2-949-917 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

Slavery, 1940s. 'What is slavery? Slavery is involuntary servitude for life without pay. The first Negroes brought to the continental colonies were few and they served largely as industrial servants. So closely attached to the homes of their masters that they were treated like members of the family. They had the same status as that of the white felons and convicsts imported into our country to serve a definite period. After serving their masters a few years, the indentured servant could become free. This happened in the case of some of the first twenty Negroes brought to Jamestown in 1619. It has been said the [that?] Anthony Johnson one of these Negroes not only gained his freedom, but became a slave holder himself...'. Note in margin: '[Carter G.] Woodson p.82'.