SANKOFA'S SLAVERY DATA COLLECTION
Wessyngton
Plantation
Location: 35 northwest of Nashville; Robertson Co., TN
Constructed: late 1790's
History: The plantation was founded in the late 1790s by Joseph Washington
(1770-1848), of Southampton County, VA, who was also a cousin to President Washington.
Washington brought slaves with him to TN from VA. After Joseph's death the estate
passed to his son George Augustine Washington (1815-1898). In 1860 the plantation
contained 15,000 acres of land, held 274 slaves and was the largest tobacco plantation
in America.
Associated Surnames: Blow, Cheatham, Ellis, Gardner, Green, Jackson, Lewis,
Scott, Simms, Terry, Washington, White
Associated Free White Names
- (1790 - 1848) Joseph Washington: of Southampton County, VA; cousin
to President George Washington
- (1848 -1898) son George Augustine Washington
Associated Black Slave Names
- Slave surnames associated with the estate include: Washington, Cheatham,
Green, Simms, Lewis, White, Williams, Ellis,
Scott, Blow, Gardner and Terry.
Agriculture
Description of Associated Architecture
- The Wessyngton Mansion: which was built in 1819 still stands and was
built by Washington slaves.
Research Leads
- TN State Library and Archives - "The Washingtons kept excellent
records which includes bills of sales for slaves, birth registers, wills, deeds,
old letters mentioning activity on the plantation before, during and after the
Civil War. The Washington family deposited their records in the TN State Library
and Archives in 1964 which is recorded on 69 rolls of microfilm" ---John
Baker
Other People Researching This
Plantation
- John Baker (e-mail) "I
would gladly share any information. I have personally interviewed several
children and grandchildren of former Wessyngton slaves and I also have a great
collection of photographs"
RESOURCES
- Wessyngton Plantation originally submitted by John Baker.
Thanks!!!