The Unscene South : Charles Eady Revisits History

A little-known population of Blacks lived free in the United States, long before Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation ended slavery. Through Charles Eady’s paintings, “The Unscene South” shares evidence and details of their existence, and presents opportunities to view the realities of their daily lives, seeking to eliminate many misconceptions about Blacks and the South.​

The term “free Blacks” was used pre-Civil War to distinguish between people of color who were free, and people of color who were slaves. Free Blacks were free to live, work, and own businesses and property. The first federal census of 1790 revealed an official accounting of their presence. They were listed as “Other Free” or “Free People of Color.” In South Carolina, 1,801 out of a population of 16,000 were free Blacks. Moreover, there were more free Blacks living in the South than the North, a trend that continued until the Civil War. Most chose to live in the South because living conditions were more favorable, and opportunities to own a business and property were more accessible. By 1860, nearly 10,000 free Blacks lived in South Carolina. 500,000 lived in America.

This exhibit reveals the history and courage of the “Other Free” living in the pre-Civil War South.

Credit: Overview from museum website

Image: Charles Eady, “Slightly Mixt,” Mixed Media, Acrylic, Oils and Collage, 52 X 42 in. Courtesy of the Kerry and Betty Davis Collection.