In the market for human beings who were legally classified as property, people were considered “merchandise” or “chattel.” Numerous factors were important in the price that would be agreed upon by buyers and sellers. The appearance of health was one primary consideration. The sellers tried to provide adequate food and conditions to make the potential slaves appear healthy and well-fed. There were categories or “grades” that corresponded to age, sex, size, and skin color. Darker skin color was associated with strength and capacity for field labor. The owners preferred lighter-skinned people to work inside their houses. Skills were also included in the evaluation; cooks and carpenters commanded very high prices. Women were often classified as “breeders” whose primary function would be to reproduce the maximum number of babies, all of whom would be born into slavery.
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