I have read much concerning slavery but have been disappointed 
in not finding any mention of free blacks who owned slaves.  The subject was mentioned in American Heritage Feb/Mar 1993 (vol 441 under the title "Selling Poor Steven" beginning on page 90.  Citing
the official U.S. Census of 1830, there were 3775 free blacks who owned 12,740 black slaves.   Furthermore, the story outlines the history of slavery here, and the first slave owner, the Father of American slavery, was Mr. Anthony Johnson, of Northhampton, Virginia.  His slave was John Casor, the first slave for life.  Both
were black Africans.  This is a part of Virginia's history which deserves attention. 

The story is very readable, and outlines cases of free black women owning their husbands, free black parents selling their children into slavery to white owners, and absentee free black slave owners, who leased their slaves to plantation owners.  Most libraries carry back issues of American Heritage. 

Another interest book on the same subject is FREE NEGRO OWNERS OF SLAVES IN THE UNITED STATES 1830, by the noted black historian, Carter C. Woodson.  This book lists the
names and addresses of free blacks who owned slaves.  Among 
them is one George C. Washington, of Washington, D.C. 
(Reprinted from the Christian News, January 4, 1999

Al Benson, Jr