Slavery In the Economy of Falls County 1850-1860

Author

Council S. Moore, Prairie View A&M College

Date of Award

8-1954

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Degree Discipline

History

Abstract

The purpose of this investigation is to unravel information concerning the role of the slaves in the plantation economy of Palls County and his relative value to the social and economic life of the County. Further implementing the purpose of this investigation, the writer shall attempt to answer the following questions: 1. How was slavery introduced into Palls County? 2. What was the nature of the commercial laws regulating the handling of slaves as personal property? 3. How does the relative value of slaves compare with the other property of the plantation owner? 4. What is the role of the slave in probate records? 5. To what extent did he penetrate into the social life of the County? 6. What was the most reliable source of liquid capital when ready cash was needed for standing obligations, investments, and emergencies?

The scope of this study begins in 1850, when the State legislature recognized the present boundaries of Falls County as a corporate body, and ends with the outbreak of the war between the states. The material for this study consists of numerous cases relative to slavery, found in old newspapers, archives, and county records. Census records, personal letters, interviews and maps proved helpful also. For clarity on the material scope date, any date after the beginning of the Civil War will be in strict accord with the proof of the writer's hypothesis.

Committee Chair/Advisor

G. R. Woolfolk

Publisher

Prairie View A&M College

Rights

Date of Digitization

9-10-2021

Contributing Institution

John B Coleman Library

City of Publication

Prairie View

MIME Type

Application/PDF

Recommended Citation

Moore, C. S. (1954). Slavery In the Economy of Falls County 1850-1860. Retrieved from https://digitalcommons.pvamu.edu/pvamu-theses/394