Magnolia Plantation and Slavery

Having been born and raised in the northeastern United States, Misty and I felt an inclination to learn more about the tragic experiences of slavery that once existed in our nation. We felt distant from the truth, in many ways sheltered by the geographical area we were blessed to call home. We have also been deeply saddened by racial tensions which seem to be on the rise over the last few years. With these thoughts in mind, we have been looking for opportunities to connect in some meaningful way, to the difficult history of slavery in America.

There are several historical plantations available for public viewing in the Charleston, SC area and one in particular caught our attention. Magnolia Plantation & Gardens is located along the banks of the Ashley River to the northwest of the city of Charleston. The plantation was founded by the Drayton Family in 1670 and remains under the control of this family after multiple generations. Originally, a home and small formal garden were built, while the surrounding property was developed into a large rice producing plantation worked by enslaved persons. In the 1840s the garden was transformed, becoming known for it’s Romantic-style Gardens that exist to this day. The original plantation house was destroyed during the Civil War, the current house being a restoration of the house that replaced it after the war ended.

While walking through the gardens, I discovered this plantation is also tied to major events during the American Revolutionary War. It was from this site British General Charles Cornwallis crossed his army over the Ashley River to cut off the peninsula leading to Charleston. This completed the encirclement of the city leading to its surrender and capture by the British in 1780.

Although we found the gardens to be beautiful, with a definite element of peacefulness, we were mostly drawn to this site by a living history experience taking place on a portion of the property. “From Slavery to Freedom: The Magnolia Cabin Project” is an area of the property containing several restored slave quarters. These small cabins are set up to show living arrangements from both the slavery period in the 1850s, as well as through the time period after the Civil War, into the early 1900s. A self-guided tour of these cabins is included in any regular visit to the Magnolia Gardens. We felt a solemn sadness, almost heaviness, walking among and through these cramped, crude structures. This gave us a small sense of the truth, making it just a little more real to us. It also struck us how hidden these cabins were from the main plantation house.

The living history piece was taking place in the area of these cabins during the weekend we visited. This experience was provided by The Slave Dwelling Project. Joseph (Joe) McGill is the founder of this organization and is also the History and Culture Coordinator at Magnolia Plantation.

During a question-and-answer portion of the presentation, Joe described how he travels around the United States for sleepovers at existing former slave quarters. He invites others to join him in person or through virtual campfires. As part of the conversation, and to get us thinking, he pointed out that most states in the eastern US have a history of slavery. He asked the audience, by a show of hands, who was visiting from a northern state. Many of us raised our hands and he asked one person which state. After receiving the response of Massachusetts, he revealed which community in that state he has been to for a sleepover. He assured us, whichever northern state we might have answered, he has likely been there for at least one sleepover. I am quite sure Joe conducted sleepovers in my home state of New York. Although I like to think of New York State as a location that helped slaves through the Underground Railroad, slavery did exist and did not officially end in New York State until July 4, 1827, through an act of legislation. It is sobering to be reminded of this older history

The living history program was comprised of several gentlemen demonstrating various aspects of the lives of African Americans during the plantation period, including brick making and cooking. What interested us the most however, was the storytelling being shared by these reenactors.

We listened intently to an amazing man named Dontavius Williams, who shared of himself in the telling of a first-person account. The story he recounted was about an enslaved man named Adam, who was born into slavery and separated from his mother at an early age.

He expressed what it was like, as that boy, to one morning be treated differently by his mother. She knew what was coming. As he was finishing an unusual, specially prepared breakfast, prepared by his mother, the mistress of the plantation was calling him to the front porch. Mother held him tight at the door, preventing him from running out which could be a real problem. The mistress would not want to call a second time, and if a third call was necessary, it would not go well for him.

He managed to dash out after the second call and found a man waiting on the porch with the mistress. You see, the mistress had recently been widowed and needed funds to pay off her deceased husband’s debts. The young boy was paraded before the prospective buyer and was encouraged to provide a demonstration of his ability to run fast and jump high. He still did not understand what was taking place. It was a terrible shock to hear the mistress agree to a price of $350.00 for him. A terrible shock to suddenly be torn away from his mother and everything he had ever known. To realize he might never see his mother again.

Although Adam was a fictional character, the story is an all too accurate portrayal of the type of experiences common to slaves in that time and place. Once the boy grew to adulthood, he had children of his own which led to an understanding of the pain his mother had felt the day he was sold away.

One day, one of his sons, who he described as having a head much too big for his skinny body, asked him if his greatest fear was being beaten or was his greatest fear death? He imparted to us, through the art of his storytelling, his response to the son’s questions.

A person could heal from most beatings, while death was a form of freedom and therefore not to be feared. What was truly the most frightening experience for enslaved people? Separation from their loved ones: their mother, father, brothers, sisters, sweetheart, wife, children. As a father, this very real torture of separation was the most terrifying injustice to be endured.

Another aspect of the slave experience discussed during this story touched on plantation overseers. An overseer was typically a poor white man. These men would be paid based on the productivity and general health of the slaves under their responsibility. Since the overseer’s well-being was tied to these expectations, it often led to brutality as they endeavored to get the most productivity out of the enslaved workers.

A powerful statement was made by Dontavius through the words of Adam during his story. In a small way, the enslaved person had something the overseer never could. He said, “My body is being controlled but my mind and heart are free. The overseer’s body is free, but his mind and heart are not.” How ironic is this enslaved person’s perspective about “freedom” and understanding of one’s individual value and identity.

As this storytelling was brought to life for us, very real tears stood out in Dontavius’s eyes. A part of this man truly existed in the stories he expressed. We learned each one of these reenactors is a third or fourth generation descendant of slaves in America. The struggles, fears, and pain as well as the strength, determination, and deeply felt love has been passed down to them through their family lineage.

The purpose and goal of these men and of The Slave Dwelling Project, is simply profound. They want to inspire conversation. True history contains difficult and complicated elements. To quote one of the storytellers: “We are not interested in changing the history, but let’s talk about it. When there is something ugly, we need to talk about it.”

At the conclusion of the presentation, I felt the need, and got the privilege, to approach Dontavius and shake his hand. Although we hope for additional opportunities in our travels, this was exactly what Misty and I needed to be a part of. I was grateful to have the opportunity to tell him so.

We also had an opportunity to take photos of the reenactors together, along with the owner of Magnolia Plantation, a contemporary member of the Drayton family. She was honored by them as being very supportive of and involved in telling the story of what took place on this property. Her presence is part of the healing needed, and this strengthens my hope for what love and unity can do.

One last enjoyable portion of our visit, making it even more personable for us, was two of the reenactors seeing Misty’s Steelers hat and announcing to us, they too were Steeler fans! We had fun side conversations with them bringing smiles to all of our faces. Steeler Nation is truly found everywhere!

As we drove away from Magnolia Plantation, the beauty of the gardens remained, however they paled a little in comparison to The Slave Dwelling Project experience. Being a large property, we only found the time to walk a portion of it before the scheduled storytelling was set to begin. We do not believe we would have been able to enjoy those gardens in the same way after having been touched by the history of those cabins and the hearts of those men.