Slavery at Smithfield

Between 1774 and 1865, 190 people were enslaved at Smithfield. Some of these slaves primarily worked outside the Manor House maintaining field crops, tending livestock, and performing skilled trades such as carpentry. Others worked inside the home performing tasks like cooking, cleaning, child rearing, and working as personal attendants to William and Susanna.

While slavery varied widely from location to location, enslaved people who worked in houses like Smithfield were often allowed slightly better living conditions. However, they were always within sight of their owners and under constant scrutiny.

Enslaved workers were involved in even the most private parts of daily life for the Prestons. They cared for their masters’ personal items such as clothing and bedding. When William, Susanna, or their children were sick, enslaved people helped nurse them back to health. Enslaved workers emptied Preston chamber pots. They built fires to keep Preston bed chambers warm. They cradled Preston Children when they cried, and they comforted the sick on their death bed.

When slaveowners died, their property was often divided among their heirs. Slaveowners’ decisions could tear enslaved families apart, because they were treated as property rather than as people. In 1806, Susanna and her children gathered at Smithfield to divide amongst themselves the 51 people belonging to the estate of Colonel William Preston. In 1816, the family assembled again and Susanna distributed 12 of the 16 individuals she had previously retained in 1806. Finally, in 1847 the children of James Patton Preston divided nearly 100 people who were property of their father’s estate. Each time this happened, families were divided as dozens of men, women, and children were taken from Smithfield.

Smithfield’s 216 Enslaved Workers

Abram, 1782 Daniel, 1843 Hannah, 1782 Judy, 1816 Nanny, 1782 Rose, 1843 William, 1866

Aggy, 1782 Daniel, 1843 Harmon, 1852 Katy, 1852 Nanny, 1816 Rosey, 1806 Willie, 1853

Alex, 1855 David, 1843 Harriet, 1826 Kizzy, 1857 Ned, 1782 Ruben, 1866 Willis, 1826

Alfred, 1806 Davy, 1806 Harrison, 1843 Lewis, 1806 Ned, 1782 Sally, 1806 Wilson, 1843

Allice, 1866 Delice, 1860 Harry, 1782 Lewis, 1854 Nelly, 1782 Sally, 1843

Ambrose, 1782 Diana, 1843 Henry, 1853 Lively, 1843 Nelly, 1843 Sam, 1843

Amy, 1843 Doll, 1782 Hiram, 1826 Lizzy, 1854 Nelson, 1782 Sam, 1806

Andy, 1843 Easther, 1843 Hugh, 1866 Louisa, 1826 Oceola, 1843 Sam, 1806

Anny/Amy, 1806 Easther, 1843 Isaac, 1816 Lucinda, 1826 Orange, 1843 Sam, 1782

Anthony, 1826 Edmonia, 1826 Isaac, 1843 Lucious, 1806 Orval, 1843 Sarah, 1782

Ballard, 1843 Edmonia, 1843 Isaac, 1843 Lucy, 1806 Oscar, 1806 Sarah Jane, 1843

Becky, 1806 Edmund, 1843 Izy, 1855 Lucy, 1816 Oscar, 1843 Sarena, 1826

Betsy, 1826 Edward, 1866 Jack, 1782 Lucy, 1856 Othello, 1806 Saunders, 1843

Bett, 1782 Edward, 1843 Jack, 1806 Margaret, 1843 Othello, 1856 Silvia, 1782

Beverly, 1843 Eliza, 1826 Jackson, 1826 Maria, 1826 Patrick, 1854 Silvy, 1816

Biddy, 1843 Eliza, 1843 Jacob, 1843 Maria, 1866 Patton, 1852 Spencer, 1854

Billy, 1806 Elizabeth, 1859 James, 1826 Mariah, 1843 Peggy, 1806 Stephen, 1806

Bob, 1782 Ellen, 1826 James, 1843 Marian, 1826 Peter, 1774 Sukey, 1806

Caroline, 1843 Emily, 1843 James, 1866 Marsha, 1843 Peter, 1782 Susan, 1843

Cate, 1826 Esaw, 1843 Jane, 1852 Martha, 1823 Peter, 1843 Sydney, 1852

Caty, 1806 Esther, 1783 Janey, 1826 Mary, 1843 Peyton, 1843 Taylor, 1826

Caty, 1843 Ethel, 1866 Jem, 1782 Mary, 1866 Philip, 1826 Thomas, 1816

Charles, 1806 Fanny, 1782 Jem, 1782 Mary Ann, 1843 Pleasant, 1852 Tom, 1782

Charles, 1843 Fanny, 1852 Jenny, 1782 Maud, 1857 Preston, 1843 Tom, 1853

Charles, 1843 Flora, 1782 Joe, 1782 May, 1859 Primus, 1782 Tom, 1843

Charlie, 1852 Flora, 1843 Joe, 1857 Menser, 1826 Primus, 1782 Tom, 1852

Charlotte, 1843 Francis 1826 John, 1806 Montgomery, 1853 Rachel, 1782 Ugenia, 1843

Chloe, 1806 Francis, 1843 John, 1843 Montreville, 1826 Rebecca, 1826 Ursula, 1826

Chloe, 1843 Frank, 1843 John, 1863 Moses, 1782 Rebecca, 1843 Virginia, 1843

Clary, 1782 George, 1843 Jones, 1855 Moses, 1826 Rebecca, 1843 Waller, 1860

Clary, 1843 George, 1782 Johny, 1853 Nancy, 1806 Reuben, 1782 Walter, 1843

Clay, 1843 Grace, 1843 Joseph, 1843 Nancy, 1856 Reuben, 1816 Wesley, 1826

Clay Amanda, 1843 Granville, 1806 Joshua, 1843 Nancy, 1843 Rhena, 1843 Will, 1782

Cynthia, 1782 Granville, 1862 Juda, 1843 Nancy Jane, 1843 Robert, 1843 William, 1823

Cynthia, 1843 Green, 1853 Judy, 1783 Nannie, 1852 Robert, 1843 William, 1826