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Period: to
Diminishing Progress
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Anthony aquires land from Captain Taylor
At this time Anthony Johnson has freed himself and his wife, Mary, from slavery. In five years they will have acquired 250 acres of land, cattle, and two African servants. However, as time goes on the Johnsons will find that their lives will change drastically due to less opportunity for free Africans. As Anthony acquired his land Captain Taylor asked of him, " Are you content with what you have?" Anthony then replied, " I am very well content with what I have or words to that effect." -
Anthony aquires land from Captain Taylor (cont.)
Anthony should have been exceptionally content with his land, for in just a matter of years, his decedents would be struggling to remain free. Also, it was uncommon for any former servant to own land, whether they were white or African. By later owning 250 acres of land, the Johnsons had established a successful living. As of this time, however, the Jonhsons were working to be successful in life and were able to achieve this. Ships traded with them for tobacco to take to England, -
Anthony aquires land from Captain Taylor (cont. #2)
and a successful life was forming for the Johnson family. This indeed was a much better time for the Johnsons considering the harder times to come. -
Anthony wins a court case
At the time, it was not unthinkable for an African to go to court against a white man and win. Anthony Johnson did just that. However, at first, Anthony did release John Casar. Later in the year, Anthony returned to court and won Casar back. It was uncommon for a African to go to court against a white man and win. -
Anthony wins a court case (cont.)
Unfortunately, later in life the court would go against Anthony, and the easy times he had while he was alive will be extinct. The Johnson family would soon encounter the unjust future ahead of them. -
Land deeded by Anthony given to white man (cont.)
to Maryland, along with less chances for their children and grandchildren. There were still many other challenges for the Johnsons' children and grandchildren to overcome. They would always be poor farmers or work for another white man. So now the oppression of slaves was more evident with the passing of this act. -
Land deeded by Anthony given to a white man
This is a start to the racial oppression of Africans. In 1664, the Johnsons sold 200 of their 250 acres in Virginia and moved to Maryland. When Anthony died in 1667, those last fifty acres, that were deeded to his son, were given to a white planter. This was a result of a jury's voting. They declared this since Anthony was, " a Negro and by consequence an alien." With this being said, Africans were beginning to be considered property and inhumane. In fact, that was one reason the Johnsons moved -
Act 1: the casual killing of slaves
This is when times start to get harder for the African slaves in Virginia. Since a slave's service time could not be extended, because the were in bondage for life, there was a way of punishment needed. This act gives a slave's mistress, master, of overseer the right to wound of even kill a slave. Now, since slaves could be killed for no reason at all, their rights were beginning to diminish. A slaves life was basically put into another's hands, the hands of a person who probably hated them. -
Act 1: the casual killing of slaves (cont.)
At this time the slaves could do nothing but respect and obey their masters, and hope that any slip they made would be overlooked. For now killing was not a crime, at least when a slave was involved. The General Assembly was slowly taking away the rights of Africans, and this law was one of the bigger threats to them. As more laws were passed in the future, the slaves and other Africans would be considered more and more inhumane. -
Act XXII: Africans, Mulatto, and Indians considered property (cont.)
The purpose of these laws was most likely not noticed by slaves and other Africans until this last act was passed. And now, that the purpose of the laws was clear, Africans had now way to rebel because, in 1639, no Africans were allowed to have arms or ammunition, according to Act X. Now the oppression is done, and it will take many years for the Africans to gain their rights back. -
Act XXII: Africans, Mulatto, and Indians considered property
Sadly, now any human that is not white is considered property in Virginia. The General Assembly has passed its last act, and has finally taken away all their rights. The Africans, Mulatto, and Indians have no rights, and will have almost no control of their future. Now what most of us know as slavery has become a reality. By now, Africans are considered slaves by their skin color. A process that took many years of passing laws has come to an end, and has been able to complete its task.