Throughout the 18th century, the sugar industry dominated the British Caribbean. because of the increase in sugar cane plantations there was a need for increased labour, in the form of enslaved Africans. Throughout the book “Beyond Massa” written by John Campbell there are various factors noted that influence both the acquisition and allocation of enslaved persons. Using the Golden Grove plantation, owned by wealthy Englishman Chaloner Arcedekne and managed by Simon Taylor as an example,
various circumstances played a part in how enslaved persons were managed as well as obtained. One such factor was illustrated in Chapter two of the book, where Simon wrote to the estate’s owner to lament the fact that “the Negroes” were not in great health and as a result the amount of slave labour allocated to the estate had greatly diminished. Looking at this factor, we can clearly see that although a great number of enslaved Africans were ill, the work of the estate still had to be done. In an attempt to increase the work force, Simon sought to acquire Jobbing gangs. These were work gangs made up of enslaved persons owned by a white manager, rented out to persons when necessary. he used these gangs to quickly fill the the void that was created. Another factor that influenced the allocation of enslaved persons has to do with the division of labour. Simon was tasked with the duty of ensuring that all enslaved persons were allocated a job and not idle in fear of uprising amongst the workers. Additionally, he had to ensure that there were enough workers present at each step of the sugar making process. If we look at the fields specifically, a great number of able-bodied persons were needed to tend to the soil and prep it, plant the sugar cane crops and nature them and eventually reap the crops in a timely manner to ensure no wastage or damage of crops. A factor to consider as well would be environmental influences. These factors would not only strike the work force unexpectedly...