BLACK SOCIAL HISTORY: SLAVERY IN BERMUDA :

The first slaves were brought to Bermuda in 1620.  Soon after the British colony was established in the Island. The indentured of debt bonded contract labor in Bermuda continued until 1684. White population in Bermuda remained the majority until the 18th century despite a continuous influx of Latin American and African Blacks, Native American, Irish and Scots. The first Blacks to come to Bermuda in real large numbers were free West Indian who emigrated from territories   taken from Spain. The slaves initially worked under seven years bond, as did most English settlers, this was to repay the administrator for the cost of their transport.

As the size of the Black population started growing, the administrative company made many attempts to reduce the numbers of blacks in the Island.  They changed the terms of indenture for blacks and raised it to 99 years in order to discourage blacks to come to the Island. An indenture of 99 years meant that one become a slave for life. A white owner could obtain the slaves by sale or purchase, auction, legal seizure or by gift. The price of slaves varied based on demand. Throughout the 17th century, black children sold for £8, women for £10 to £20, and bonded black and Indian men for around £26.