Decline of Slavery
In 1780, the abolition act provided for the children of slave mothers to be born free. It also required that these and children of African-descended indentured servants be registered at birth. Some Quarter Sessions records of Friends Meetings include births of children identified as mulatto or black.
The federal censuses reflect the decline in slavery. In addition to the effects of the state law, many Pennsylvania masters freed their slaves in the first two decades after the Revolution, as did Benjamin Franklin, inspired by its ideals as well as continued appeals by Quaker and Methodist clergy for manumission of slaves. The first U.S. Census in 1790 recorded 3,737 slaves in Pennsylvania (36% of the Black population). By 1810, the total Black population had more than doubled, but the percentage who were slaves had dropped to 3% and 795 slaves were listed in the state.
The following table represents the growth in Pennsylvania's free black population and decline of its slave population
| Year | Free Blacks | Total Blacks | Slaves | Percentage of Blacks Free |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1790 | 6,537 | 10,274 | 3,737 | 63.62 |
| 1810 | 22,492 | 23,287 | 795 | 96.58 |
| 1820 | 30,202 | 30,413 | 211 | 99.31 |
| 1840 | 47,854 | 47,918 | 64 | 99.87 |
| 1860 | 56,949 | 56,949 | 0 | 100.00 |
The last slave appeared in known records in 1847, when emancipation was considered complete.
Read more about this topic: History Of Slavery In Pennsylvania
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