malika Hill...I missed a chance to join the reunion a few years back. My grandfather was adamant about touring the site with my family. He passed away last year and I will make my y there soon. I heard many stories from my family elders about this plantation, including the owner; in which I bare his last name. Such a tragedy that so much of our history was lost and the pain and suffering my ancestral family endured. I have to go there and pay homage....to awaken what I have lost through generations. Damn.

Darrel Collins Have you thought of perhaps writing a book ? I would love to hear (read) that information.

Forester Randlett...my ancestors were born into slavery at Somerset...it is not revered.

I'm sorry that happened. I wasn't trying to endorse slavery. My family owned the house in modern times, about 60 years after slavery ended.

Forester Randlett...I get it. It just amazes me that the past is so easily forgotten. Although beautiful, it is still a place of terror and despair for my ancestors. The crimes committed against them, we're never heard in the court of law, nor were they ever paid a single penny for the canals they built or farming the land.

Wow

Dale Couch...this plantation is full of sin and misery. Slavery was not accepted by black people, it was forced on them. Who cares about the slave accommodations being equal to poor rural white farmers....they were still FREE! Poor white farmers were not hung, castrated, branded, beaten and murdered for just being black! They certainly wouldn't have served Josiah Collins and his family without some sort of monetary compensation. Slavery in America was the worst crime against humanity the world has ever seen. My last name.. .still has the remnants of chattel slavery. I listened to the stories passed down from my relatives....this place was dreadful...and the ground is literally soaked with the blood, sweat and tears of slaves. I come to the plantation to pay respect to my ancestors...in hopes they can see what has become of their children.