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How Did Colonial Assembly Change The Laws Of Servitude In Virginia

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How Did Colonial Assembly Change The Laws Of Servitude In Virginia
The colonial assembly in Virginia gradually changed their laws regarding servitude over the course of about sixty years. Beginning in 1643 their laws of servitude dealt entirely with indentured servants with no mention of race at all. This is likely because these laws were in reference to white servants. In March 1661 the assembly mentions “negroes” in reference to them running away with a white servant. Surprisingly, since blacks were already slaves for life, the white servant would “serve for the time of the said negroes absence.” By 1672 if a slave ran away and resisted their recapture then it was “lawfull for any person who shall endeavor to take them…to kill or wound him or them.” In 1680 the assembly decided they could no longer
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