SlavesinColonialAmerica

= __SLAVERY IN COLONIAL AMERICA__ = = //Freedom For __Some__ //  =

__Slaves During The Revolutionary War:__ Throughout the revolutionary war, over 12,000 slaves ran away from their owners and enlisted in either the British Army or the Patriot Army. Some believed that fighting for the Loyalist cause would guarantee them their freedom, once the British had won the war. Many British supporters, such as Lord Dunmore (governor of Virginia,) urged slaves to join the Loyalist cause by organizing brigades of runaway slaves, who then fought in the war. There were roughly 5,000 runaway slaves fighting for the Patriot cause. Had General George Washington not issued a command halfway through the war declaring that the Patriot Army would no longer accept runaway slaves, more slaves probably would have found themselves compelled to the Patriot or "Rebel" cause. When the war ended, all the slaves who had runaway from their masters, both American and British, had to return back to their "homes." - Tommy A.

Slaves worked many jobs in the time period of the colonial times; they worked as household workers, sailors, preachers, accountants, musical teachers, medical assistants, blacksmiths, bricklayers, carpenters and much more. They were capable of doing just about any job. In the North slaves mostly worked on farms whereas in the South they worked more in the fields. The first slaves were brought to the United States in 1619; not very long after our country was discovered. In Colonial America there were a small number of freed slaves, about 95% were enslaved. Most slaves gained their freedom by purchasing themselves or purchasing family members, others may have been born to non-slave mothers. In the Declaration of Independence all slaves were not included when it states “all men are created equal”. Men in the United Colonies believe that it wasn’t referring to the slaves, only men that were smart enough to own slaves. It didn’t make much sense but it stated their opinion. – Janel L.

good source:http://americanrevwar.homestead.com/files/BLACKS.HTM