These are photos of the Kingsley Plantation located on the St George sound. It was built sometime around 1830's and continued to be a money maker until the late 1800's. Mr. Kingsley did not advocate cruelty to his slaves and was a leader in support of the black men & women.
The first two photos are of the cooking & house workings (spinning, sewing etc.). Sorry about the same photo, but I WILL conquer this website. The third photo is of the main house itself.
The main crops were indigo, a blue dye that was highly valued, and an island cotton crop that was easy to dye blue. It was also valued in the European countries. Needless to say Mr. Kingsley was a wealthy man.
His wife was from Brazil and was in charge of taking care of the house, gardens, and the needs of the slave families. She was from Brazil and was of Spanish descent. At the time of the Civil War Florida passed a law that it was illegal to marry anyone of "color." So Mrs. Kingsley packed up her kids and moved to Jamaica where she lived the rest of her life.
There was only rubble left of the slave quarters, but you could see how small they were and they did most of their cooking out doors. They also were able to have their own gardens.
I know it is not much, but it was very interesting. It was not such a grand plantation as you see in Georgia, but it was successful and took care of a lot folks.
More photos tomorrow.
steve & steph
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