New York Slave Revolt of 1712

New York Slave Revolt of 1712
Part of Slave Revolts in North America
New York's Municipal Slave Market, c. 1730
DateApril 6, 1712
Location
Caused bySlavery, the erosion of the rights of free blacks
GoalsEmancipation, Liberation
MethodsArson, ambush
Resulted inSuppression
Parties
Rebel slaves
Number
23
Unknown, many
Casualties and losses
21 executed
9 killed, 6 wounded

The New York Slave Revolt of 1712 was an uprising in New York City, in the Province of New York, of 23 Black slaves. They killed nine whites and injured another six before they were stopped. More than 70 blacks were arrested and jailed. Of these, 27 were put on trial, and 21 convicted and executed.

On the night of 6 April 1712, a group of more than twenty slaves, the majority of whom were believed to be Coromantee people of Ghanaian heritage, set fire to a building on Maiden Lane near Broadway. While the local white inhabitants tried to put out the fire, the slaves, armed with guns, hatchets, and swords, fought the whites and then ran off. Eight whites died, and seven were wounded. Over the next few days, colonial forces arrested seventy blacks and jailed them. Twenty-seven were put on trial, 21 of whom were convicted and sentenced to death.