The Washingtons of Wessyngton Plantation

1. Slavery's Brutal Reality: From Africa to Wessyngton

The early documents I found in the archives brought me face-to-face with the horrors of the slave trade.

Captivity and the Middle Passage. The story begins with the capture of Africans from diverse regions, including Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Angola, Cameroon, Ghana, Niger, and Morocco. These individuals, often victims of raids on their villages, were forced onto ships for the perilous Middle Passage to the Americas. The journey was marked by horrific conditions, with as many as a third of the enslaved Africans dying from disease, starvation, and brutality before reaching their destination.

Arrival in Virginia. Upon arrival, the surviving Africans were sold or traded, families were torn apart, and their identities were erased. The Washingtons, like many other planters, acquired slaves from merchants involved in this trade. The Blow family, prominent slaveholders and merchants in Virginia, were among the Washingtons' primary sources of enslaved people.

Jenny's Story. The narrative highlights the story of Jenny, a ten-year-old girl who was sold to Joseph Washington in 1802. Jenny became the matriarch of one of the largest families on Wessyngton Plantation. Her story exemplifies the resilience and strength of enslaved people who endured unimaginable hardships and built families despite the constant threat of separation and violence.

2. Building Wessyngton: The Intertwined Fates of Owners and Enslaved

She said her and the other slaves would have to pack [carry] clay from down there in the bottom where the creek is up to where the Big House is now, and the other slave men made bricks to build that house, and it is still standing after all these years, so you know they knew what they were doing.

Joseph Washington's Ambition. Joseph Washington, the founder of Wessyngton Plantation, migrated from Virginia to Tennessee in the late 1790s, seeking new opportunities in the fertile lands of the frontier. He acquired land and began cultivating dark tobacco, a crop that would become the foundation of his wealth. As his operations expanded, he relied increasingly on enslaved labor to clear land, build infrastructure, and cultivate his crops.

The Mansion's Construction. The construction of the Wessyngton mansion, a symbol of the Washington family's prosperity, was a direct result of the labor of enslaved people. They quarried stone, made bricks, hauled materials, and performed the skilled labor necessary to erect the grand structure. Sarah Washington Cheatham, born into slavery at Wessyngton, recalled carrying clay from the creek to the building site as a young girl.

Self-Sufficiency and Skilled Labor. Wessyngton became a self-sufficient plantation, producing its own food, clothing, and tools. Enslaved people were trained as artisans, blacksmiths, carpenters, and other skilled laborers, contributing to the plantation's economic success. Their expertise was essential to all aspects of plantation life, from maintaining equipment to crafting furniture for the mansion.

3. Wessyngton's World: Family, Community, and Daily Life in Bondage

Local and family lore had it that the Washingtons often purchased slaves in family units.

Family as a Foundation. Despite the dehumanizing nature of slavery, enslaved people at Wessyngton formed strong family and community bonds. The Washingtons, unlike some slaveholders, often purchased slaves in family units and generally refrained from selling individuals away from their families. This relative stability allowed for the development of a vibrant community with its own customs, traditions, and social structures.

Daily Life and Labor. Enslaved people at Wessyngton worked from sunrise to sunset, six days a week, cultivating tobacco, tending livestock, and performing various tasks. They lived in simple log cabins, often with multiple families sharing a single dwelling. Despite the harsh conditions, they found ways to maintain their culture, practice their religion, and create moments of joy and connection.

Cultural Preservation. Enslaved people at Wessyngton preserved elements of their African heritage through music, storytelling, and religious practices. They developed their own forms of worship, often holding secret meetings in the woods or in their cabins, using overturned pots to muffle the sound of their singing and prayers. These traditions provided solace, strength, and a sense of identity in the face of oppression.

4. Resistance and Rebellion: The Slaves' Fight for Dignity

They told me that some of their ancestors had been captured and taken aboard ships and were brought to America.

Forms of Resistance. Enslaved people at Wessyngton resisted their bondage in various ways, both overt and subtle. Overt acts of resistance included running away, sabotage, and even violence against overseers. More subtle forms of resistance included feigning illness, working slowly, and preserving their culture and traditions.

The Underground Railroad. While there is no evidence of a formal Underground Railroad network in the immediate vicinity of Wessyngton, the desire for freedom was a constant presence. Some enslaved people attempted to escape to the North, facing immense risks and challenges along the way. The story of Davy, a runaway slave who repeatedly attempted to escape from Wessyngton, illustrates the determination and courage of those who sought freedom.

The Slave Panic of 1856. The narrative mentions the Slave Panic of 1856, a period of heightened fear among slaveholders in Tennessee and other Southern states. Rumors of planned slave uprisings led to increased surveillance, repression, and violence against enslaved people. This event underscores the ever-present tension and fear that characterized the institution of slavery.

5. The Civil War's Impact: Disruption and the Dawn of Freedom

I knew that our ancestors had experienced unimaginable indignities during slavery but felt that I had to continue my research to find out all I could.

The Winds of Change. The outbreak of the Civil War brought profound changes to Wessyngton Plantation. As Union forces advanced into Tennessee, the institution of slavery began to crumble. Enslaved people, sensing the possibility of freedom, began to leave the plantation, seeking refuge with Union troops or in contraband camps.

Enlistment in the Union Army. Many enslaved men from Wessyngton joined the Union Army, fighting for their own liberation and the freedom of their families. Their service in the United States Colored Troops (USCT) was a testament to their courage and their commitment to the cause of freedom.

The Washingtons' Dilemma. The Washington family, like many other Southern planters, faced a difficult choice: remain loyal to the Confederacy or adapt to the changing times. George A. Washington, recognizing the inevitable end of slavery, eventually took an oath of allegiance to the Union, a decision that reflected the shifting power dynamics of the war.

6. Reconstruction and Beyond: Navigating a New World

One thing that encouraged me to carry on my research was the wealth of information I found about my own ancestors and others that contradicted what I usually read or heard.

Sharecropping and Economic Exploitation. After the Civil War, the sharecropping system emerged as a new form of economic exploitation. Former slaves, lacking land and resources, were forced to work as tenant farmers on land owned by white landowners, sharing a portion of their crops in exchange for the use of land and equipment. This system often trapped freedmen in a cycle of debt and poverty.

The Freedmen's Bureau. The Freedmen's Bureau played a crucial role in assisting former slaves during the Reconstruction era. The bureau provided food, clothing, medical care, and education, and it also helped to negotiate labor contracts between freedmen and landowners. However, the bureau's efforts were often hampered by racism, violence, and a lack of resources.

The Rise of Jim Crow. As Reconstruction ended, white Southerners began to reassert their dominance through the implementation of Jim Crow laws. These laws enforced racial segregation and discrimination in all aspects of life, denying African Americans their civil and political rights. Despite these challenges, freedmen at Wessyngton and throughout the South persevered, building communities, establishing churches and schools, and striving for a better future for their children.

7. Echoes of the Past: Remembrance, Reconciliation, and the Power of DNA

I can only hope that each reader will come to see that the story of the African Americans on Wessyngton Plantation is a special story of individuals—a proud history of family, hard work, and achievement.

The Author's Journey. The author's journey to uncover the history of Wessyngton Plantation began with a photograph in a textbook and evolved into a decades-long quest for knowledge and understanding. Through archival research, oral histories, and DNA testing, he pieced together the stories of the enslaved people who lived and worked at Wessyngton, giving voice to a history that had long been silenced.

DNA and Ancestral Connections. DNA testing has emerged as a powerful tool for tracing African lineages and connecting descendants of enslaved people with their ancestral roots. The Wessyngton DNA project has revealed the diverse origins of the enslaved community, linking them to specific regions and ethnic groups in Africa. These genetic connections have provided a deeper understanding of the transatlantic slave trade and its impact on African American identity.

Honoring the Ancestors. The story of Wessyngton Plantation is a testament to the resilience, strength, and dignity of enslaved people who endured unimaginable hardships. By uncovering and sharing their stories, we can honor their memory and ensure that their contributions to American history are never forgotten. The author's work serves as a model for other communities seeking to reclaim their past and build a more just and equitable future.

Last updated: March 14, 2025