Instances occurred in which couples remained together and had an affection for their families, but the reverse was not uncommon.

This state of affairs goes far toward explaining moral lapses among the negroes of to-day.
I have found only one or two lists of the increase of the slaves, one being that transmitted by James Anderson, manager, in February, 1797, to the effect that "there are 3 Negro Children Born, & one dead--at River Farm 1; born at Mansion house, Lina 1; at Union Farm 1 born & one dead--It was killed by Worms.

Medical assistance was called--But the mothers are very inattentive to their Young." Just why the managers, when they carefully mentioned the arrival of calves, colts, lambs and mules, did not also transmit news of the advent of the more valuable two-legged live stock, is not apparent.

In many reports, however, in accounting for the time of slaves, occur such entries as: "By Cornelia in child bed 6 days." Occasionally the fact and sex of the increase is mentioned, but not often.
Washington was much more likely to take notice of deaths than of increases.

"Dorcas, daughter of Phillis, died, which makes 4 Negroes lost this winter," he wrote in 1760.