Southwestern Coast of Africa (c 1626 – 1689)

Dorothy Angola was one of the first enslaved people in the colonies. She was brought to New Amsterdam (New York) by the Dutch West India Company (DWIC). She arrived in Manhattan sometime between 1626 and 1640. Very little is known about her life before that. What we do know about Dorothy’s early life comes from the last name Angola. This name identifies her as a woman from the southwestern coast of Africa. It is true that she spoke Spanish and Portuguese besides her native African language. In 1643 Dorothy adopted her godson named Anthony, when his mother died. In 1644,  many enslaved men petitioned the DWIC for their freedom.  Dorothy and other wives of these men were granted their freedom, but none of their children were freed.  Dorothy took steps to guarantee the freedom of her son Anthony. She petitioned the DWIC for his freedom in 1661. She argued that Anthony was free because he was raised without any help or money from the Company. The DWIC agreed with Dorothy’s argument and confirmed Anthony’s status as free. She worked hard. She skillfully navigated social and legal customs. This enabled her to keep her free status until her death in 1689. Her efforts also ensured that freedom passed to future generations of her family.