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Biography

Roosje

  • Africa & the Diaspora
  • Slavery
  • Women's Voices
  • Slavery & Abolition, 1800-1860
Black and white print showing a plantation house

Who Was Roosje?

Rosa Ordered to Be Flogged, 1828

Roosje listed on a plantation register, Berbice, 1818

Roosje was an enslaved field worker on a coffee plantation in the British (formerly Dutch) colony of Berbice, which is now part of Guyana, on South America’s North Atlantic Coast. In 1819, while visibly pregnant, Roosje was flogged (whipped) by order of the plantation manager. The following evening, in the presence of her husband, sisters, and an enslaved midwife, Roosje delivered a bruised, stillborn baby.

Rosa Ordered to Be Flogged, 1828

Roosje listed on a plantation register, Berbice, 1818

When he [the slave driver] came to me he observed to the manager that I was pregnant. The manager replied never mind flog me till the Blood starts.

Roosje, 1819

Seeking Justice in Berbice

Coffee plantation in British Guiana, formerly the colony of Berbice, 1837

Under the Dutch legal system, enslaved people could appeal to government officials for solutions to injustices. When the British took over the former Dutch colony of Berbice, this system was maintained. Records show that a large percentage of the complaints were made by women concerning safety during pregnancy. Roosje’s story is an example of how enslaved people fought to claim rights over their bodies.

Coffee plantation in British Guiana, formerly the colony of Berbice, 1837

Roosje Seeks Justice

Roosje’s testimony about her flogging in court documents

Roosje’s testimony about her miscarriage in court documents

Roosje sought legal justice for herself and her child through the colonial court. She filed a formal complaint against the plantation manager, citing the punishment she received as the cause of her miscarriage. Members of her family and her midwife also shared their testimonies. Roosje’s mistreatment and subsequent legal case became a rallying cry for abolitionists across the Atlantic.

Roosje’s testimony about her flogging in court documents

Roosje’s testimony about her miscarriage in court documents

Roosje Testifies About Her Flogging and Miscarriage

I with the rest of the women were directed to pick out coffee. . . . I went and kneeled down to perform my task—at 11 o’clock the quantity of coffee which was expected to have been got was not picked. The Driver Zodag received orders to bring us out and range us on the Plankier. . . . When he came me he observed to the manager that I was pregnant. The manager replied nevermind flog me till the Blood starts. Zondag flogged me with the doubled whip on my loins very much. I went to pick coffee again till dark.

Roosje, 1819

In the evening I felt pains in my loins and thighs. The next morning I remained in the hospital. I was visited by the Doctor who said it was not good for pregnant women to sit still & directed I should walk about. . . . I then went to the manager & told him I was afraid I should miscarry. He directed me to go to my House which I did and that night I miscarried.

Roosje, 1819

Roosje’s Family Testify About Her Miscarriage

It was Sunday night about 12 Roosje miscarried. On the Thursday previous she was flogged I saw it standing at the kitchen door by Zondag the Driver with a doubled whip. She received about 12 strikes on her bottom, some missed and went on her loins. . . . The Driver said Roosje is pregnant, the manager replied flog her till the blood starts.

George, Roosje’s husband, 1819

On Sunday night I was present when Roosje miscarried. Marianna, Claartje and George were also present. I held the lamp. Roosje sat on the ground, Claartje [Roosje’s sister] sat behind her holding her fast and Marianna [the enslaved midwife] before.

Ariaantje, Roosje’s sister, 1819

It was a male child, perfect, the right arm was swollen and bruised, black and I believe broken. The eye bruised and the Head bruised. It was a very difficult labor and I had great difficulty to hold Roosje still. Early on Monday morning I saw George dig a grave, and Marianna carried the child and it was buried about eight o’clock.

Claartje, Roosje’s sister, 1819

Court Ruling

The overseer was found guilty, but he only paid a fine.

The court held that the serious nature of the “indiscretion ” by the plantation manager, Justus van Steiniss, should be punished because it was “such inhuman and unwarrantable conduct.” Steiniss was to be barred from being an overseer for two years and sent to jail for three months. In the end, however, he only paid a fine.

The overseer was found guilty, but he only paid a fine.

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