Slavery in the Colonies Chapter 6 Lesson 4

Venture Smith Venture Smith, born free in Africa but captured and enslaved at the age of eight, became a figure of mythical proportions in New England, where he was known for his great size and strength.  Named Broteer by his father, a "Prince of the tribe of Dukandarra" in Guinea, he wrote that "I was descended from a very large, tall and stout race of beings, much larger than the generality of people in other parts of the globe." Legend has it that he was a giant, weighing over 300 pounds.  Venture's great size and unwillingness to suffer insult made him a problem for his owners, and he was sold several times before he was able to purchase his freedom in 1765, at the age of thirty-six. When Venture wrote that he had "lost much by misfortunes and paid an enormous sum for my freedom," he was referring to far more than his purchase price of "seventy-one pounds two shillings." Venture was eventually able to liberate his two sons, Solomon and Cuff, his daughter Hanna, his pregnant wife Meg, and their unborn child. Solomon, the eldest son, died aboard a whaling ship, and the new baby was named Solomon in his honor. Cuff, the middle son, enlisted in the Continental army when he was in his early twenties. After the war, he returned to his family in East Haddam Neck, Connecticut.  In his latter years, Venture suffered from blindness and ill health. In 1798, a narrative of his life, which he related to a local schoolteacher, was published. He died on September 19, 1805, at the age of seventy-seven. Venture Smith’s tombstone at First Congregational Church cemetery in East Haddam, Conn., in a Smith family plot.

Slavery in the North Most enslaved people in the Northern Colonies worked in towns and cities. In the north, slaves usually had more opportunities to improve their lives. By working extra jobs, they could earn their freedom. Strict laws limited the rights of enslaved people in most northern colonies in order to prevent escape.

Slavery in the South Most enslaved people in the Southern Colonies worked on large plantations, though some worked on small farms or in cities. Enslaved people brought a variety of skills to Southern plantations. Their worked lasted all day and sometimes during the night. Despite the miserable treatment, slaves were not just passive victims – they found ways to resist their victimization.

Resisting Slavery Enslaved people attempted to resist slavery by supporting one another and keeping their cultures alive through storytelling and traditional crafts and cooking methods. They also kept their African culture alive by making musical instruments similar to the ones they knew from Africa. Some attempted to trick their owners, and many tried to escape. The Stono Rebellion of 1739 was a slave uprising which resulted in over 20 white deaths and over 40 slave deaths.

Olaudah Equiano Gustavus Vassa abolitionist, writer Born: c. 1745 Died: c. 1800 Birthplace: present day Nigeria An Igbo, Equiano was captured and sold into slavery as a child. He was taken to the West Indies where his slave name became Gustavus, after a 16th century Swedish king. Taught to read and write, he was able to purchase his own freedom. Equiano made his way to London, where he worked briefly in a government office helping resettle blacks in Africa, probably making him the first black British civil servant. In 1789, he published his autobiography, The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, or Gustavus Vassa the African, which had a strong abolitionist message. In 1792, Equiano married an Englishwoman, Susanna Cullen. They had two daughters. Question: What is the significance of this book?