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Commonwealth Museum   Secretary of the Commonwealth William Francis Galvin
Commonwealth Museum Secretary of the Commonwealth William Francis Galvin

Origins of Slavery in Colonial Massachusetts

Because it was condoned in the Bible, Puritans legalized slavery. Massachusetts became the first English colony in America to do so.

In 1637 a Pequot village near present day Mystic Connecticut was surrounded and put to flame. Those attempting to escape were shot. A similar massacre would occur later during King Philip’s War. - Alamy
In 1637 a Pequot village near present day Mystic Connecticut was surrounded and put to flame. Those attempting to escape were shot. A similar massacre would occur later during King Philip’s War.
- Alamy

Prologue: Wars with Native People 

In 1637 soldiers from Massachusetts allied with Native warriors to suppress the Pequot nation. The Pequot’s killing of a disreputable English sea captain was a rationale for the war. Control of land and wampum - sea shells used by the colonists for money - were significant factors. In 1676 King Philip’s War, a region wide conflict, became the deadliest war per capita in American history. Indian captives were enslaved after both wars.


This period image by Captain John Underhill depicts the doomed Pequot village. Over 400 men, women and children were killed. With a selective reading of the Bible Underhill wrote, “Sometimes the Scripture declareth women and children must perish with the parents . . . We had sufficient light from the word of God for our proceedings.”

This period image by Captain John Underhill depicts the doomed Pequot village. Over 400 men, women and children were killed. With a selective reading of the Bible Underhill wrote, “Sometimes the Scripture declareth women and children must perish with the parents . . . We had sufficient light from the word of God for our proceedings.”
- Library of Congress

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“A stock of slaves sufficient to do all our business.”

-  Recommendation by Reverend Emmanuel Downing, 1645

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Reverend Downing’s Proposal

A severe labor shortage developed in Massachusetts, in part because fewer new settlers were arriving. Boston wages may have been highest in the empire. After the Pequot War Reverend Emmanuel Downing proposed a money saving solution – another war with Narraganset Indians, enslaving some, and trading others for enslaved Africans. His brother-in-law, John Winthrop (the former and future governor) did not agree to a second war, although the pattern was followed with Pequot captives.

Sir George Downing, Emmanuel Downing’s son
Downing Street in London

Downing Street in London, home of British Prime Ministers, is named after its developer, Sir George Downing, Emmanuel Downing’s son.
- Fogg Museum; Photo: Sergeant Tom Robinson RLC

Legalizing Slavery, 1641
The 1641 Massachusetts Body of Liberties has been compared to the American Bill of Rights. Many of its provisions are surprisingly progressive. However, it legalized slavery, mimicking Biblical rules for slavery among the Israelites. The Puritans could not enslave other colonists but could enslave captives “in just warres” and others who “willingly selle themselves or are sold to us.”