Exploring the Fight to Protect Georgia’s Butler Island, Site of a Notorious Plantation

Photo credit: www.smithsonianmag.com

The pathway through Darien, Georgia, meanders past a historic landmark: Butler Island, the site of a once extensive antebellum plantation. This route along U.S. Highway 17, which runs through serene marshes and rivers, might not command much attention from those unfamiliar with its history. However, remnants such as a towering 75-foot brick chimney from an old rice mill and a large kiln nestled among palmetto fronds serve as poignant reminders of the land’s past.

Established in 1793 by Major Pierce Butler—a signatory of the U.S. Constitution—the plantation originally covered about 1,500 acres. The subsequent generation, led by Major Butler’s grandsons, Pierce Mease Butler and John Mease Butler, inherited both the estate and the enslaved individuals who labored there. Drawing on centuries-old agricultural traditions passed down from their ancestors, who thrived in West Africa’s rice-growing regions, the enslaved people toiled mightily in the fields. The rice they cultivated turned coastal planters into significant wealth owners. Today, a historical marker erected in 2019 stands to commemorate their legacy as the “Enslaved People of Butler Island,” telling a hidden story of resilience amid oppression.

The harsh realities of slavery and its associated traumas are chronicled through the writings of Frances Anne Kemble, the wife of Pierce Mease Butler, who spent time on the plantation during the winter of 1838-1839. Despite lacking narratives from the enslaved individuals, Kemble’s accounts provide critical insights into their day-to-day living conditions. She noted the sickening sight of enslaved women in a poorly maintained infirmary, reflecting on their relentless toil. Kemble’s experiences propelled her towards abolitionism, a stance that underscored the gravity of their plight and later contributed to her divorce from Butler.

Throughout their struggles, the enslaved communities on Butler Island fostered family ties and cultural continuity, preserving traditions such as hand-weaving baskets for rice processing. However, everything changed dramatically during March 2 and 3, 1859, when Pierce Mease Butler sold 436 enslaved individuals to cover gambling debts, splitting families and upending lives. Known as the “Weeping Time,” this mass sale is considered one of the largest such auctions in American history.

In the aftermath of the Civil War, Butler Island’s agricultural output never reached its former heights. The land shifted hands over the decades, eventually falling under the stewardship of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. For many descendants of those who remained on Butler Island post-auction, the site represents a spiritual nexus for ancestral commemoration. Eunice Moore, an 85-year-old resident of Darien, has long advocated for preserving Butler Island’s history, viewing it as a vital link to her heritage and the community’s narrative.

Moore has proposed initiatives to highlight Butler Island’s history, including integrating it into the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor. She emphasizes the essential need for recognition and celebration of the past, stating, “Down every road in McIntosh County there is some history.”

The living conditions for the enslaved individuals were often abysmal, marked by overcrowded and dilapidated cabins. At one point, Major Butler claimed ownership of nearly 900 individuals. Yet, amid degradation, communities formed, passing down cultural practices that survive in modern Gullah Geechee culture, evident in unique crafts like sweetgrass baskets and spirituals embodying their ancestors’ experiences.

Amy Lotson Mitchell, a coastal Georgia native and historian, has diligently sought to preserve the narratives of local Black history. Her work as a “memory keeper” has led her to significant projects, including the restoration of the historic Harrington School. Mitchell notes the importance of understanding this history extends beyond those with direct ancestral links to Butler Island, emphasizing, “Our people need to know what struggle we had.”

Efforts to commemorate these histories face mounting challenges as contemporary issues such as developer encroachment and the heirs’ property crisis threaten the landscape. Moreover, financial pressures and zoning changes further jeopardize local residents’ ability to maintain their presence and heritage in these significant areas.

In 2020, a legislative proposal sought to privatize Butler Island and other heritage sites, igniting resistance from descendants and preservation advocates. Among them was Eunice Moore, who strongly opposed any alterations that could erase the site’s historical significance. Fortunately, the bill did not pass in the State Senate.

However, the struggle for preservation intensified last summer when a mansion dating back to the 1920s was destroyed by fire. Local communities also face the imminent threats posed by climate change, including rising sea levels and increasingly strong storms that impact coastal habitats.

Despite these challenges, Moore, Mitchell, and other community leaders remain steadfast in their mission. Moore articulates a resolute thought: “Some of these things we can’t erase… It’s still there.”

Source
www.smithsonianmag.com