About the book
In 1860, Somerset Place was one of the most successful plantations in North Carolina — and its owner one of the largest slaveholders in the state. More than 300 slaves worked the plantation’s fields at the height of its prosperity; but nearly 125 years later, the only remembrance of their lives at Somerset, now a state historic site, was a lonely wooden sign marked “Site of Slave Quarters.”
Somerset Homecoming, first published in 1989, is the story of one woman’s unflagging efforts to recover the history of her ancestors, slaves who had lived and worked at Somerset Place. Traveling down winding southern roads, through county courthouses and state archives, and onto the front porches of people willing to share tales handed down through generations, Dorothy Spruill Redford spent ten years tracing the lives of Somerset’s slaves and their descendants. Her endeavors culminated in the joyous, nationally publicized homecoming she organized that brought together more than 2,000 descendants of the plantation’s slaves and owners and marked the beginning of a campaign to turn Somerset Place into a remarkable resource for learning about the history of both African Americans and whites in the region.
Editions of Somerset Homecoming
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780807848432
- EBook
- ISBN 9780807866641
- PDF
- ISBN 9798890872203
Read an Excerpt
In 1860, Somerset Place was one of the most successful plantations in North Carolina — and its owner one of the largest slaveholders in the state. More than 300 slaves worked the plantation’s fields at the height of its prosperity; but nearly 125 years later, the only remembrance of their lives at Somerset, now a state historic site, was a lonely wooden sign marked “Site of Slave Quarters.”
Somerset Homecoming, first published in 1989, is the story of one woman’s unflagging efforts to recover the history of her ancestors, slaves who had lived and worked at Somerset Place. Traveling down winding southern roads, through county courthouses and state archives, and onto the front porches of people willing to share tales handed down through generations, Dorothy Spruill Redford spent ten years tracing the lives of Somerset’s slaves and their descendants. Her endeavors culminated in the joyous, nationally publicized homecoming she organized that brought together more than 2,000 descendants of the plantation’s slaves and owners and marked the beginning of a campaign to turn Somerset Place into a remarkable resource for learning about the history of both African Americans and whites in the region.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Somerset Homecoming about?
In 1860, Somerset Place was one of the most successful plantations in North Carolina — and its owner one of the largest slaveholders in the state. More than 300 slaves worked the plantation’s fields at the height of its prosperity; but nearly 125 years later, the only remembrance of their lives at Somerset, now a state historic site, was a lonely wooden sign marked “Site of Slave Quarters.”
Somerset Homecoming, first published in 1989, is the story of one woman’s unflagging efforts to recover the history of her ancestors, slaves who had lived and worked at Somerset Place. Traveling down winding southern roads, through county courthouses and state archives, and onto the front porches of people willing to share tales handed down through generations, Dorothy Spruill Redford spent ten years tracing the lives of Somerset’s slaves and their descendants. Her endeavors culminated in the joyous, nationally publicized homecoming she organized that brought together more than 2,000 descendants of the plantation’s slaves and owners and marked the beginning of a campaign to turn Somerset Place into a remarkable resource for learning about the history of both African Americans and whites in the region.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Somerset Homecoming?
Society and Social Sciences > Society and culture: general > Social groups, communities and identities > Ethnic studies / Ethnicity
Where can I read a sample of Somerset Homecoming?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780807848432
How long is Somerset Homecoming and how many pages does it have?
Somerset Homecoming has 176 page(s)
Is Somerset Homecoming part of a series, and can it be read as a standalone?
Yes it is a part of series Chapel Hill Books
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Somerset Homecoming?
Dorothy Spruill Redford, Michael D'Orso
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Somerset Homecoming is available as paperback(ISBN 9780807848432) and ebook(ISBN 9780807866641) and pdf(ISBN 9798890872203)
Where can I buy Somerset Homecoming online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Somerset Homecoming from below
Where can I buy Somerset Homecoming?