Re: Slavery in N.E. and Central Mo.
How about checking the federal censuses for 1850 and 1860? The Slave schedules will tell you who owned slaves, the population census will provide data on the owners nativity, residence, occupation; the agricultural and industrial enumerations will shed light on production. You then can check various local public records e.g. probate, property, personal property tax returns if you are interested in socio-economic data.