Query 1. The first introduction of negroes, or other
slaves, into
Massachusetts ?
In answer to this query, I have made the following extracts
from the most ancient histories, records, and laws, which I
have had opportunity of examining.
In the month of June, 1630, governor
WINTHROP, and
others, who had just before arrived at
Salem with the
Massa-
chusetts charter, came into the bay or harbour, which is
now called
Boston harbour, to look out a place for their
settlement. Among other scattered planters or traders, who
had previously seated themselves on the shores and islands of
this bay, they found
SAMUEL MAVERICK,* residing on
Nod-
dle's island ; where he had built a small fort, mounted with
four great guns, to protect him from the Indians.
In 1638, JOHN JOSSELYN came to
New-England, and
lodged at the house of said Maverick,
whom he represents as
a very hospitable man, "giving entertainment to all comers,
gratis."
Whilst he lodged here, he says, "On the
2d of October,
1639, about nine o'clock in the morning, Mr. Maverick's
negro woman came to my chamber window, and, in her own
country language and tune, sang very loud and shrill. Going
out to her, she used a great deal of respect toward me, and
would willingly have expressed her grief, in English, had
she been able to speak the language ; but I apprehended it
by her countenance and deportment. Whereupon I repaired
to my host, to learn of him the cause, and resolved to intreat
him in her behalf ; for I understood before, that she had
been a queen in her own country, and observed a very hum-
ble and dutiful garb used towards her, by another negro,
who
was her maid. Mr. Maverick
was desirous to have a breed
of negroes ; and therefore seeing she would not yield by
persuasions to company with a negro young man, he had in
his house, he commanded him, will'd she, nill'd
she, to go to
bed to her ; which was no sooner done, but she kicked him
out again. This she took in high disdain, beyond her slave-
ry, and this was the cause of her grief."
In a collection of laws respecting servants, enacted between
1630 and 1641, I find the following, viz.
"7. No servant shall be put off for above a year to any
other, neither in the life time of their master, nor after their
*This was the father of Samuel Maverick, who was one of the
commissioners of king Charles II. to the
colonies, 1665. See Huchinson, vol. I. p. 230. Josselyn's Voyage, p. 252.