Question

Which of the following statements most accurately describes colonial laws about the children of enslaved women?

The children of enslaved women were also enslaved for life.
The children of enslaved people were enslaved until they turned 13.
The children of enslaved women were free if their father was free.
The children of enslaved women were free until their 13th birthday.

Answer 1

The first statement is correct.

Colonial law followed the doctrine partus sequitur ventrem (established in Virginia in 1662): a child's legal status followed that of the mother, so children born to enslaved women were themselves enslaved for life regardless of the father's status.