A Life in Antebellum Charlotte: The Private Journal of Sarah F. Davidson, 1837

by Ann Williams, Karen M. McConnell, Janet S. Dyer

In 1837 Sarah Frew Davidson began keeping a private journal recording the events of her daily life. Years later, her collection provides an intimate glimpse into antebellum life in North Carolina. Sarah, as mistress of one of North Carolina's largest plantations--The Grove--offers the reader a nineteenth-century perspective on slavery, education and the impact of religion on the lives of Southern women. Begun in the wake of the religious revival that swept the South in the mid-nineteenth century, this journal serves as a candid perspective into life in the changing "village" of Charlotte, capturing the effects of the newly constructed U.S. Mint and the Carolina gold mining rush on this small community.
Editors Dyer, McConnell and Williams, along with a team of Rosedale historians, meticulously transcribed the original hand-written journal to be presented here in its entirety. Also included in this edition are supplementary historical annotations, maps and biographical details that provide a comprehensive background for the events and people mentioned in the journal. The day-to-day events of Sarah's life reveal much about the realities of plantation life as well as an understanding of the complexities of religion and slavery in the antebellum period.

Genres: Nonfiction

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 11, 2005

About the author

Ann spent her childhood in her native North Florida, a warm and handsome land of sandy soil, spring-fed streams, and massive moss-draped live oaks. She met her husband Jim while both were students at the University of Florida. In 1962 they graduated and married, then followed his job to New York State where all three of their children were born. In 1969, the family moved to Charlotte where they remained. While raising her children Ann indulged in weaving, spinning, sewing, and needlework of most every sort, and Jim traveled the world selling banking equipment and having great adventures. In the late 1970s Ann became interested in local history. As the nest emptied she became active at historic sites, and together she and Jim became Revolutionary War reenactors interpreting 18th century life in historic garb of her own creation.

Gradually Ann broadened her interests into research and writing. When Jim retire, he joined her pursuits. Before long they had become well-respected local historians, and their many fellow historians became like a second family. Jim's interests lean toward the founding and early development of our region, yet he is also well versed in later events. Ann gravitated toward antebellum Piedmont plantations; she studied extensively the letters and journals of those who lived on them. She mastered the workings of plantations, especially pertaining to cotton and slavery, all the while sharing and learning from others. Historians are a sharing group.

Ann fell in love with the English language as a child, and wished for a writing life, but could never quite find her way. Historic research opened the gate; at last she had something to say. Her literary career began with her book, Your Affectionate Daughter, Isabella. She co-edited and transcribed A Life in Antebellum Charlotte; the Private Journal of Sarah F. Davidson, 1837 with her fellow Mecklenburg County historians, Janet Dyer and Karen McConnell. Ann transcribed and edited The Rural Hill Farm Journals of Adam Brevard Davidson, 1834 - 1856. Together she and Jim wrote The Davidson Family of Rural Hill, North Carolina, which was published by McFarland Books in February 2020.

Her proudest accomplishment was her novel, The Uncommon Bond of Julia and Rose. She drew from her body of research, then polished and crafted the words, characters, and stories to tell a tale of slavery as it was experienced by some who were there. She was satisfied with what she had done, and pleased beyond measure by many readers' admiring words.

Reviews

[Lyndsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was such a interesting read. I can only describe this book as personal spiritual encounter, and recognize it will not be the same for all who read it. As a Christian and deep follower of Jesus with a heart to see the lost saved, the Holy Spirit told me to pick up with book in Walgreens one night. I flipped through the pages and saw it was about a single woman in her 30s during the 1800s who was saved during the first great awakening and who's heart's desire was to see people in the then "village" of Charlotte saved. I too am a single woman in my 30s living two centuries later in the city if Charlotte, and the Lord has gripped my heart over the last year to see salvation in the city of Charlotte and another great next awakening and revival to hit this city. I'm so thankful this private journal was archived. A majority of the journal was full of prayers that Sarah Davidson had journaled and prayed. When I say the presence of God came into me room as I read her prayers, it was like I was being passed a mantle of prayer from a woman that lived two centuries prior. There is so much annointed hidden in the pages of this conspicuous book. Wow!