SANKOFA'S SLAVERY DATA COLLECTION
Lewis Plantation
Location: St. Louis Co., MO
History:
SPOTTWOOD RICE
According to the narrative of his daughter Mary A. Bell, Spottwood Rice was
the head slave on the Lewis Plantation, where tobacco was grown, harvested and
cured. Spottwood's wife and six chidlren, including daughter Mary, son Spot,
plus two other sons and two daughters, belonged to Miss Kitty Diggs, owner of
a nearby plantation. Spottwood was only allowed to visit his family twice a
week, where his wife would cleanse wounds inflicted by the cruel treament of
his master. Mr. Lewis had been so dependent upon Spottwood, that he bargained
to provide land and a home for his family after emancipation. Knowing better
than to trust his cruel master, Spottwood led a band of ex-slaves to Kansas
City to join the U.S. Army. As an enlisted man, he was protected from the wrath
that many masters dealt to their former slaves during time.
Associated Surnames: Lewis
Associated Plantations: (Kitty) Diggs Plantation (St. Louis Co., MO)
Associated Free White Names
Associated Black Slave Names
Slaves of Lewis Plantation and associated slaves
From "Voices From Slavery," narrative of Mary A. Bell, by Norman R. Yetman
- Spottwood "Spot" Rice: head man; in charge of curing tobacco
- wife Mary's Mother: slave on the Diggs Plantation
- dau. Mary A. Bell: b. May 1, 1852; slave on the Diggs Plantation
- Mary's sister (1): slave on the Diggs Plantation
- Mary's sister (2): slave on the Diggs Plantation
- son Spot: d. 1919 in St. Louis, MO; slave on the Diggs Plantation
- Mary's brother: b. 1848, d. 1925; slave on the Diggs Plantation
- Mary's brother: died in the Civil War; slave on the Diggs Plantation
Agriculture
Description of Associated Architecture
RESOURCES