Anthony Johnson Accomplishments

Anthony Johnson, originally forced into slavery to work in tobacco fields, became a well known and respectable land owner in colonial Virginia. During this time period, (1600 's) the definition of a slave was not exactly clear cut. This clarity, along with his personal efforts allowed him to strive in a society dominated by the white gentry. Johnson did owe some of his success to the faulty system and ability to work his way through it, however none of it would have been possible without his hard work and dedication. Contrary to popular belief, slavery and servantry were not limited to those with colored skin. The main distinction between a slave and a servant was that a slave usually served a life long term while servants only worked for parts of their lives. Prior to Bacon 's Rebellion (1676) and the Slave Codes, it was possible for black men to live lives similar to their white counterparts. Many slaves were able to buy their own freedom by bargaining with their owners. It is not clear how Anthony Johnson became free, but what Johnson did with his freedom is notable. Records show that after his marriage and freedom he was able to obtain a decent …show more content…
This gave him a good legal and business reputation, which was always useful. Being a hard worker was all in Johnson 's efforts, and it played the biggest part in his success. If Johnson was not dedicated he would not have been able to start and maintain his estate. He would have had much more trouble overcoming obstacles such as the fire, the court cases, and moving. His dedication and willingness to work hard was also passed down to his family, allowing their success to continue long after Anthony Johnson 's death. While gaining freedom was hard during this time, becoming successful was much more difficult, and Anthony Johnson was a great example of overcoming diversity and prospering when the opportunity became