The Washingtons of Wessyngton Plantation

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In seventh grade, John F. Baker Jr. discovered a photograph of four former slaves in his social studies textbook, two of whom were his grandmother's grandparents. This revelation sparked a lifelong research project culminating in a comprehensive exploration of his family's history, which spans over 250 years through extensive archival and field research, as well as DNA testing. As a descendant of Wessyngton slaves, Baker offers an engaging narrative of African American history, intertwining his family's story with that of hundreds of slaves and their descendants, now numbering in the thousands across the U.S. The book features over one hundred rare photographs and portraits, vividly illustrating this compelling history. Established in 1796 by Joseph Washington, a distant cousin of George Washington, Wessyngton Plantation was the largest tobacco plantation in America, covering 15,000 acres and holding 274 slaves. Uniquely, the Washingtons sold only two slaves, allowing family units to remain intact for generations, with many descendants still in the area. The Washington family maintained ownership until 1983, and their archives at the Tennessee State Library include vital historical documents. Baker's interviews, including with centenarians, and discoveries of historic images enrich this groundbreaking work, which offers a profound narrative of survival and family, shedding light on the institution of slavery and its enduring l