answersLogoWhite

0

Yes, slavery was practiced in all of the original American colonies. Actually, Massachusetts was the first slave-holding colony in New England, even predating the settlement of the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1629. Samuel Maverick, apparently New England's first slaveholder, arrived in Massachusetts in 1624 and brought with him two negro slaves, Massachusetts also became the first American colony to give official recognition of chattel slavery as a legal institution in 1641, with the "Body of Liberties." Not until 142 years later, in 1783, was slavery finally ruled illegal in Massachusetts based on the states new constitution. However, slavery did not stop immediately even then. continuing in parts of the state until the end of the 18th century. Thus, slavery was a legal institution in Massachusetts for 142 years, and was actually a practice, first in the colony and later in the state of Massachusetts, for a total of about 170 years.

User Avatar

Wiki User

15y ago

What else can I help you with?