Self Emancipation

A sketch drawing of a ship with sails raised, and flags on the front and back and each most of the ship. A label reads “Potomack River” in cursive underneath the ship.

Finding People Who Don’t Want to be Found: Students and the Chesapeake’s Unfree People

In 1673, a Black woman named Pendall escaped with her son from the Accomack County plantation of Tabitha Browne, where they were enslaved. They stole…

Guest ContributorJune 17, 2026

Digital Projects Education & Programming

Fugitive Data Portraits: Self-Emancipation in Virginia

Richard Slaughter was born on January 9, 1849, on Eppes Island in City Point, Virginia. He and his family were enslaved by Richard Eppes until…

Tev'n PowersAugust 20, 2025

Archives Digital Projects

“Getting no intelligence of them”: Stories of Fugitives from Slavery

In the summer of 1826, Nelly and her two daughters Harriet and Juno took advantage of a rare opportunity. While their enslavers, Notley Williams and…

Lydia NeurothFebruary 26, 2025

Archives Newspapers

“Gone in the First Boat”: Part 2

This month’s blog is a continuation of the story I posted last month of an enslaved man, Richard, who helped his nephew Tazewell seize his…

Lydia NeurothNovember 24, 2021

“Gone in the First Boat”: Part 1

On March 18, 1856, an enslaved man named Richard was charged in the City of Richmond for the crime of aiding and advising Tazewell, his…

Lydia NeurothOctober 27, 2021

Newspapers

Finding People Who Don’t Want to be Found: Students and the Chesapeake’s Unfree People

Fugitive Data Portraits: Self-Emancipation in Virginia

“Getting no intelligence of them”: Stories of Fugitives from Slavery

“Gone in the First Boat”: Part 2

“Gone in the First Boat”: Part 1

Stealing Freedom: The Fairfax Slave Who Liberated Himself and His Son

Petersburg Chancery Reveals Rich African American History

Primary Source Offers Questions and Clues About Will, Runaway Slave