Free men, freedmen and slaves in the history of the population of Santa Catarina, 1787-1836

Abstract This study presents considerations regarding the history of the population in Santa Catarina between the years 1787 and 1836. The sources are 12 “population maps”. Through the application of regular instruments of historical demography, this article aims to analyze characteristics and transformations of the population and economic structure of the area. The population under study experienced growth, albeit with periods of oscillation. These three social categories ‘free men, freedmen and slaves’ presented different growth tendencies through the years, such as the continued increase in the number of women among the categories free men and freedmen, and the major presence of men under the slave category. The economic scenario involved predominantly agrarian activities. Districts and parishes with the largest proportion of flour mills and sugar mills had the highest percentages of slaves. On the other hand, localities with fewer mills had lower slave participation. Thus, the establishment of a population structure resulting from competition and association between peasantry and slavery was observed. In this context, small farmers with slaves were common.摘要：本研究针对1787年至1836年间圣卡塔琳娜州（Santa Catarina）的人口历史展开探讨。本研究以12份“人口地图”作为核心史料。本文运用历史人口学的常规研究方法，旨在剖析该区域的人口与经济结构特征及其变迁历程。本研究关注的人口总量虽存在波动周期，但整体呈现增长态势。自由民（free men）、获释奴隶（freedmen）与奴隶（slaves）这三大社会群体的增长趋势各有差异：其中自由民与获释奴隶群体中的女性数量持续攀升，而奴隶群体中男性占比更高。经济层面以农业活动为绝对主导。拥有大量面粉厂与糖厂的行政区与教区，其奴隶占比也处于最高水平；反之，工厂数量较少的地区，奴隶人口的参与度则相对更低。由此可见，该区域形成了由小农阶层与奴隶制之间的竞争与共生关系所塑造的人口结构，在此背景下，拥有奴隶的小农群体较为普遍。