This article discusses the history of Nicolau, a slave belonging to the Order of St. Benedict in Pernambuco (Brazil). This work aims at discussing the slave-owning condition achieved by several captives of this institution. Some cases which were found in the documents show that captives owned several slaves, leaving them as inheritance to their heirs or using them to free themselves or their loved ones. Among the most emblematic cases in Brazil, Nicolau, who possessed at least nine slaves at the same time, will be the focus on this article.