Dungeness Plantation, Camden County, Georgia

Date: [unknown] [unknown]
Location: Camden, Georgia, United States
Surnames/tags: slavery black_heritage

US Black Heritage Index of Plantations

Georgia Plantations

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Contents 1 History Summary 2 Plantation Owners 3 Slaves 4 Sources

History Summary

Dungeness Plantation was first owned by James Oglethorpe who named it. It passed to Nathanael Greene, the Revolutionary War hero. His widow, Catharine Littlefield Greene built a four-story mansion that was occupied by the British during the War of 1812. Greene's daughter Louisa Catharine Shaw was the next owner. Louisa left the plantation and all the slaves to her favorite nephew, Phineas M Nightingale in 1832. The "big freeze" of 1835 followed by an infestation of purple mites left Phineas in great financial difficulty. While he avoided complete bankruptcy due to the intervention of relatives he made several moves. Taking many of his slaves to western Georgia to work on building the new railroad lines.

The mansion was abandoned during the Civil War and burned in 1866. The property and 90% of Cumberland Island was eventually purchased by Thomas Carnegie and a large estate was run there. The National Park Service acquired the land in 1972. It is currently part of the Cumberland Island National Seashore.

Plantation Owners

James Oglethorpe

Gen. Nathanael Greene

Catharine Miller, Dungeness

Louisa Catharine Shaw

Phineas M Nightingale

Slaves

In April of 1810 the division of property per the will of General Nathanael Greene took place. The widow, Catharine Miller, received Dungeness Plantation and the following slaves:

Perscella, Mary, Dil, Clarisa, Joe, Polly, Billy, Jack, Lucy, Slipny, Maria, Isaac, Peggy, Bob, Hannah, Will, Dick, Stephen, Billy, Nancy, Jacob, John, Dil, Clarenda, Cinder, Peggy, Toby, Daniel, Jimmy, Jacob, Hetty, Hager, Smith, Rose, Eliza, Harriot, Leah, Bella, Lydia, Judy, Dorothy, Betty, Nelly, Mitta, Old Mitta, Cuffy, May, Frank, Phill, Kate, Phebe, Tom, Nelly, Elleck, Warren, Step, Patty, Bel, Sarah, Flora, Judy, Bina, Billy, Paris, Charles, Peter, Frank, Liberty, Old Betty and Abbo

The children were given various other plantations and slaves (some of whom may also have worked at Dungness). Per a settlement written between Catherine and her children before the distribution all of the children released their slaves back to Catherine until all debts on the estate had been settled.

To Martha W. Nightengale, The Springs, See Slaves of Martha Nightingale

To Cornelia L. Skipwith, Littlefield Plantation, See Slaves of Cornelia Skipwith

To Nathanael R. Greene, Crooked Creek, See Slaves of Nathanial R Greene, Nathaniel not only released but also deeded his slaves back to his mother

13 April 1798. Deed of negro slaves. Phineas Miller, grantor to the heirs of General Nathanael Greene, grantees. For in consideration of $1,281.43 for slaves Billey, a large young man of yellow complexion, a carpenter; and Cesar, male and young; Cesar, an old blind man. Signed by Phineas Miller. Witnessed by Ray Sands. Recorded by Isaac Crews on 25 February 1811.^[1]

In December of 1811 Henry E Turner, husband of Martha Greene Nightingale,^[2] and Edward B Littlefield, husband of Cornelia L Skipwith,^[3] released their wives' portion of the slaves back to Catherine. In March of 1813, Nathaniel R Greene releases and then deeds his slaves back to his mother.^[4]

07 January 1812. Deed of negro slaves. Catharine Miller, executrix of the estate of Nathanael Greene, grantor to Louisa C. Greene, grantee. For slaves Dick, Carpenter Ned, Celia, Norris, Billa, Cinda, Mitta, Daniel, Judy, Kit, Philla, Sarah, Jack, Mary, Rachael, Cella, Forrah, Funy (Fumy?), Patty, Sancho, Bob, Moll, Fanny, Robin, Prime Moll, Flora, Judy, Tena, Hector and Cretia. Signed by Catharine Miller. Witnessed by William Littlefield, Jr. and Ray Sands. Recorded by Isaac Crews on 17 August 1812.^[5]

January 1812. Mortgage of negro slaves. Louisa C. Greene, grantor, to Catharine Miller, executrix of the estate of Nathanael Greene, grantee. This group of slaves was deeded to Martha Nightingale and later sold to Ray Sands. ^[6] See Slaves of Martha Nightingale for more information.

When Louisa inherited Dungeness Plantation the following slaves were also given to her: Asher Rasna, Billy, Bella, Sarah, Abbo, Bob, Hannah, Dick, Osaer, Isaac, Stephen, Frank, Liberty, Toby, Helly, Jenny, Daniel, Peter, Hager, Small Isaac, Peggy, Eliza, Butler, Will, Driver Billy, Mary, Jacob, Jonny, Die Clarinda, Cesada, Andrew, Jude, Sall, Will^[7]

Sources

1. ↑ Camden County Deed Book H page 344-345 Human Bondage: The Buying and Selling of Africans in Camden County, Georgia. 1787-1865. A collection of slave deed abstracts Compiled by TARA D. FIELDS
2. ↑ Camden County Deed Book H page 469 Human Bondage: The Buying and Selling of Africans in Camden County, Georgia. 1787-1865. A collection of slave deed abstracts Compiled by TARA D. FIELDS
3. ↑ Camden County Deed Book H page 470-472 Human Bondage: The Buying and Selling of Africans in Camden County, Georgia. 1787-1865. A collection of slave deed abstracts Compiled by TARA D. FIELDS
4. ↑ Camden County Deed Book I page 117-119 Human Bondage: The Buying and Selling of Africans in Camden County, Georgia. 1787-1865. A collection of slave deed abstracts Compiled by TARA D. FIELDS
5. ↑ Camden County Deed Book I page 21 Human Bondage: The Buying and Selling of Africans in Camden County, Georgia. 1787-1865. A collection of slave deed abstracts Compiled by TARA D. FIELDS
6. ↑ Camden County Deed Book i page 22-23 Human Bondage: The Buying and Selling of Africans in Camden County, Georgia. 1787-1865. A collection of slave deed abstracts Compiled by TARA D. FIELDS
7. ↑ Camden County, Georgia, Will Book A, page 122, "Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-893L-PW7H?cc=1999178&wc=9SYT-BZ3%3A267650901%2C267708701 : 20 May 2014), Camden > Wills 1795-1932 vol A-D > image 108 of 510; citing Houston County Probate Court Judge, Georgia.

• Human Bondage: The Buying and Selling of Africans in Camden County, Georgia. 1787-1865. A collection of slave deed abstracts Compiled by TARA D. FIELDS, pp 25-26 http://www.glynngen.com/court/deeds/camden/HumanBondage_with-Index.pdf