Based on data from the 1790 Census, Maine and Massachusetts had the least slaves, reporting a 0% slave population.
When examining the historical records of slave populations by state as reported in the 1790 Census, several states had very low percentages of enslaved people. However, Maine and Massachusetts stand out as having no reported slave population during that period.
Understanding Slave Populations in 1790
The first United States Census, conducted in 1790, provided a snapshot of the nation's demographics, including free and slave populations. While slavery was prevalent in many states, particularly in the South, some northern states had either abolished it or had an extremely small number of enslaved individuals.
Here's a breakdown of the states with the lowest reported slave populations from the 1790 Census:
| State | Free Whites | % Slave |
|---|---|---|
| Maine | 96,002 | 0% |
| Massachusetts | 373,324 | 0% |
| Vermont | 85,268 | 0.01% |
| New Hampshire | 141,097 | 0.1% |
As shown in the table:
- Maine recorded 0% slaves.
- Massachusetts also recorded 0% slaves.
- Vermont reported a minimal 0.01% slave population.
- New Hampshire had a slightly higher, though still very low, 0.1% slave population.
Therefore, according to the 1790 Census figures, Maine and Massachusetts are identified as the states with the least slaves, both having effectively no enslaved people reported.
