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Tag: 1766

Freedom for Jenny Slew

May 11, 2023April 5, 2026 Gordon Harris1 Comment

Jenny Slew was born about 1719 as the child of a free white woman and a black slave. She lived her life as a free woman until 1762 when she was illegally enslaved by John Whipple. Jenny Slew is believed to be the first person held as a slave to be granted freedom through trial by jury.

Posted in People, StoriesTagged 1766, Ipswich, november, slavery, slider, truth, women
Ipswich MA historic photos by William Varrel

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Early Inhabitants of Ipswich, Massachusetts by Abraham Hammatt
Ipswich Massachusetts Revisited by William Varrel

© Gordon Harris 2026

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