The Slave as Person: Women, Children, Family, and Culture

In the great sweep of time that bracketed slavery in the Americas, new plantations were started while others failed, changed hands, or just disappeared with changing times and prospects. Moreover, slaves were found in every economic environment in the Americas, from a few in some places to majorities in others. Masters died, and new ones appeared with inherited or acquired status. Slaves were born into slavery or came to it from Africa. They lived and died, some prematurely and others of old age, without leaving their birthplace; or they were sold, freed, or escaped. While it was difficult for slaves