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Tuesday, February 26, 2002

Slavery existed in Pittsburgh in accordance with Pennsylvania law until the Gradual Abolition Act of 1780. By 1840, all Africans residing here were free, and the city became a relatively safe place for those fleeing enslavement in Southern states such as Virginia and Maryland.

Pittsburgh had a credible abolitionist population that assisted runaways with food and shelter. Free African communities provided long-term sanctuary, and the city's African population continued to grow. In 1850, the U.S. Census counted 1,964 free Africans here.

As record numbers of enslaved Africans continued to escape to "free" Northern cities, the nation passed the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850. The intent was to prevent escaping slaves from finding sanctuary in the North. It was believed that freed slaves in large numbers would cause havoc to the social and economic order of the slave states and harm the financial stability and economic growth of the nation.

After the fugitive slave act was passed, many Africans in Pittsburgh and other Northern cities who had escaped slavery and slave catchers now feared recapture based on the enforcement of the new law. Anyone who could not provide proof of his freedom could be apprehended, taken back to a Southern state and sold into slavery or returned to a slave keeper. As a result, many Africans quickly left Pittsburgh and sought freedom in Canada. The census records of 1860 reveal that almost one half of Pittsburgh's African population was lost, dropping from 1,964 in 1850 to 1,149 in 1860.

Africans were emancipated during the Civil War, but slavery would not be eliminated until passage of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution in 1865, and the 14th and 15th amendments, which were passed shortly thereafter.

-- John L. Ford, History Center school program manager