AP African American Studies Resource Archive | Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History

Title page of an aging book, with "William Parker" handwritten in cursive at the top of the page. The book's title is, "A narrative of the proceedings of the black people, during the late awful calamity in Philadelphia, in the year 1773: and a refutation of some censures thrown upon them in some late publications."

Black Volunteers in the Nation’s First Epidemic

1794

Read Absalom Jones and Richard Allen’s narrative of the African American community’s response to the 1793 yellow fever epidemic.

Primary Source

Scan of a page from Phillis Wheatley's book of poems, 1773.

Phillis Wheatley’s poem on tyranny and slavery

1772

Take a deep dive into one of Wheatley's best-known poems.

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Scan of a signed contract engaging a captain to oversee a set of men acting as a slave patrol, with manuscript accomplishment, signed by Obadiah Woodson and Horace L. Robards.

Slave Patrol Contract

1856

Explore an effort to enforce North Carolina’s slave codes in 1856.

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A handwritten legal document for the posting of a bond for the manumission of the slave Ann.

A bond for the manumission of an enslaved woman

1757

View and develop an understanding of this manumission bond.

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A Journal of the Proceedings in the Detection of the Conspiracy

1744

Read an excerpt from a 1741 revolt of enslaved people, free Black people, and “Some White People” in colonial New York.

Primary Source

A page from the typed New-York Weekly Journal newspaper.

Slave Revolt in the West Indies

1733

This newspaper article recalls a revolt of enslaved people on the Caribbean island of St. John.

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Scan of a warrant for eight pounds and five shillings owed to soldier, Sharp Liberty. Signed "X"' by Liberty and J. Lawrence, treasurer.

An African American soldier’s pay warrant

1780

Learn more about this pay warrant issued to soldier Sharp Liberty for his service in the Continental Army.

Primary Source

Nelson Allyn to Joseph Allyn

1831

Read a firsthand account of the retaliation against African Americans in North Carolina after Nat Turner’s Rebellion.

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Letter written in brown ink in cursive on yellowing paper.

John Quincy Adams and the Amistad Case

1840

Read a letter written by John Quincy Adams about his role in supporting the Amistad captives’ petition for freedom.

Primary Source

AP African American Studies Resource Library