The Story Behind This Mississippi Plantation Spans More Than 200 Years And Two Continents
By Daniella DiRienzo|Published October 20, 2018
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Daniella DiRienzo
Author
Though Daniella was born in New York and has lived in a couple of other states, Mississippi has been her home for more than 30 years. After graduating from the University of Southern Mississippi, Daniella began to hone her writing skills through various internships. In the years since, she’s had the privilege of having her articles appear in several publications, such as the Mississippi-based Parents & Kids Magazine. She’s also had the honor of interviewing actress Sela Ward for The Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Experience.
Some of the state’s most historic sites are also the most inconspicuous, and that’s exactly the case with Prospect Hill Plantation. At first glance, the historic home looks like just that – an old house. However, the home, which dates back to the 1850s, has an interesting story, which involves a prominent Mississippi family, hundreds of slaves, and a long journey to Africa.
This is Prospect Hill. It’s hidden in the midst of a deep forest in Lorman, so most people don’t even know it exists, which is surprising when you learn of the property’s significance.
The plantation itself dates back to the early 1800s, when it was acquired by Isaac Ross, a revolutionary war veteran. Ross came to the area with "a large contingent of slaves as well as free blacks who had served alongside him in the war."
Ross had a close relationship with the slaves that worked for him. He was also a member of the Mississippi Colonization Society, which aimed to "repatriate" freed slaves to Africa. These two facts led to Ross making a decision that would forever change history.
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When Ross drafted his will, he included two unusual demands.
First, all of his slaves were to be freed following the death of his daughter, Margaret. Second, Prospect Hill was to be sold and the proceeds used to fund the slaves’ trip to Africa.
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Margaret’s son, Isaac Ross Wade, was not happy with his grandfather’s decision. As a result, he contested the will in court, hoping to prevent the sale of the plantation. The matter was tied up in court for more than a decade.
In April 1845, in the midst of litigation, tempers reached a boiling point, leading to a "slave uprising." During the rebellion, the main home on the plantation burned down and a young girl died in the fire.
After their emancipation, they made their way from Prospect Hill to New Orleans, where they boarded a boat bound for Africa. Once in Africa, the group built huge plantations- complete with Greek Revival-style mansions – in a region they renamed "Mississippi in Africa." Even more interesting, descendants of these men and women were "among the Americo-Liberian elite that held power into the late 20th century."
Several years later back in Lorman, Isaac Ross Wade regained possession of the plantation. In 1854, he built a huge house on the property to replace the original that burned down years before.
