The archaeological dig at the L’Hermitage plantation in Frederick County, Maryland, offers the possibility of adding to our knowledge of slavery’s brutality in the Early Republic period. At the very least, it will help us better understand slavery in the Upper South.
It is a story of international upheaval, racial oppression, family complexity and, perhaps, a touch of religious bigotry. And it is a classic account of slavery in the decades before the Civil War.
The family brought to Maryland, most likely from Haiti, 12 slaves, the maximum allowed French refugees at the time. They included a 5-year-old boy named Lambert, an 8-year-old girl named Fillelle, two 16-year-olds — one of whom was born in Mozambique — and several adults.
But by 1800, the planters owned 90 slaves, making them the second-largest slaveholders in Frederick County at that time, Beasley said.
Jacksonian America: Society, Personality, and Politics 
Mr. Cheathem,
I’m an American Studies major at Rowan University in New Jersey doing a research paper about the L’Hermitage plantation. I was wondering where you got your information about the slaves and their names and ages. It would be really useful for my paper. Please get back to me if you have the chance to via email.
Kaitlyn,
I don’t have any information on the L’Hermitage plantation other than what is posted in the link on my blog.
I enjoyed this article and the related about slavery. It took a resilient and adaptive people to weather the harsh treatment thrust upon them by various groups. The more information and documentation that becomes available through these private sources will help to enlighten not only the present generation but also future generations to come.
Thanks for commenting, Dad.
If you’re ever interested, I have some good books I could loan you that give an overview of slavery.