[4CJ]

Because legally they did not exist. Marriage between slaves was not recognized by law because slaves were not people. They were property.

Utter BS. Marriages were sanctioned by their masters, with Justices of the Peace performing the ceremonies. There are several cases recognizing their legal status, and several wills and trusts ajudicated after the war upheld the validity of the marriages.

[Non-Sequitur]

Utter BS. Marriages were sanctioned by their masters, with Justices of the Peace performing the ceremonies.

The utter BS is your blanket statement that all slave marriages were performed by the local JP. In fact, I'd be surprised that many, if any, were.

There are several cases recognizing their legal status...

I've often been amazed by your...unusual interpretations of court cases in the past so if you would, could you please list some of these cases? I'd like to see for myself.

...and several wills and trusts ajudicated after the war upheld the validity of the marriages.

A will or trust do not give slave marriages legal status if the local state government does not.