The earliest Africans to arrive "and a small number mind you" were treated like indentured servants. After a set amount of years in service they gained their freedom and a small monetary compensation. There are records and diary accounts of some of some early African families becoming land owners leading what might be described as the colonial equivalent of a middle class life. However chattel slavery would quickly dominant the colonies in a matter of a few years ending African indentured servitude. Keep in mind these Africans who worked as indentured servants were relatively small in number. I cannot recall the title at the moment but a published diary from one of these families who I believe became land owners on Maryland's eastern shore is a very interesting read and I would recommend.