Unfreedom: Slavery and Dependence in Eighteenth-Century Boston

Unfreedom examines the complex bonds of slavery and dependency in colonial-era Boston, focusing on the period between 1700-1783. Through detailed research and historical records, Calvin Schermerhorn reconstructs the social and economic relationships that defined unfree labor in this maritime hub. The book traces the experiences of enslaved and dependent people through Boston's merchant houses, workshops, and waterfront. Schermerhorn analyzes court records, letters, and business documents to reveal how enslaved individuals navigated systems of control while building their own networks and communities. Personal stories of both prominent and lesser-known historical figures demonstrate how slavery operated within Boston's web of commercial relationships and family connections. The narrative follows several key individuals and families across generations as they confronted changing definitions of freedom and bondage. This work challenges traditional views about slavery in colonial New England by revealing the deep interconnections between freedom and unfreedom in early American society. Through its examination of power dynamics in colonial Boston, the book offers insights into the nature of human bondage and its role in shaping American economic and social structures.

There are very few public reader reviews available for this academic history book published in 2016. Readers appreciated: - Detailed research into Boston's economy and labor systems - Focus on both enslaved people and other unfree workers - Clear writing style that makes complex economic concepts accessible - Use of individual stories and case studies to illustrate broader patterns Readers noted concerns about: - Limited scope focuses mainly on Boston's waterfront - Technical economic language in some sections - High academic price point limiting accessibility Review Sources: Goodreads: No ratings or reviews Amazon: 5/5 stars (1 review) JSTOR: Three academic reviews praise the research methodology and contribution to the field H-Net Reviews: One review highlights the book's "careful attention to the legal and economic structures" No reader reviews were found on other major book platforms or academic forums.

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🔹 Boston's maritime economy created unique forms of bondage where enslaved people often worked on ships, making escape both more possible yet also more dangerous than on Southern plantations 🔹 Author Calvin Schermerhorn teaches at Arizona State University and has written extensively about how capitalism and slavery were interconnected in early America 🔹 The book reveals how many enslaved people in colonial Boston were "partially free" - able to earn wages and live separately from owners while still legally enslaved 🔹 Women made up about 40% of Boston's enslaved population and often worked in taverns and shops, creating complex social networks that helped some gain freedom 🔹 Despite Massachusetts abolishing slavery in 1783, many Boston merchants continued profiting from the slave trade by financing Southern plantations and shipping slave-produced goods