Overview

Location

35 northwest of Nashville; Robertson Co., TN

Date Constructed/ Founded

late 1790's

Associated Surnames

Blow, Cheatham, Ellis, Gardner, Green, Jackson, Lewis, Scott, Simms, Terry, Washington, White

Historical notes

The plantation was founded in the late 1790s by Joseph Washington (1770-1848), of Southampton County, VA, who was also a cousin to President George Washington. Washington brought slaves with him to TN from VA. After Joseph's death the estate passed to his son George Augustine Washington (1815-1898). In 1860 the plantation contained 15,000 acres of land, held 274 slaves and was the largest tobacco plantation in America.

Associated Slave Workplaces

none

Associated Free Persons

• Joseph Washington (b.1770-d.1848)- of Southampton County, VA; cousin of President George Washington
• George Augustine Washington (b.1815-d.1898) - son of Joseph Washington

Associated Enslaved Persons

Slave Surnames Associated with Wessyngton Plantation

• Blow
• Cheatham
• Ellis
• Gardner
• Green
• Lewis
• Scott
• Simms
• Terry
• Washington
• White
• Williams

Research Leads and Plantation Records

TN State Library and Archives

The Washingtons kept excellent records which includes bills of sales for slaves, birth registers, wills, deeds, old letters mentioning activity on the plantation before, during and after the Civil War. The Washington family deposited their records in the TN State Library and Archives in 1964 which is recorded on 69 rolls of microfilm

Miscellaneous Information

• The Wessyngton Mansion was built in 1819 still stands; was built by Washington slaves.
• John Baker (JBaker"eighteen" at bellsouth) - wrote to Karmella Haynes via e-mail: "I would gladly share any information. I have personally interviewed several children and grandchildren of former Wessyngton slaves and I also have a great collection of photographs"

References

• Wessyngton Plantation originally submitted by John Baker. Thanks!

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