jan 1, 1654 - Legal Enslavement under Civil Law

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After having served his indenture of "seaven or eight yeares", John Casor, an African man, filed a suit, demanding his freedom. His indenture had been held by Anthony Johnson, one of the few other Black people in Virginia. Johnson himself had been an indentured servant who had served out his contract. Ultimately, the court sided with Johnson. Casor was no longer an indentured servant, but became the first person to be condemned to lifelong slavery under civil law.

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