Maryland’s first slave law was passed in 1664, although slavery had been practiced in Maryland for many years before then. This law stated that all negroes and other slaves already within the Province, and all negroes and other slaves to be hereafter imported, shall serve for life. It also stated that any free white woman who married an enslaved man shall become a slave until the death of her husband, and all children born of any negro or other slave shall be slaves for life.