In his will, Captain Ross emancipated his slaves, and with the assistance of the American Colonization Society, he made provision for their safe passage to Liberia, Africa. Captain Ross also specified that the remainder of his estate was to be used for the benefit of the former slaves who chose to go to Liberia. His grandson, Isaac Ross Wade, was one of the co-executors of the estate of Captain Ross, and he was also responsible for the management of Prospect Hill. Isaac Ross Wade and other heirs of Captain Ross contested the will for a number of years. However, the Mississippi Supreme Court affirmed the validity of the will in 1847, thus enabling the repatriation of the former slaves to Liberia. -Courtesy MDAH Photo: Jessica Fleming Crawford at Prospect Hill.
Posted on: Tue, 13 May 2014 17:43:51 +0000