2011-2 Antebellum Homes, Mississippi
Hello All,
After a restful night’s sleep in Jackson, MS, we hopped back on the Natchez Trace Parkway heading towards Natchez, MS. We stopped often to check things out along our route. The weather was holding well for us, although a front was forecast to move through the area later in the day.
One stop that we thoroughly enjoyed was Mount Locust. The home at Mount Locust was constructed in 1780, and is one of the oldest structures in Mississippi. Mount Locust functioned as both a working plantation and as an inn, where travelers on the Natchez Trace could rest for the night. It is the only surviving inn of the more than 50 that existed during the period of greatest use (1785 to 1830) along the Old Natchez Trace. At that time the trace was known as the “Path to the Choctaw Nation.” Yet, its fame today comes as the route home for boatmen, farmers, and businessmen from the Ohio River Valley after floating their crops and goods down the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers to New Orleans. It was over a 500-mile walk back home--and today we complain when we can’t find a parking place close to a store entrance!!
By 1810 Mount Locust was a well established farm consisting of 1200 acres and still growing. The success of the farm depended on the ability of the family and their slaves to clear the land and raise crops. Corn, cotton, and hay were the most important crops raised during the early 1800’s. Out buildings, long since gone, were constructed to handle special functions. An outside kitchen removed the fire danger from the main house. “Sleepy Hollow” provided sleeping quarters for travelers. Slave quarters housed the growing labor force. Barns stored the harvest from the land, and stables housed the livestock.
We learned about “riving” which is the process of prying a shake (shingle) or rough board from a log section using a froe and mallet. Shakes had numerous uses such as shingles for roofs and siding on out buildings. We also learned how they made soap. Ashes from wood burning fires were saved and stored in a hopper to make wood ash lye. After being concentrated, the lye was slowly added to melted animal fat and brought to a slow boil. After cooling, the soap was cut into bars. We could go on and on about our experiences at Mount Locust but it is way more than we can share in this little blurb.
The following photos are of the main house and furnishings. Mount Locust as a “frontier” home was probably considered lavish by early 1800 standards, as many farmstead homes of this period were crude, one-room log cabins. Access to the luxuries of nearby Natchez probably made life easier for those that lived here.
After a restful night’s sleep in Jackson, MS, we hopped back on the Natchez Trace Parkway heading towards Natchez, MS. We stopped often to check things out along our route. The weather was holding well for us, although a front was forecast to move through the area later in the day.
One stop that we thoroughly enjoyed was Mount Locust. The home at Mount Locust was constructed in 1780, and is one of the oldest structures in Mississippi. Mount Locust functioned as both a working plantation and as an inn, where travelers on the Natchez Trace could rest for the night. It is the only surviving inn of the more than 50 that existed during the period of greatest use (1785 to 1830) along the Old Natchez Trace. At that time the trace was known as the “Path to the Choctaw Nation.” Yet, its fame today comes as the route home for boatmen, farmers, and businessmen from the Ohio River Valley after floating their crops and goods down the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers to New Orleans. It was over a 500-mile walk back home--and today we complain when we can’t find a parking place close to a store entrance!!
By 1810 Mount Locust was a well established farm consisting of 1200 acres and still growing. The success of the farm depended on the ability of the family and their slaves to clear the land and raise crops. Corn, cotton, and hay were the most important crops raised during the early 1800’s. Out buildings, long since gone, were constructed to handle special functions. An outside kitchen removed the fire danger from the main house. “Sleepy Hollow” provided sleeping quarters for travelers. Slave quarters housed the growing labor force. Barns stored the harvest from the land, and stables housed the livestock.
We learned about “riving” which is the process of prying a shake (shingle) or rough board from a log section using a froe and mallet. Shakes had numerous uses such as shingles for roofs and siding on out buildings. We also learned how they made soap. Ashes from wood burning fires were saved and stored in a hopper to make wood ash lye. After being concentrated, the lye was slowly added to melted animal fat and brought to a slow boil. After cooling, the soap was cut into bars. We could go on and on about our experiences at Mount Locust but it is way more than we can share in this little blurb.
The following photos are of the main house and furnishings. Mount Locust as a “frontier” home was probably considered lavish by early 1800 standards, as many farmstead homes of this period were crude, one-room log cabins. Access to the luxuries of nearby Natchez probably made life easier for those that lived here.
Ground water was a precious commodity,
especially during a dry year. As an alternative source, rain water was collected
and stored in a hand-dug brick-lined hole in the ground called a cistern. The
water was then hauled from the cistern by buckets for daily use on the farm.
We were amazed to see
daffodils in bloom in January.
This photo is of the family cemetery
where the founder of Mount Locust, William Ferguson, his widow, and five
generations of the family are buried.
By stark contrast was the humbling slave
cemetery. Only one unmarked stone remains and was covered by dry leaves when we
visited. Those known to be buried here are: Cielious Washington, Marcus
Perryman, John White, Cabriel Tyler, Richmond Tyler, Jackson Turner, Tommy
Turner, William Turner, Abraham Allen, and Esther Jackson. This was such a sad
time in our country’s history.
This is a shot of the Old
Natchez Trace. Two hundred years ago this was the main route folks traveled the
444 miles from Natchez, MS, to Nashville, TN.
Departing Mount Locust, we
continued our trek to the town of Natchez located on the banks of the Mississippi
River. Upon arrival we found it to be loaded with history. We drove through
town, toured the Natchez National Historic Park, and visited numerous historic
and antebellum homes. And, we learned the difference between the two. We had it
in our pea brains that an antebellum home was a style or type of architecture
with large columns at the entrance. We were wrong. It simply means a mansion
that was built before the Civil War. Many of the old places have been turned
into bed & breakfasts, hotels and dinner houses. We found them to be quite
lovely.
This is the Linden House.
This is the Linden House.
Here is a shot of the Monmouth
Plantation House.
This is the Rosalie House. It
was absolutely beautiful.
The following are distant and
close up shots of the plantation house at the Natchez National Historic Park.
At the entrance to the estate there is a small pond surrounded by cypress
trees. Cypress knees seem to be reaching towards the Spanish moss hanging from
the trees. It was a lovely setting.
The gardens were beautiful.
Again, we were amazed to find camellias in bloom in late January. They are such
a beautiful flower.
St. Mary’s Cathedral is located in downtown
Natchez. In 1837 Natchez was designated the See of the Roman Catholic Church in
Mississippi. In 1842 Bishop J. M. Chanche began construction of this structure,
the only church built as a cathedral in Mississippi.
We thoroughly enjoyed our trek
down the Natchez Trace Parkway and found the town of Natchez quite interesting.
When visiting there again we would like to do so in late March or early April
when everything is in full bloom and before the heat and humidity hit the area.
We can imagine the azaleas, crepe myrtles and other flowering bushes and trees
are quite spectacular. Also, during the spring months many annual festivals and
events are held in Natchez.
Until next time,
Dave & Barb
The Traveling Browns
Until next time,
Dave & Barb
The Traveling Browns