Somerset Plantation1785 - 1865

Was one of only four plantations in NC that held over 300 slaves.

Primarily cultivated rice, wheat, and corn. Produced lumber for plantation housing as well as for export.

Maintained 2 story hospital primarily to serve as quarantine - a protection from economic calamity if many slaves got sick.

80 slaves were brought directly from West Africa in 1786. These were the people who had first-hand knowledge of rice cultivation.

Somerset - Main House

Boarding School - about 30 yards from main house since mother did not want to

send children away

6 Collins Boys

Minister 1-2 Tutors 25 dogs 2 pet

monkeys

Overseer House

Slaves’ Cabin

Pen - adjoined slave quarters where they could grow their own

food and/or keep livestock

Nine people lived in this 18’x18’ cabin

Dining table - note gourd bowl

Slave bed which slept 2

Slave doll - the absence of legs symbolized lack of freedom

Dairy - note presence and position of louvers to help keep interior cool

Kitchen to prepare food for main house

Kitchen

Most cooking was done over an open fire

Waffle Iron

The canal was dug by slaves - 6 - 12 feet deep, 20 feet wide, 6 miles long. Connected Lake Phelps to Scuppernong River. From there goods went to Edenton to be shipped from there.

Somerset Plantation

Over 100,000 acres. By 1850 there were over 50 structures

on the plantation including barns, sawmills, gristmills, stables, an Episcopal chapel, smoke and salting houses.

Within five years of the slaves’ emancipation, the owners were forced to sell.