In case you were confused or needed a reminder, it is impossible to overstate how horrible life for Blacks in the U.S. was for most of the past 400 years. I collect a lot of memorabilia about the Black experience in the U.S. and my latest find is a document from 1801 salvaged from town meeting minutes that documents the punishment for two black women in Rhode Island.

Whereas Sally Gibbs now confined in the Bridewell having returned to this Town to dwell after having been removed to Smithfield as being her place of her last legal settlement without the liberty so to from this Council whereby the said Sally Gibbs has incurred the penalty of Seven Dollars and in case of inability to pay the same is liable to be publicly whipped. Resolved therefore that the (crossed out) ——————– said Sally Gibbs be subjected to that payment of the said fine of Seven Dollars and that in default of her paying the same that she be publicly whipped fifteen stripes on her naked back between the hours of four and five of the clock in the afternoon of this Day and conducted thereafter without the limits of this Town and that the Clerk be and he is hereby directed to issue a Warrant for the above purpose accordingly forthwith.

Warrant Alexander this day.

** the reference to “the Bridewell” means that she was in jail.

bottom half: in full:
Whereas Deborah Barry a Black Woman, a transient person has neglected to depart as expected and who it is represented is still residing here, resolved therefore that she be apprehended and removed with her young child by the name of Charles to Warren in the County of Bristol adjudged to be her place of last legal settlement and that the Clerk make out a Warrant forthwith for her removal with her said Child Accordingly……….. NB Warrant issued …Henry Alexander

Note: As if on cue, Julianne Hing’s article published in Colorlines today underscores a history of the criminalization of black women (particuarly mothers).