Did the Massachusetts colony use slaves?
Massachusetts also became the first American colony to give official recognition of chattel slavery as a legal institution in 1641, with the “Body of Liberties.” Not until 142 years later, in 1783, was slavery finally ruled illegal in Massachusetts based on the states new constitution. However, slavery did not stop immediately even then. continuing in parts of the state until the end of the 18th century. Thus, slavery was a legal institution in Massachusetts for 142 years, and was actually a practice, first in the colony and later in the state of Massachusetts, for a total of about 170 years.
