James Cantey Plantation, Russell County, Alabama

Date: [unknown] [unknown]
Location: Russell, Alabama, United States
Surnames/tags: Cantey Slavery Black_Heritage

Background

John Cantey was the first owner of this Cantey plantation, located in Russell County, Alabama. James Cantey, John's son, took over this plantation about 1848.

Slaves

John Cantey was a slaveholder. Among his slaves was Winter Cantey, a boy who is said to have been his son. According to a great great nephew of Winter Cantey, he was never really treated like a slave.^[1]

The following enslaved were mentioned in a historical news piece in 1902 which recorded their help in the protection of the Cantey Plantation during the Civil War.^[2][3]

• Winter Cantey (abt.1836-1913)
• Fannie (Simmons) Cantey (1838-1921)
• Sam Kirkwood
• Jim Stark
• Henry Johnson
• Peggy Cofield
• Dinah

The enslaved bequeathed to him from his father in his will.^[4]

• Charlotte
• Linus

Sources

1. ↑ http://www.canteymyerscollection.com/index.php?page=110
   • a great great great nephew posted a note at the end of this piece stating that Winter had never been treated as a slave
2. ↑ In War and Peace, Through Death-Threat, These Slaves Were Faithful https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-constitution-winter-cantey-n/6945616/
   • The Atlanta Constitution, Atlanta, Georgia, Sun, Feb 23, 1902, Page 39
3. ↑ history from the Cantey Myers Collection http://www.canteymyerscollection.com/index.php?page=110
4. ↑ Wills: "South Carolina Probate Re... Bound Volumes, 1671-1977"
   Catalog: Wills Wills
   Image path: South Carolina Probate Records, Bound Volumes, 1671-1977 > Kershaw > Wills, 1782-1868 > image 662 of 807; citing Department of Archives and History, Columbia
   FamilySearch Image: 939L-JWSN-DV (accessed 11 September 2023)
   • will of John Cantey, p.233-236