“S” is for Slave Badges

“S” is for Slave Badges. Slave badges served as the physical proof required to demonstrate the legal status of enslaved persons hired out by their masters. Laws controlling such hiring began early and badges or tickets were mentioned by 1751, with wearing them mandated by 1764. In 1800 Charleston’s laws became more uniform and the earliest surviving badges date from that year. By around 1806 badges were valid for a calendar year and were sold at varying fees in specific categories: mechanics, fruiterers (hucksters), fishers, porters, and servants. Most badges bore the geographical locator Charleston. Badges were made of copper of various shapes: round, diamond, and square badges in differing sizes are known. All sported a category, a number, and a year. The wearing of slave badges was enforced until the end of slavery in 1865.