Slave owners Quote by Linda Colley
““By Jamaican standards, this level of slave-ownership on the part of a skilled craftsman was not unusual. The 157 inhabitants of Port Royal who were registered as slave-owners in 1738 laid claim on average to nine slaves apiece.22 But to Milbourne Marsh, an English incomer with no property beyond the contents of his sea-chest, the sight of this level of affluence in a fellow shipwright must have been startling, and it is unlikely that it was merely physical and emotional attraction that drew him initially to James Evans’ wife.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Caribbean in the Age of Revolutions, Linda Colley, 2020
The passage highlights how common slave ownership was among skilled artisans in 18th‑century Port Royal, and how an outsider like Milbourne Marsh would find the wealth of a fellow shipwright both surprising and socially complex.
In simple terms: Skilled artisans often owned many slaves; an outsider was shocked by this wealth.
Key Takeaway
Recognize how economic norms shape social perceptions.
Themes
history
economics
social hierarchy
colonialism
Mood
reflective
critical
thoughtful
Type
historical
analytical
contextual
When to use this quote
- historical research
- museum exhibit
- educational curriculum
- public lecture
Key Concepts
slave ownership
social status
economic disparity
Questions to Reflect On
- How did slave ownership affect community relations?
- What moral dilemmas arise when wealth is built on slavery?
A Different Perspective
The account may overlook personal agency of enslaved people and the moral implications of normalizing slavery.
