Quick Answer
Of the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence, at least 41 are known to have owned slaves at some point in their lives. However, the exact number is difficult to determine due to incomplete historical records. Many of the Founding Fathers inherited slaves or married into slave-owning families. While some spoke out against slavery, most were deeply involved in the institution. But views were complex – even signers who owned hundreds of slaves condemned the practice.
How Many Signers Owned Slaves?
Based on historical records, here are the number of signers of the Declaration of Independence who owned slaves:
41 | Known to have owned slaves at some point |
8-10 | May have owned slaves, uncertain records |
4-6 | Did not own slaves |
So at minimum, 41 of 56 signers – 73% – owned slaves. The true percentage may have been higher, as the slaveholding status of some signers is unknown or disputed by historians. For example, Benjamin Franklin previously owned slaves but freed them later in life, so some accounts list him as a non-slaveowner. Robert Morris freed his slaves during the Revolutionary War, so whether to count him is debatable. Overall though, it is clear that the vast majority of Founding Fathers were slave owners.
Breakdown of Slaveholding Among Signers
Looking individually at signers who owned slaves:
Thomas Jefferson | About 200 slaves |
Benjamin Harrison V | About 200 slaves |
Charles Carroll | About 100 slaves |
Arthur Middleton | About 300 slaves |
Edward Rutledge | About 100 slaves |
George Walton | About 40 slaves |
Richard Stockton | About 40 slaves |
Francis Lewis | About 30 slaves |
Carter Braxton | About 20 slaves |
Benjamin Rush | About 15 slaves |
Thomas Nelson Jr. | About 15 slaves |
The largest slaveholders among the Founding Fathers were Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Harrison V, Charles Carroll, Arthur Middleton, and Edward Rutledge – each owning about 100-300 slaves. But many signers like George Walton, Francis Lewis, Carter Braxton, and Benjamin Rush owned around 15-40 slaves.
Regional Breakdown of Slaveholding Signers
The signers who owned slaves generally came from the Southern colonies:
Virginia | 22 signers, 18 slave owners |
South Carolina | 4 signers, 4 slave owners |
North Carolina | 4 signers, 4 slave owners |
Maryland | 4 signers, 4 slave owners |
Georgia | 3 signers, 2 slave owners |
Pennsylvania | 9 signers, 4 slave owners |
Massachusetts | 4 signers, no slave owners |
New York | 4 signers, 1 slave owner |
New Jersey | 5 signers, 2 slave owners |
New Hampshire | 1 signer, no slave owners |
The Southern colonies were most dependent on slave labor for agriculture, especially cash crops like tobacco and rice. Northern signers tended to have smaller numbers of household slaves. Signers from Massachusetts and New Hampshire universally had no slaves.
How Views on Slavery Evolved
Many Founding Fathers went through an evolution in their views on slavery:
Inherited and Accumulated Slaves
Most signers were born into slave-owning families or married into them. Slaves were commonly given as gifts and used as status symbols. For example, Benjamin Harrison V inherited scores of slaves. Later in life, some Founders tried to end the inflow of new slaves.
Grew More Critical
Over time, signers like Benjamin Franklin grew to see slavery as morally wrong, freeing their slaves and speaking out against the institution. However, they often did not become fully abolitionist. Thomas Jefferson called slavery a “moral depravity” and “hideous blot,” but continued owning slaves.
Defended Slavery as Necessary
Many Founders continued defending slavery as an economic necessity, including signers from South Carolina and Georgia who depended on slavery. Some argued State’s rights made federal abolition impossible. Signers justified slavery using contemporary prejudices.
Private Misgivings, Public Silence
Some critics argue Founders hypocritically spoke against slavery but did little to end it. However, public silence did not always match private misgivings. Political realities made immediate abolition impossible to achieve. Gradual emancipation plans were rejected.
Progress Toward Abolition
While unable to fully renounce slavery, some Founding Fathers took steps to restrict the slave trade and set the path to abolition:
Banned Slave Importation
In 1787, Congress banned the further importation of slaves after 1808. While a compromise, it prevented indefinite expansion of slavery. States like Virginia banned importing slaves. Some Founders freed their slaves in their wills upon death.
Established Northwest Ordinance
The 1787 Northwest Ordinance banned slavery in new Western territories, limiting its spread. However, Southern opposition prevented similar action elsewhere. The ban set an important precedent and tension between free and slave states.
Advocated Gradual Emancipation
Some Founders actively promoted post-nati emancipation plans freeing slaves born after a certain date. Thomas Jefferson proposed federal legislation banning slavery in the Western territories after 1800. Such plans were defeated, but they kept the issue alive.
Led by Example
Pennsylvania abolished slavery in 1780. Its Constitution was considered a model by Founders like Jefferson. The State’s gradual abolition provided an example for others. Alexander Hamilton was active in the New York Manumission Society, founded in 1785 to promote abolition.
Owning Slaves Does Not Negate Achievements
While complicit in slavery, the Founding Fathers made strides against it while creating a new nation. Their achievements need not be dismissed because of their involvement with slavery:
Product of Their Times
While troubling today, slavery was widely accepted and entrenched in 18th century society. The Founders were imperfect men of a world vastly different than our own. Judging them solely by modern standards anachronistically ignores historical context. Progress often comes in steps, not immediate leaps.
Started Journey Toward Freedom
Despite deep flaws, the Founders helped set the course for abolition. The radical equality they proclaimed laid the seeds that would ripen into abolition. They could forestall but not ultimately prevent the Civil War that finally purged slavery. America is still working to build a just society, but their work began the journey.
Accomplishments Still Inspire
Though morally repugnant, slavery does not erase the Founders’ monumental political accomplishments. The inalienable rights and liberties enshrined in the Declaration and Constitution remain the foundation of the American experiment. Their values of liberty and equality still inspire Americans seeking freedom and justice for all.
Conclusion
Historical record confirms that a significant majority of the Founding Fathers – likely over 70% – owned slaves during their lifetimes. Hereditary slaveholders came mainly from the Southern colonies, while some Northerners owned just a few household slaves. Evolving attitudes led some Founders to denounce and work to restrict slavery, but a blanket immediate abolition was politically impossible. Balancing their slaveholding with great accomplishments, the Founders’ complex relationship with slavery deeply shaped the course of American history. The journey toward freedom for all continues today.