Online Exhibit: Slavery in New York

When first exploring the exhibit, I found it very intriguing and eye-catching. There were
several interactive pieces to the online exhibit and visuals which helped with learning more
about the slavery in New York. In gallery two of the exhibit, something that stood out to me was
reading the story about The life Dorothy Creole. According to the exhibit, Dorothy Creole was
one of the first women slaves in New Amsterdam. In addition, she was also a landowner and
estate executor. She was also the godmother of a black baby named Antonio. When his parents
passed away not so long after, Dorothy and her husband, Paulo Angola, stepped in and adopted
Antonio. They took on a big responsibility of taking care of and raising him. I found this story
very interesting and heartwarming to read that despite all the responsibilities Dorothy had, she
stepped in a volunteered to raise Antonio. The exhibit stated that it was common for people to
take care of each other demonstrating that this community was close knit and there for each
other in tough time. Dorothy Creole actions were inspiring to me.
Another part of the exhibit, gallery three when looking at The Closing Vise: New Yorks
Slaves Law. This part of the gallery listed out several rules for slaves from the years 1683-
1712. Of those laws, some that stuck out to me were: any slave who striked a white man or
woman shall be punished in the loss of a limb or life; no more than three slaves could meet at
any place or time; all children born from a slave serves as a slave; and slaves could never give
a testimony against a white person. The laws for the slaves were very strict and specific. I found
it shocking how a slave could lose a limb or his or her life for lashing out at a white person. That
seems very extreme, but during those times, the white people did not tolerate any disobedience
from a slave. Also, the law that no more than three slave could meet at the same time or place
seemed ridiculous. I wonder what was the point of not allowing more than three slaves meet
together. I do not see any harm in that unless the whites suspect that they might plan a rebellion
when many meet up together. The last law I stated was really shocking. Basically, it is implying
slaves would always lose a case even if the white person was wrong. Slaves could not defend
themselves since they were unable to give a testimony. I am glad that these laws are not enact
now because they were demeaning and harsh towards slaves.
In gallery four, Deborah Squash, one of George Washingtons slaves was aspiring. She
ran away from Washingtons plantation and served for the British in war since Blacks were
guaranteed freedom who helped their side. However, the British lost, but general Sir Guy
Carleton vowed to keep his promise of allowing the Blacks to remain free despite the
Washingtons demand of returning all belongings back the the Americans. In Carletons
response he said that he freed the Black and that some of them left New York Harbor. This story
demonstrated how Deborah was a strong woman who wanted her freedom and did everything
she could to obtain it. I found it satisfying to read that Sir Guy Carleton even kept his vow of
allowing the Blacks to remain free. He even wanted to grant each Black person a certificate of
freedom. I found this interesting because I never knew that the British let all Blacks who served
for them have their freedom.
Another slave story, I found interesting was about Jupiter Hammon who prompted many
young African-Americans to pursue freedom. Hammon was the slave of Henry Lloyd, who
educated him about his family business. Hammon wrote many poems pushing for freedom from
slavery. Then in 1787, he spoke against slavery urging many to pursue freedom and to keep in
mind that spiritual salvation mattered. Although he did not want to be free, he supported many
others in his situation to be free and to act in a disciplined manner. His actions of inspiring
others to obtain freedom stood out to me. He was pushing others to be obedient as well and
advised to avoid anger. He stood for equal rights and freedom and did not want young African
Americans to be bitter after they were free.
The last part of the exhibit that stood out to me was from a link that was within the exhibit
that led me to read more stories about slaves in that time period. One story that stood out to me
was Sojourner Truth, perhaps on of the most famous African American woman. She was a slave
of John Durmon and was later married to a slave named Thomas in which the family chose her
husband for her. She later was moved to the Van Wageners farm , a family who were against
slavery. Later she found out that her young son, Peter was sold to the Durmons and was
working as a slave. It was illegal to sell a slave to the south so Sojourner sued the Durmons for
Peter to return. After getting Peter back, she left New York and began to speak against slavery
and to push for women's rights. I found her story inspiring in how she was about to gain freedom
for herself and even sued to get her son, Peter back. Those were very risky moves especially
suing the court, but she knew it was wrong and wanted her son to have freedom. Also her
actions of fighting for womens rights was bold, but people listened to her and respected her.
Overall, this online exhibit was packed with information and I learned a lot. I was very interesting
in many of the slave stories because I was about to gain perspective on what they faces and the
action they took to fight for and obtain freedom.