Slavery - Research Paper Example

Africans who were thought to have resistance to tropical diseases were outsourced to work on these areas with poor or no pay. In history, personal account on what happened in particular is usually the most reliable source. In such a scenario, individual’s personal account can be used to complement other form of literature that already exists. In several states of America, a personal account on what happened in period of slavery and period after has been taken from several people who gave first hand information on various ordeals that they went through.

This paper seeks to analyze several individual accounts on slavery in Texas State. During this period, slaves did several jobs that were either in farms or in household. The role of women was concentrated at home area while men work was majorly on farms. A personal account of Mary Armstrong gives us a proper description of the kind of work they were doing during the period of enslavement. Domestic chores included watering flowers round the house without spilling a drop of water to unintended area.

Additionally, the role of women was to take care of their master’s children and cleaning household things such as utensils. Women also played a significant role in the kitchen, as they were trusted cooks as Ellen accounts of Aunt Rachel. Based on Ellen Betts account, some women could also cut canes all day until midnight. Some women who were not fed properly could eat food that belonged to master children when left under their care. Men at some time acted as houseboys. Sterlin work was to lure the master to sleep and could take care of dining activities.

Men could also take children to and from school. Moreover, Will Adams says that niggers were given a subordinate role. Majority of slaves had no skills and hence could not seek a formal employment1. Some slave owners showed some form of leniency when commanding the slaves on various chores while other slave owners mistreated their slaves with no mercy. Individual account gives an insight to various form of treatment that they went through in the period of slavery. Firstly, Armstrong talks of how mean the slave owners were at their time.

This is because Cleveland’s were always beating their slaves. Moreover, the slaves were expected to perform chores to perfection, failure to which led to punishment. Armstrong’s sister was beaten to death at an age of nine month. This was a high level of inhumane act at this period of slavery. The little sister was beaten until blood oozed from body. Armstrong claims that Olivia treatment was lenient to the slaves. However, Armstrong says that slaves were forced to work on plantation during cold winter where wheat, barley, oats, and fruits were cultivated.

Slaves were also sold to other plantation owners without their dues being paid which was illegal but slave owners disregarded this law. Moreover, family’s members were separated from each other when being sold to other slave traders. Husbands, wives, and children were sold to different traders. Since slaves could only be sold when strong and healthy, some slave traders who gave little food to slaves rubbed salt and vinegar on them to make it appear as if they had been fed good and were strong and healthy.

Ellen says that slaves were accorded the same respect as dogs and cats and were therefore