• Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

Oatlands’ Garden and Grounds OPEN daily 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
The visitor center will be closed January and February.
Grounds open daily, Tours available by booking online 24 hours prior.
Questions: 703-727-0670

Donate
Download Brochure

Oatlands

Historic House and Gardens

Quick LinksQuick Links
  • Calendar
  • Maps
  • My Account
  • Cart
  • Contact Us
  • Search
MENUMENU
  • Admissions & Tours
        • Grounds and Trails Pass

        • Book a Tour

        • Photography Passes

        • Gift Shop

        • Map & Directions

          Oatlands Site Maps

          Oatlands is open daily
          10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

          Guided Tours must be purchased 24 hours in advance.

  • History & Preservation
        • History: Then & Now

        • Reclaim Your Story

        • Education

        • Historic Garden

  • Events
        • Weddings, Corporate & Private Events

        • Afternoon Tea

        • Dinner Theatre

          Dinner Theatre
        • For more information Email or call 703-727-0670

        • Complete Calendar of Events
  • Memberships
  • Oatlands' Airbnbs

Chaos: Enslaved Women’s Lives

The The horrors and harshness of slavery are documented in Elizabeth O. Carter’s diary. Three women in particular endured upheaval and trauma from Elizabeth’s decisions.

Enslaved people were often hired out if their enslaver needed money or did not have enough work for them to do. This often happened in December or January, and the “hiring out” agreement was usually for the upcoming year. It spelled out the rate of hire by the employer and conditions, such as providing clothing, shoes, and blankets.

The end of the year could be an anxious and uncertain time as an enslaved person waited to hear about their fate. Such was the case for DELIA and ANNE. Delia was hired out to two different people in consecutive years. The diary entry for Anne notes the condition for providing clothes. They were sent away from Bellefield to live and work on another property, tearing them from family, friends, and familiar surroundings.

Sent Delia to Mrs. White in Middleburg. 2 January 1862
Sent Delia to Mrs. White in Middleburg. 2 January 1862
Mr. Singleton hired Delia for 1864. price twenty-five dollars 29 December 1863
Mr. Singleton hired Delia for 1864. price twenty-five dollars 29 December 1863
John Singleton to settle for Delia’s hire 11 April 1864
John Singleton to settle for Delia’s hire 11 April 1864
Hired Anne to R E Leake for ten dollars in green back + to be well cloathed. 13 January 1865
Hired Anne to R E Leake for ten dollars in green back + to be well cloathed. 13 January 1865

The strength, endurance, and resilience of enslaved people to survive the conditions of bondage is truly remarkable.


NANCY BUCHANAN experienced one of the cruelest practices in slavery. Her act of resistance to enslavement was deemed “improper conduct” by her enslavers, and she had no control of the outcome. Being thrown in jail was harsh treatment. Five days later she was sold to a nearby plantation owner.

Nancy was sent to jail for improper conduct to her Master + overseer. 2 January 1861
Nancy was sent to jail for improper conduct to her Master + overseer. 2 January 1861
Sold Nancy to Mr. George Rust. 19 January 1861
Sold Nancy to Mr. George Rust. 19 January 1861

Footer

V I S I T   O A T L A N D S

Garden & Grounds open 10:00 am – 5:00 pm daily. Purchase tickets here.

Guided Tours by appointment.

Last tour at 3:00 p.m.

20850 Oatlands Plantation Lane
Leesburg, VA 20175
Tel: 703-727-0670

Contact Us
About Us
Volunteer
Employment
Credits
Privacy Policy

Follow us!

youtube logo link

Copyright © 2023 · Oatlands Historic House and Gardens · Log in · Site Design | Relic CC