My earlier post on this topic was picked up by Gossips of Rivertown. That brought a reference from David Marston to a new source: Radical Cartography where the results of the 1790 Census (the first census) provided further data on slavery in our region and elsewhere. Here are a few examples. In 1790:
- Hudson – total population of 2,584 with 2,364 free whites, 27 free non-white, and 193 slaves – 7% of the population.
- Kinderhook – total population of 4,666 with 4,027 free whites, 6 free non-whites and 638 slaves – 14% of the population.
- Rhinebeck – total population of 3,649 with 3,175 free whites, 66 free non-white and 421 slaves – 11% of the population.
- Catskill – total population 1,885 with 1,667 free whites, 8 free non-white and 365 slaves – 15% of the population.
It is clear that though slavery in the North was not the dominant economic engine that was true of the South, slavery was present and visible on a day-to-day basis.
Revision 11/20/2019
For a compelling reinterpretation of the census data see: Slavery in Hudson – updated (9/14/2019)
More about slavery in Hudson
Slavery in Hudson – updated (opens in new window) 9/14/2019
