Somerset Plantation 1785 - 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.
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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.
