Dear Editor, Newark Star Ledger;
I read with
interest the article entitled "Group plans march for slave reparations"
but was disappointed in not finding any mention of free blacks who owned
slaves. This subject was mentioned in AMERICAN HERITAGE, Feb./Mar. 1993
(vol. 441) under the title 'Selling Poor Steven' beginning on page 90.
Citing the official US Census of 1830, there were 3,775 free blacks who
owned 12,740 black slaves.
Furthermore, the story outlines the
history of slavery here, and the first slave owner, the Father of American
Slavery, was Mr. Anthony Johnson, of Northampton VA. His slave was John
Casor, the first slave for life. Both were black Africans. This is part of
Virginia"s history that deserves attention.
The story is very
readable, and outlines cases of free black women owning their husbands,
free black parents selling their children into slavery to white owners,
and absentee free black slave owners, who leased their slaves to
plantation owners, among other things. Most libraries carry back issues of
American Heritage.
Another interesting book on the same subject is
'Free Negro Owners of Slaves in the United States' in 1830, by the noted
black historian, Carter G. Woodson. This book lists the names and address
of free blacks who owned slaves. Among them is one George C. Washington of
Washington DC.
How will it be determined who is descended from the
black slave owners? Are descendents of free black slave owners to be
included in this lawsuit? Will any consideration be given to the fact that
African Americans today are far better off than practically all the blacks
still in Africa?
Perhaps repatriation would be a more equitable
solution. Liberia was established for just that purpose.
For
Publication,
Edward J. Toner Jr.
481B Jason Place,
Brick NJ
08724
(732) 840-4203
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