As slaves, I don't think they could own property of any kind.
http://www.ushistory.org/us/6f.asp
(2nd paragraph)
The only situation I've ever read about was if/when slaves managed to get enough money together (and that would have taken a great deal of secrecy), they could buy their freedom if their masters were willing to sell.
http://www.google.com/search?q=could+slaves+buy+their+freedom&oq=could+slaves+buy&aqs=chrome.0.0j69i57j0l4.4342j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
What conditions existed that would allow for slaves to be property owners
1 answer