In her last book titled “Bound by Bondage: Slavery and the Creation of a Northern Gentry,” Nicole Saffold Maskiell, an Assistant Professor in the Department of History at the University of South Carolina, opens with a compelling depiction of a manhunt, strategically engaging the reader in the narrative’s core. This particular scene functions as a poignant ingress into the examination of slavery and its profound ramifications on the establishment of a northern gentry within the seventeenth-century Dutch mid-Atlantic colony.
Maskiell adeptly employs the manhunt as a metaphor to encapsulate the broader themes expounded upon in her book, thereby underscoring the intricacies and subtleties inherent in the historical milieu. Through the application of this narrative technique, the author proficiently seizes the reader’s attention and establishes the thematic ambiance for the ensuing meticulous analysis.
Entitled “Neger: Race, Slavery, and Status in the Dutch Northeast (1640s–60s),” chapter 1 furnishes a comprehensive historical account of the nascent phase of slavery in the Dutch colony of New Netherland, presently recognized as the northeastern United States. The contention posited by the author revolves around the pivotal role played by race and slavery in delineating social standings and hierarchies within the influential strata of New Netherland’s colonial elite from the inception of their colonial endeavors.
Initiating with a depiction of a Black man compelled to toil in the wooded expanse of northern New Netherland in the early winter of 1660, the chapter delineates the relentless, physically taxing, and commonplace nature of the man’s labor, which was subject to surveillance. In the course of his labor, Petrus Stuyvesant observed the man and expressed a desire to appropriate his services. Stuyvesant proffered compensation to the man’s enslaver, Jeremias van Rensselaer, proposing either one of his own slaves or the acquisition of another enslaved individual from the Caribbean Island of Curaçao. Consequently, the man’s fate transitioned into the hands of another, prompting Jeremias van Rensselaer to lament about him in a letter to his elder brother, Jan Baptist, utilizing derogatory language.
This incident serves as a focal point for the author to underscore the imperative of centering the daily experiences and circumstances of enslaved individuals. The chapter, thus, provides a broader contextual framework for comprehending enslavement within the colony. It unveils the genesis of racial sensibilities among white colonists, their direct affiliations with enslavement hubs in South America and the Caribbean, and the extensive impact of their local and, ultimately, regional authority. The author contends that the leadership of the Dutch colony was deeply enmeshed in and actively participated in the overarching Atlantic enterprise of enslavement.
Chapter 2, titled “Kolonist: Slaveholding and the Survival of Expansive Anglo-Dutch Elite Networks (1650s–90s),” scrutinizes the intricate dynamics of slaveholding and its pivotal role in sustaining expansive Anglo-Dutch elite networks during the mid-17th to late 17th centuries in the Dutch Northeast.
Maskiell conducts a meticulous examination of the interconnection between slaveholding and the preservation of elite networks, elucidating the profound influence of slavery on the social and economic fabric of the region. Commencing with a poignant portrayal of a public auction in New Amsterdam, where a mother and her child, identified solely as “female negro with a child,” were auctioned as property, the chapter employs this powerful scene as a focal point for exploring the dehumanizing impact of slavery and its entrenched position within colonial society.
The author adeptly intertwines historical narratives, archival records, and primary sources to illustrate the profound entanglement of slaveholding with the survival and prosperity of Anglo-Dutch elite networks. By examining the economic and social significance of slave labor within these networks, Maskiell unveils the intricate web of relationships and dependencies that underpinned the colonial economy.
Moreover, the chapter delves into the personal stories of individuals engaged in slaveholding, presenting a nuanced portrayal of their motivations, challenges, and interactions within the broader socio-economic landscape. Through this methodological approach, Maskiell humanizes historical actors while shedding light on the complex power dynamics inherent in the era.
Chapter 3, entitled “Naam: Race, Family, and Connection on the Borderlands (1680s–90s),” explores the complex dynamics of race, family, and connection in the borderlands of the Dutch Northeast during the late 17th century.
The chapter initiates with the narratives of two men, Tom and Robert, both local entrepreneurs in Albany. Despite their similarities, a salient distinction existed between them: Tom was enslaved by Robert. The author employs this example to elucidate the ways in which race and slavery delineated social hierarchies and power dynamics in the region.
Maskiell delves into the personal stories of Tom and Robert, providing a nuanced portrayal of their interactions and relationships within the broader socio-economic landscape. Through this methodological approach, the author humanizes historical actors while illuminating the intricate power dynamics at play.
Furthermore, the chapter explores the manners in which family connections and reputational networks solidified relationships within and across colonies, offering avenues for trade and wealth accumulation. The author posits that notions of mastery and conceptions of status interwoven enslaved individuals and their enslavers over two centuries as a regional slaveholding culture evolved.
The chapter also accentuates the ways in which enslaved individuals cultivated their own networks parallel to the elites who held their bonds. Despite the systems of bondage severing ties, they established, maintained, and utilized alliances across the Northeast.
Chapter 4, entitled “Bond: Forging an Anglo-Dutch Slaveholding Northeast (1690s–1710s),” scrutinizes the intricate process of establishing an Anglo-Dutch slaveholding culture in the Northeast during the late 17th to early 18th centuries.
Maskiell conducts a meticulous examination of the convergence of Anglo-Dutch influences in shaping the slaveholding practices and cultural landscape of the region. The chapter commences with a vivid portrayal of a journey from New England to Albany, wherein a cohort of elites encounters and detains a “suspicious” Black man, exemplifying the pervasive surveillance and control exercised over the movements of enslaved individuals.
The author adeptly interweaves historical narratives, archival records, and primary sources to illustrate the intertwined influences of Anglo-Dutch networks in the evolution of a slaveholding culture. By scrutinizing the interactions and collaborations among Anglo-Dutch elites, Maskiell unveils the intricate web of relationships and power dynamics underpinning the expansion of slavery in the Northeast.
Furthermore, the chapter delves into the unified purpose exhibited by regional elites in monitoring the actions of Black individuals and establishing control over their movements. This exploration sheds light on the integral role played by surveillance and control in sustaining the slaveholding system.
Moreover, Maskiell underscores the interconnectedness of trade, linguistic proficiency, and cultural touchpoints in shaping the interconnected world of enslaved individuals, notwithstanding the systems of bondage intended to sever their ties.
Chapter 5, titled “Family: Kinship, Ambition, and Fear in a Time of Rebellions (1710s–20s),” delves into the intricate dynamics of family, kinship, ambition, and fear within the context of rebellions during the 1710s-20s. The chapter commences with the poignant story of Isabel, a young girl separated from her family and relocated from the Hudson Valley to Boston, symbolizing the profound impact of forced relocations on the enslaved community of Livingston Manor. This narrative sets the stage for an exploration of the interconnected lives of enslaved individuals and the elite Livingstons, shedding light on the complexities of power, control, and familial ties during a tumultuous period.
Nicole Saffold Maskiell meticulously unravels the familial and social structures within the enslaved community, emphasizing the profound disruptions caused by the actions of the elite. Through the lens of Isabel’s narrative and the experiences of other enslaved individuals, the chapter exposes the pervasive fear and instability characterizing the lives of the enslaved during this period.
The author adeptly interlaces historical narratives, archival remnants, and familial connections to construct a vivid portrayal of the interconnected worlds of the enslaved and the elite.
Furthermore, the chapter delves into the broader historical context, contextualizing the actions of the enslaved within the borderland conflicts of the early eighteenth century. By highlighting the regional white culture of fear and the brutal response to the 1712 New York Slave revolt, Maskiell underscores the far-reaching impact of the domestic narratives and political actions of bonded people on the wider social fabric.
Chapter 6, titled “Market: Creating Kinship-Based Empires United by Slaveholding (1730s–50s),” delves into the intricate dynamics of the market and its pivotal role in establishing kinship-based empires united by slaveholding during the 1730s-50s. Nicole Saffold Maskiell adeptly navigates through the economic landscape of the mid-eighteenth century, elucidating the profound impact of enslaved labor on the burgeoning market economy and the interconnected lives of both enslaved individuals and the elite slaveholding families.
The chapter offers a vivid portrayal of the evolving landscape, where orchards and fields adorned the Out Ward, bearing witness to a production cycle rooted in the Dutch colonial era. Maskiell masterfully paints a picture of the enduring legacy of enslaved labor, underscoring the continuity of economic activities and the enduring presence of enslaved laborers in bustling marketplaces. This portrayal serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring impact of slavery on the economic and social fabric of the region.
Furthermore, the chapter delves into the complexities of kinship-based empires, emphasizing the interconnectedness of elite white families and the pervasive influence of slaveholding on their economic endeavors. Maskiell meticulously unravels the intricate web of familial connections and economic pursuits, showcasing the interwoven nature of slaveholding and the expansion of elite white families’ property footprint. The author adeptly navigates through the historical landscape, revealing the enduring ties between slaveholding elites and the economic structures that underpinned their wealth and influence.
Moreover, the chapter explores legislative measures aimed at regulating the activities of enslaved individuals in the marketplace, underscoring the efforts of slaveholding elites to maintain control and suppress the economic agency of the enslaved population. Maskiell skillfully exposes the power dynamics at play, shedding light on attempts to curtail the economic activities of enslaved individuals and the underlying fears of contagion and disruption harbored by the slaveholding class.
Chapter 7, titled “Identity: Navigating Racial Expectations to Escape Slavery (1750s–60s),” scrutinizes the intricate dynamics of identity and its role in navigating racial expectations to escape slavery during the 1750s-60s. Nicole Saffold Maskiell adeptly navigates through the complexities of racial identity and the pervasive impact of slavery on the lives of the enslaved population.
The chapter commences with the poignant story of four enslaved men who escaped from the Livingston estate, highlighting the challenges of navigating racial expectations and the pervasive fear of recapture. Maskiell masterfully paints a picture of the enduring legacy of slavery, emphasizing the pervasive impact of bondage on the lives of the enslaved population and the enduring struggle for freedom.
Furthermore, the chapter examines the complexities of racial identity, emphasizing the fluidity of racial categories and the pervasive impact of slavery on the construction of racial hierarchies. Maskiell meticulously unravels the intricate web of racial expectations and the pervasive impact of slavery on the lives of the enslaved population, highlighting the challenges of navigating racial categories and the enduring struggle for freedom.
Moreover, the chapter explores the broader historical context, contextualizing the actions of the enslaved within the wider landscape of the mid-eighteenth century. By highlighting the pervasive impact of slavery on the lives of the enslaved population and the enduring struggle for freedom, Maskiell underscores the far-reaching impact of domestic narratives and political actions of bonded people on the wider social fabric.
In the conclusion of “Bound by Bondage: Slavery and the Creation of a Northern Gentry,” Maskiell reflects on the complex and often contradictory nature of the Dutch colonial legacy in America. She posits that while the Dutch were instrumental in creating a prosperous northern gentry, this affluence was erected upon the labor of enslaved Africans and Indigenous peoples.
Maskiell acknowledges the distinctive aspect of the Dutch among European colonizers in their openness to intermarriage and the formation of alliances with Indigenous peoples. Nevertheless, she asserts that this collaboration often originated from economic motivations, and the Dutch were not exempt from the violence and exploitation inherent in colonialism observed elsewhere.
The author underscores the pivotal role of slavery in shaping the northern gentry, observing that, although not the principal slave traders in the Atlantic world, the Dutch were extensively engaged in the slave trade and possessed a substantial number of enslaved individuals in their colonies. The resultant wealth facilitated the establishment of a predominant elite class that wielded influence over the region for numerous centuries.
Despite the central role of slavery in the formation of this gentry, Maskiell posits that the Dutch colonial legacy in America transcends this institution. She highlights that the Dutch made enduring contributions to American culture and society, evident in their impact on art, architecture, and language.
Therefore, Maskiell asserts that the Dutch colonial legacy in America is intricate and multifaceted. While instrumental in the establishment of a prosperous northern gentry, the Dutch were also complicit in the exploitation and enslavement of marginalized peoples. Consequently, any attempt to comprehend the history of the region must confront these inherent contradictions and complexities.
In conclusion, “Bound by Bondage” stands as a compelling and thought-provoking exploration that delves deeply into the intricate dynamics of slavery’s influence on the formation of a northern gentry. Through a meticulous examination, Maskiell skillfully unravels the multifaceted tapestry of Dutch colonialism in America, inviting readers to engage with the complexities inherent in the historical narrative. The book not only serves as an illuminating retrospective but also as a catalyst for a broader societal introspection.
By shedding light on the often-overlooked aspects of Dutch colonialism, Maskiell challenges readers to confront the uncomfortable truths woven into the fabric of the region’s history. The narrative serves as a mirror, reflecting the nuanced and intricate connections between slavery, societal structures, and the establishment of a northern gentry. In doing so, the author prompts us to reassess our understanding of historical events, encouraging a deeper examination of the intersections between power, privilege, and the legacies of the past.
Moreover, “Bound by Bondage” extends its impact beyond the historical context, emphasizing the enduring consequences of this legacy on contemporary society. Maskiell invites readers to critically reflect on how the echoes of the past resonate in the present, shaping the sociocultural landscape. The book acts as a call to action, prompting individuals to acknowledge and grapple with the ongoing repercussions of historical injustices, fostering a more informed and empathetic approach to the complex issues surrounding race, inequality, and societal transformation.
Finally, through its nuanced analysis and insightful commentary, “Bound by Bondage” transcends the boundaries of conventional historical literature. It not only enriches our understanding of the past but also challenges us to actively participate in shaping a more equitable and just future by confronting the uncomfortable realities embedded in our shared history.
by Giovanni Santoro