Lead: During the Civil War, a South Carolina slave father rejected a Union officer’s promise of freedom, later saying “[I] would not leave my family.” Before the war, not many were given that choice. Intro.: A Moment in Time with Dan Roberts. Content: The break-up of man and wife, parent and child, began in slavery in Africa and continued in the Americas. Once relocated to plantations and farms, many of the slaves tried create family units to meet emotional, economic, and security needs. Many owners eventually realized that slave family life helped improve stability for their property. Loading... Taking too long? Reload document | Open in new tab Download [121.71 KB] Share