Dr. Victoria Dickenson has written an essay, which you can read here, about the slave society of Saint Domingue that the de Rabié family lived and participated in.
The essay examines the life of René Gabriel de Rabié and his family in 18th-century Saint Domingue, focusing on the families interactions with and reliance on enslaved people within the context of a slave society. It explores how the de Rabié family, despite not owning plantations themselves, benefited from and participated in the system of slavery through ownership of enslaved individuals who served in their household and supported their personal and professional endeavours. The essay also delves into the broader societal dynamics of Saint Domingue, highlighting the extensive use of enslaved labor in various occupations and the integral role enslaved individuals played in the construction of infrastructure and the economy.
Hidden Hands in Colonial Natural Histories 