Fort George Island near Jacksonville in Duval County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Slave Cabins
Strength to Survive
In front of you are the remains of 25 cabins, the homes of 60 to 80 men, women, and children. These people had the strength to survive the misery of slavery.
Before dawn, slaves left for their day's labor, or to use their specialized skills. They returned physically exhausted and hungry, drained by the unrelenting drudgery. At the end of the day, their strength came from family, faith, and traditions.
Alas! Had it not been for my beloved violin, I scarcely can conceive how I could have endured the long years of bondage…it was my companion — the friend of my bosom — triumphing loudly when I was joyful, and uttering its soft melodious consolations when I was sad. Often, at midnight, when sleep had fled affrighted from the cabin, and my soul was disturbed and troubled with the contemplation of my fate, it would sing me a song of peace.
Solomon Northup, 1853
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1853.
Location. 30° 26.214′ N, 81° 26.255′ W. Marker is near Jacksonville, Florida, in Duval County. It is on Fort George Island. Marker is on Palmetto Avenue, 2.1 miles north of Fort George Road, on the right when traveling north. This historical marker is located in a national park. The historical marker is in a very remote area that is reached by traveling a considerable distance on an unpaved dirt road. To get there one must turn north, off of the Florida State Route 1A (Heckscher Road), onto Fort George Road, and then traveling about 0.6 miles to the intersection of Fort George Road and Palmetto Avenue, were you turn north on Palmetto Avenue and travel to the end of this road to reach the historical marker. The turn-off from state route 1A can be identified by the "Kingsley Plantation, Fort George Island Visitor Center" sign that is situated right at the turnoff point. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Jacksonville FL 32226, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A different marker also named Slave Cabins (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Slave Cabins (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Slave Cabins (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Slave Cabins (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Slave Cabins (within shouting distance of this marker); African Identity (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named African Identity (about 300 feet away); Slaves Cabins (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Jacksonville.
Also see . . .
1. Kingsley Plantation. National Park Service Timucuan Ecological & Historic Preserve, Florida website entry (Submitted on March 13, 2011, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.)
2. Kingsley Plantation. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on March 13, 2011, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.)
Credits. This page was last revised on May 3, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 5, 2011, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. This page has been viewed 724 times since then and 2 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 13, 2011, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.