Fred Miller, an Air Force veteran, bought a historic Gothic Revival-style house in southern Virginia, unaware it was once a plantation named Sharswood, built in the 1850s by slave-owning relatives who shared his last name. Encouraged by his sister Karen Dixon-Rexroth, Miller and his family, with the help of historian Karice Luck-Brimmer, discovered that their ancestors were enslaved at Sharswood. This revelation was profound for Miller, who reflected on the worn basement stairs used by enslaved people, realizing they were his ancestors. During a visit by 60 Minutes, Miller’s cousin Dexter learned from Bill Thompson, whose family owned the property for over a century, about the location of the slave cemetery. This discovery connected the Millers to their past, highlighting the deep historical ties and personal significance of the property.
QUESTION: How might uncovering hidden family histories impact individuals’ understanding of their identity and heritage?
The house that unlocked a family’s history
