable but that more than two-thirds are generally present. The appearance, conduct and progress of this school, in the opinion of the Trustees, would do credit to any institution of the kind, and is exceeded by none in the city.

On the whole they exhibit an example of successful industry, highly honorable to themselves, gratifying to their parents, encouraging to their patrons and consoling to humanity.

Mean while the spirit of improvement has diffused itself among many of their color, who have attained to years of maturity, without the benefits of instruction. An evening school under the patronage of the Board of Trustees, but not at the expense of the society, has been instituted the last winter; this school which is conducted by the master and usher of the society school, for their own emolument, is supported by the pupils, who amount to forty-four, of both sexes, and themselves defray the charges of their education. Hitherto a degree of decorum and industry has prevailed among them much to their honor and advantage; and it will no doubt be gratifying to the Convention to learn that the usher in either school, is himself of African descent, and discharges the duties of his office with a zeal, fidelity and success, worthy of his character as a man, and his

profession as a Christian.

Pennsylvania Society.

Early in the year 1793, the committee of the Abolition Society, for improving the condition of the free blacks, purchased on a ground rent of fifteen pounds per annum, a lot of ground situated on the north side of Cherry street, between Sixth and Seventh streets, on which they soon after placed a frame building and opened a free school for the instruction of children of color of both sexes; in this school are taught, spelling, reading, and needle work. Eleanor Harris, a black woman, being judged well qualified, has been employed as their teacher since the opening of the school. Her salary is one hundred dollars per annum; she is also provided with a dwelling in the house, and with fire wood. The children are furnished with the necessary school-books. The expenses of this school are defrayed out of the particular funds of this committee, raised by donations, legacies and annual subscriptions. The school is regularly visited every month by the

committee of education. The number of scholars who generally attend is thirty.

With a view further to extend the benefits of education to the Africans and their descendants, the above named committee for improving the condition of the free blacks, have lately procured additional contributions, supposed sufficient to enable them to establish two more schools, which it is expected will shortly be opened, one in the northern, and the other in

the southern part of the city.

The committee for improving the condition of the free blacks have also afforded pecuniary assistance to a society of young men, chiefly members of the Abolition Society, who have kept an evening school since the year 1788, for the instruction of black men, in reading, writing and arithmetic, during the fall and winter months. A school room was furnished them by the overseers of the school held in Willings-alley, hereafter to be mentioned; they have generally employed a master, and have themselves served alternately as his assistants. The blacks are provided with books, &c. and taught gratis. The expense is now defrayed by voluntary contributions of the society of young men. About sixty scholars are at present taught in this school. A First-day or Sunday school is kept at this house in the summer season, for the instruction of black men in reading and writing by the same society of young men.

Besides the schools more particularly under the care and direction of the society, there are

several others in this city, established for the improvement of the people of color in various branches of useful learning.

In the year 1771, two schools for the instruction of black children, male and female, were instituted by the society of Friends, on a lot of ground belonging to them in Willings-alley—An house was built, and the school supported by voluntary contributions from the members of that society, until the year 1786, when by a legacy of Anthony Benezet, amounting to a ground rent of ninety pounds per annum, a donation of five hundred pounds sterling from England, and some legacies in this country, all of which were vested in ground rents, the yearly income of the school was near two hundred pounds—the salaries of the master and mistress, expense of fire wood, books and stationary, amount to about two hundred and thirty-two pounds per annum. The balance is made up by the society of Friends. The teachers live in the house, rent free, and are provided with fire-wood—no children of color whether slaves or others are refused admittance to this school. The average number in each school is about forty scholars. These schools are under the care of a committee of twelve persons appointed by the society of Friends, who visit them regularly once a month.

In the year 1795, a number of young women of this city, formed a society for the purpose of teaching black women and girls reading and writing. They have procured a school room, give their personal attendance as teachers alternately, provide fire wood, and for those who are not able to procure them, books and stationary. The expense is defrayed by voluntary contributions—the school is held in the evening during the fall and winter months—the average number of scholars who attend is thirty.

In the winter of 1796, a First-day or Sunday school for the education of the black people in reading and writing was opened by a member of the Abolition Society at the Free Black Children in the North Methodist African meeting house on Sixth street, and held between the hours of public worship. From sixty to ninety persons, chiefly adults of both sexes, usually attended. The original institutor of this school was soon afterwards assisted by several young men, mostly members of the Abolition Society. The generality of the scholars were furnished with books gratis; the fund for defraying the necessary expenses was raised by contributions solicited by the founder, who proposes in lieu of the day school to keep one in the evening on a similar plan, during the winter season.

All the accounts procured of the different schools concur in declaring, that the improvement and behaviour of the people of color is encouraging and satisfactory.

2. An advertisement for a school for black children in Washington, D.Q, 1818

National Intelligencer, Aug. 29, 1818.

Negro parents founded schools for their children in the absence of adequate public schools.

A SCHOOL

Founded by an association of free people of color of the city of Washington, called the

"Resolute Beneficial Society," situate near the Eastern public school, and the dwelling of Mrs. Fenwick, is now open for the reception of children of free people of color, and others that ladies or gentlemen may think proper to send, to be instructed in reading, writing, arithmetic, English grammar, or other branches of education, applicable to their capacities, by a steady, active and experienced teacher, whose attention is wholly devoted to the purposes described. It is presumed, that free colored families will embrace the advantages thus presented to them, either by subscribing to the funds of the society, or by sending their children to the school; the terms in either case being remarkably moderate. An improvement of the intellect and morals of colored youth being the leading object of this institution, the patronage of benevolent ladies and gentlemen, by donation or subscription, is humbly solicited in aid of the fund, _ the demands thereon being heavy, and the means at present much too limited. For the satisfaction of the public, the constitution and articles of association are printed and published. And, to avoid disagreeable occurrences, no writings are to be done by the teacher for a slave, neither directly nor indirectly to serve the purposes of a slave, on any account whatsoever. Further particulars may be known, by applying to any of the undersigned officers.

N.B. An evening school will commence on the premises, on the first Monday in October, and continue throughout the season.

The managers of Sunday schools in the Eastern District, are thus most dutifully and respectfully informed, that on Sabbath days the school-house belonging to this society, if required, for the tuition of colored youth, will be uniformly at their service.