The Free Negro in Virginia 1691- 1865 by John Henderson Russell - Book Report/Review Example

The free men were not distributed evenly, there is hardly any in the mountainous areas, but they feature strongly to the east. The author gives quite precise details as to how many negroes lived in each section of the state, with the majority living in urban areas. In some counties, free negroes made up the majority of the free population. Chapter 2 The Origin of the Free Negro Class In this chapter, the author is seeking to correct the common idea, especially among proslavers, that all negroes who arrived in the area were slaves.

From this point of view, it could be argued that freedom was abnormal. However many were indented servants rather than slaves and in some cases were landowners, although by the mid-17th-century slavery had become the rule. Chapter 3 Manumission and Chapter 4 The Legal Status of the Free NegroThese two chapters are linked by the idea of slavery as a legal state according to the laws of Virginia. Chapter 3 deals with the various ways in which slaves could be legally freed. In chapter 4 the author looks at what a free negro, not actually a citizen at this stage, could or could not do.

They were not for instance usually allowed to own slaves after 1860, there were restrictions on places of residence and they would not have had the vote. However a law of 1655 they were allowed to have slaves of their own people.Chapter 5 Social Status of the Free NegroRussell makes it clear that freedom did not mean social status equal to white people. Many free negroes were considered to be at about the same level as the lower white servants. However, apart from interbreeding except with the Indians, on page 175, the author points out that some negroes at least were accepted in business with respect and as property owners, and even took part in elections.

These though were the exception. ConclusionThis book goes into a great deal of detail to prove the author’s points. Whether or not it would change people’s attitudes Afro-Americans is another matter.