What were some of the religious practices of the Montpelier slaves?
Religion was frequently used as a comfort for many enslaved people and became a time when they could express themselves outside of the control of their white owners. Montpelier slaves were usually allowed to have Sunday off and presumably many of them used the opportunity to attend church and various religious functions. A passage about Madison and religious practices of the slaves at Montpelier notes that Madison “mentioned the astonishment of some strangers, who had an idea that slaves were always whipped all day long, at seeing his negroes go to church one Sunday. They were gaily dressed, the women in bright-coloured calicoes; and, when a sprinkling of rain came, up went a dozen umbrellas.” Enslaved people at Montpelier likely incorporated African and Christian traditions into their religious rituals. For instance, slave funerals were major social events that were uniquely their own.
