in many places slaves were allowed (by their owners) to sell produce and small farm animals (pigs, chickens) they raised themselves or fish that they caught. Masters also sometimes gave slaves money for extra tasks -- masters understood the notion of incentives. But, none of this affected the reality that the slaves -- and everything they owned and earned -- ultimately belonged to the master. Paul Finkelman President William McKinley Distinguished Professor of Law and Public Policy Albany Law School 80 New Scotland Avenue Albany, New York 12208-3494 518-445-3386 [log in to unmask] >>> [log in to unmask] 06/24/07 1:05 PM >>> I do not have a reference, but I remember being told during a visit to Williamsburg a few years ago that slaves provided many of the eggs and vegetables eaten in the town. And were paid for them. In the iron industry it was common at least in the mid 1800s for skilled slaves (as at Buffalo Forge or Tredegar) to be assigned a quota. After they fulfilled this quota they were paid at the same piece rate as the White employees. James Brothers, RPA [log in to unmask]