Ann Williams reflects on her path to becoming an antebellum historian. She describes how the growth of her interest, research, and immersion in her subject led to her publishing multiple books. [All times approximate] [0:00:45] Introduction to history in high school. [0:01:50] Operating the loom at the 1774 Alexander Homesite in Charlotte, North Carolina [Charlotte Museum of History]. [0:04:15] Expanding participation in reenactment tours. [0:06:30] Roles played in reenactment. [0:09:30] Reflection on her experiences at Rosedale plantation in Charlotte, North Carolina. [0:14:00] The Torrance family and her book, 'Your Affectionate Daughter, Isabella'. [0:24:20] Sarah F. Davidson and transcribing her journal. [0:36:00] Educating herself about cotton farming. [0:38:40] Comments on slave trading dynamics in the United States in the early 1800s. [0:41:20] Her book, 'The Rural Hill Farm Journals of Adam Brevard Davidson'. [0:47:20] Factors that influenced her to write her novel, 'The Uncommon Bond of Julia and Rose'. [0:48:10] Understanding the factors that affected the treatment of enslaved people. [0:53:30] Understanding and developing complex relationships and characters in her novels. [0:56:15] Things to consider when analyzing slave narratives from the 1930s. [0:58:30] Opinions about which parts of Charlotte's history need to be documented and tips for new historians. [1:03:30] Final remarks.
Torrance and Banks families papers, (https://findingaids.uncc.edu/repositories/4/resources/466), J. Murrey Atkins Library Special Collections and University Archives, University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Caldwell and Davidson families papers, (https://findingaids.uncc.edu/repositories/4/resources/171), J. Murrey Atkins Library Special Collections and University Archives, University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Davidson family papers, (https://findingaids.uncc.edu/repositories/4/resources/89 ), J. Murrey Atkins Library Special Collections and University Archives, University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
Williams, Jim, and Ann Williams. The Davidson Family of Rural Hill, North Carolina : Three Generations on a Piedmont Plantation. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers, 2020. Print. Williams, Ann, and James Torrance. Your Affectionate Daughter, Isabella. Asheville, N.C: Historical Images, 2001. Print. Williams, Ann, and Daniel Coston. The Uncommon Bond of Julia and Rose : a Novel. Charleston, S.C: Floating Leaf Press, 2015. Print. Davidson, Sarah F. (Sarah Frew) et al. A Life in Antebellum Charlotte : the Private Journal of Sarah F. Davidson, 1837. Charleston, SC: History Press, 2005. Print. Davidson, Adam Brevard, and Ann Williams. The Rural Hill Farm Journals of Adam Brevard Davidson, 1834-1856. Middletown, DE: Antebellum Books, 2017. Print.