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Archiver > ESSEX-ROOTS > 1998-02 > 0888459180


From: John & Debbie <>
Subject: History of Ipswich
Date: Wed, 25 Feb 1998 18:13:00 -0800


Mariana told me that the last two parts came through truncated. So, I am
resending both parts together. If you received them in full, just delete
this.

SLAVES

     These were owned for a considerable period, though in no great
number, by inhabitants of Ipswich. They were Indians as well as
Africans. Besides these, in the early age of the colony, criminals were
sold into servitude for a term of years, according to their offences.
  * 1755. The slaves in this town above sixteen, are sixty-two.
  1774. Conscience and consistency, as to the claims of freedom, so
prevail in Massachusetts, that slaves of twenty-one, who sue for
emancipation, have a verdict of juries in their favor. This greatly
loosens the bonds of slavery in Ipswich and other places.
  1780. The State Constitution declares, that “all men are born free and
equal.” This clause is inserted as an abolition of human bondage. It
gives liberty to the slaves here and elsewhere. Thus fell one of the
greatest abominations ever chargeable upon the home of the Puritans.
Well, unspeakably well, would it have been for no small portion of our
Republic, could it have been influenced by the same enlightened views,
and by the same righteous motives. But we are aware that it is not so.
The cries of oppressed multitudes still throng Heaven’s tribunal for
awful retribution upon our land. Millions, holding their fellow-beings
in servitude, are bequeathing to their children a heritage of peril,
iniquity, blood, and carnage.

* Massachusetts Historical Society's Collections

----------------

POPULATION

  As the tide of emigration has long flowed from Ipswich, with little
comparative reflux, the people of this place have not become numerous.
  * 1646. There are one hundred and forty families. --- These would
make, if reckoning, as is commonly done, five and two-thirds to a
family, about 793 inhabitants.
  † 1677, Dec. 20th. Twenty-five Tythingmen are appointed, each of whom
by act of the General Court, is to have the charge of ten families. This
would give 1,417.
  According to the census of 1800, there were 3,305, --- 1810, 3,569,
--- 1820, 2,553. The diminution of this from the preceding census, was
because Chebacco parish had become incorporated. 1830, 2,951
inhabitants. The greater part of the men are farmers. From the
appearance of business and the erection of new buildings, in 1833, there
is a prospect, that this ancient town may retain more than usual of its
young people, and advance in numbers as well as in property.

* The Wonder-Working Providence, by Edward Johnson
† Colony Records

http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/1067/HistoryOfIpswich.htm

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