The largest collection of statements by Virginia slave owners on the subject 
of their slaves is contained in the wills recorded in Virginia counties, so 
it should be useful to analyze those.

I abstracted the wills of two counties (Halifax County, North Carolina, and 
King George County, Virginia) to see how slave owners referred to their 
slaves. I did no analysis, but "to my loving wife...a negro, horse, cow, 
furniture" is typical.
http://www.freeafricanamericans.com/halifax.htm

Paul

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