[1] By the early 18th century, New York City had one of the largest enslaved populations of any of the settlements in the Thirteen Colonies.

[3] After the seizure of New Netherland in 1667 and its incorporation into the Province of New York, the rights of the Free Negro social group were gradually eroded.

The colonial government in New York restricted this group through several measures: requiring slaves to carry a pass if traveling more than a mile (1.6 km) from home; discouraging marriage among them; prohibiting gatherings in groups of more than three persons; and requiring them to sit in separate galleries at church services.

[7] A group of more than twenty black slaves, the majority of whom were believed to be Coromantee or Akan,[8] gathered on the night of April 6, 1712, and set fire to a building on Maiden Lane near Broadway.

Twenty-seven were put on trial, 21 of whom were convicted and sentenced to death, including one woman with child.

[11] After the revolt, the city and colony passed more restrictive laws governing black and Indian slaves.

In 1715 Governor Robert Hunter argued in London before the Lords of Trade that manumission and the chance for a slave to inherit part of a master's wealth was important to maintain in New York.