I would recommend the following books. I don't know the answer for Antebellum Southern slaves in depth. Most work has been done on the celebration festivals of emancipated slaves. If I had to make a guess, I doubt the 4th of July was much different for slaves than July 3rd or July 5th.
  	
Celebrating the fourth Independence Day and the rites of Nationalism in the Early Republic
Len Travers. 

Festivals of freedom : memory and meaning in African American emancipation celebrations, 1808-1915
Mitch Kachun.

Defining moments : African American commemoration & political culture in the South, 1863-1913
Kathleen Ann Clark.

 Race and reunion the Civil War in American memory
by David W. Blight. 

Enjoy!

Matthew White
PhD Student
History of Science
University of Florida

 
On Wednesday, May 13, 2009, at 02:54PM, "Jeff Pruett" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>Hi all,
>
> 
>
>I'm assisting a colleague with a research question and I wanted to see
>if any of you have any documentation.  Could any of please provide
>documentation of what slaves were doing during the 4th of July in the
>south?  I look forward to your replies.  Many thanks!
>
> 
>
> 
>
>Best wishes,
>
> 
>
> 
>
>Jeff
>
> 
>
> 
>
>Jeffery J. Pruett
>
> 
>
>Gaston County Museum of Art & History
>
>Programs Coordinator
>
>131 West Main Street
>
>Dallas, NC 28034
>
>704.922.7681 Ext. 105
>
>Fax 704.922.7683
>
> 
>
>[log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]> 
>
> 
>
>www.gastoncountymuseum.org <http://www.gastoncountymuseum.org>  
>
> 
>
>
>
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