There were many Africans living in Colonial New York. In these years, they made up anywhere from 14 to 21 percent of the population.

In the earliest colonial times, African New Yorkers cleared forests, built roads, supplied lumber, and did much farming.

Throughout the New York slavery period, they were laborers and house servants (maids, nannies, butlers, cleaners, cooks, etc.).

During English rule (1664-1781), a considerable number of New York's Africans became skilled artisans (blacksmiths, coopers, carpenters, seamen, etc.), who generated capital for their "masters" by being hired out as contract workers.

The typical slave owner was a moderately wealthy, middle class, white male who had one or two enslaved New Yorkers living in his basement or attic.