An Act Relative to Slaves and Servants

And be it further enacted, that every child born of a slave within this state, after the fourth day of July, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety nine, shall be free, but shall remain the servant of the owner of his or her mother, and the executors, administrators or assigns, of such owner, in the same manner as if such child had been bound to service by the overseers of the poor, and shall continue in such service, if a male, until the age of twenty eight years, and if a female until the age of twenty five years: and that every child born of a slave within this state after the passing of this act shall remain a servant as aforesaid until the age of twenty one years and no longer.