How was the life of a slave on a southern plantation during early colonies.?

they lacked many freedoms and had to be obedient but usually had plenty to eat and a warm cabin, although the "inside" slaves had rooms in the main house. most small farmers and such live no better. it was different on the huge cotton plantations. it was cotton alone that brought so many slaves into the states where cotton would grow. the plantation owners were big fat cats and few in number. they needed cheap labor and the free whites would not work for free. remind you of the border situation in usa today? free is even better than cheap labor for "business" investors.

Read Frederick Douglass' Autobiography. It will tell you about the life of a slave in Maryland.

That depended entirely on the owner and the size of the estate. Washington had slaves involved in every craft needed to sustain his estate, cobblers, coopers, smiths - not just field hands. This was common to the larger southern plantations. Every master did not abuse their slaves, and every master did not rape them. If you want a real life perspective on how devoted some slaves were to their masters, even after being freed, read about Edward Coles, Virginian plantation owner who became the second Governor of Illinois. A man for the ages.