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Lives of Anthony Johnson and sons
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Anthony Johnson (Introduction)
Slavery in Colonial Virginia was very different from what we think of today. In the beginning Christian slaves were only indentured servants for a while. Slaves could buy their freedom and acquire land. But then Colonial Virginia started diminshing progress for Africans. -
Anthony Johnson Acquires Land
Anthony Johnson acquires land from Captain Taylor. He earns a corn field. This action declares that Anthony Johnson is a free African. It also shows progress because it shows that a free African can acquire land just like an Englishman can. -
Anthony Johnson Petitions for Slave (Part 1)
More on Anthony Johnson's PetitionJohnson goes to court against an Englishman to earn his slave back. He doesn't win but goes to court again and earns his slave back. This shows progress because it shows that an African can go to court against an Englishman and win. -
Anthony Johnson Petitions for Slave (Part 2)
This may seem unusual for a free African to own a slave but in Colonial Virginia this showed high social status. This is also how people in colonial times made money. -
Act I - The Casual Killing of Slaves Act
Click here for more information on Act IThis act says that if a slave is to do something bad and an Englishman has to punish the slave; if the slave dies accidentally the Englishmen won't be charged for murder. This law shows diminishing progress for slaves. It recognizes slaves as property and not people. Fear and power most likely played into the making of this law by giving the Englishmen the power to kill slaves but not be charged. -
Act VIII - Runaway Slaves
Click here to find out more about Act VIIIDuring the making of this law the General Assembly had hoped to stop the rebellious slaves.The act declared that any runaway slave is worth 4500 pounds of tobacco and an Indian runaway 3000 pounds of tobacco. The act also rewards Englishmen and Indians for the capture of slaves.This shows diminishing progress because Englishmen are bringing Indians into the picture by trying to persuade them to help the English -
Chap. XXII - Declares Slaves as Estate
Click here for more about Chapter XXIIThis act declares all Africans, Mullato, and Indian slaves property.This finally draws the line and recognizes slaves as property and not people. Another example of recognizing slaves as property is Act I, the casual killing of slaves. This shows diminishing progress because it finally ends any real progress for slaves. It doesn't give them a chance at freedom and dooms them to be property for life. -
Diminishing Progress of Anthony Johnson (Conclusion)
Life for African slaves in Colonial Virginia kept getting worse. Slave chains kept getting tighter. From being an indentured servant to a slave to property Africans in Colonial Virginia had been through it all. Maybe it was for the best, maybe if Africans hadn't been through all of this they wouldn't of had the courage to speak up and fight against these dehumanizing laws. Would they have fought for their right to be free if they hadn't been though these laws? Or would the U.S still have slaves?
