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Public Claims & Free Blacks, 1781-1865

Public Claims & Free Blacks, 1781–1865

The Public Claims & Free Blacks, 1781–1865 records document the lives, legal statuses, and economic activities of free African Americans during the antebellum and Civil War eras in the United States. These records include freedom papers, land ownership deeds, military service claims, apprenticeship contracts, and court petitions that reflect the resilience and contributions of free Black individuals to society. They also provide vital evidence for tracing genealogical roots and understanding social and economic histories.

During this period, free African Americans lived under a mix of legal protections and restrictions. Many states required free Blacks to register their status and carry freedom papers to avoid re-enslavement. Despite these limitations, free African Americans owned land, businesses, and property while actively participating in legal disputes and military service. Public claims records also document payments for wartime labor and property losses, revealing their roles in economic and military efforts.

Sample Document

This is a receipt from the Virginia Penitentiary, dated September 21, 1860. It acknowledges receiving a slave named Thom, who was condemned by the County Court of Amherst County to be sold and transported as punishment for cutting a white man with the intent to kill.

A transaction for $37.10 is noted as payment for this process, with Richard Beach marking the document with an X, indicating he could not write. Witnessed by R. F. Brewer.

Key Notes:

  • Condemnation and Punishment: Shows the legal system’s handling of enslaved individuals accused of crimes.
  • Sale and Transportation: Reflects how enslaved individuals were punished through forced relocation and resale.
  • Financial Transaction: Highlights the monetary aspect tied to the punishment and sale of enslaved persons.

Transcription of the above document:

Virginia Penitentiary

September the 21, 1860

Received from Richard Beach Thom, a slave who was condemned by the County Court of Amherst County to sale and transportation for cutting a white man with intent to kill.

(*) Office Sept 22, 1860

John Jacob, Ass’t. 

$37.10 Rec’d as a warrant for Thirty seven & 10/100 dollars.

Test. R. F. Brewer

Richard X Beach (his mark)

The General Assembly of Virginia passed restrictive laws in response to white fears of slave rebellions. These laws imposed harsh taxes on free Blacks and enacted strict regulations on their activities. Records from this period also document:

Lists of taxes imposed specifically on free Blacks and enslaved individuals.

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Tax Records:

  • Lists of taxes imposed specifically on free Blacks and enslaved individuals.

Runaway Slaves:

  • Reports on runaway slaves who were captured but whose owners could not be located. In such cases, these individuals were declared property of the state and sold to new owners.

Executed or Deported Blacks:

  • Records of condemned individuals who were either executed or transported out of the state.

Executed or Deported Blacks:Execution Methods in Northern and Southern States

  • Hanging: Common for violent crimes or rebellions.
  • Burning at the Stake: Applied in severe cases, especially for revolts.
  • Firing Squad: Military-style executions, especially for organized rebellions
  • Dismemberment: Symbolic punishments used to instill fear and compliance.
  • Labor Sentences: Indentured servitude often substituted as punishment in Northern states.

States with Deportation and Restrictive Laws

Region State Key Policies and Laws
Northern Ohio Black Laws (1804–1807); $500 bond required; forced removals for those unable to comply.
Indiana 1851 Constitution banned Black entry; deportation enforced for existing residents.
Illinois Black Codes (1819–1865); banned immigration; fines and indentured servitude enforced.
Connecticut Gradual emancipation (1784); expelled Blacks labeled as vagrants.
New York Manumission restrictions (1799–1827); enforced vagrancy laws to remove undocumented individuals.
Pennsylvania Gradual Abolition Act (1780); required freedom certificates and expelled destitute Blacks.
Rhode Island Black Codes (1700s–1800s); restricted property rights and expelled Blacks labeled as public burdens.
New Jersey Gradual emancipation (1804); indentured servitude restrictions and deportations for lack of freedom papers.
Southern Virginia Harsh taxes; execution or deportation for rebellious acts; runaway slaves sold if owners not found.
Maryland Forced removals for undesirable Blacks; harsh labor penalties for undocumented residents.
North Carolina Authorized deportations and executions for rebellious acts or aiding runaways.
South Carolina Enforced public hangings and deportations for insurrection or defying slave codes.
Georgia Banned Black migration; deported free Blacks or sold runaways into slavery.
Alabama Enforced laws restricting free Blacks' residency; deportations and executions for violent acts.
Mississippi Harsh labor contracts and property seizures for undocumented Blacks; deportations and executions.
Louisiana Strict registration laws; deportations of free Blacks; public executions for revolts or violent offenses.
Tennessee Property restrictions and forced removals for undocumented free Blacks; harsh penalties for aiding runaways.

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