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Period: to
Gradual Emancipation in NJ
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Founding of the "Friendly Institution" of Burlington
One of the earliest charitable organizations, the Friendly Instituion had one of many founders such as Daniel Smith, Jr. Times were hard at this time -the war destroyed the economy. War led to loss of employment and beggary by the poor without property. They drew a constituion in 1757 to help the "Indians" and promote the Abolition of Slavery in 1786. -
United States Census Reports for 1800
In 1800 approximinately, there were 12,422 slaves in the state of NJ. This was by far the largest slave population in the nation north of Maryland except for NY.
Three counties: Burlington, Salem, and Gloucester contained 23% of the state's entire population yet only less than 3% of the slave population for the state. I would assume that the high concentration of Quakers had something to do with that.Primary -
Act for the Gradual Emancipation of Slavery (NJ)
It granted freedom to children born to slaves after July 4, 1804 ONCE they had served their mother's master. Male-bodied people served the master for 25 years. Female-bodied people served the master for 21 years. The original document leads me to believe that while it was passed at this date, it didn't become active until July 4, 1805
Source: The Act -
Supplement "An Act Concerning Slaves"
Pennsylvania enacted it first and NJ followed suit the same year. It enabled suspected fugitives to defend themselves in court IN THEORY. Northerners struggled with unwanted slave catchers, but also with their duty to their fellow white -the slave holder. Primary -
The State Versus The Sheriff of Burlington
It was a landmark debate over personal liberty ending with there's a mandatory jury trials for suspected fugitives. Esssentially due process with three judges. Abolitionists spread fear that slave catchers disrupted law and order to the point that they saw slave catchers as lawless people without scruples. The State vs. The Sheriff of Burlington -
Friendly Instition of Burlington Announcement
The commitee reported no case of suffering or need known to them. They spend twenty-five cents on medicine. The town of Burlington at that time was approximately 1,900 people with 300 hourses in 1834. (Source: Amelia Mott Gummere, The "Friendly Institution" of Burlington, New Jersey) -
State v. Post
All men are equal, that's what the law states: however, trouble arises when abolitionists try to argue that black people should be considered equal under this clause. The decision is that no, black people are not equal because if that was the case then the law would've said that specifically.1844 NJ -
Debate within Senate
William Dayton (NJ) debated with Andrew Butler (South Carolina) and George Badger (NC) stating that Badger's image of a disinterested North -in reference to returning fugitive slaves- was, "an injustice . . . to New Jersey." NJ fulfilled its constituional obligations, even in Burlington County, where Quakers held "prevailing views and principles adverse to slavery." Dayton believed that NJ "has not now and never has had a law" like those crafted after Prigg v. Pennsylvania. (Gigantino) -
Civil War
The states squabble over centralized power for the federal government versus statehood purely due to slavery.
