Steve Parker: (again)

Slavery did exist in the northern colonies (later States) but was an entirely different situation from the Southern states.

In the first place Slaves had the same rights as indentured servants, andf could anly be held in bondage for precisely the same length of time. Any attempt by a slave owner to cicumvent this law, such as by selling a slavce outside the state, was met with a whopping big fine, larger than any money that could be realized by such a sale.
ALL CHILDREN WERE BORN FREE. and, their education was not only encouraged but was paid for by the state.
The first and second Rhode Island Regiments, the very first military units ever organized in the United States Army, were composed entirely by African Americans. Most of these soldiers were already free, and the others were bought out of slavery by the State of Rhode Island on the condition that they enlist in the Army.
Oddly enough, when the war of independence ended and they were mustere out, a lot of the ex slaves went back to work (as free men) for their old masters.
If someone, like a blacksmith, wanted an apprentice, for instance, he would purchase a slave and, like an apprentice, was taken into the family, shared their quarters, etc. and, at the termination of their period of servitude.the blacksmith had a partneror an employee. he knew he could depend on.
As slaves received the same wages that the law required for an indentured servant, the only noticeable difference, upon emancipation, was a large increase in the Afro American's income.

I have acess to the service records of the local members of the first and second regiments and if you really are interested, I'll send you some particulars.

Their descendants, by the way, for the most part, live in one of the best neighborhoods in Newport, with the neatest, best kept homes and surroundings in the city. It is, by no means, exclusively black. A good half of our "Dark Skinned Yankee" families are scattered throughout the city.

If you're ever in our neighborhood, look me up and I'll introduce you to the realities of Afro-American life in a Yankee state.

respectfully yours

Jody Gibson