The Dinsmore Homestead
Introduction
Text-to-speech Audio
The Dinsmore Homestead was built in 1842 by James Dinsmore. It is now a historic site used to display what life what like in the 19th and early 20th century. There are also hiking trails going through the surrounding woods. Events are hosted here throughout the year ranging from historical re-enactments to modern tea times.
Images
The Dinsmore House
James Dinsmore
Martha Macomb Dinsmore
Julia Dinsmore
Backstory and Context
Text-to-speech Audio
James Dinsmore graduated from Dartmouth College in 1813. He left New Hampshire a year later and moved to the Mississippi Territory to study law. His focus began to shift away from law as he started managing the Minor family's plantations when they were away.
James Dinsmore and John Minor bought around 340 acres of land in Louisianna to start a sugar plantation. They gave the plantation the name Bayou Black. James lived on the plantation and ran it while John was just providing half of the necessary funds. By 1831 there were forty to sixty African American slaves working on the plantation.
In the 1820s James met his future wife Martha Macomb. They got married on May 13, 1829, in New Jersey. After their honeymoon to Yellow Springs Martha stayed in Cincinnati. This is where she gave birth to her first daughter, Isabella. She then moved to Louisiana to be with James in 1831. Two years later she gave birth to their second daughter, Julia. Their last daughter Susan, was born at the plantation as well in 1835.
In 1839 James traveled north to look at the land where the Dinsmore House now stands. He bought the land and the construction of his home began. It was finished in 1842 and his family had moved north and settled down in their house. James brought eleven slaves with him to do all the farming. Potatoes, corn, beans, oats, and hay were the main crops that he grew. He also had a vineyard that he used to produce wine as well as sheep for wool. In 1854 the tenants that lived on the farm started a basket-making factory and began growing willow trees.
Their youngest daughter Susan passed away in 1851 in a boating accident on Lake Erie. Martha only lived for 8 more years after Susan passed away. When James passed away in 1872 his daughter inherited the farm since she never married. Julia kept a journal about her time managing the farm which can be read on the Dinsmore House website.
Their youngest daughter Susan passed away in 1851 in a boating accident on Lake Erie. Martha only lived for 8 more years after Susan passed away. When James passed away in 1872 his daughter inherited the farm since she never married. Julia kept a journal about her time managing the farm which can be read on the Dinsmore House website.
Sources
Accessed October 01, 2017. http://www.dinsmorefarm.org.