A Troublesom Property

Roneisha Ellis

AMH 2091

Section 10

A Troublesome Property

Master-Slave Relations in Florida talked about religion on the plantations. Places such as Duval County slave master Zephaniah Kingsley didn't like the idea of his slaves being religious because he claimed that the slaves were harder to manage, disobeyed his orders, and stole more food. Many [planters and mangers believed that religious represented autonomy. Kingsley tried his best to eliminate black religious activity on his plantation. Unfortunately he was unsuccessful.

Counties like Madison slaves were not permitted to attend religious gatherings, but some of the braver slaves would meet up in secret and have religious services. Charlotte Martin who was Wilkerson ex slave described the judge cruelty and attempts to instill fear in his slaves. The slaves knew the consequences of their actions. If the slaves were ever caught taking part in the acts of independence they were whipped severely, some were eve whipped to death. During the time the slaves actually got a chance to practice Christianity the message was taught by a white preacher. He would basically preach to the slaves about minding their masters and mistresses and they would be saved, but if they disobeyed them they would not be saved. The white preachers would also tell the slaves to honor their masters and to have no other god but them because they cannot see the other god, but they can see their masters. Another thing the passage talked about was the quote o quote good slave and master relationships. Some slaves state that their masters treated them well by feeding them well, and giving them comfortable living quarters. Some of the masters would reward the slaves by giving them money, and giving them time off.

Out of 742 runaways 77 percent were males. The times when slaves ran away were in February, April, May, and June. Some of the main reasons why slaves fled were to be free of course, and because they were separated from their families or loved ones. New masters and overseers had also took control.Most of the runaway slave would flee to south Florida, or the Bahamas. Once the runaways were in the Bahamas they were safe under the British jurisdiction even though the slave masters would plea to get the slaves back. In my opinion preachers made it seem like the master Zephaniah was Jesus Christ himself. They act as if black males and females had no common sense at all to tell the difference between god and the masters. I applaud all the slaves that were brave enough to risk their own life's to practice their