Paddyrollers began in 1704 in South Carolina. The Paddyrollers job was to ride around slave plantations stopping all slaves they encountered and making them prove that they were engaged in lawful activities. Paddyrollers required Blacks to produce a pass, which stated their owner's name as well as where and when they were allowed to be away from the plantation and for how long…SOUND FAMILIAR. Paddyrollers would break up large gatherings and assemblies of Blacks, enter without warrant the plantation grounds to search the slave quarters and inspect slave homes… DAMN THIS SOUNDS SO FAMILIAR… looking for stolen goods, missing slaves who had turned runaway and weapons that could be used in an revolt. They also looked for evidence of books, papers, and pens because remember learning to read and write was forbidden for Black folks on the plantation. I WASN’T BORN A SLAVE BUT I’VE BEEN FORCED TO PRODUCE MY PASS…I MEAN ID AND ASKED WHERE I’M GOING, SEARCHED FOR WEAPONS AND TOLD WE HAVE TO MOVE OFF THE BLOCK SEVERAL TIMES. DAMN FUNNY HOW TIMES NEVER CHANGE. #paddyrollers #slavecatchers #overseer #officer #moderndayslavepatrol #thingstheydontteachyou #blackhidstory #themorethingschange #throwawaythewholesystem #makebeingblackinamericalegal https://www.instagram.com/p/BcffBtYgomy/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1n6efia7rxvi0