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Home > My Ancestors >
African American > Timeline:
1630-1749
- 1630-1700: Blacks have been in Boston since the 1630s, although
some were slaves, some were indentured servants, and some were free,
there were not a substantial number of blacks in the city. The majority
were sailors, or connected to the maritime trade. For the most part
the community was centered in the North End. Copps Hill Burying Ground
was the cemetery for blacks of this period.
- 1638: Black slaves are first introduced into Boston. The majority
of these are from the West Indies.
- 1681: John Saffin, a merchant and jurist, smuggled slaves overland
through Rhode Island.
- 1700: Boston City Committee discourages the importation of slaves.
- 1705-6: A Massachusetts law is passed enacting a £4 tax on imported
blacks.
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