I completely agree, and applaud the Library of Virginia for making so many
records accessible online. Witness testimony in court cases is invaluable.
Even the tone of newspaper articles shows the ambivalent status of
slaves--the loyal ones praised for protecting their masters, the
disobedient ones' local court punishment told with casual, even humorous
descriptions, the community horror when punishment by an owner crosses a
certain line. Not to mention the ads for "Negroes wanted" by traders who
then advertised gangs of "prime field hands" for sale in the south, not
family groups.

The picture of enslaved peoples' experience is vast and complex, and owners
could interact motivated by fear, affection, distaste, greed, or any
combination of human feelings.

Hank Trent
[log in to unmask]

On Wednesday, September 10, 2014, Crawford, Greg (LVA) <
[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> "My overall impression from these records was not one of horrific abuse
> and maltreatment, and ripping apart families." I might suggest you expand
> your research beyond Lancaster County estate records and research the court
> records. For example, the Library of Virginia has processed coroners'
> inquisitions of over 50 localities. The finding aids for these collections
> and other collections are available at http://vaheritage.org/
>
> In them, you will find the "horrific abuse and maltreatment" you did not
> find in the estate records.
>
>

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