HOUSE SLAVES

House slaves often had easier lives than the field slaves. They worked in the master's house. They called it the “big house." They were cooks, maids, servants, mammies and friends for the master's children. The cooks made all meals and ordered all the food. Even master's wife did not mess with the cook. House slaves were dressed better and wore decent clothes. Sometimes they had better cottages that were closer to the “big house." Mammies and children's friends sometimes slept in the ”big house." House slaves thought they were better than the field slaves. Master's family often thought of house slaves as part of their family although they did not think they were equal. House slaves sometimes left plantations to go with their masters and knew more than the field slaves. Masters were not allowed to teach slaves how to read, but many house slaves learned how to read because master's children taught them or they heard others reading. Mammies were responsible for raising master's children and became very important and had a lot of power.


	HOUSE SLAVES BACK TO LIFE House slaves often had easier lives than the field slaves. They worked in the master's house. They called it the “big house." They were cooks, maids, servants, mammies and friends for the master's children. The cooks made all meals and ordered all the food. Even master's wife did not mess with the cook. House slaves were dressed better and wore decent clothes. Sometimes they had better cottages that were closer to the “big house." Mammies and children's friends sometimes slept in the ”big house." House slaves thought they were better than the field slaves. Master's family often thought of house slaves as part of their family although they did not think they were equal. House slaves sometimes left plantations to go with their masters and knew more than the field slaves. Masters were not allowed to teach slaves how to read, but many house slaves learned how to read because master's children taught them or they heard others reading. Mammies were responsible for raising master's children and became very important and had a lot of power.