Begin at the Beginning: Slavery in Early Boston

"Slavery in Early Boston" is the first of three Partnership of Historic Bostons discussions this spring about slavery and servitude in early Massachusetts. 

This discussion will explore Samuel Sewall's forceful and controversial pamphlet, The Selling of Joseph; notwithstanding his reputation as a Salem witch trial judge, Sewall advocated abolition (although he did not believe black and white people could live together) and entered into a fierce pamphlet war with his slaveowning neighbor John Saffin. We will also examine the "uncommon sufferings" of Briton Hammon, abducted into slavery for many years before returning home to Boston.

Led by Prof. Kerri Greenidge of Tufts and UMass-Boston, this open group discussion will be about our responses to readings of primary texts about slavery in early Boston (17th and 18th centuries), including Samuel Sewall's The Selling of Joseph, and A Narrative of Uncommon Sufferings by Briton Hammon.

Please note that this is a reaing discussion group, not a lecture. All participants are expected to have read the following two primary texts for this discussion:

The Selling of Joseph, by Samuel Sewell

A Narrative of the Uncommon Sufferings, and Surprizing Deliverance of Briton Hammon