IN RESPONSE TO BELOW:
 
I would be interested in seeing these pipes.  There is some
tradition of African-American soapstone carving in the Va.
piedmont.  I'm aware of some interesting "face stones" which may be
small death masks used as grave markers.  These turn up in the
fields from time to time, or so I've been told by someone who had a
couple, and who grew up in Albemarle and Orange. There is one of
these that used to be on exhibit at the Fluvanna Co. Hist. Soc.
Another possibility is that the pipes are Native America prehstoric
or protohistoric objects collected by slaves.  Certain styles of
flanged and platform pipes are moderately common in the Va. and N.C.
piedmonts, and I have occasionally seen prehistoric artifacts in
slave quarters root cellars that I would swear (but cannot "prove,"
were placed there centuries later by the occupants.
>
> I am passing on this request for information from a co-worker:
>         "I am doing research on soapstone pipes which have been found
>         on a slave quarter site [c. 1790-1810] in Cnetral Virginia.
>         If you have any information on soapstone pipes, especially
>         slave related soapstone pipe manufacture, please contact
>         Hannah B. Canel at Jeffsrson's Poplar Forest.  P.O. Box 419,
>         Forest, VA 24551.  Telephone number: (804) 525-1806
>         Thank you.  Hanna B. Canel"
> I will always also be able to take messages for Hannah here if you would like
> to send them via e-mail.  Lisa Fischer
>