The Not-So-Fun Facts About Counting Heads (When Those Heads Belong to Enslaved People) in New York's History
Ah, New York. The city that never sleeps, the land of Broadway dreams, and...a place with a not-so-bright past when it comes to slavery. Buckle up, history buffs (and history avoiders, we see you!), because we're about to delve into the sketchy numbers game of how many enslaved people were forced to live in the New York colony.
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| How Many Slaves Did The New York Colony Have |
Counting Chickens Before They Hatch (Except These Chickens Couldn't Hatch Because They Were People)
Here's the thing: getting a definitive number on enslaved people in colonial New York is about as easy as finding a decent bagel at 2 am (not impossible, but requires serious dedication). Records weren't exactly a priority back then, and people (shockingly!) weren't treated like property with serial numbers.
Tip: Look for examples to make points easier to grasp.
However, some brave historians have taken on the challenge of counting these uncounted souls. Estimates suggest that between 1700 and 1774, over 7,000 enslaved Africans were imported into New York. Yikes. That's a lot of people whose lives were stolen.
QuickTip: Absorb ideas one at a time.
But Wait, There's More! (Because This Isn't a Fun Topic)
Now, that 7,000 number only counts documented imports. It doesn't take into account folks who were born into slavery or those smuggled in under the radar. New York City, in particular, had a shockingly high percentage of households with slaves – around 40%! That's compared to a measly 2% in Boston. Guess New Yorkers really liked the "convenience" of forced labor.
QuickTip: Pause at lists — they often summarize.
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On a more positive note, the American Revolution did shake things up a bit. The British offered freedom to enslaved people who fought for them, and many Black people sought refuge in New York City during the war. This influx temporarily inflated the number of enslaved people in the city.
Tip: Reread slowly for better memory.
The Moral of the Story? Don't Be a Jerk (And Maybe Double-Check Your History Books)
New York's colonial past with slavery is a dark stain, and the exact number of enslaved people is a fuzzy figure at best. What we do know is that it was a significant number, and their stories deserve to be heard.
Frequently Asked Questions (Because You Might Have Some After This Whole Ordeal):
How to:
- Learn more about slavery in New York? Check out the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in Harlem for a fantastic resource (https://www.nypl.org/locations/schomburg/research)
- Understand the history of slavery in the United States? The National Museum of African American History and Culture is a great place to start (https://nmaahc.si.edu/)
- Help fight modern slavery? Organizations like Free the Slaves work tirelessly to end human trafficking (https://freetheslaves.net/)
- Appreciate the power of good bagels? Because hey, we all need a win after this heavy topic. Find your nearest local bakery and indulge!
- Avoid making light of a terrible historical reality? We get it, humor is a coping mechanism, but this ain't the time for jokes.
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