BLACK SOCIAL HISTORY: SLAVERY IN MICHIGAN :

Slavery in Michigan began with the arrival with the French. When the British took over control of the Great Lakes in 1761 they discovered Native American and African Slaves in Detroit. A 1787 census showed 78 males and 101 females slaves living in Detroit. The number of slaves declined after the British left Detroit in 1805  and its is unclear how many were slaves.

Few Michiganians ever owned slaves and most disapproved of what became known in America as " The Peculiar Institution "  In 1807 a Canadian living in Windsor demanded that his two escape African American Slaves - then living in Michigan be returned to him. Territorial Justice Augustus Woodward denied the request, declaring that every man coming into this Territory is by Law of the Land a Freeman.