Murder At Brick House: Chapter Ten - Ice House Alliance
The Legend of Amelia
Hephzibah Townsend was a paradox. She was simply the most extraordinary woman Amelia had ever met.
Though she was small in stature, her presence was larger than life. A woman of wealth and means, yet a servant to the least favored. While technically, she was a slave owner, if one did desire to leave, she would never require them to buy their freedom. Hephzibah treated all with the kindness and dignity afforded a trusted employee, not as mere property. She would not tolerate cruelty to coerce production.
She knew that changes were in the wind. If mass freedom were to come, she wanted to make sure that the children particularly could read and write and have the skills to employ a trade of some sort.
At Hephzibah’s direction, they hitched the horses to the carriages and gathered at the Bleak Hall ice house, a unique, thickly insulated structure with an eighteen foot deep stone-lined pit used to keep blocks of ice intact for long periods of time.
“As soon as James arrives, we can talk about all that we have been doing”, Aunt Hephzibah said as they prepared to tour the vast holdings of Bleak Hall. “We can take a ride over to the church on your way back to Brick House.”
“James?”, asked Amelia.
Her face flushed and her heart skipped a beat when Aunt Hephzibah said, “Yes, James Izard. Didn’t Paul tell you?”
“Oh. I was going to tell you, Amelia, but Martha said I should surprise you”, Paul said with amusement.
She would definitely have a serious talk with her friend when that got back to Brick House.
As if on cue, a lone rider emerged from the trail that followed the tidal creek on the North side of ice house.
Amelia watched James as he slowly rode up on a beautiful roan like he had not a care in the world. He stopped where they were standing and dismounted.
She was intrigued that even before greeting them, he tenderly curled his arm up around his horse’s neck and scratched just behind her jaw while whispering in in her ear and giving her a treat. Then he patted her on the rear flank and sent her off to graze.
James greeted Hephzibah and Paul warmly and then turned to Amelia.
“Amelia, it’s nice to see you again. I have already heard much about you from Paul here, so I’m glad we will get to spend a little time together today.”
Now it was Paul’s face which reddened. “It was all good, Amelia. I promise.”
“Likewise, James”, she said, smiling curtly and ignoring Paul.
James was the most mysteriously handsome man Amelia had ever met.
A blend of two racial heritages, he was tall and slender with broad shoulders like his father, but exhibited the dark reddish-brown coloring, smooth skin, and dark piercing eyes of his mother.
His clean-shaven face was framed with coal-black hair, which was tied in a short pony tail at the back of his neck, just below the wide brim of a dark brown Slouch style hat. He wore a tan long-sleeved linen riding shirt, loosely tucked into denim pants, which were themselves tucked into long soft-sided brown leather boots.
James’ tenderness toward his horse only seemed to enhance his rugged, manly presence.
After the greetings, Aunt Hephzibah said, “Amelia, James and Paul have been working with me to help our African population here on the island, primarily with teaching the younger children to read and write and get them focused on developing a useful skill for when the day comes for the end of slavery.”
“Do you really think that will happen? I though it was against the law to teach slaves.” Amelia asked.
“Well, there is a law, but it is not enforced as much now”, Aunt Hephzibah answered. “And yes, I truly believe the day will come, in the not so distant future for the abolition of slavery.
“Many abolitionist forces are at work throughout the country and as they gain a stronger foothold, the sentiment is changing. However, while the realization that slavery is immoral and sinful is spreading, it is not without strong opposition here in the South in which the whole economy is plantation based.
“There are many whose greed and desire for wealth drive them to go to great lengths to preserve the current system. They have great influence in our state government.
“It is against the law to just free slaves enmasse. There has even been open talk of secession. I am afraid that right here on Edisto Island this sentiment is strong.
“So, my dear, while what we are doing is known to many, vigilance is of utmost importance.
“My question to you is, ‘Are you willing to help us?”
Amelia felt the excitement, mixed with trepidation. Was this the “calling of God” she felt tugging at her heart? Was she afraid of starting out on an unknown journey? What could she do? She was unfamiliar and naive when it came to the plantation culture and how to bridge that gap.
“How do you want me to help”, she asked?
“Well, my thought is that since you are already staying at Brick House, you could assist Paul in his medical care. James, in his consulting work has built a rapport with the slaves at many of the plantation. They tell him of those who may need medical attention. He, in turn, will let Paul know.
“Paul will then approach the owners, most of whom he has known his whole life, and try to convince them that better health among the slave population and better hygienic living conditions would be more beneficial for their business.
“While assisting him, you may be able to work with some of the younger ones to learn to read. Writing may be a little tricky, but I’m sure we can figure out a way.
“As for my part, I can easily teach or have Bella, my assistant, teach the younger children here at Bleak Hall to read and write. We have already done so.
“Then some of the older men and women will take the younger ones as apprentices to learn employable skills such as cooking, blacksmithing, and carpentry.
“The main issue is determining how to spread this work to other plantations without causing alarm. That is, I think, where having the church is very convenient. They are free to hire out their skills in their free time and keep the income.
“Most of the slaves have Sundays to themselves and worship is allowed. So, before or after the service we will have time to teach them to read the Bible.”
Amelia was fascintated by the willingness of each of them to take this risk. And, as Aunt Hephzibah had mentioned, there were others who, while not actively participating, were willing to support their work as Christian Charity and duty.
“Well, why don’t we start with showing Amelia the tabby baking ovens that helped built the church”, Aunt Hephzibah said.
“Paul, you and I can take my carriage and James can drive Amelia in your carriage.”
Feeling intimidated at first, Amelia quickly warmed to James’ gentle nature. Even though he spoke with a thick Sea Island accent, his speech was easy-going and eloquent.
She could tell he had spent much time with Aunt Hephzibah as he started off the same way when he asked about her.
“So, tell me about Amelia Prioleau”, he asked.
She was pretty sure he already knew much about her from Paul, but she said, “And, afterwards, I would love to hear about who you are”.
Hey there. I'm Cork Hutson, a retired Naval Cryptologist and DOD Intelligence Professional. As a Christian thinker, adventurer, and storyteller, I spend my days writing two Substack newsletters from a Christian worldview.
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