Richmond Virginia 1860 #dark #history #facts #mystery #horrorstories #usa #historia

In 1860, a mulatto sold for a record $119,000. Fancy girls ranged from mulatto who were half black to quadrun, a quarter black, to octaroons, who had even less black ancestry. Unlike most slaves, they were exempt from labor duties. Their only role was beauty, a living fantasy for the master, a status symbol for society.

But this hierarchical position stirred deep jealousy and hatred among plantation wives. In New Orleans, there were private balls known as quadrun pl attended only by wealthy elites and quadruns accompanied by their mothers. After dancing with a man, if the girl were attracted, he would be allowed to speak with her mother and negotiate a

fair price. But the biggest gamble was having children. A mixed woman and a white man created even lighter kids, leading to either acceptance into the family or sold for a new record price on the market.