Making Freedom, Surviving Slavery: Runaway Slaves by the turn of the 18th Century in St. Croix

In the late 18th century, Danish West Indian newspapers were filled with reports of runaway slaves, a prevalent issue on St. Croix. Runaways, including men, women, and children from diverse occupations, continuously attempted escape despite the threat of severe punishment and strict surveillance. This posed a significant challenge for both enslavers and colonial authorities. Who were the runaway slaves on St. Croix? Where did they go and why? What did running away mean in late-eighteenth-century St. Croix?

Understanding the significance of their flights in late 18th-century St. Croix is crucial. Legally, their escape represented the theft of property, albeit paradoxically as they sought to liberate themselves. However, the act of running away held different meanings. Defining it solely as a political rebellion risks oversimplifying the complex experiences of slavery and the diverse motivations of runaways. Additionally, portraying them solely as freedom-seekers may diminish their historical agency. By combining narratives from runaway slave advertisements with detailed colonial archives, we can gain insight into the journey from enslavement to freedom. This journey was driven by a multitude of factors such as hopes, aspirations, needs, pressures, and powers.

This project suggests that enslaved people may not have hoped or desired permanent escape from the slave system; rather, they viewed themselves as temporary absentees with short-term goals of freedom. This project aboutthe history of enslaved runaways on St. Croix goes beyond escape and freedom. It offers a nuanced understanding of their struggles and aspirations within the context of the Danish West Indies, illustrating the complexities of their experiences and motivations.