Black Laws of 1804 and 1807 facts for kids

The Black Laws of 1804 and 1807 were special rules in Ohio that made it hard for African Americans to live there. Even though slavery was not allowed in Ohio's first constitution from 1803, these laws tried to stop Black people from moving into the state. The 1804 law said that Black residents in Ohio needed a special paper proving they were free. The 1807 law made them pay a $500 bond, which was a lot of money, to promise good behavior.

What Were the Black Laws?

Ohio's first constitution in 1803 followed the Northwest Ordinance. This meant slavery was forbidden north of the Ohio River. However, many people in Ohio had moved from Southern states where slavery was common. These people often did not want to give rights to African Americans.

Rules of the 1804 Law

The 1804 law said that all Black and mixed-race residents needed a certificate. This paper had to come from the Clerk of the Court. It proved they were free. If an employer hired someone without this certificate, they could be fined. The fine was between $10 and $50. This money was split between the person who reported the violation and the state.

Rules of the 1807 Law

The 1807 law added more rules. Black and mixed-race residents had to pay a $500 bond. This bond was a promise of good behavior. It also made sure they would not become a problem for the local community. If someone did not have this bond, the local Overseer of the Poor had to make them leave. This was like being forced to move away. If someone helped or hired a Black person without a bond, they faced a $100 penalty. This money was also split. The law also said that a Black person could not be a witness in court against a white person.

Other Restrictions for Black Ohioans

Beyond these laws, Black people in Ohio faced many other challenges. They could not vote. They could not hold public office. They were not allowed to serve in the state's militia. They also could not serve on a jury. Black children were not allowed in the regular public school system until 1848. After that, a new law allowed communities to create separate schools for Black children.

Efforts to Change the Laws

In 1837, Black Ohioans held a statewide meeting. They wanted to get rid of the Black Laws. Their efforts helped bring attention to these unfair rules.

The Black Laws were partly removed in 1849. This happened because the Democrats needed support from the Free Soil Party. The Free Soil Party was against slavery. The part of the law about posting a bond was removed. In 1851, delegates from Cuyahoga County also stopped anti-Black rules from being added to the new state constitution. However, a federal law called the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 made things difficult. Under this law, free Black people could be kidnapped. They could be forced into slavery if someone claimed they were runaway slaves. They had no rights in court to defend themselves.

How the Laws Affected People

The Black Laws were not always strictly enforced. Sometimes, they were used to scare and threaten Black residents. In 1818, a local police officer in Wayne Township was paid to warn Black and mixed-race people to leave.

The Cincinnati Riot of 1829

In 1829, a violent event happened in Cincinnati. Many homes in the Black part of the city were destroyed. Almost half of the city's Black population was forced to leave. Some of them moved to Canada.

Expulsions in Portsmouth

On January 21, 1830, a day known as Black Friday, all 80 Black people in Portsmouth were forced to leave. These expulsions led to the creation of a Black community in Huston Hollow. This community later became a part of the Underground Railroad. The Underground Railroad was a secret network that helped enslaved people escape to freedom.