The Accused: Slavery and the Albany Fire of 1793

Historical Background
On the evening of November 17, 1793, a fire destroyed a large portion of Albany, New York. Arson was determined to be the cause, and officials searched for the person responsible. By November 28, a young female slave confessed to setting the fire and accused two other slaves of conspiring with her. While there was a definitive outcome from the court case that followed, many questions remained, for as in our modern world, issues of race, fairness, greed, and social status played a role in the events. The documents in this lesson provide a glimpse into the Albany Fire of 1793, the circumstances surrounding it, and subsequent execution of three enslaved people. Students of history are asked to analyze the documents and use the evidence to reconstruct the events of the past.

The Albany Fire of 1793 was a tragic event that impacted many of the area's residents. Citizens demanded that those responsible be held accountable for their actions, but the laws of the day put certain members of society at a disadvantage in the legal system. The documents contained within this lesson provide an opportunity for students to connect current events with the events of the past. Social issues serve as lasting centerpieces for discussion and reform. Through analysis and interpretation of these documents, students learn about continuity and change as they relate to enduring social issues.

pdf files by level

Middle School Level Guide
Common Core and Social Studies Learning Standards
Middle School Lesson
Direct Instruction and Extension Activities

High School Level
Common Core and Social Studies learning Standards
High School Lesson
Direct Instruction and Extension Activities

College Level (Introductory Level History Course)
Documents and Readings

New York Slave Code of 1730

Student Document Analysis Worksheet 

Additional Resources