This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/SeB.2ACE/730.1.1.2 Message Board Post: In all fairness.... Some slaves were bought from abusive slave-holders, so that they would have better lives... and some were bought, to be freed by their new owners. Not all slave masters were cruel. Yes, it was a way of life... even if not a desirable trait.