Southern Society at 1860 Group Size Notes Large planters (1000 or more acres) Less than 1% of the total number of white families The wealthiest class in all of America, the large planters exercised social and political power far beyond their percentage of the population. Most owned 50 slaves or more. Planters (100-1000 acres) Perhaps 3% of white families Usually owned 20-49 slaves. Provided many political leaders and controlled much of the wealth of the South Small slaveholders About 20% of white families Owning fewer than 20 slaves, the small slaveholders were primarily farmers, though some were merchants in Southern towns. Nonslaveholding whites About 75% of white families Yeoman farmers. They owned their small pieces