nk slates on which their masters could write. (STH p11)
             One of the reasons slave traders went to Africa to do their buying is that slaves were available for sale. Slavery was an important part of the most African cultures. But it differed in almost every possible way from the chattel slavery that would develop in the American south. (STH p11)
             In most African societies an enslaved woman could usually look forward to passing out slavery and into the status of citizen in the new community. Usually, the children of enslaved women attained freedom when their free fathers acknowledge paternity, and even those who remained slaves could rise in status. There were few second- generation slaves. (STH, p12)
             This sort of slavery was far from the chattel slavery that evolved in the American south in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. (SHT p12)
             In the early colonies most black women were agriculture workers on farms or domestic servants in cities, often working alongside white indenture servants. (SHT p13)
             Women, especially, were skilled agriculture workers and proficient in all kinds of textile work, from spinning and weaving to dressmaking. They made soap and candles, wove baskets, cooked, prepared medicines, and planted gardens. They also worked as midwives, delivering both black and white children. With their knowledge of herbal medicines and traditional African healing arts, they were often the only source of care in slave quarters and free black communities. In some areas, the entire population, black and whites, dependent on the services of a black nurse or midwife. (SHT p14)
             A slaved Africans and indenture white servants often worked side by side. They relaxed together, rebelled against their situation together, became friend, and created families. This mixed population was problematic to the lawmakers. Could they be enslaved? Did their white blood protect them or did their black blood condemn them? It took a whil...