A fascinating discovery. You write that the slaves were paid for overtime and that "They used their extra funds to purchase small luxury items such as sugar, coffee, tobacco, shoes, trousers, coats, cloth, or household items." I would not characterize these as luxury items but as necessities. Supposedly the owner was responsible for providing adequate clothing for his slaves, and he didn't. He passed that expense onto the slaves, knowing that they would use their "extra" time to obtain necessities. A marvelous system. Henry Wiencek Charlottesville ______________________________________ To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html