Puerto Rico Slavery and Bondage
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Resources
Online Resources
- 1863-1879 Puerto Rico Slave Registers, 1863-1879 at FamilySearch; index & images
- 1867-1876 Registro de esclavos (Slave Registers), 1867-1876 at FamilySearch; images (*)
- Puerto Rican Slave Documents, New York Public Library, index & images
- 1872 Puerto Puerto Rico, Registro Central de Esclavos (Slave Registers), 1872(*) at FamilySearch Catalog - images
- 1872 Puerto Rico, Registro Central de Esclavos, 1872 at Ancestry - index & images ($)
- Caribbean Slavery Resources at Ancestors of Paradise
Offices to Contact
Background
Slavery in Puerto Rico began shortly after Spanish colonization in the early 1500s. Initially, the Spanish relied on the indigenous Taíno population for labor, but their numbers were drastically reduced due to disease, warfare, and harsh treatment. Consequently, the Spanish turned to the transatlantic slave trade, importing enslaved Africans to work primarily in gold mining and later on sugar plantations. As the demand for sugar grew in Europe, so did the demand for enslaved labor in Puerto Rico. By the 1700s-1800s, sugar production became the dominant economic activity, solidifying the importance of slavery to the island's economy. These enslaved individuals endured brutal conditions, including long hours, physical abuse, and limited access to food and healthcare. They formed a significant portion of the island's population, and their labor was crucial to the colonial economy.
The conditions of slavery in Puerto Rico, while undeniably harsh, differed in some respects from those in other Caribbean colonies. While large sugar plantations existed, smaller-scale farming and other economic activities also employed enslaved people. This sometimes led to more direct interactions between enslavers and the enslaved, which could result in slightly different forms of social control and resistance. Manumission (the freeing of enslaved people) was also somewhat more common in Puerto Rico than in some other colonies, though it was still a difficult and often expensive process. Throughout the period of slavery, enslaved people resisted their bondage through various means, including escape, rebellion, and cultural preservation. These acts of resistance played a crucial role in shaping the island's history and ultimately contributed to the abolition of slavery.
The abolition of slavery in Puerto Rico occurred relatively late compared to other parts of the Spanish Empire. While discussions about abolition began earlier, it wasn't until 1873 that slavery was officially abolished. This was due in part to the economic importance of enslaved labor to the island's agricultural sector and the political influence of pro-slavery factions. The abolition decree, known as the Moret Law, was implemented gradually, with a system of "libreto" (apprenticeship) established to transition formerly enslaved people into free labor. This system, however, still imposed restrictions on their freedom and economic opportunities.
- 1872 Slave Registry for Mayagüez, Puerto Rico: An Analysis at Estudios Sociales - digital article
Types of Records
Slavery Registry of 1872
In 1872, the Spanish government ordered a central registry of all slaves living in Puerto Rico at that time. This record type is fairly unique for Latin America as it was created the year before the enslaved persons were freed by the government in 1873. The records helped the government compensate owners for each freed slave. Even so, slavery continued in spots for several more years.