African Slaves: Population

• 1752 census counted 446 African slaves in the Illinois country--188 males, 113 females, 83 boys, and 62 girls. They constituted more than one third of the total population.
• The first African slaves came to Illinois about 1720, and most did agricultural work. Shipments of slaves to Illinois were forbidden after 1747 due to the scarcity of slaves in Louisiana. After the French and Indian War, more African slaves were brought to Illinois.
• Many African slaves were born in Illinois and lived their entire lives there.

How do they compare? Native Americans | French Settlers | African Slaves

© Illinois State Museum 31-Dec-96