West Savannah in Chatham County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Largest Slave Sale in Georgia History

The Weeping Time

Photographed By David Seibert, January 20, 2009

1. Largest Slave Sale in Georgia History Marker

Inscription. One of the largest sales of enslaved persons in U.S. history took place on March 2-3, 1859, at the Ten Broeck Race Course ¼ mile southwest of here. To satisfy his creditors, Pierce M. Butler sold 436 men, women, and children from his Butler Island and Hampton plantations near Darien, Georgia. The breakup of families and the loss of home became part of African-American heritage remembered as "the weeping time." The event was reported extensively in the northern press and reaction to the sale deepened the nation’s growing sectional divide in the years immediately preceding the Civil War.

Erected 2008 by Georgia Historical Society and the City of Savannah. (Marker Number 25-29.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Communications. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society series list. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1862.

Location. 32° 5.231′ N, 81° 7.505′ W. Marker is in Savannah, Georgia, in Chatham County. It is in West Savannah. Marker is at the intersection of Augusta Avenue and Dunn Street, on the right when traveling east on Augusta Avenue. Located in a small park, in a triangle formed by Augusta Avenue and Dunn Street. Touch for map.

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Marker is at or near this postal address: 2053 Augusta Ave, Savannah GA 31415, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Moses J. Jackson (approx. ¼ mile away); Jasper Spring (approx. ¼ mile away); a different marker also named Jasper Spring (approx. ¼ mile away); Hudson Hill (approx. 0.3 miles away); First Schools in West Savannah (approx. 0.3 miles away); Commercial Development of Western Savannah (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Great Dane Dog (approx. 0.8 miles away); Robert Sengstacke Abbott Boyhood Home (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Savannah.

Also see . . .
1. The Weeping Time. (Submitted on February 7, 2009, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia.)
2. It's been 165 years since the Weeping Time. Here is how Savannah commemorated history. From the Savannah Morning News. (Submitted on March 4, 2024, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

Additional keywords. human trafficking

Photographed By David Seibert, January 20, 2009

2. Largest Slave Sale in Georgia History Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on March 4, 2024. It was originally submitted on February 3, 2009, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 4,441 times since then and 65 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 3, 2009, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. • Christopher Busta-Peck was the editor who published this page.