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In 1619, twenty African slaves migrated to VA. *It was not unusual for blacks to be held in slavery *Some were indentured servants. Indentured servants weren't slaves. They only served a master for a certain amount of time, and when that time was up, they were free people. *Most of the first Virginians were slaves. *Religion may have effected status. All free blacks had Christian names. *Free blacks could own land or servants, They could also sue or be sued.
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From 1640, black men couldn't serve in the militia or carry weapons, and Black women were taxed, unlike English women.
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Free black men are now prohibited from owning English servants. The position of blacks was quickly sinking.
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Whites begin to feel threatned by blacks. By now, the rights of the free blacks (and all blacks in general) has greatly deteriorated. The assembly writes institution of slavery into Virginia law.
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In 1662, Virginia law established Slavery by Condition of Mother, meaning that any child born of a slave was a slave.
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In 1667, Virginia law stated stated that converting to Christianity did not excempt a slave from bondage, thus removing another path to freedom.
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In 1669 it became legal to kill your slave if he was disobeying you.
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The end of the 17th Century
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A book of laws for slaves was created.
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Blacks were not allowed to vote.
