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Date: | Fri, 31 Dec 2004 11:37:53 EST |
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Candace,
It is my understanding that iron collars were not regularly used on
indentured servants in the 17th - 18th centuries, unless such a restraining device was
necessary due to violent or criminal transgressions. Although such devices
(along with shackles) were used on slaves in the middle passage, the vast
majority of native born and acculturated slaves in the colonial period were not
collared, shackled, or otherwise restrained on the plantations, towns, and
factories of the South. Only if the person proved problematic to the owner and social
order - either by being a runaway or committing crimes - were they placed in
restraints. They're definition of "problematic" was, of course, highly
subjective, and punishment or restraint could be liberally applied or not - according
to the whim of the owners.
Most of the surviving iron collars, shackles, etc.that I have seen appear to
be from the 19th century, when the fear of slaves and slave revolt lead to
much more common use of these things. And such collars were also used on dogs -
so it would be useful to get photos of your object sent to a knowledgeable
person for comparison.
Indentured servants and slaves were given identity "papers" if they were
traveling or loaned-out. Read the indentured servant, apprentice, and slave
runaway ads in period gazettes - they're a great source of information.
Cheers!
Dave
David Harvey
Conservator
Los Angeles, California
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