Anthony Johnson was an Angolan brought over and held as an indentured servant. His master was a merchant who lived in the Virginia Colony in 1620. In those days, Africans brought over to the Colonies were indentured servants. They had a specific time that they served, and were later freed. After Johnson was freed, he became a successful tobacco farmer. Most notably, he was the first to legally own a black slave in the mainland of the American colonies. He managed to convince the court that his servant, John Casor, was his for life. Casor became the first state recognized slave in Virginia.
Another notable thing about his life is that when Johnson died in 1670, the court said he was a legal alien and seized all his land, not letting him pass it to his family.
Another notable thing about his life is that when Johnson died in 1670, the court said he was a legal alien and seized all his land, not letting him pass it to his family.
