Slaves and Slaveholders In Bermuda, 1616–1782

At only twentyone square miles in area, Bermuda saw slaves and slaveholders working and living closer together than in other societies. The colony’s maritime pursuits offered slaves a degree of autonomy unequaled in other English colonies. Bernhard delves into the origins of Bermuda’s slavery, its peculiar nature, and its effects on blacks and whites.
At only twentyone square miles in area, Bermuda saw slaves and slaveholders working and living closer together than in other societies. The colony’s maritime pursuits o ered slaves a degree of autonomy un- equaled in other English colonies. Bernhard delves into the origins of Bermuda’s slavery, its peculiar nature, and its e ects on blacks and whites.

The study is based on archival research drawn from wills and inventories, laws and court cases, governors’ reports and council minutes. As an introduction to the history of the islands, this book will prove invaluable to scholars of slavery, historical archaeology, anthropology, maritime history, and colonial history.