Records Related to Slavery in the District of Columbia: Home

Records Related to the Subject of Slavery in the District of Columbia

The institution of slavery lasted in the District of Columbia from its founding until the enactment of the Compensated Emancipation Act on April 16, 1862. This act ended slavery in the District of Columbia with many African Americans referring to themselves as the "first freed." The records held in the Office of Public Records and Archives document this story. 

Accessions

DC Jail Slave Journal

Accession Number: DCA 97-001

The District was a major center for the trading and marketing of enslaved persons. It was a place wherein, in a short period of time, the population of free people of color vastly outnumbered the enslaved. Additionally, the city's location sandwiched between 2 slavery states and its relative proximity to Pennsylvania and free territory, making it a very attractive destination for enslaved persons seeking to escape to freedom, Also, because it was the nation's capital, visitors, whether on business or pleasure, quite often arrived with their enslaved valets, maids, etc. The District Jail served as a depository for people of color caught and thought to be "runaways," as well as a place for travelers to keep their enslaved persons for "safekeeping."

The "Journal" is a register of slave commitments to the DC Jail from 1848 to 1862. Entries show number of individuals, date committed, prisoner's name; by whom committed; offense or circumstance; date discharged, witnesses, number of days imprisoned, notations regarding jail fees, and the dispensing of medical treatment by a physician. Those prisoners who were Afro-American are designated by the abbreviation "Neg."

Indentures of Apprenticeship (1812 - 1893)

Accession Number: DCA 90-001

DC Superior Court, Probate Division

The Orphan's Court and its successors had the authority to approve contracts of apprenticeship and to determine questions between masters and apprentices, and to protect the rights of apprentices. A minor child could be bound by his parents or guardians or by the Orphan's or Probate Court to an apprenticeship that bound him or her to serve a maximum term to the age 21, if a male or age 18 if a female. The indenture was filed in the office of the Register of Wills.

The contract usually stipulated the age at which the apprenticeship was concluded, the skill of trade to be taught, and, provided that the master taught the apprentice reading, writing, and common arithmetic, supply him or her with suitable clothing and maintenance and, in some cases, pay a certain amount for his or her services. Handwritten copies of indentures of apprenticeship giving the name of the person apprenticed, person or institution consenting to the apprenticeship, to whom apprenticed, skill to be learned, and the terms of service. Many of the indentures indicate race if blacks were a party to the indenture.

Since many of the entries give race in the case of blacks involved in transactions, the records have special value for researcher into the history of free blacks in D.C. 

Minutes of the Health Board (1822 - 1878)

Accession Number: DCA 90-004

Handwritten summary accounts of proceedings of the Board. Some entries also include a summary of reports of Board committees and, in a few instances, transcription of letters received and letters sent. The minutes contain information about sanitary conditions in Washington and attempts by the Board to create and enforce health regulations in order to rid the city of the sources of diseases. There is especially good documentation relating to the Board's response to the Cholera epidemic of 1832 as well as information protecting the city from Yellow fever, smallpox, and other diseases. There is information pertaining to the constant problems of low, marshy, and undrained areas in the city. The unhealthy conditions of the Washington Canal, health and hospital care for the indigent, and specific problems resulting from slaughterhouses, night soil, dead animals, dilapidated buildings, and other relating to public health.

With regard to the subject of slavery, a cursory review of an entry from June of 1832 addressing a Cholera epidemic does briefly address the actions of "servants," but it not clear if this is a reference to enslaved persons, or others. Further examination is needed to determine if there is more definitive content on the subject. 

Land Records: Recorded Deed Transactions 1790 - 1862

Accession Number: DCA 99-001

Enslaved persons were considered chattel property and were sold, bought, traded, and gifted like beasts of burden. These transactions were generally recorded among the land records of the District to protect the parties and documents of occurrence of such transactions; also included among the land records were Deeds of Manumission, Freedom papers, and registers of slaves by owners. Fortunately, there are finding aids that can help identify transactions involving enslaved people: "Index to District of Columbia Land Records 1792 - 1817;" "Manumissions and Certificates of Freedom;"

Probated Wills of Deceased Residents of DC

Accession: DCA 90-013

Because enslaved persons were considered chattel property, they were often mentioned in the wills of deceased slave owners. Fortunately, there
are finding aids that can be used to identify wills of slaveholders: "District of Columbia Will Abstracts (Will Book 5, 1837 - 1845)" is one.

Wills

Will of Anthony Bowen - former slave, civic leader, first black
employee of eh U.S. Patent Office

Will of Robert Brent - the first mayor of Washington, freed his slave in his will freed\

Will of William Brent- Clerk of the Court, brother of Robert Brent, slaveowner

Will of John Cook - Nephew of Alethea Tanner, Presbyterian Minister

Will of Stephen Decatur - Naval Commodore, national hero, builder/owner of the Decatur House, slave owner
Will of Frederick Douglass
Will of Elizabeth Hobbs Keckley - former slave, friend and confidant of Mary Todd Lincoln, seamstress /dressmaker, a founder of the Contraband relief Association to aid refugees, mainly newly freed enslaved persons

Will of Francis Scott Key - Attorney, author of the Stars Spangled Banner, slave owner

Will of Dolly P. Madison wife of President James Madison, slave owner

Will of James Monroe - President of the United States, slave owner
Will of Alethea Tanner - former slave, bought her own and family members freedom

Will of Anna Mae Thornton - wife of architect of the Capital William Thornton, slave owner, Snow Riot

Will of George Washington ( Will was originally filed in Virginia but also filed in District for property issues)

Death Records

Death Certificate of Frederick Douglass

Death Certificate of Daniel Bell- a black freeman and former slave employed in the Anchor Shop of Washington Navy Yard played important role in helping to organize one the greatest and most daring attempts to free enslaved African Americans during the whole antebellum era - The Pearl Affair.

Records On Microfilm:

Records of the Board of Commissioners for the Emancipation of Slaves in the District of Columbia
Description: Documents the activity of the Commissioners who conducted the business of providing payment for the slaves (referred to
as "Certain Persons") who were freed under the Emancipation Act. The film rolls contain the following:

1. Daily listing of Petitions for payment filed before the Commissioners includes dates, Commissioner's names, Petitioner's Name and
Slaves names

• Box 1: Petitions filed April 29-July 15, 1862
• Box 2: Petitions numbered 1-200
• Box 3: Petitions numbered 201-400
• Box 4: Petitions numbered 401-600
• Box 5: Petitions numbered 601-800
• Box 6: Petitions numbered 801-966

2. Docket Book pertaining to Certain Persons includes the Petition number, identification documentation, accessed value of the enslaved

• Box 1: Docket dates April - December 1862

3. Summary of List of Awards includes Names of Petitioners, Number and in later years Names of enslaved person, Compensation

• Box 1: Complete List of Payment paid.

4. Final Report of the Board

• Box 1: Commission Report - Narrative

The National Intelligencer (Newspaper) October 31, 1800 to August 8, 1850

U.S. Census for the District of Columbia 1800 to 1900

Habeas Corpus Case Records of the United States Circuit Court for the District of Columbia 1820 - 1863

Records of the U.S. District Court of the District of Columbia, re: to Slaves 1851 - 1863