The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1864-04-19
Letter from Jen Davis Plantation,
From the Toledo Blade
Jryv DAvn' PLAsrArlos, March 81, 1864

JkfF DAvu xLASiAIioNi AnIsn "is Aooa
EDITOR BLADE:-Last June, when
before Vicksburg, Gen. Grant suggest.
ed thecase with which this Bend could
be defended, and the desiraeleness OF
making JEFF. Davis Plantation IA ne
gro paradise" In December last the
Bend was occupied for that purpose
Fanciful schemes, projected in regard
to the Freedmen, have operated against
any practicable project towards toward
that end. Something however, has
been done. The neck of land connect
ing the Bend with the mainland is only
700 PAGES across and is safely guarded
by black troops. ;" al
When the war came on, the planta.
tions included were known as "The
Woods"--theT Qner and Quitman, the
JEFF. Davis and Joe. Davis, embracing
it is thought by those most familiar
with the place, about ten thousand
acres Of cultivated land. wi
Joe. Davis was man of considera
BILE wealth and gave his brother jeff.
some years ago, thousand acres lying
along the east of his estate. Here JEFF.
built this house, as stated by his old
servants now. here, about eighteen years
since, on the Southern plan--one story
with ample piazzas, or galleries as they
call them here, four large rooms in the
centre and two rooms in each of the
two wings.
The architecture Of the house is nei
ther specially attractive nor its materia
expensive. The trees around were
spared from the origional forest. Van
dalism made it appearance before any
regular occupation of the place; shade
trees were cut down, door knobs anc
marble mantles were taken away asIr rel
les. f ften nae .l
Now the house is occupied by the
Superintendent and teachers of Freed
men. Free labor and free schools arr
prospering. Eleven teachers are on thu
Bend. About fifteen hundred acres o
land have been plowed some week
since. 1t was originally intended b.
those in charge Of Freedmen that NJ
private interests should come here t.
conflict with theirs. The laed was t.
be divided into small farms to be work
ed by them as far as expedient ant
whatever remained was to be cultivat
ed by the common industry Of thos,
dependent upon the Government.
The heirs of the Quitman estate hav
taken the amnesty oath and occup,
those lands, and the Treasury has leas
ed, very unadvisedly it seems to me, ;
portion of the Joe. Davis place, leav
INC only about three thousand acres TO
the exclusive benefit of. the blacks.
Notwithstanding all obstacles, w
feel assured that here, where is the Trai
tors home, where treason was plotted
and rebellion fostered for the perpetu
tation of the most shocking abus
knon in any system of bondage, th
work of Elaboration is to go steadily for
ward, illustrating not only the capacit
of the people once slaves, but also th
principles upon which the whole Soutl
must be restored, and the Union render
ed perpetual by that harmony of inst
tuition acquired by unity, and stampe'
by the hand of the Creator. upon tn
country we inhabit.
Joe Davis plantation was called
model JEFF. gave less attention to his
Joe educated and settled wealth upol
some of his illegitimate children. 4
mulatto woman more intimate with JEFF
than it is proper to tell, has lately re
eeived pass to go to Cincinnati. Sh
is affirmed to be the daughter of Joe.