Africans in Early Kings County

Africans in Early Kings County. . , Enslaved and free Africans performed much of the heavy labor to create New York's infrastructure, building roads, docks, and buildings of the early city. They assisted early craftsmen and manufacturers, and many became skilled artisans themselves. African Americans were crucial to the economic and social development of Kings County. By the middle of the 18th century, Brooklyn's population was about 2,280 people, and more than a third were enslaved Africans or their descendants., Between 1680 and 1750, the New Lots area was developed into profitable farmlands by the Dutch population, most of whom prospered from the forced labor of enslaved Africans. In 1827, after emancipation took effect in New York State, many freed men and women continued to work for their former enslavers to farm the land; most lacked formal education and, despite their freedom from slavery, they faced legal, political, and economic discrimination under state laws., [Captions:] , ◄ Kings County Homestead Circa Early 1800s , This image portrays farmland in early Kings County as bucolic, or pleasant and pastoral. However, slavery in Brooklyn was unjust and dehumanizing. Farm work was often harsh and grueling, shortening the life expectancy of the enslaved people., ▲ New Lots , The town of New Lots was originally established as a farming community after several "new lots" were granted to a group of residents from Flatbush in 1677. These parcels were located east of Flatbush and divided into 47 plots shown in the map above. Lot numbers 24 and 25 were designated as public space. Lot 25 includes the burial ground and park where you stand today. New Lots was recognized as a separate political entity of Kings County in 1853.