When you chase sunsets, it’s not always the sky that takes center stage, but what you discover along the journey.
Everything tells a story… While this simple old house is ignored in a run-down section of Zanesville, Ohio, it tells a tale of love, devotion, and perseverance.
Born into slavery on a tabacco plantation in Loudoun County, Virginia, on May 10, 1821, Nelson T. Grant grew up in the torturous world of forced servitude; however, unlike many African-American slaves, he slowly gained the respect of his owner through the years. As a household slave, he had more freedoms than most, even allowed to run errands into town unsupervised.
It was during one of these errands that he fell in love with Anna Maria, a slave from another plantation.
Zanesville, Ohio
July 30, 2022
In 1843, both slave owners permitted their marriage, yet were required to remain on their separate plantations.
Upon the death of Nelson’s owner in 1845, he was granted freedom, but one problem remained… Anna was still enslaved.
Under Virginia law, a freed slave was allowed to stay one year; however, if they failed to leave, they would be enslaved again.
Zanesville, Ohio
July 30, 2022
No income, no way to free his bride, limited time, helplessness descended within Nelson’s heart. A harsh world encouraging him to flee north to freedom. Yet one thing drove him forward… deeper than hope, more beautiful than faith… love!
After a year of back-breaking work selling firewood, he saved enough to free his beautiful wife. With time running out, pleading eyes, he offered to purchase Anna’s freedom, only to hear the heartbreaking words from her owner, “No!”
Zanesville, Ohio
July 30, 2022
Tears flowing, heart crushed at the decision he now faced… freedom or slavery, yet both did not include Anna. His only hope… a promise!
Gently caressing her face, looking into her beautiful eyes, he firmly said, “No matter what it takes, I’ll be back for you! I’ll never give up on you!” A soft kiss, he turned and fled to the free state of Ohio.
With the help of abolitionists, Nelson raised additional funds to free Anna. Yet in another crushing blow, the answer was still, “No!”
Years passed, but Nelson refused to give up on his promise, refusing to leave the woman he loved! With all avenues to freedom now closed, only one option remained… attempt a rescue!
Zanesville, Ohio
July 30, 2022
As the gears of the underground railroad moved, Nelson successfully freed Anna. Moving quickly north, and the hope of freedom so close, they met again the spector of disappointment. Betrayed by one of their own, a Virginia jail cell was now their fate!
Under threat of sending Anna to the deep south, local officials demanded that she testify against Nelson. Her chin raised high, she promptly said, “No!”
No hope, an unfair world closing around them, their fate of forever being separated now a reality, only a single defense lawyer stood between them and freedom.
In a passionate defense, the case was made that because Anna was lawfully married to a free man, she should be allowed to remain with her husband. Anna’s owner finally relented, allowing abolitionists to pay for her freedom. Charges dropped, they quickly fled north into Ohio.
After finding freedom, the couple settled in Zanesville, Ohio, eventually becoming wealthy farmers and continued to support the underground railroad as escaped slaves moved north to freedom.
This house is all that remains of their love… A house that only exists, because one man refused to give up on the woman he loved.
Everything Tells A Story... 