numission unless their Masters gave bond that their
Estates & heirs should maintain them in Case of
sickness or decrepitude, so that they might not be
thrown as a burden on the public.
[Written in right margin: 1703.] Another
Law forbad them to be out in the streets after 9
o'clock at night, on pain of being sent to ye house
of Correction & on striking a white Man on penalty of being sold out
of the Province. By another Law they were the
[?]
Marriage of blacks with whites was prohibited If ye man was white a fine
of £ 5 was reqd of him -- £ 50 fine for ye person
officiatg. but ye marriage was not annulled
--
[Written in right margin: (1705) JW.] The
intercourse of the sexes was often irregular because
the Masters consent was necessary the to a lawful
marriage & a [?] by
by the sale of one party to another
Town or Country the Marriage was of course dissolved.
However there was nothing in this respect peculiar
to the slaves in NE, The same disadvantages
attend
ym every where.
I believe it may be said with truth that some of the owners
of slaves in
Massachusetts, including
Connecticut &
New
Hampshire were careful to instruct them in reading,
& in the doctrines & duties of religion & there have been
many instances instances among the Africans here
of of persons who have
profited by these instructions, & sustained a virtuous & exemplary
Character.