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Slavery at Oak Alley: a look at the world that shaped Oak Alley’s enslaved community
Prior to the Civil War, Jacques’ Oak Alley was not the only Roman family-owned plantation in St. James Parish. Their estates lined the west bank of the Mississippi, creating an interdependent economy based on family participation. More than business practice however, this “family affair” methodology profoundly impacted the area in general, including the enslaved communities. The Roman plantations in St. James were owned by A.B., Victorin, Jacques, Sosthene, Zenon, and their sister Josephine (married to Valcour Aime), as well as their children. Altogether, these families owned 892 slaves – all living within a 9-mile stretch along the river. This high density of enslaved laborers created an environment of continuous activity.…