List of Enslaved People - List of Recorded Transactions

Advanced Search - About this Project

Definitions of Duties:

Washerwoman/Laundress: Always female, they cleaned linens and clothes for the master`s family. Enslaved Laundresses frequently made their own soap using lye, which left them with recurring chemical burns.

Scieur De Long: Always male, the title describes a slave who spent the majority of his time cutting and trimming lumber for construction projects. The title refers to a specific way of trimming the logs by perching it on a trestle. It is similar to the English "pit-sawing."

Domestic: Both male and female, it was the common term for a house slave, referring to those who worked inside the house and often had specific etiquette training. The Romans referred to their Domestics as "Servants" as opposed to Field Slaves, whom they termed "The Negroes."

Cart Driver/Teamster: Could be male or female, a cart driver worked with animals--generally mules and oxen--and operated ploughs as well as drove carts during the grinding season. In addition to driving or ploughing, an enslaved teamster was expected to care for the animals as well.

Bricklayer: Always male, and considered a skilled craftsman, Bricklayers often learned their trade at an early age from other slaves. In addition to understanding mortar, they understood the brickmaking process, temperature, composite and firing times, and often oversaw groups of slaves who would make bricks onsite. Bricklayers were also expected to do much of the plaster work around the plantation.

Cooper: Always male, a cooper made the barrels and other bound containers for the plantation.

Ostler: Always male, an ostler cared for the horses, and could act as carriage driver as well.

Carpenter: Always male, carpenters handled general repairs and construction work on the plantation.

Shoemaker: Usually a male, a shoemaker was generally not a full time job. However, the title refers to his job to make shoes for the entire enslaved community. Bulk leather was brought to the plantation, and slaves would receive a ration of shoes per year.

Driver: Referred to in French documents as Le Commandeur, a Driver was an enslaved man who worked beneath the Owner and/or Overseer, and supervised field slaves. Depending on the plantation, a Driver was often the person who physically punished slaves by whipping, etc.

Cook: Both male and female, cooks were often designated as either simply "cook" or "cook for the negroes." Those with the first designation prepared meals for the master`s family, guests and often other domestics, while a "cook for the negroes" prepared large communal meals--generally breakfast and lunch.

Seamstress: Always a woman, seamstresses created functional items (bedding, curtains) for the master`s family, as well as made repairs to store bought clothes, etc.

Hairdresser: Always a woman, Hairdressers almost always had additional duties, such as being a Seamstress. Hairdressers assisted the master`s wife and daughters in both washing and coiffing their hair. Some hairdressers earned some money by freelancing their skills to other Creole woman, but this was rare since it required permission from their own mistress.

Gardner: Always a male, an enslaved gardner tended to the decorative and kitchen gardens around the main house.

Laborer: Also called a Field Slave in later documents, these could be both male and female. Occupying the lowest status on the plantation, laborers performed the most grueling tasks and lived in the worst conditions, yet males laborers were often appraised the highest of all slaves on the plantation.

Copyright 2014 - 2017 Oak Alley Foundation. All Rights Reserved.