I've really appreciated this conversation, and as a bonus I just ordered a copy of this book. Thanks for the suggestion; and thanks to all for the interesting discussion. Kirk Johnson Serials Manager Prince William Public Library System 13083 Chinn Park Drive Prince William, VA 22192-5073 (703) 792-4883 [log in to unmask] -----Original Message----- From: Discussion of research and writing about Virginia history <[log in to unmask]> On Behalf Of Kimball, Gregg Sent: Wednesday, June 6, 2018 8:50 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: [VA-HIST] Hired men or slaves? John Zaborney's book, Slaves for Hire: Renting Enslaved Laborers in Antebellum Virginia, is also an excellent source. Gregg On Tue, Jun 5, 2018 at 11:59 AM, Sarah Goldberger <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > Rita, > There is a possibility they were free or purchased by the mill owners, > but renting slaves to mill owners was very common in eastern Virginia. > Some of these mills had a variety of workers, free and enslaved, who > worked side by side. My guess is that they wanted to rent skilled > slaves. You might want to read one of the books on Gabriel Prosser's > rebellion, which examines the complexities of labor and freedom in Richmond. > > Sarah > > On Tue, Jun 5, 2018 at 11:29 AM, Rita Goldberg > <[log in to unmask]> > wrote: > > > In an 1812 ad placed in a Richmond paper, Gallego, Richard & Co. are > > seeking a "number of good negroes" to work in their mills as well as > "some > > good negro coopers." Would these be free men, slaves who were hired > > out > by > > their owners or slaves that the company would buy from their owners? > > If they were free, why would the ad specify the race and not just > > say "workers" or "coopers"? > > > > Thanks for your help. > > > > Rita Goldberg > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ______________________________________ > > To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe please see the > > instructions > at > > http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html > > > > This list is made possible by a grant from the U.S. Institute of > > Museum and Library Services (IMLS). > > > > ______________________________________ > To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe please see the > instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html > > This list is made possible by a grant from the U.S. Institute of > Museum and Library Services (IMLS). > -- Dr. Gregg D. Kimball Director of Public Services and Outreach Library of Virginia 804-692-3722 (work) 804-909-4501 (cell) ______________________________________ To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html This list is made possible by a grant from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). ______________________________________ To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html This list is made possible by a grant from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).