Medford Historical Society Papers, Volume 2.

‘[p. 122] stripes unless the Said master Give Satisfaction.’ The phrase ‘give satisfaction’ may mean a money compensation or a satisfactory explanation; the latter I am inclined to regard as the intended meaning. Brooks says, ‘they [i.e., the slaves] were treated much after the manner of children.’ The statement is ambiguous. Did this law remind him of a curfew regulation?

The records of vital statistics contain frequent notices of slaves. Of these the most numerous are the deaths; the fewest are the marriages. As the master's name is given in many cases, these records also throw light on the question of slave-holders in Medford. About 40 deaths are recorded between 1745 and 1780. It is rather curious that three of Colonel Royall's slaves died within a year, at the outbreak of the Revolution. Perhaps they were heartbroken at his departure. A few entries are given here by way of illustration:

Peter, Son of Worcester & Flora, Negroes of Rev. Mr. Turell and Stephen Hall, Esq., Dyed Jan. 9, 1762.

Plato, a Negro Servant of Hon. Isaac Royall Esq., drowned June 8, 1768.

London, A Negro Man of the Widow Mary Bradshaw's Died Oct. 15, 1760.

Caesar, Negro Servant of Ebenezar Brooks of Medford and Zipporah negro Servant of Nathl Brown of Charlestown, married June 23, 1757.

As would be inferred, the number of slave owners was not large, and they were the leading men of the town: the Halls, Brookses and Willises, Dr. Simon Tufts, Rev. Mr. Turrell, and, above all, Col. Isaac Royall. This first Royall brought with him from Antigua a number of slaves and in 1737 petitioned that the duty on them be abated, but no further action than to lay it on the table was taken. He probably had at least fifteen at a time, and the ‘slave-quarters,’ so-called, have become an object of considerable historical interest. The entire number of persons holding slaves in the last half of the 18th century probably did not