-
Introduction
Anthony Johnson was an African who was captured and shipped to America to be an "indentured servant". He served on the Bennet plantation for around 20 years. Because of the Siete Partidas laws, which say that no christian slave can be enslaved for life because it is no natural condition, he became a free African who married a slave named Mary and had 4 children. He got land and later also a "servant". But soon laws were passed, which made it seem like there was no future for him and his family. -
Period: to
Life of Anthony Johnson and Sons
-
Act X
"Act 5" said that all African Descendants could not possess guns. This law was passed shortly after a large massacre that was committed by local Indians. Anthony was in the group that the massacre happened to. So, it did not seem right to Anthony that after they were defenseless against the Indians that a law should pass saying they could not wield guns. The left African Descendants with no way of hunting for food or defending themselves. -
Anthony Johnson Accquires Land in Northampton County
After Anthony Johnson was freed, he knew he needed to be in the norm. He needed to buy land and a servant. So on the 10th of July he divided a cornfield with Captain Taylor. Since he had a section of land to grow crops on, he could sell the crops and make money to live a happy life. Or at least, happier than before. -
Anthony Johnson beats Englishmen in Court
Anthony Johnson went to court in 1654 to get his slave back. His slave was currently working for Mr. Robert Parker. Anthony Johnson thought that he was still his slave. So, when he went to court, Captain Taylor came with him. When the court saw that a white man had sided with Anthony Johnson, they believed him. This court case showed that Anthony Johnson was starting to earn his respect in society. -
Act I
“Act 1” was an act about the casual killing of slaves. This law declared that if a slave were to anger, annoy, or disobey his so called master, the master could severely beat and “accidentally” kill his slave. He wouldn’t even have to go to court for it! -
Act IV
“Act 4” said that no African Descendants or Indians could purchase Christian slaves or servants. That made it harder to get a labor force to be on Free African’s piece of land. Including Anthony Johnson. -
Conclusion
This time had to be the most terrifying time for the African Descendants including Anthony Johnson. His life was full of diminishing progress. We look back at this and think, why were we so cruel? But really, back then it was like owning a
