Slavery Topics – Access Genealogy

History of Windham New Hampshire

Residence of William H Anderson of Windham, New Hampshire

Leonard A. Morrison’s *The History of Windham, New Hampshire*, published in 1883, chronicles the town’s evolution from early settlements in the 18th century to the late 19th century. It highlights Windham’s roots in the Scotch-Irish Londonderry community and examines various aspects of local life, including land grants, education, and political developments. The work also documents significant historical events and includes extensive genealogies of the area’s early settlers and their descendants, drawing from comprehensive local records and archives.

History of Bedford, New Hampshire

This volume, titled History of Bedford, New Hampshire, from 1737, was compiled by Peter P. Woodbury, Thomas Savage, and William Patten. It was published in Concord, N.H., by The Rumford Printing Co. in 1903. The primary objective of this edition was to incorporate all facts from the predecessor’s work, along with additional details and events that occurred since its publication, documenting the town’s history up to the occasion of the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of its incorporation on May 15, 1900. A significant portion of the work is dedicated to Genealogies of 157 families, furnished largely by family representatives and compiled by Miss Mary E. Manning. The book also includes Biographies of notable figures associated with Bedford and a chapter on Vital Statistics (births, deaths, and marriages) compiled from town records, with recognized limitations due to the incompleteness of earlier record-keeping.

History of the town of Durham, New Hampshire

History of the town of Durham New Hampshire by Everett Stackpole is the primary source for genealogists with families who settled Oyster River New Hampshire, which later became Durham. Published in two volumes, the first contains a narrative history of Durham, while the second contains genealogies of most of the early families who settled in the town.

Sir William Berkeley and Native American Slavery

Flagmen of Lowestoft - Vice-Admiral Sir William Berkeley, 1639-66

Sir William Berkeley served as the governor of Virginia and was pivotal in the establishment of race-based slavery beginning in 1661. Prior to his governance, both Native Americans and Africans were regarded as indentured servants. Berkeley’s policies transformed them into lifelong chattel slaves, thereby institutionalizing a brutal system that persisted for generations. A controversial figure, he has been portrayed variably as a benevolent aristocrat or a self-serving royalist. Berkeley also played a significant role in exploiting Native American populations for labor, facilitating their removal from the Carolinas.

Indian Slaves in the Rocky Mountains

The system of Indian slavery in the Rocky Mountains persisted until government intervention in 1865, notably ending white slaveholding in Colorado. Indian Agent Head mandated the release of all captives, citing the barbarity of such practices. However, slavery and peonage continued in New Mexico and Arizona. The treatment of captives was often horrific, with women facing sexual exploitation and sacrificial rituals among indigenous tribes. Ongoing conflicts stemmed from these atrocities, fostering intense animosity between captives and their captors, complicating relations as both sides grappled with the war’s brutal legacy.

The Case of the State Vs. Will

The State vs. Will was a landmark case in North Carolina, decided in December 1834, that affirmed a slave’s right to defend himself against extreme provocation from his master. Will, a slave under overseer Richard Baxter, was shot while fleeing after a confrontation. His attorney, Bartholomew F. Moore, argued that Will’s actions were in self-defense, which led to the Supreme Court ruling that a slave could claim provocation akin to a white man. This case notably influenced the legal treatment of slaves and their rights in the face of oppression.

Apocalypto

The author reflects on their limited understanding of Creek Indian heritage and the early struggles of anthropologists to comprehend the complexities of Maya civilization. Their personal encounters with Dr. Piña-Chan enhanced their insights into the cultural significance of artifacts, such as potsherds, and the mystery of Maya urbanization. A scene from the film *Apocalypto* triggers memories of their experiences and the connections between ancient cultures, underscoring the continuity of indigenous craftsmanship and the shared history of the region.

Early Slave Raid Period 1657-1684

Captain Juan Pardo’s 1567 exploration of the Carolina Piedmont and surrounding areas marked significant early interactions with Indigenous communities, though detailed records remained scarce for a century. By the late 16th century, many towns faced abandonment, coinciding with intensified Spanish exploration. The early 17th century saw the emergence of slave raiding among Native groups, particularly the Rickohockens, who supplied slaves to Virginia plantations. This period, characterized by violent conflicts and demographic shifts, set the stage for the establishment of the slave trade and the ensuing complexities in Native American alliances and territorial dynamics.

Middle Slave Raid Period 1684-1706

During the Middle Slave Raid Period (1684-1706), southeastern Native American populations faced devastating raids, particularly from the Iroquois, Rickohockens, and Westo. This time saw an increase in African slave acquisition, leading to a drastic shift in slave trading practices. Many tribes, such as the Cusabo, Soque, and Catawba, were decimated or assimilated into larger groups due to violence and disease. The landscape of indigenous communities transformed significantly, with many villages disappearing and new alliances forming among tribes for survival amid ongoing conflicts.