Details
Creator Strong, Thomas W. engraver.
Title "The Sabbath among slaves" [graphic] / Strong, Thomas W. sc.
Publisher [New York s.n]
Publisher N.Y. New York. 1849
Date [1849]
Physical Description 1 print: wood engraving; image 8 x 14 cm. (3 x 5.5 in)
Description Engraving depicts the author's experience of the Sabbath among slaves. As Bibb explained, having no moral or religious instruction, slaves generally "resort to the woods in large numbers on that day to gamble, fight, get drunk, and break the Sabbath." This behavior, Bibb noted, was encouraged by the slaveholders, who viewed the slaves' activities as a form of entertainment, and who liked to watch them fight, "dance, 'pat juber,' sing, and play the banjo." To this end, the slaves were often provided with whiskey. Accordingly, the illustration shows a slaveholder pouring a libation into a slave's glass. In the background left, a group of white men and women observe the Sabbath festivities.
Is part of Bibb, Henry, b. 1815. Narrative of the life and adventures of Henry Bibb. New York: Published by the author, 5 Spruce Street, 1849.
Notes Illustration in Henry Bibb's Narrative of the Life and Adventures of Henry Bibb: an American Slave (New York: Published by the author, 5 Spruce Street, 1849), p 23.
Fels Afro-Americana Image Project, Scenes of Slave Life.
Subject Slaves -- Religious life.
Sabbaths -- United States.
Vice.
Genre Wood engravings -- 1840-1850.
Book illustrations -- 1840-1850.
Location Library Company of Philadelphia| Books & Other Texts | Rare | Am 1849 Bibb 65732.D p 23
Accession number 65732.D