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This account of daily events at a Mississippi plantation shows how the overseer assigned tasks based on the sex of slaves. On a day when women (and boys) were picking cotton, male slaves were performing more physically demanding labor, like hauling wood and making bridges, and specialized work including blacksmithing.
DAILY RECORD OF PASSING EVENTS on Eustatia Plantation,
during the week commencing on the 15 day of Jenuary 1860
George R. Clark Overseer.
the 15 Sunday. This day clear & cold The Negroes
all at rest
3 sick
the 16 Monday. This day clear & pleasant The woman &
boys picking cotton 2 men making bridges. 2
workin in the blacksmiths shop. 8 working on
the leavy 2 at the corn mill 4 halling fier
wood
3 sick
the 17 Tuesday. This day clowdy and cool The woman
& boys knocking down burs The men at the
same work as yesterday
The river riseing
3 sick
the 18 Wednesday. This day clear & pleasant The same
work as yesterday --
The river riseing --
Majer Chatard got from Mrs. C.C Eustis
200 feet of inch plank to make guttas
for sistern this morning
4 sick
the 19 Thursday. This day clear & pleasant 8 men working
on the leavy The blallance of the the hands
dooing the same work as yesterday
4 sick
the 20 Friday. This day clear The men roling loggs
The woman & boys cleaning up the field
River still riseing within 10 feet of top
of bank
4 sick
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