Enslavement to
freedom
Notes, observations, historical hints, tidbits and stories from the community.
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About Enslavement in Pennsylvania
From Ann Hagen, December 20, 2003
I love your web site. I was able to find a section of a will of an ancestor (not for sure, but probably an ancestor), Richard Thomas, who owned slaves. I was quite stunned when I learned that I had an ancestor who was a slave holder, a "Quaker" slave-holder (I never knew Quakers could own slaves) and almost simultaneously someone here (Family History center in Annandale, Virginia) told me that even Benjamin Franklin owned slaves. I am now writing a screenplay based on my genealogical research, that takes place in Pennsylvania during the Revolution (Bucks County) and since there are slave characters in it, your website has been useful to me for background information. I lucked upon it when I did a general search query for information on slavery in Pennsylvania. Your site should definitely get some kind of recognition or award from a historical society--maybe you already have...but if you need a nominator, I will gladly volunteer.
Thanks so much. Ann Hagen
Reply from Celinda Scott, July 22, 2004