Sotterley knew from the research of Elizabeth Donnan from the 1930’s that Sotterley was involved in the trans-Atlantic slave trade in the early 18th century. However, it was a push in 2010 and 2011, for more research to achieve an inclusive and truthful interpretive story that led to officially connecting Bowles to a specific ship, the Generous Jenny, and documentation of its arrival here in 1720. 

Fortunately, at about the same time, Sotterley then made a connection to the Middle Passage Ceremonies and Port Markers Project, Inc. (MPCPMP), a non-profit founded in 2011, with the mission to honor the two million captive Africans who perished during the trans-Atlantic crossing known as the Middle Passage and the ten million who survived to build the Americas. They partner with historical and cultural societies, academic institutions, churches, visitor and tourist bureaus, and community organizations to promote African Diaspora history and culture, especially related to the Middle Passage. Ann Chinn, executive director of MPCPMP and Ann Cobb of Baltimore, paid a visit to Sotterley to review the research. In November 2012, Sotterley held a ceremony honoring those who perished on the middle passage to Sotterley. In 2014, another ceremony was held to place a marker to tell the story of Sotterley’s roll in the middle passage and remember and celebrate ancestors. Sotterley is one of five documented middle passage sites in Maryland and the first to have a marker. Sotterley is open to the public year- round. 

Slavery was and is a morally bankrupt economic system. Before and during the very founding of America, this inhumane system was justified by racism and financial gain. Racism permeated the society and laws of the new country. It shaped attitudes and behaviors. Although slavery has now been made illegal in this country, the legacy of slavery in America still permeates our society. 

Racism allowed people to brutalize other people, murder them, rip their children away, sell them off, put them in slave ships, starve them, beat them, use them for sex, make them work for no wages, and no freedom of their own. Slaves were not allowed justice or basic human rights. Considered property like the livestock, their suffering was not considered equal to white people’s suffering. Their pain was not considered equal to white people’s pain. Their monetary worth to the owner was based on how hard and fast they could work and compliant behavior. They were villainized and demeaned to justify their treatment. “Kind” and “benevolent,” became skewed words masters would use to define themselves for providing food rations or a scrap of clothing. Dependable and compliant slaves, or slaves with lighter skin, were considered trustworthy and more intelligent. Any joy or faith slaves would steal from life was considered contentment with their enslavement. Free black people also suffered from the same racist laws and practices, and still do. 

Even with unspeakable hardship, terror, children and families ripped apart, abuse and fear; many of Sotterley’s enslaved survived this cruel system. Some also took flight and freed themselves from bondage. Some outlived slavery. They not only survived, but thrived culturally and spiritually. This is Sotterley’s story. The story will be told.

Sotterley preserves our buildings and landscape to help us tell the story. We research people from long ago and their descendants so we can tell the story. Historic Sotterley will continue to preserve our heritage and tell the story. It is often a hard and painful story. Sometimes it is a triumphant story. Everyone must learn the story.

Part of this process of healing and reconciliation is learning and accepting the truth about the story. The beginning of Sotterley’s story was built on slavery and the trans-Atlantic slave trade.

http://www.middlepassageproject.org/