Good Morning POU! The Christmas Week, by Henry Louis Stephens, circa 1863. Philadelphia artist Henry Louis Stephens produced a series of Civil War period cards that “illustrated the journey of a slave from plantation life to the struggle for liberty, for which he gives his life, as a Union soldier during the Civil War.” This card above shows slaves reveling in … [Read more...] about Saturday Open Thread: A Slaves’ Christmas, Part 6
American Slavery
Friday Open Thread: A Slaves’ Christmas, Part 5
Good Morning POU! Today we look at the daring Christmas escape of 1854, as Harriet Tubman led her brothers out of the bondage of slavery. Harriet Tubman helped her brothers escape at Christmas. Their master intended to sell them after Christmas but was delayed by the holiday. The brothers were expected to spend the day with their elderly mother but met Tubman in secret. … [Read more...] about Friday Open Thread: A Slaves’ Christmas, Part 5
Thursday Open Thread: A Slaves’ Christmas, Part 4
Good Morning POU! Christmas was a popular time of year to run away to seek freedom in the Northern states. Slaves reasoned that they were less likely to be missed or apprehended on the roads at Christmas time than at any other time of the year, since they would not be expected to show up for work until after the holiday. Furthermore, whites were accustomed to seeing many … [Read more...] about Thursday Open Thread: A Slaves’ Christmas, Part 4
Wednesday Open Thread: A Slaves’ Christmas, Part 3
Good Morning POU! Many slave owners gave their slaves three days off at Christmas time. Some permitted fewer or no days of rest, and others allowed more than three days. On some plantations slaves were authorized to select a Yule log to burn in the main fireplace of the manor house. The slaves' holiday lasted as long as the log burned. Naturally the slave sent to fetch … [Read more...] about Wednesday Open Thread: A Slaves’ Christmas, Part 3
Tuesday Open Thread: A Slaves’ Christmas, Part 2
Good Morning POU! We continue our look at traditions and customs for American slaves during the last week of the year. In antebellum North Carolina, Christmas season was the time for an African American celebration found almost nowhere else in North America, but widespread through the islands of the Caribbean. Variously called Jonkonnu, Johnkannaus, John Coonah, or … [Read more...] about Tuesday Open Thread: A Slaves’ Christmas, Part 2