Murder At Brick House: Chapter Nine - Meeting Aunt Hephzibah
The Legend of Amelia
Murder At Brick House: The Legend of Amelia is a work of historical fiction based on a well-known South Carolina Lowcountry ghost story about a young girl who was shot and killed on what was to be her wedding day (August 13) at Brick House Plantation, Edisto Island, South Carolina.
Although there has never been any verification that this story is true, varying accounts have been published over the years. As with most ghost stories, there is, no doubt, some element of truth. This serial novel explores what Amelia’s life might have been like in the context of the Antebellum South. Some historical places and names are real.
Brick House Plantation is held in a family trust and has been continuously owned by the Jenkins family (of which I am a part) since the early 1800s.
Amelia lay awake for a long time. She could not stop thinking that, somehow, her world had changed that day.
The rumors surrounding Hephzibah Townsend were completely shattered the moment they had met. She had heard of her, of course. Who hadn’t?
For years, she had heard Hephzibah Townsend described as a one woman cultural wrecking ball. She had formed a mental picture of a religiously obnoxious busybody who completely disregarded societal custom. But nothing could have adequately prepared her for the actual person she encountered.
The closest she could come to the truth was a “graceful humility and quiet, yet fearless determination”.
And the thing that puzzled her the most was that Martha had never let on that Hephzibah was a close cousin. She had heard the same criticisms as Amelia, yet had never once spoken a word in her defense.
Amelia had not thought much about that until Martha said she was not going with them over to Bleak Hall. She had assumed that she just didn’t want to endure the long, bumpy, and dusty carriage ride.
But, once they had arrived and she had met Aunt Hephzibah, she wondered whether it was more from embarrassment or fear of ridicule. Maybe, it was that she was convicted about how meaningless her own life was in comparison. Whatever the case, she knew that she and Martha would be having a serious talk.
Amelia was immediately captivated.
When Paul introduced them, she greeted Amelia with the same joyfulness and enthusiasm that a child would show toward a new friend.
Looking at Amelia, Aunt Hephzibah, with a hint of suggestion, said, “My, my, what a lovely young thing, Paul.”
Amelia felt her face grow hot. “I’m pleased to meet you, Ma’am. I’ve heard so much about you.” She immediately regretted her words, knowing what she had heard.
“Oh, I’m sure you have, my dear. I’ve heard it all, myself.” Aunt Hephzibah replied with a wry smile and quick chuckle. There was no trace of resentment in her voice.
Paul laughed easily at this. Amelia noticed right off that he seemed much more at ease and free here than with his own family. She guessed the reason was that they shared so much of the same vision of easing the oppressive burden of the slave population in this antebellum plantation culture in which they lived.
Hephzibah was not a large woman. She was larger-than-life. Her presence commanded attention. Intelligent, captivating, and confident in the cause for righteousness, her faith in the providence of the Almighty and His calling upon her life was unshakable.
“Well, my dear. I’ll not beat around the bush”, Hephzibah said after they were seated in her comfortable study with large windows looking out over the salt marsh and tidal creeks.
“I know Paul would not have brought you to see me if he did not sense you were of a kindred spirit. There are precious few of us here on the island, but there are some.
“Now, I want to know all about Amelia Prioleau”, she said. Then she smiled, folded her hands in her lap and waited quietly.
Paul had a bemused look. He knew how Aunt Hephzibah worked to draw someone out. He found the expressions on Amelia’s face, as she thought about how to respond, delightful to watch.
Amelia took a deep breath and started with her family. Her ancestor, Elie Prioleau, a French Huguenot pastor had fled to America to escape religious persecution after the Edict of Nantes was revoked by King Louis XIV. They eventually settled in Charleston because of the large Huguenot population in the area.
The Prioleaus were a large family and over the generations had become prominent across the spectrum of Charleston society in ministry, law, medicine, banking, and commerce.
She told of her father’s shipping business and concluded with her engagement and reservations about it - her doubts growing stronger by the day.
“Mama and Papa are faithful in serving the Lord. They give much time and money to serve those in les fortunate circumstances. They believe slavery is immoral and our family has never owned slaves. Papa has even mentored young men in the shipping business, including freed Africans.
“We do all that and are faithful to gather in Worship each week. Mama and I are involved in raising money to support those who have chosen to take the Word of God to other cultures.
“Yet, even in all that, I am wrestless. I feel like there is so much more God would have me to do.”
“Yes, dear, I know exactly how you feel”. Aunt Hephzibah said. “By the way, your father is well known and respected here on the island. He has been to Bleak Hall many times to conduct business with my late husband. I have met him on occassion when Daniel would invite him to stay for Supper. Interestingly, he would always stay with Paul’s family at Brick House.”
“Yes, Papa told us about some of the large Cotton Plantations, including Bleak Hall, on Edisto. He said they were ‘magnificent’. He and Mr. Jenkins became fast friends years ago when I was just a little girl, so it’s always a treat for him to visit Brick House. But, until this trip, I have never been to the island.
“I think Papa always wanted to shield me from seeing the injustice of slavery. I mean, we see it a little in the city, with folks having house servants and some of the businesses use slave labor instead of hiring out their work. Thankfully, the slave market has been outlawed.
“Ever since I began my teen years, I have confided in Papa of my feelings that I felt God was calling me to something bigger than doing the things ladies do in the church. I’m not saying it’s of no use, but I have a desire in my heart to do more. To make a difference. That is why I am so eager to know you and ally our common desires where we can.
“I think that is why Papa decided it was time. So, when Martha invited me to Edisto for the Fall, he gave his approval.”
“And, do I understand correctly from Paul that you are engaged to be married?”, Aunt Hephzibah asked. “Does your fiance´ share your sentiments?”
The question caught Amelia off guard.
“I’m beginning to realize that he doesn’t”, Amelia said. “He’s so secretive in his business dealings. When he is in town, he does accompany us to church on Sundays, but I can see from the look in his eyes that his heart is not there.
Papa is desperate to have a son to take over the shipping business when he decides to retire. Consequently, he does not see things as objectively when it comes to Robert.”
Amelia told Aunt Hephzibah about the incident with the man on the Steamboat to Edisto and the information Mrs. Seabrook had revealed to her about Robert’s association with that same man.”
“Mary Ann has a sharp eye”, Aunt Hephzibah said. “Not much gets by her. She is a good ally. Though I have not heard of slaves being mistreated there on Seabrook Plantation, she has the same view as most here on the island - it’s a necessary evil.”
Amelia felt a strong affinity with Hephzibah, but she had to ask her about the slaves there at Bleak Hall.
“Do, you mind if I call you Aunt Hephzibah like Paul and Martha?”
“Of course not dear. I would be honored.”
“Aunt Hephzibah, with all your work for making things better for the slaves, why does Bleak Hall still have them?”
“I get that question a lot”, Hephzibah said. “My answer is that it is not so easy and would probably be a disservice to them to just free them without proper preparation. And, to tell you the truth, the Africans here are treated more as employees. I do not tolerate mistreatment of any kind. So, most are happy to be working and providing for their families. The families on Bleak Hall are not split apart and sold like on many other plantations.
“As long as they do the work assigned here, the are free to also use the talents and skills they have acquired to have small business concerns. I do not take any portion of what they earn on the side. More than a few have done quite well. So, as long as I have breath, I will see to it that they are as free as possible.
“If one were to decide to leave, they would not have to run. I would not pursue them. But, I do advise them not to take that route unless they have a sure plan and are able to take care of their families properly.”
Amelia was amazed at what she just heard. She had never encountered such a philosophy of one who is still considered a "slave owner” by the general society.
“Now, dear”, Aunt Hephzibah continued, “I know you have more questions about me and how I run such an enormous cotton plantation. Why don’t we have some lunch, then I will take you on a little tour of Bleak Hall and tell you how I came to be as I am.”
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