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Slavery in Barrington
Source:
A History of Barrington Rhode Island
Written by Thomas Williams Bicknell
Printed by Snow & Farnham, Printers 1898
The first act of Rhode Island looking to emancipation of the slaves was taken on recommendation of General Washington. He recommended that the state enlist two battalions of such slaves as should be willing to enter into the service. The General Assembly in February, 1778, voted to enlist as many slaves as possible, "paying all the bounties, wages and encouragements allowed to any soldier," and that every slave so enlisting, upon his passing muster before Col. Christopher Greene, be immediately discharged from the service of his master or mistress, and be absolutely free, as though he had never been encumbered with any kind of servitude or slavery." This was the first emancipation act of Rhode Island, and hundreds of slaves took advantage of the call to military service, became freemen, and aided in obtaining the freedom of the State and Nation. Thus the cause of justice and human freedom often advances by reason of the dangers and necessities of society, rather than by the principles which should actuate men and society. Barrington enlisted a number of slaves, but their names cannot be easily identified. Among them were Jack Allin, Prince Allin, Dick Allen, Cato Bannister, Pero Bicknell, Scipio Freeman, Prince Ingraham, Joseph Sochorose, Prince Tiffany, Pomp Watson, and Prince Watson. Scipio Freeman is buried at the Allin burial ground, and his grave was honored with a Revolutionary patriot marker in November, 1895.
In 1783 the Quakers petitioned for the complete abolition of slavery in Rhode Island, and in 1784 the act was passed which forever abolished human bondage, and bade the slave go forth to freedom, guaranteed and secured in part by their own labors and sacrifices.
Family Owned Slaves of Barrington
Cuff Adams
Dick Allen
Jack Allen
Prince Allen
Orpha Allin
Bristol Allin
Tower Allin
Henrietta Allin
Jenny Allin
Nancy Allin
Phillis Allin
Shaxper Allin
Pero Allin
Cato Bannister
Pomp Bicknell
Pomp Bicknell, Jr.
Pero Bicknell
Dick Bicknell
Dinah Bicknell
Rose Bicknell
Curry Bicknell
Jenny Bicknell
Cuff Bicknell |
Merea Bicknell
Pero Brown
Prince Brown
Wattle Brown
Jennie Brown
Reuben Brown
Scipio Brown
Jenny Bosworth
Jack Bosworth
Walley Cheese
Mary Cheese
Cato Euston
Duchess?
Scipio Freeman
Sylvia Heath
Rose Heath
Prince Ingraham
Jennie King
Mary Pomham
Prince Pero
Joshua Quam
Mary Quam
Scipio Richmond |
Joseph Schorose
Pomp Smith
Jenny Smith
Quash Smith
Molly Smith
Gardiner Smith
Caesar Smith
Jack Tiffany
Scipio Tiffany
Daniel Tiffany
Sabrina Tiffany
Prince Tiffany
Lucy Tiffany
Dinah Tiffany
Cambridge Watson
Jenny Watson
Jack Watson
Pomp Watson
Phillis Watson
Prince Watson |
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