English: Text in source: State of Pennsylvania. An act to explain and amend an act, entitled, “An act for the gradual abolition of slavery.” Philadelphia: Printed by T. Bradford [1788] Printed broadside Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, Slave Records. "Pennsylvania’s Gradual Abolition Act of 1780 did not free any slaves immediately. Instead, all slaves born prior to the law remained in bondage, while their children were free, but deemed indentured servants until age 28. The Dauphin County clerk required slaveholders to record the births of this new class of servant children, both to show compliance with the law and to provide evidence to such children of their free status."