Slavery was not limited to the South but existed throughout the English colonies. Just as the economy differed from one colony to another, so too did the slave experience. In the North where large scale farming was limited and more urban centers existed, slaves were more likely to live and work in closer proximity to whites. Many Northern slaves were not agricultural workers but instead toiled as general laborers, dock workers, craftsmen, house servants, and at other similar jobs to the white indentured servants.
Thinking about everything you have learned so far, if you were a slave during the 18th century, in which colony would you prefer to live? Consider not only geographical differences and climate but things like the types of work, living conditions, opportunities for social interaction and the possibility of personal growth.
After posting your initial response, engage in discussion with two students who have chosen different colonies than you did, and support your choice with specific examples from our readings and the New York-Historical Society exhibit.
Compose your work using a word processor and save it, as a Plain Text or an .rtf, to your computer. When you’re ready to make your initial posting, please click on the Create Thread button and copy/paste the text from your document into the message field. Be sure to check your work and correct any spelling or grammatical errors before you post it.