| Peter and the girls at Nottoway Plantation
We have arrived deep into sugar plantation country along the Mississippi River. We rented a vehicle and drove along the Mississippi, passing many antebellum mansions on sugar plantations. Nottoway is the largest of the plantations and survived the civil war intact with the owners able to continue living on it–the Randolph family from Virginia originally. Mrs. Randolph held down the plantation during the war with only the youngest of her children by her side and most of the slaves. Mr. Randolph left for business in Texas with one son and many slaves. It was built in 1857 in Italianate style.
They were spared from attack due to a friend (Union soldier) of one of their sons (Confederate soldier) remembering a time when he visited the Randolphs on the plantation and was fond of the family, believing they treated their slaves well. The Randolphs had 140 slaves.
There is a smaller young man’s quarters behind the main house. All sons at 15 had to leave the main house and live in the smaller house until they left home as it was inappropriate to be around their unmarried sisters!? I found it suspicious and rather amusing that the history states the patriarchs of the plantations were very tall men–well over six feet, yet their wives all petite, under five feet. All Europeans at that time (in the South) were quite petite compared to modern humans today. So, I highly doubt that the wealthy plantation owners were super tall men as they have been noted to be in history–I think their height was probably recorded with much money being exchanged to add about six + inches.
We are fortunate to have toured the plantation today and will spend the evening and sleeping right here on the plantation tonight. It is the 4 of July in the USA today so perhaps we will attend fireworks tonight. Crazy thunder/lightening storm at the moment though!
We will sit on the porch, sipping a cool drink and perhaps explore the grounds–maybe feeling the presence of past slaves, soldiers and Southern aristocrats who once occupied this plantation.
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Unknown
What a beautiful house! The furniture is amazing too.
Can’t you just imagine yourself and your girls coming down that staircase in a beautiful gown?
I actually can’t imagine wearing those dresses inn that heat.
Loved the pictures. let me know if you see any ghosts tonight. LOL
Mix Hart
I love it here. It is a dream come true for me as we can wonder the mansion alone at night and sit in the rooms. It is so quiet and peaceful on the grounds and in the house tonight. Tabs, Pip and I were the only ones in the mansion tonight. We had fun dancing in the ballroom 🙂 It really fires up the imagination. I feel as though I have time traveled!