Florida became United States territory in 1821. Up until then, the Spanish had ruled the land for almost three hundred years. When Florida achieved statehood, the total population was twelve thousand, the majority consisting of free blacks, fugitive slaves, or Seminole, Creek or Mikasuki Indians. Some blacks found the more relaxed racial climate to their liking. By the 1730s, Spanish Florida existed...
The 54th Massachusetts regiment of the Civil War was made up entirely of African Americans, except for its white officers. Because it was the first black regiment to be organized in the North, many were watching its progress. If the regiment’s performance turned out to be noteworthy, it would be the deciding factor if blacks would be used in battle. The regiment was formed in March 1863 after the...
In 1803, Zephaniah Kingsley began bringing slaves from Africa to his plantation in Fort George Island.[1] Fort George Island is located slightly north of modern day Jacksonville. “The United States did not allow anyone to bring in slaves after 1808. But Florida still belonged to Spain, and so smugglers brought in slaves to the southern United States through northern Florida.”[2] Slaves...
On Friday, February 11, 1933 Zora Neale Hurston’s program “From Sun to Sun” was shown at the Recreation Hall of Rollins College at 8:15 in the evening. At the performance Hurston led her company of Negroes in songs of African folklore, originating from various places around the state. Such songs included “Shack Rouser,” “East Coast Blues,” and “Alabama Bound”. The scenery for “From...
In the Clutches of Slavery As time went on and the distribution of slaves increased it became much easier to buy slaves. The fact that labor could be bought for pennies was perfect for land owners in the New World. There were many ways that people could buy and sell their slaves. For many, purchases came right from the ships, these ships were coming up from the Caribbean. The process of slavery went...