In the middle of a road about a block away from Brentwood High School is the Midway Plantaion Slave Cemetery. Approximately 38 slaves worked the farm during the mid-19th Century, and many are buried on this site.
The 1000-acre plantation, owned by Lysander McGavock, got its name because it was located approximately half-way between Nashville and Franklin. More than 600 acres were farmland and produced corn and tobacco. During the Civil War, armies from both sides camped on the plantation at some point, and generals from both armies occupied the home at different times.
The slave cemetery sits in the middle of Murray Road which is flanked on both sides by exclusive subdivisions.
9 comments:
A sad place. And no tombstones?
I agree, a sad place. Thanks for this post; it's a good thing that it has been preserved.
good post.
it does appear a sad place, and a little neglected... the blue sky is nice..
Reminds me of a city I used to work for. I found out after I took the job that one part of it was running the cemetary -- it had a sizable paupers' plot.
I had to google the place because it seems so out of the way. Its a shame theres not more online about the plantation or cemetery.
What an important piece of history, Chris. Thank goodness somehow it remains there. I hope someone takes some kind of care of this hallowed ground.
Your history is so rich and your photography and narratives are so compelling. Nice work Chris.
Have a nice weekend.
Abraham Lincoln in Brookville, Ohio.
Interesting. I guess they didn't consider slaves important enough to warrant actual tomb markers. :(
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