Comments on: Volumes Provide a Rare Glimpse Into the Life of Slaves at Furnaces

By: Rob Smith, III

Rob Smith, III — Thu, 05 May 2011 18:00:44 +0000

Incredible discovery! My ggg grandfather, Thomas Franklin “Frank” Foster, lived in Rockbridge, particularly in Buffalo and later South River, and was a part of a forge there, I think. I have no records other than what was mentioned on the Censuses following the War until the turn of the century. For very obvious reasons, he did not have any slaves on hand.

By: Dale

Dale — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 17:44:43 +0000

Hello,

The paperback version of Bond of Iron is available through the major Internet booksellers and you may well find it in your local bookstore. The libraries in Buchanan and Fincastle have the book according to the RVL online catalog.

-Dale

By: Daisy J Boyd

Daisy J Boyd — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 16:54:57 +0000

I noted that one mine mentioned was named”Retreat”.

By: Daisy J Boyd

Daisy J Boyd — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 16:51:47 +0000

This discussion caught my eye, as we live on the original farm, called”Soldiers Retreat” in the valley of the same name, located South of CliftonForge, VA,; near Glen Wilton and the coalmines/forge at Firmstone Manor, Longdale Furnace Road, Clifton Forge. The Dew family farm lies across the Cowpasture/ James Rivers from us. All these family references seem to connect with the information you mention, andis of great interest to me. Is the book “Bond of Iron” still in print?

By: Dale

Dale — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 15:29:07 +0000

This case involves principles in an imptortant iron works in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, an iron works that is the subject of an extraordinarily fine book on industrial slavery, Charles B. Dew, Bond of
Iron: Master and Slave at Buffalo Forge (New York, 1994).

Brent Tarter
The Library of Virginia

By: Dale

Dale — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 15:25:04 +0000

A fascinating discovery. You write that the slaves were paid for overtime and that “They used their extra funds to purchase small luxury items such as sugar, coffee, tobacco, shoes, trousers, coats, cloth, or household items.” I would not characterize these as luxury items but as necessities. Supposedly the owner was responsible for providing adequate clothing for his slaves, and he didn’t. He passed that expense onto the slaves, knowing that they would use their “extra” time to obtain necessities. A marvelous system.

Henry Wiencek
Charlottesville