Indian Slavery in Colonial New England

FAIN: FA-52682-06

Margaret Ellen Newell
Ohio State University (Columbus, OH 43210-1349)

This book project, under contract with Cornell U. Press, examines the enslavement of Native Americans in New England before 1800. New England armies, courts and magistrates bound thousands of Indians into servitude and slavery. In the 17th century most Indian slaves were war captives. Following their defeat in Metacom's War, the Indians of southern New England became colonial subjects, and new laws prohibited enslaving them. Yet, slavery continued in different forms through the Revolution, notably the sentencing of Native Americans to servitude for debt or crime and the forcible apprenticeship of children. At the same time, the colonists created a legal "race frontier" that stripped unfree people of color of rights enjoyed by whites.

Media Coverage

Horrors of Native Slavery in New England Revealed in New Book (Media Coverage)
Author(s): Christina Rose
Publication: (Indian Country Today – Dec. 31, 2015)
Date: 4/28/2017
URL: http://indiancountrymedianetwork.com/history/events/horrors-of-native-slavery-in-new-england-revealed-in-new-book/

America’s Other Original Sin (Media Coverage)
Author(s): Rebecca Onion
Publication: Slate
Date: 1/18/2016
URL: http://www.slate.com

Colonial America Depended on the Enslavement of Indigenous People (Media Coverage)
Author(s): Marissa Fessenden
Publication: Smithsonian Magazine
Date: 1/29/2016
URL: http://www.smithsonianmag.com

American Indian Slavery: The Sinners and Secrets of Brethren by Nature (Review)
Author(s): Tanya Lee
Publication: Indian Country Today
Date: 1/18/2016
URL: http://indiancountrytoday.com

Indian Slavery in New England (Review)
Author(s): Nancy Shoemaker
Publication: Commonplace
Date: 7/10/2016
URL: http://common-place.org

Slavery Beyond the South (Media Coverage)
Publication: Dayton City Paper
Date: 3/14/2017
URL: http://www.daytoncitypaper.com

Radio interview on Indian Slavery in New England (Media Coverage)
Publication: Wabanaki Windows with Donna Loring, Main Public Radio WERU
Date: 3/14/2016
URL: http://http://archives.weru.org/wabanaki-windows/2016/03/wabanaki-windows-31516/

Radio Interview with AliLaNegra (Media Coverage)
Publication: Northeastern University WRBB Boston 104.9FM
Date: 1/14/2016
URL: http://wrbb.org

Associated Products

Prizes

James A. Rawley Prize
Date: 5/1/2016
Organization: Organization of American Historians
Abstract: for best book dealing with the history of race relations in the United States

Peter J. Gomes Memorial Book Prize
Date: 10/6/2016
Organization: Massachusetts Historical Society