“Land of the Blacks”: America’s First Free Black Community

Archivists and co-authors Jasmine Bumpers and Jamie Brinkman discuss their article ‘Land of the Blacks: America’s First Free Black Community.’ Bumpers and Brinkman describe how in 1643 the first of 29 land patents located just north of New Amsterdam, issued by New Netherland director William Kieft, were granted to those of African descent who successfully petitioned for half-freedom.

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