ebooks The First Emancipator: Slavery; Religion; and the Quiet Revolution of Robert Carter by Andrew Levy in History

Review

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Very Emotionally Moving StoryBy AvidReaderThis is an unforgettable true story of a man who rebelled against his family; friends; and society to follow his heart. Born into the lap of luxury he had considerable wealth and land holdings along with access to the top of society. His social circle included George Washington; Thomas Jefferson and many other founding fathers. Yet he chose to do the right thing when it was uncomfortable; expensive; challenging; unrewarding; and seemed to only turn people against him. He freed all of his slaves because he began to realize that slavery was wrong. As simple as that sounds; it was unthinkable to so many upper class people of that time. The author does a tremendous job of researching from original documents like journals and letters the details of how this man's heart began to change. This book does an excellent job of putting American history in perspective and just how much courage it took for someone to go against the flow.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Compelling and fascinating storytellingBy NibroclaI'm well into (but not yet finished with) this fascinating story; motivated by wanting to learn more about my 1st cousin; 6x removed. Levy writes as a true storyteller; weaving together facts in ways that are compelling and logical. There's a lot to be learned about Virginia history here; not just Carter himself. Well worth reading!0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Important BookBy Mary SThe First Emancipator introduces us to an individual that few; even those who have an interest in the era; would know. A cousin of Carter Burwell; another grandson of Robert "King" Carter;" owner of the magnificent Carter's Grove near Hampton Roads; Virginia; Robert Carter owned tens of thousands of acres of fields and woods; multiple houses; and numerous mills and forges in Virginia and Baltimore; all of which were manned by African slaves.Although many of the founding fathers were troubled by institutionalized slavery; most threw up their hands on how best to deal with freeing vast numbers of people held in bondage throughout Virginia. Unlike George Washington; who made arrangements for freeing his slaves after the death of his wife Martha; or Thomas Jefferson; whose slaves were sold to pay off his massive debts; Carter's "Deeds of Gift" were enacted; for the most part; during his lifetime.From Levy's research; it seems that Carter was always bothered by his ownership of his fellow human beings; but he simply did not know how to go about freeing them; and once freed; what were his responsibilities to those with no property and little education? His turmoil can be seen in his theological studies and wanderings: Anglican; Deist; Baptist; and Swenborgian. Whatever revelation he was seeking; it seemed that it was always just beyond his reach. As he became disenchanted with one; he moved onto the next; including visits to Quaker meeting houses in Maryland. Despite differing theologies; each interaction served to reinforce his decision to free his slaves. The discomfort he caused his slave-holding neighbors by his Deeds of Gift is evidenced by his removal from the Northern Neck of Virginia to Baltimore where he died.Robert Carter is an enigma; and after having read the Great Emancipator; I don't know that I understand him or his motives any better than when I started. There is no record of lofty speeches or elevated commentary to guide a reader nor is there a record of any of those he freed taking his surname when so many freed slaves did take the last names of their masters. But; in the end; it doesn't matter what internal debates resulted in Carter freeing those bound to him. What is important is that he did it when few others had the courage to do so. Washington and Jefferson spoke of freeing their slaves; Carter did it. For that reason; Robert Carter deserves to be known; and this book is about as close as most of us will come to knowing him.