Nashville in Davidson County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
Slave Cabin
Belle Meade Plantation
In 1865 one hundred thirty six (136) enslaved men, women, and children at Belle Meade Farm gained their freedom. With this freedom they gained the right to choose where they would live and work. Seventy-two (72) farm workers continued under the employ of General Will Giles Harding, with 4 families continuing to live on the grounds and many others commuting to work each day from various neighborhoods around Nashville.
(Inscription under the photo in the lower left)
The living quarters shown in this photograph were home to both enslaved families and later freedmen who continued to work on the Belle Meade farm. Many of these families occupied the structures until the mid 20th century. In the 1970s, the last remaining building was dismantled and moved to make way for new development.
(Inscription under the photo in the lower right)
Our mission is to preserve and interpret the historical value of Belle Meade Plantation and to educate the public about its significance in American History. Through generous donations, Belle Meade Plantation acquired this half (1/2) acre of land in October 2001, thus preserving part of history nearly lost to development. Continuing efforts and archeology will tell us more about the material culture and lives of the families who lived here in the 19th and early 20th Centuries.
Erected by Belle Meade Plantation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Agriculture • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical month for this entry is October 2001.
Location. 36° 6.384′ N, 86° 51.864′ W. Marker is in Nashville, Tennessee, in Davidson County. Marker can be reached from Harding Pike (U.S. 70S) 0.1 miles north of Leake Avenue, on the right when traveling north. The marker is on the grounds of the Belle Meade Plantation. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5025 Harding Pike, Nashville TN 37205, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Dairy (a few steps from this marker); Belle Meade Bourbon (within shouting distance of this marker); Ice House (within shouting distance of this marker); Belle Meade Plantation (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Belle Meade Plantation (within shouting distance of this marker); War on the Home Front (within shouting distance of this marker); Slave Burials (within shouting distance of this marker); Mausoleum (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Nashville.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has replaced the linked marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 8, 2020. It was originally submitted on October 20, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 193 times since then and 54 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on October 19, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 2. submitted on October 20, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.