Thanks to all for their answers on my question on the Crook boys and girls. I've always enjoyed this group and the knowledge that this list possesses. Based on the answers that I got, I take it to mean that these children were in charge of taking care of livestock, pasturing them, loading them up, driving them, etc. There was a fair amount of livestock on these estates inventory. In the 1850 St. Croix census searching by occupation, there were a little over 100 'Crooks'- all adolescent with only a couple in their young 20's. I do recall seeing a photo from St. Croix from 1871 with a pack of ladened donkeys being led by young boys (no adults). In the 1837 inventory that I was reviewing, all the slaves between age 12 and 17 were on the 'Crook gang' except for one girl who was a 'House girl' (house servant). If you were a slave, being a crook boy or girl was your station in life at this age on these plantations. The inventory is from 1 July 1837 for Estates St. George, Sally's Fancy and Hope in St. Croix, Danish West Indies. As such, the slaves are listed out by name (first name only), age, occupation and ability to work- In effect, it is a slave census for these plantations. Unfortunately, they are not listed by family groups, but rather by male or female, occupation, and age. If anyone thinks their ancestors may be in this inventory, let me know and I'll take a look for you. Dante