Ruins of the Main House and North Flanker of Middleton Place, Circa 1870.
On February 23rd, 1865, as the ruins of Middleton Place—the family seat of generations of wealthy plantation owners and slaveholders—burned and smoldered, an entire community of enslaved men, women, and children was thrown into chaos, uncertainty, and perhaps even a glimmer of hope for the future. The 56th New York Regiment of Volunteers had marched through, delivering the Union’s message loud and clear. Freedom had arrived at Middleton Place.
Dr. Henry Orlando Marcy, attached to the 35th Regiment of U.S. Colored Troops, attended both before and after the destruction – he first describes the chaotic scene the day before. Dr. Marcy wrote,
“Continued on to [Middleton Place] which I found splendidly located in the midst of extensive pleasure grounds on a slight eminence. All here was confusion. [The enslaved] had heard the news from their friends and they were making ready to leave. [Williams Middleton] had left about a week previous . . . [His] overseer had soon followed and for some days the Col[ored] people had been alone. Everything was in confusion. The house was strewed with articles and all about the grounds things were scattered. . . Met the driver and learned much of interest. The Colored people flocked around me and gave numerous demonstrations of joy. All wanted to ‘shake hands.’ Guess this is a custom of theirs. The Driver a very intelligent man, said he was placed in charge of a [party and teams] to go up country but he had contrived to get away with the whole party and return.”
19th Century Photography of Dr. Henry Orlando Marcy.
Marcy the next day, Dr. Marcy also wrote,
“My first object was to get the col[ored] people together and advise them what to do – find there is a schooner and several flats here and as they are all determined to leave I advise them to load the boats and proceed to the city. . . Accompanied by the driver I rode down to the [Horse Savannah / Jerry Hill] five miles away. Here found about 150 slaves. Called them together and made them a little talk…The col[ored] people seem happy and are making ready to leave for town.”
Today, February 23, we honor those who traversed this land, molded the earth beneath us, and navigated the waters. The more than 3,200 individuals enslaved by the Middleton family across 19 plantations from 1738 to 1865 were not nameless or faceless. They each had their own identities. They were loving Mothers and Fathers, vibrant Sisters and Brothers, cherished Cousins, and lifelong friends. Above all, they were people with profound emotions, rich thoughts, and real dreams.
