Freedom, Kinship, and Slavery (Porto Feliz, São Paulo, c. 1855-1888)

Abstract

The article analyzes the relationships between masters, slaves, and freedmen through the freedom lawsuits filed in Porto Feliz, São Paulo, in the second half of the 19th century. It seeks to understand the growing debate around the emanci- pation of slaves and the resistance of the slaveholding institution in the final decades of slavery. In addition to court documents, parish baptismal records and post-mortem inventories are used. The cross-referencing of sources enables the study of the social relationships of the agents involved, beyond the freedom suits. In this way, it becomes possible to understand the values rooted in society that shaped expectations of freedom and slavery, as well as to capture parental and solidarity relationships.