Sub Project to Slaves freed in America before the Emancipation Proclamation

Freed in New Netherland or New York before January 1, 1863

Discussion

Slavery was brought to the Hudson River area in the early 1600s, if not before. The first known slaves to be freed, that is, the first ones known by me, worked for the DWIC. For the few that were freed, the path was gradual. But they are included here to provide context for the processes of manumission under the Dutch West India Company, the British and then the governments of the various states of the US.

RESEARCH LIST

1. Betsey Stockton