Historical Society of Delaware Presents

"African Americans in Delaware, 1700-1900: Highlights from the Library's Collections"

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. October 14, 2008

MARCH 17, 2008. The Historical Society of Delaware presents "African Americans in Delaware, 1700-1900: Highlights from the Library's Collections at the Delaware Historical Society" (through April 26).

The exhibit features rare published and manuscript materials that tell the stories of the challenging and difficult lives of early black Delawareans: slavery, the fight for freedom, and the development of African American community life in Delaware. This exhibit is on display in the Society's Willingtown Square Gallery at 505 Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware.

During the 1700's, most black Delawareans were enslaved, but beginning in the late 1700's, the number of enslaved blacks declined and the number of free blacks grew. The newly freed people faced the challenges of strengthening their families, earning a living, and developing community life. Law and custom confronted black Delawareans with segregation and discrimination.

Slavery took its toll on family life because enslaved people could not legally marry, nor did they have last names that were legally recognized. Whites valued slaves primarily as workers and property, not as people who had family relationships. That is why an 1857 listing of the slaves of Richard Mason of Long Neck displayed in the exhibit is such a treasure. It gives the names and ages of all the enslaved people and tells the relationships among many of them. However, no one has a last name, nor are any of the fathers of the children named.

The Historical Society of Delaware is the statewide, non-profit organization dedicated to the exploration, preservation, and appreciation of Delaware history, heritage, and culture for the benefit of the public.