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Black Masters: A Free Family of Color in the Old South

by Michael P. Johnson (Author), James L. Roark (Author)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 208 ratings
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"A remarkably fine work of creative scholarship." ―C. Vann Woodward, New York Review of Books

In 1860, when four million African Americans were enslaved, a quarter-million others, including William Ellison, were "free people of color." But Ellison was remarkable. Born a slave, his experience spans the history of the South from George Washington and Thomas Jefferson to Robert E. Lee and Jefferson Davis. In a day when most Americans, black and white, worked the soil, barely scraping together a living, Ellison was a cotton-gin maker―a master craftsman. When nearly all free blacks were destitute, Ellison was wealthy and well-established. He owned a large plantation and more slaves than all but the richest white planters.

While Ellison was exceptional in many respects, the story of his life sheds light on the collective experience of African Americans in the antebellum South to whom he remained bound by race. His family history emphasizes the fine line separating freedom from slavery.
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  1. ISBN-10
    0393303144
  2. ISBN-13
    978-0393303148
  3. Publisher
    W. W. Norton & Company
  4. Publication date
    April 17, 1986
  5. Language
    English
  6. Dimensions
    5.5 x 1.2 x 8.3 inches
  7. Print length
    440 pages
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

Never before have I found the experience of the free slaveholding caste of antebellum Negroes brought to live in such vibrant detail. To be able to detect what Henry James called the 'density of felt experience' behind the enigmatic details of the letters is indeed a scholarly achievement of a high order and, I think, a contribution to all who would grasp the complexity of our American past.--Ralph Ellison

From the Back Cover

In 1860, when four million Afro-Americans were enslaved, a quarter-million others, including William Ellison, were 'free people of color.' But Ellison was remarkable. Born a slave, his experience spans the history of the South from George Washington and Thomas Jefferson to Robert E. Lee and Jefferson Davis. In a day when most Americans, black and white, worked the soil, barely scraping by, Ellison was a cotton-gin maker -- a master craftsman. When nearly all free blacks were destitute, Ellison was wealthy and well-established. He owned a large plantation and more slaves than all but the richest white planters.While Ellison was exceptional in many respects, the story of his life sheds light on the collective experience of Afro-Americans in the antebellum South to whom he remained bound by race. His family history emphasizes the fine line separating freedom from slavery.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ W. W. Norton & Company (April 17, 1986)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 440 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0393303144
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0393303148
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.23 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 1.2 x 8.3 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 208 ratings

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
208 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Khrista Berry
5.0 out of 5 stars This book was for a family member
Reviewed in the United States on November 8, 2023
Verified Purchase
I haven’t read it but from the way my family member couldn’t put it down, I’d say he was very pleased !
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bryant goodwin
5.0 out of 5 stars Very interesting
Reviewed in the United States on December 14, 2022
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Learning about things never talked about in our Schools
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mat
4.0 out of 5 stars more informed
Reviewed in the United States on August 21, 2011
Verified Purchase
i am an author of children's books who is currently writing a story about an african-american teen who discovers that her family were slave owners at one time.this book really gave me some perspective on the subject and as an african-american i feel more comfortable and more informed in writing my story.
19 people found this helpful
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kelly
5.0 out of 5 stars Learn history
Reviewed in the United States on November 3, 2022
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Learn history
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Grumpy Curmudgeon
5.0 out of 5 stars Black cutlture and capitalism antebellum Civil War
Reviewed in the United States on March 4, 2015
Verified Purchase
Great book about the dual culture that existed in the South before and after the Civil War. Also a great story about entrepreneurship and capitalism. This is a story that you normally do not hear about. The research that the authors did is astounding. It tells a great deal about the culture that was eliminated by the Civil War and the relationship between whites, mulatto and blacks. I recommend the book to any who like the history of our country.
15 people found this helpful
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Katherine Bishop
5.0 out of 5 stars This book gives a wonderful "inside experience" of slavery in the south
Reviewed in the United States on July 19, 2017
Verified Purchase
This book gives a wonderful "inside experience" of slavery in the south. It's an amazing true account of a mulatto

black slave ( probably the illigitimate son of a slave owner ), who was apprenticed with a desirable trade, payed his debt to become a "freed slave"

and became successful enough to own his own slaves.
11 people found this helpful
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stephen cronin
3.0 out of 5 stars Thought Provoking
Reviewed in the United States on December 14, 2020
Verified Purchase
The information was fascinating. I suggest this story should be part of the high school American History curriculum. Ellison's personal struggle offers life lessons for all. The story telling, however, was average.
3 people found this helpful
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Denise4000
5.0 out of 5 stars Very informative.
Reviewed in the United States on May 20, 2021
Verified Purchase
Great book. I had no idea there were black slave owners in South Carolina.
4 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Amazon Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars Very interesting
Reviewed in Germany on October 4, 2022
Verified Purchase
A really interesting book, although sometimes repetitive.
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