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Anthony Johnson and Slave Laws
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Anthony Johnson acquires land
In Northampton County, around the tenth day July 1645, Anthony Johnson and Captain Taylor split land. Captain Taylor found fault with Johnson because, according to Captain Taylor, he didn’t work enough. They divided their corn. Anthony Johnson was very happy because now he had his own land so he could work when he wanted and play when he wanted. This was in document A. This document is important because it explains how Anthony Johnson acquired land. -
Anthony Johnson aquires land (continued)
At this point in time, even though he was African,Johnson could own land. He had 250 acres. This was not that big a deal at this point in time because colored people still had rights. They could still go to court and win. -
John Johnson is denied his land (continued)
This shows diminishing progress because a couple of years ago the judge and jury would look at both sides of the case not just the whites. Now people are starting to look more at the whites’ side rather than both. -
John Johnson is denied his land
Anthony Johnson had owned 250 acres of land. By September, 1652 he owned 450 acres. All the land owned by Anthony Johnson was to be passed on to John Johnson. According to Document G, when John Johnson didn’t get his land, he went to court. He went to court for land that was his by birth right, and he lost. This step shows that less than ten years ago his father owned 450 acres of land. Now, forget about buying it, he can’t even get his own land. -
Children of Negroes Serve According to Status of Mother
By 1662, the children of Negroes had to go by the status of their mother. People had most probably realized that this would create more slaves. By this time people knew that white women didn’t take advantage of slave men like that, but white men did. Knowing this, the people did not try to stop it, but took advantage of it by creating this law. -
Children of Negroes Serve According to Status of Mother(continued)
These show diminishing progress because 17 years ago, Negroes could own land and go to court and possibly win, but since about seven years ago they can’t. . Now, people are not looking at both sides of the case, but at the white’s side. -
The Casual Killing of Slaves
Making it okay to kill someone casually is a very big step in the process of diminishing progress. Now if a slave did something wrong, even the slightest bit, they could be killed or severely punished (physically). Even so, they couldn’t go to court, or complain about it. -
The Casual Killing of Slaves
Casual killing of slaves was not a big deal anymore. 7 years ago they (the people) took advantage of things that should have been corrected. Now, they are saying that it is alright to kill someone and not get punished for it. This is certainly diminishing progress. No one thinks that (casual killing of someone) is alright so it is starting to show that slaves are starting to be thought of as property rather than human beings. -
No Colored Person can Hold Office (continued)
This might even increase the number of slaves. -
No Colored Person can Hold Office
Colored men are no longer allowed to hold office. It has been 36 years since they made it okay to kill slaves. Now, they are narrowing the options for colored people to do stuff other than be slaves. If a colored person was holding office and got kicked out he might have to become a slave. This would make it easier for all whites and all the discrimination they wanted to do. It shows diminishing progress because, now even if you are not a slave you are still controlled.