South Carolina slave codes facts for kids
South Carolina was one of the first American colonies to create special rules for enslaved people. These rules were called "slave codes." The first slave code in South Carolina was made in 1695. It was based on similar rules from Jamaica (1684) and Barbados (1661). Many other colonies in North America, like Georgia and Florida, later used South Carolina's slave code as a model for their own laws. These codes were designed to control the lives of enslaved African people.
What the Slave Codes Said
The slave code from 1712 in South Carolina set out how different groups of people were treated. It stated that "Negroes and other slaves" were considered "barbarous, wild, savage natures." This meant the laws of the colony were not thought to apply to them in the same way they applied to white people.
The slave code included many rules, such as:
- Enslaved people were not allowed to leave their owner's land. They could only leave if a white person was with them or if they had special permission. If an enslaved person left without permission, any white person was allowed to punish them.
- Any enslaved person who tried to run away and leave the colony could be put to death.
- If an enslaved person ran away and was not caught for 20 days or more, they would be publicly whipped. For a second time, they would be branded with the letter R on their right cheek. If they were gone for 30 days a third time, they would lose one ear.
- Owners who did not follow the slave code could be fined. They could also lose ownership of their enslaved people.
- Homes of enslaved people were searched every two weeks. This was to look for weapons or stolen items. Punishments for breaking these rules could include losing an ear, branding, or having their nose cut. For a fourth offense, the punishment was death.
- Enslaved people were not allowed to work for money. They could not plant certain crops like corn, peas, or rice for themselves. They also could not own animals like hogs, cattle, or horses. They were not allowed to own or use a boat. They could not buy or sell anything. They also could not wear clothes that were considered "finer" than a simple fabric called 'Negro cloth.'
Changes to the Rules in 1739
The South Carolina slave code was updated in 1739 with new rules:
- Enslaved people were not allowed to be taught how to write. They could not work on Sunday. They also could not work more than 15 hours a day in summer or 14 hours a day in winter.
- If someone purposely killed an enslaved person, they had to pay a fine of £700. If they killed an enslaved person "in a moment of anger," the fine was £350.
- Hiding enslaved people who had run away could lead to a fine of $1,000 and up to one year in prison.
- It was against the law to hire any Black person or enslaved person as a clerk. Breaking this rule meant a fine of $100 and six months in prison.
- Selling or giving alcohol to enslaved people was also against the rules. The punishment was a $100 fine and six months in prison.
- Teaching an enslaved person to read and write was forbidden. The punishment was a fine of $100 and six months in prison. If someone spread writings that encouraged rebellion among enslaved people, the punishment was death.
- Freeing an enslaved person was generally not allowed. After 1820, a special permission from the state government was needed to free an enslaved person. Georgia had a similar rule after 1801.
It is important to know that some parts of these codes were not always strictly followed. This was sometimes because they would cost slave owners money or limit their power. For example, even after 1712, enslaved people often worked for pay in Charleston.
