slavery Archives - Appalachian History

Rachel Findlay, slave, won her freedom by suing Virginia. Twice.

It was illegal to enslave Native Americans in colonial VA. Rachel Findlay knew that, sued, & won her freedom. But then her life took a turn.

I allus wanted to be free. I kep thinkin’ about runnin’ away but had been puttin’ it off. I had almost fell out with God for making me a slave.

The true story of freed South Carolina slave Mack Saxon, who at the age of 33 bought his own 700-acre plantation.

The Crying Tree, in Marion, VA, joins 2 other historic VA trees that powerfully tell the story of African Americans under slavery in America.