Slavery

[RichardB]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/southyorkshire/conten...d_feature.shtml

Benjamin Spencer of Cannon Hall near Barnsley for example, ‘dabbled’ in the trade in the 1750s.

[neddy]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/southyorkshire/conten...d_feature.shtml

Benjamin Spencer of Cannon Hall near Barnsley for example, ‘dabbled’ in the trade in the 1750s.

This bit brings it home,

The following verse is from Mather's ‘The File Hewer’s Lamentation’:

I'm debtor to a many,

But cannot pay one penny;

Sure I've worse luck than any;

My traps are marked for sale.

My creditors may sue me,

The bailiffs may pursue me,

And lock me up in jail.

As negroes in Virginia,

In Maryland or Guinea,

Like them I must continue—

To be both bought and sold.

While ***** ships are filling

I ne'er can save one shilling,

And must, which is more killing,

A pauper die when old.

There were people here who were no more than slaves, but never get a mention.