The Enslaved People of Oakland in 1845

William Smith was born enslaved at Oakland Plantation around 1843 or 1844. He was the son of enslaved blacksmith Solomon Williams and his wife, Polly. Prior to the Civil War William was sold or given away to a nearby plantation. In 1864 William escaped enslavement and joined the United States Army.

NPS Photo, ca. 1900

By 1840 the number of enslaved people living and working at Oakland had grown to 104.

Plantation records from 1845 list some of their names and occupations.

Charles, coachman
Venus, cook
Hilaire, driver/foreman
Bysainte, cow herder
Solomon (Williams), blacksmith
Solomon (Wilson), carpenter
Lindor, weaver
Marie, house servant
Caroline, house servant
Martha Ann, washerwoman
Celeste, nurse
Nanette, hospital nurse and midwife
Alexia, shoemaker
Butler, brick mason