An Act Relative to Slaves and Servants, 1817

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Date

March 31 1817

Description

Laws of 1817, Chapter 137. Chapter 137 of the New York laws of 1817 contained a provision freeing every child born of an enslaved woman in the state who was born after July 4, 1799. This was, however, a gradual process. All such children were still bound to the enslaver of their mother until age 28 (for males) or age 25 (for females). Every child born of an enslaved mother after this act was passed was also legal property of the mother's enslaver until age 21. According to the terms of the law, all enslaved individuals were to be free by 1827.

Type

Written Document

Region

New York State

Era

Revolution and New Nation

Topic

African Americans, Slavery

Repository

New York State Archives

Identifier

NYSA_13036-78_L1817_Ch137_p2

Source

New York State Archives. New York (State). Dept. of State. Bureau of Miscellaneous Records. Enrolled acts of the State Legislature. Series 13036-78. Laws of 1817, Chapter 137, Section 4.

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