Slavery existed throughout the colonies before the American Revolution. The relatively low numbers of enslaved people in New England compared to other colonies was not due to antislavery sentiments, but rather land and settlement patterns which limited the growth of the institution there. On May 22, 1734, Samuel Kent of Suffield, Massachusetts, sold “a Certain Negro Girl named Kate” to Israel Williams of Hatfield for “Eightynine Pounds in cash.” The bill of sale states that Kate was about eight or nine years old on the date of sale. Israel Williams was typical of many New England enslavers in purchasing a child rather than an adult. Children were considered to be easier to train and control and, it was hoped, might develop closer bonds of loyalty to their enslavers.
Williams, Israel. Bill of sale for Kate. May 22, 1734. Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, American Centuries. https://americancenturies.org/collection/l00-072/. Accessed on October 16, 2024.
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