All language subtitles for Murder.She.Wrote.S00E04.The.Last.Free.Man.720p.WEB-DL.H.265

[music playing]

[wings flap]

[panting]

[dogs barking]

[men shouting]

[barking]

[man] Saw him go through here.

[gasping]

- [dogs barking]
- He's headed for the creek.

- Let's get him!
- [men shouting]

- [dogs barking]
- [men shouting]

Come on, boys! Let's come on!

[dogs barking]

Samuel Pinckney was accused of
killing a white plantation owner.

Now some of what you've been
taught about the American South

before the Civil War is true.

Some is not.

Sam was condemned without
a trial and killed for crimes

that my research suggests
he did not commit.

He had lived peaceably on a
plantation in Culpeper, Virginia,

owned by one Sarah McCullough.

Unfortunately we may never
know the whole story

regarding Samuel Pinckney,

and this is both
a sad fact of history

and, for me, a personal
tragedy, because...

Samuel Pinckney was
my distant grandfather.

- [crowd murmurs]
- Oh.

I do wish we had
a complete picture

so that Samuel Pinckney
would finally be free.

Thank you.

[applause]

Professor Hawkins?

Yes?

Jessica Fletcher.

- Oh, the writer?
- Yes.

[chuckles] I've read
several of your books.

I enjoy them thoroughly.

Oh, thank you.

You know, I was most
intrigued by your lecture.

You know, I believe that we
may share a common heritage.

We do?

Well, I believe
that Sarah McCullough,

the woman you say
owned Samuel Pinckney,

was a very distant aunt of mine.

Really?

Well, I'd always heard
about that side of my family

who came over from Ireland
and settled in Virginia,

oh, around the turn
of the 18th century.

In fact, that is the reason
I came down here.

I wanted to come to Culpeper
and try to make the connection.

[scoffs] Well, consider
yourself connected.

I have to say, though,
it's a little disconcerting

to learn that my, uh, distant
aunt was a slave owner.

Well, sadly, the skeleton of slavery resides
in a lot of family closets down here.

Well, nevertheless, I do have
a sense of responsibility.

And, uh, I need to apologize.

The only responsibility
you have, we all have,

and that's for the living.

Oh, I couldn't agree more.

How are you so sure

that Samuel was owned
by Sarah McCullough?

Well... this.

Read the inscription.

"To Samuel Pinckney...

From S. McCullough"?

My cousin gave this to me
several months ago

and it prompted me
to look further into things.

Maybe you have some information

that could help me
fill in some of the blanks.

Oh, I really don't know
anything about my aunt.

But I am curious.

You said in your lecture
that you believed

that Samuel was
wrongly accused of murder.

Tell me, what facts lead you
to that conclusion?

There's a cemetery
not too far from here

where I have found Samuel
Pinckney's second grave.

His... His second grave?

Ms. Fletcher...

Samuel Pinckney is buried
in two places.

"Samuel Pinckney
born August 4th, 1832,

died June 25th, 1860."

Yes, those are the dates
on thismarker.

But this is from a headstone
in a cemetery in Pennsylvania.

"Samuel Pinckney
born August 4th, 1832,

Culpeper, Virginia.
Died November 6th, 1894?"

This is the same man?

[scoffs] You tell me.

According to
the newspaper accounts

from that period, Samuel Pinckney
was killed here in Virginia,

and the dates on this marker
correspond with that.

But this is from a headstone
that I had found

in Pennsylvania in a county
where my people settled.

Now, both men have the same
name, same date of birth,

same town of origin.

But this death date
is 30 years later.

[Hawkins] Exactly.

And there are
some other facts that I found

at the local Historical Society
that don't line up either.

[Jessica] I'd be very
interested to see those.

[Hawkins] The white plantation owner who
was murdered was named Robert Mercer,

and here's a photograph.

You know, judging from
these glowing reports,

you wonder why anybody
would've wanted to murder him.

Looks like a very decent
sort of person.

One of our more noteworthy
Virginia sons,

lost before his time to murder
on his wedding night.

I'm Stanford Thornton.
I'm a longtime student of the South

and war between the states.

I assume you were, uh,
discussing the Pinckney case?

Yes. Do you know
something about it?

[Stanford] I know
it was a tragedy.

Uh, the articles say he was
gonna receive a fair trial.

It was just a shame
that he chose to run.

Well, given the climate of the
day, you wonder if Pinckney felt

that the verdict was already in
before the trial started.

[Stanford]
I know there were abuses

in the antebellum South,
but not in our county.

That is of course,
if you don't consider

slavery itself an abuse.

[Stanford] Well, we all agree.

Slavery was wrong.

But I find that people
are sometimes, uh,

shall I say, overeager

to paint every Southerner with
the brush of racial bigotry.

Our finer Southern institutions
are often misrepresented.

I'm touching on that very topic in my
lecture across the way in the park.

Mm. Cassandra is lecturing
here, too.

I'm sorry, I didn't
catch your name. Ms...

Hawkins. Dr. Cassandra Hawkins.

What is your interest
in the Pinckney case?

Samuel Pinckney was
my distant grandfather.

[Stanford] Oh, I see.

I trust there's no agenda
in your pursuit?

Agenda?

I believe that personal
pilgrimages can sometimes

lead people to make
historical events

what they want them to be,

rather than what they are.

I agree.

If you ladies will excuse me,

uh, oh, dear...

I must get to my lecture.

[Hawkins] If anyone
ever had an agenda...

That man's agenda's more obvious

than a politician
trying to get votes.

You know him?

[scoffs] He's forever
trying to influence

how we present history
here at the museum,

as if he's
the self-appointed protector

of all things Southern.

Would you be so kind
as to put on these gloves?

The letters are quite fragile.

Now I have some documents that
I think might be of some help

and some personal effects
from the McCullough estate.

You have some documents
from my Aunt Sarah?

Oh, yes, some were preserved.

Most, unfortunately, were lost.

She didn't have any children
so there was nobody left

to maintain her legacy.

- Uh, these are her letters?
- Mm-hmm.

Uh-huh. I see.

1846.1852.

[Hawkins] I think you're
gonna want to read this one.

It should be dated
June 20th, 1860.

It's about the murder.

Now, that is
just before Samuel died.

Now that was written
to a friend, Abigail Pennington

in Charlottesville.

"Dear Abigail,

you probably read in the papers
about the accusations

leveled against my friend and
faithful servant Samuel Pinckney

regarding that dreadful murder.

But I sensed that something
wasn't right at the reception

"the other day
after the Mercer wedding."

[people laughing and playing]

Good morning, ma'am.
What a pleasure to see you!

[woman] Why, thank you!

[indistinct chatter]

[man] Well, hello, people. Y'all
come on in now. Come on in now.

Oh, Mary!

You looked simply regal
coming down that aisle.

Tell me who made your dress.

I had it sent from Atlanta.

Oh, I believe you're spoilin'

this daughter of yours,
Mr. Hobbs.

Oh, well, nothin's too good
for my Mary.

[sighs] I should say so, sir.
My, look at that picture.

Culpeper's
most beautiful young lady

has stolen the heart
of its most eligible bachelor.

I know they're gonna make
a beautiful home up there

on that big old spread of his.

My princess has finally
got her kingdom.

Miss Ashland. Gentlemen.

Milady. You look beautiful.

I did not fall in love

with a piece of property,
Jeb Bucknell.

I fell in love with a man,

a man who isn't carried off
by the first breeze

that comes in
fluttering her eyelashes.

[Jeb] Well, Mrs. Mercer,

Unlike some people here,

I've been training to fight
for our beloved South.

Of course...

I never dreamt
I'd have to come back

and fight for my girl, too.

What you consider a battle,

I believe Mary
would characterize

as a willing surrender.

Sweet are the spoils of war.

[horse neighs]

Mary, would you
just look at you!

Your mother, God rest her soul,
she would've been so proud.

My goodness, me.

This is so exciting!

- Miss Sarah.
- Charles.

I brought the extra silverware.
Where shall we put it?

We'll just have Sam drive it
around back to the kitchen.

Jim and Mary-Belle are there.
They'll attend to it.

Charles, I'm sorry I didn't
get these to you yesterday,

but we've been quite busy with
plans for the wedding and all,

and I guess that Sam
just plumb forgot.

[Jeb] They're just like
children, aren't they?

Always forgetting everything.

Except what time supper is.
Pardon me.

Well, I see he didn't forget to
wear his Sunday best, now, did he?

If I didn't know any better,
I'd say you were trying

to upstage
the lucky groom himself.

I was just trying
to honor Miss Mary

on her special day, sir.
Spent my own money.

Your money? That a fact?

- Yes, sir.
- Miss McCullough!

You're not paying
this slave wages, are ya?

He earns it. It's not much,

but it's an incentive
to do good work.

You'd do yourself one better,
ma'am.

If you get ahold
of a good overseer.

His whip'd give Sam plenty
of incentive to do a good job.

Ain't that right, Sam?

Won't it, Sam?

Well, that is a mighty fine
vest you're wearing there, Sam.

Don't get all touchy
with me, boy.

I'm just looking
at your fancy button, there.

Now you see what you
made me go and do?

Slaves shouldn't be wearing
such things anyway, should they?

[Sarah gasps]

That was uncalled for.

What's uncalled for,
Miss McCullough,

is you paying this slave wages.

Here now!

Well, why don't
y'all just make your way

right on into the house.

I know Mary-Belle's got some treats
and spice punch for everybody.

I think we could all stand
to cool down a little bit here.

Jeb!

Sam, I'll be seeing you, boy.

Yes, sir, Mr. Hobbs.

I will thank you to consider that
today is Mary's wedding day.

Just leave it alone!

Well, now I wouldn't want to ruin
her special day now, would I, sir?

Ma'am.

Sarah, my profound apologies.

Thank you, Charles.

It's a good thing

that someone still recognizes
a violation of human dignity.

[dog barking]

I am sorry, Sam.

That's all right, Miss Sarah.

I best be getting this china
around to the kitchen.

This here old dog don't like
me being here, either.

Go on!

Yes, this is a very happy day.
Thank you.

Well, quite a party, Robert.

It's awful generous of Mr. Hobbs
to put on such an affair.

Well, he does indulge that girl.

But now you gotta.
You better hang on to your purse.

I'll do my best
to provide for her.

I'm sure you will, sir, but
you know you could improve

your financial position
by simply selling me

that 120 acres you got
next to my land.

As I said before,
when I'm ready to sell it...

And I'll be the first to know.

- Yes, sir.
- Yes.

[chuckles] What I
don't understand is

why you don't put some crops
in there, tobacco.

Keepin' it grassland can't be
the most profitable.

Oh, that's quite an undertaking.

- Sure.
- I can handle a few cattle and sheep,

and of course, I have
my leather goods business.

Now, I know a man
in Loudon County.

He's about to sell
some real good field hands.

Why, with the work they'd
offer, you could recoup

your investment rather quickly.

I don't reckon
I'm ready for all that.

Ah, well. [Chuckles]

Look, Robert, I know you're
not partial to owning slaves.

But you could just
get yourself a few.

You don't have to work
the poor creatures to death.

I mean, you'd be
doing them a favor.

You provide them
a home and meals.

It's better than they could
do on their own out there.

Will I have to dance all afternoon
and never once with my husband?

If you'll excuse me,
Mr. Ashland.

- Certainly, sir. Ma'am.
- [laughs]

I need to know how much livestock and
how many hands you want to sell,

so you get back to me.

[Jeb] Powder flask
and bullet bowl.

And best of all, gentlemen,

it can fire six shots

before having to reload.

Yes, sir, I get six Yankees
within 50 yards...

[gun clicks]

I show 'em just how hot
Ol' Dixie life can be.

Well, let's just hope
this whole thing

can be resolved
without bloodshed.

With all due respect, Mr. Hobbs,

those Yankees have proven
they're not willing

to uphold our rights here
in the South.

So I'm afraid, sir,

we are just gonna
have to assert ourself

by show of arms.

Well, I've certainly taken
that position in my newspaper,

and I've only had a handful of
naysayers attack my editorial.

Mr. Ashland, you are preaching to
the choir here with that rag, sir!

Why, everybody in this room
knows exactly

what our priorities are,
don't we, gentlemen?

We start a war with the Yankees,

and for every gun of ours,

they've got factories up North
can make a hundred.

Mr. Mercer...

are you saying
they're better than us?

No, not better...

bigger.

If there's a war,

they'll just
keep coming and coming.

I reckon if you're not
vested in the South,

then you have no interest
in preserving her.

Your implication, Mr. Bucknell?

My "implication," Mr. Mercer?
Well, let's see.

You're always off doing
business with the Northerners.

Why, I even hear you're
a proponent of free cotton.

Now could you explain
that free cotton to me

when you have to pay
a slave to pick it?

The idea has merit. That's all.

Better be all, Mr. Mercer.

Better be.

♪ Oh, I wish I was
In the land of cotton ♪

♪ Old times there... ♪

- Mr. Hobbs, sir!
- Yes, sir?

Do you mind, sir, if I keep this
in your gun case for safekeeping?

Not at all.

Sarah!

Everything all right, Charles?

Fine, fine.
We just ran out of ice.

So I just want to make sure
y'all are comfortable.

Well, I think that "uncomfortable"
is the proper word.

We're all overstuffed
as house cats around here.

Now look, I could have Sam run
over to my icehouse and get some.

Oh, now, Sam doesn't have
to be out running around.

Is there a problem?

Excuse me, sir.

Mr. Hobbs, the guests
are wondering

when you fixin' to cut the cake.

They're having trouble
finding the bride and groom.

Have you seen them?

Yes, I have.
Well, I've seen Robert.

Robert's out back with Sam.

Well, how about I go fetch him?

Would you do that?

And have him meet us
in the ballroom.

I certainly will.

- Sam!
- Miss Sarah.

Robert, everything all right?
Sam?

Oh, yes, Ma'am. The wagon
was soundin' a little funny.

Probably just a split rim.

Yeah. Robert,
they're looking for you.

They're getting ready
to cut the cake.

I better be getting back inside.

Charles said they're
running out of ice.

Sam, could y'all run over
to our place and get some?

- Oh, yes, ma'am.
- Sam, why don't you fetch 'em

over at my place? It's closer.

Sure enough, Mr. Mercer.

Uh, here. You'll need these.

Thank you.

Don't be too long, Sam.

I appreciate your trust in Sam.

Well, how's that?

With your keys?

Most people around these parts
wouldn't do that.

Who's not gonna trust Sam?

Mm-hmm.

[indistinct chatter]

[Mary] Jeb, this isn't
the time or the place.

Mary? There you are.

I believe they're wanting
to cut the cake.

- [gasps]
- Well, yes, of course.

[Jeb] Everybody wants
to see the lovely bride,

so pure and altogether innocent.

I guess our little princess just can't
handle all the emotions of her...

newfound bliss.

[giggling and kissing]

Go on, and say it.

Say what?

Call me by my name.

Mary. [Chuckles]

No, silly!

Mrs. Robert Mercer.

[sighs]

[wood banging]

Shh. I thought
I heard somethin'.

It's just the beatin'
of my heart.

- [banging continues]
- [horses neigh]

What is it?

I don't know.
There's something out there.

I better check.

Oh, Robert, come now.

It'll only be a minute.

[sighs]

I think something's
down at the harness shop.

Can you see anything?

No, I can't.

I'll be right back.

I'm not going anywhere.

[sighs]

[creaking]

Wh-What are you doing here?

[two gunshots]

Robert!

[man] Hyup!

[horse neighs]

[gasps]

Robert!

[Ashland] Mary, I promise you,

this tragedy
will not go unpunished.

I can assure you I will use

every resource at my disposal

to bring whoever did this
to justice!

Mary, you said you saw
a man on horseback.

[sniffles] Yes.

What'd he look like?!

I didn't see his face.

Was it a slave?

I don't know!

I don't know, Jeb.
Please stop asking me

all these questions!

Cornelius, Jeb,

Please!

Who'd do such a thing?

I don't know.

I can't even imagine.

Charles.

What do you got there,
Mr. Ashland?

- It's a button.
- A brass button.

Let me see that.

That's Sarah's slave's button.

- Are you sure?!
- Positive.

Saw the same button
on that vest of his.

Let's go!

[Mary sighs]

[Ashland] Now remember, boys. We
don't wanna scare this slave off

or alert Miss Sarah.

Y'all take it slow and easy

till we get to the barn.

[horse neighs]

Come on out, Sam!
We know you're in there!

There's a light on in the barn, gentlemen.
I think he's home.

- Hurry up, Sam!
- Come on, boys.

Come on out!

- Sam?!
- [Ashland] Where are you, boy? We know you're in here!

Come on, boy! Come on, boy!

Where are you, Sam?!

Where are you?!

Check in the stalls!

Be careful, boys.
He might have a weapon.

- Hold on, y'all, I got him!
- [Sam grunts]

[man] Oh ho! Lookie here!

[Jeb] Son of a bitch!

- [clamoring]
- [grunts]

I'm gonna hurt you, Sam!

Throw that!

[grunts]

- Come on, get up!
- Get him up! Get him up!

- Get him up!
- Put it around his neck!

- Hold him! Hold him!
- I got him.

What did Robert Mercer
ever do to you to deserve

what you done to him, boy?

I ain't done nothing!

- Don't lie to me!
- [Sam grunts]

Hold him up! Pull tight!

What in the world is going on?

Standards, Miss McCullough.
It's got nothing to do with you, ma'am.

For no reason?
You're about to hang

a man I've known
since he was a boy.

It's got everything
to do with me.

Sarah, poor Robert Mercer
was murdered tonight!

- Murdered?
- Yeah.

We found this here button
no more than three feet

from where somebody shot him.

Now you tell me
that isn't Sam's.

Off ol' Sam's fancy vest
he's wearing.

Mr. Bucknell
tore that button off.

- Shut up.
- Well, he's right.

Anybody coulda picked it up.

I never did find that button.

You're accusing one of us,
boy, huh?

[Sam groans]

Lookie here, what do we got?

Look what he stole.

Not only is he a lyin' murderer,

he is also a thief.

That's his watch.

"To Samuel Pinckney.
From Miss McCullough."

He didn't steal it,
I gave it to him.

What are you doing, Sarah?
Panderin' to your slave?

He does deliveries for me.

I want him to be on time.

It's... It's just good business.

Now, you all listen to me.

I'm as destroyed
as everyone else

about what has happened
to Robert here,

but to hang a man
over a button is sheer lunacy.

Now, despite what you all

may think
about my treatment of him,

he is my legal property,

and you are not doing
anything to him

until the Sheriff becomes involved
and we have a proper investigation.

Now you all get home,
and cool your heels.

Well, we gonna get the Sheriff over here.
You can't protect him.

Mm-hmm.

You better stay put, nigger.

'Cause if you run,

I swear to God, I will
personally hunt you down

and shoot you like a dog.

Let's take care
of that poor face.

I didn't kill Mr. Mercer.

I believe you, but what on Earth

were you doing in this barn
at this hour of night?

I-I was out.

Where?

Look, Sam,
I want to believe you,

but doggone it, I can't
if you're not forthcoming.

Please, ma'am,

if you want to turn me over
to those men, go ahead.

They already think I'm guilty

so you can just pass
your judgment

and join right up with them.

But I ain't tellin' you
where I was.

[Jessica] "I don't believe
Sam did it..."

and I intend to find out who did

and what I can do
to help this poor man,

who I consider my dear friend.

"Affectionately,
Sarah McCullough."

And that's all we know
about the whole affair,

other than what's
in the newspaper.

Her endeavor to prove Pinckney's
innocence stopped with that letter.

Well, her efforts didn't
necessarily stop, I mean,

- just what we know of them.
- True.

Do you know any other facts
about Sarah?

Well, by this time,
she was a widow.

Her husband had died
several years earlier.

The land records indicate that
the estate was passed on to her.

She sold most of it off
except for the house

and a small parcel
to sustain herself.

Another thing I'm curious about
is Sarah's journal.

Now, it is alluded to
in her letters.

Is there any way that we
could get our hands on that?

It's anybody's guess
where that might be,

if it still exists at all.

What do you know
about Abigail Pennington,

the woman that Sarah
was writing to?

One of her relatives
passed on a few years ago.

They auctioned off her things.

A woman over in Spotsylvania
County bought the items,

but I don't believe they were
of any historical value.

I don't suppose you could
remember the name

of the woman who bought them?

Miss Laura Lee Custis.

She lives over
in Fredericksburg.

Come on, then.

[Stanford] The world in which
we live in...

Oh, my. He finally
got his audience.

Nearly deafening.
Challenges seemingly insurmountable.

I'd like to talk to him.

Why? You didn't get enough
of his rhetoric already?

Well, I certainly don't
appreciate his positions,

but he claims to have reviewed
some of the old documents,

and he might be just the person

to help us to find
Sarah's journal

and some other clues.

I'd like to lay down
a challenge.

A challe... Jessica!

To meet these challenges head-on

for the sake
of future generations,

and that is why, my friends,
it is so important.

To preserve the culture,
we must preserve the past.

- Thank you!
- [applause]

Uh, Mr. Thornton.

Ah, ladies.

I am sorry you missed my speech.

I addressed some of the issues

we discussed earlier
in more detail.

I find that when you
thoroughly examine the facts,

it helps us all understand
history a little better.

Oh, I couldn't agree
with you more.

Well, like for instance,
don't you find it curious

the mention of a journal

in Sarah McCullough's ledger?

You did read it, of course?

I read the ledger, yes.

I don't recall
mention of a journal.

Yes, but if there was one,
and it turned up,

you'd want to know about it.

Well, most assuredly.

Attention! Colonel Thornton!

Private Weber
reporting for duty, sir.

Private Weber and I are involved
in a Civil War reenactment.

Oh.

These ladies here are reviewing

their own little piece
of history.

They're researching
the Pinckney case.

They're not part of the
Northern aggression, are they?

I hope they don't want
to change history.

But don't tell Billy.
He doesn't know the war's over.

It's just that I find
that Colonel Thornton's desire

to uphold the unique character
and beauty

of our people always seems
to come under attack.

Preserve the past, right, sir?

Well, no one is denying
the unique beauty of the South.

It's just that some people
want to paint a picture

that is inaccurate
of its history.

See, this country still
has a lot of disunion.

I think that men
like Colonel Thornton

serve us well by trying to
solidify our cultural heritage.

Cultural heritage?

Or do you mean racial division?

Well, you can call it
what you will.

But when a nation affirms
its unifying traditions,

there's always
a lot less disagreement.

And a lot more unity.

Well, we certainly don't want
to fight any wars again.

Good afternoon, ladies.

[Laura] My husband put most
of the Pennington antiques

up here in the attic

You all are welcome
to go through this,

although I don't know
where anything is.

Oh, I'm kind of a pack rat.
I like the antiques,

but, well, I like
the modern junk as well.

Well, thank you.
We'll just start digging.

All right. [Laughs]

Well, I-I'm just so sorry.

I woulda sworn I kept
that stuff up here somewhere.

[chuckles] You did
check those three boxes?

It says "Pennington"
on this one here.

Yes, I've already looked there.

There's just old china
and crystal mostly.

[Jessica] Wait a minute.
What's this?

Jessica?

Just as I suspected.

1872.

This box must've been packed
right after the end of the war.

You know, when I pack
china and glass,

I always put a wadge of paper
between the pieces

so they don't get broken.

Just like these.

There's dozens of them in here.

1868.1866.

[Hawkins] Wait, look.
Look, here's one.

June 22nd, 1860.

Well, that's just two days
after the last letter.

It's from Sarah. [Laughs]

"Dear Abigail..."

Much has happened
since I wrote to you last.

In Sam's defense,

I took it upon myself to look
into this dreadful matter

regarding
Robert Mercer's murder.

I went to the scene
of this heinous crime,

not having the slightest notion
of what I might find.

I noticed
several peculiar things

"about the harness shop
where Robert was killed."

"Packages arrived

and were sent on safely.

Levi Stillman."

We figure Sam was
laying for him.

Robert come through
that door, and bang!

I found this in the wall.

Hmm.

Well, Mary said
she heard two shots.

This one must've missed.

Well, not many people have guns

that can fire
more than one shot.

I know there are none
at my place.

Well. Sam might've
found one somewhere else.

Why, Jeb Bucknell was showing us

his Colt-Walker pistol
at the reception.

It can fire six shots.

And does it take bullets
that are conical like this?

Is that why you come up here,

just to stir up
some implausible scenario?

No, just trying
to find the truth.

[horse snorts]

[horse neighs]

There you are.
There's a good boy.

Morning, Miss Sarah.

Oh. Sheriff Underwood.

I figured you'd be
out here sooner or later.

You seen Sam today?

Oh, I'm sure he's around.

I'm not gonna arrest him,

at least not till I get
all the evidence in.

But you're gonna
have to promise me

you'll keep a close eye
on him for me.

So they can make it
legal to hang me?

Sam, it's not going
to do you any good

to get antagonistic.

I have to gather all these facts

so that when
the circuit magistrate

comes through here,
he can render a decision.

You might want to consider this

in your investigation.

I found it in Robert Mercer's
harness shop.

Well, that looks like lead
from a Colt revolver.

I understand that Jeb Bucknell
has one of those.

Is that a fact?

Yeah, he was showin' it off
at the reception.

Huh.

Well, I'll be going out there
this afternoon.

I think I'll just have
a little talk with him about it.

Well, I'd be very interested
to hear what he has to say.

May I join you later?

Suit yourself.

He didn't come out here
to reassure me

that I'd be treated fairly.

He came out here
to check up on me.

No, he might be
an advocate, Sam.

Miss Sarah, the day the law
stands up for a slave,

be the day that them
Blue Ridge Mountains fall flat.

Yeah, but we gotta
keep believing

that we can convince them
of the truth.

Belief?

I'll tell you what I believe.

I believe that we's all
called on to bear something.

No matter
where you find yourself.

If you stand up for the truth,

you gonna ruffle some feathers,

you gonna experience some pain

from those
who don't want the truth.

I resent you even suggesting that my
pistol killed Robert Mercer, Sheriff.

Now don't get yourself
all in an uproar, Jeb.

We just want
to take a look at it.

Well, it couldn't
be Jeb's gun, Sheriff.

I got that right here
in my gun cabinet.

And every man who attended
the reception knew it.

Uh-huh. You see?

Here it is.

Right there,

where I left it.

Charles?

Now we all saw Mr. Hobbs
put that pistol

in that case at the reception.

Well, it looks to be
the same caliber.

And if you'll notice,
the markings on this mold

match perfectly with
the bullet Miss Sarah found.

That slave of yours.

That's what happened.
He come in here,

and he stole my pistol
out of that box.

The last time
anyone saw that pistol

was right here when Charles
put it away that evening.

Now Sam wasn't
in the house after that.

In fact, shortly afterwards,
I sent him out to get ice.

Are you saying that somebody
at my daughter's reception

stole that weapon and used it
to murder Robert?

Sam got another slave
to help him.

That's what happened.

There's more than one slave
involved in this, Sheriff.

Yeah, but what was the motive?

Gentlemen, please.

I mean, the fact that
we're all overlooking is

what reason would Sam
have for killing Robert?

And somebody here did?

Well, you tell me.

Daddy, what's going on?

Eh, it's nothing, sweetheart.
You go on.

Jeb, where's your pistol?

It's been misplaced, darling,
but it'll turn up.

It's your gun! It's your gun
that killed Robert!

Now you just
settle yourself down.

I had nothing to do with this.

Well, you sure enough
wanted him dead.

Now, Mary, you hush
that kind of talk.

Mary, I was asleep in this house

when Robert Mercer was killed.

He's right, Mary,
tight here under our own roof.

Now, you gotta believe me.

I-I am telling you
the truth on this.

Could you hate him that much?

Well, the fact that
Bucknell's pistol was used

still doesn't eliminate
Sam as a suspect.

You tell me, how'd he get
the gun out of the house?

I don't know.
But the circuit magistrate

will be through here
in a few days.

And if we don't have something
substantial by then,

I'm afraid I'm gonna
have to arrest him.

Good day, Miss Sarah.

[Sarah] Good day, Sheriff.

Oh, for God's sakes, Mary,
would you please listen to me?

I will not discuss this
further, Jeb.

I will hear no more
of your feeble explanations.

As you wish, Mary.

[clicks tongue]

[sighs]

I'm sorry you had
to find out about the pistol.

That's all so disturbing,

so very disturbing.

Tell me, that day
at the reception

when I found you two?

I did love Jeb,

but I don't love him anymore.

And you told him that
at the reception?

Yes. I mean,
I told him that months ago.

Months.

I told him it was over.

And there wasn't
any reason for him

to believe it wasn't true?

Absolutely none.

Miss Sarah,

I loved Robert.

Will you excuse me?

[rooster crows]

Sam?

So you didn't go into the house

during the reception at all?

I didn't go in that house
that whole day.

Miss Sarah, I was just
out back listening

to the good time
that y'all was having.

Well, now, is there anyone
that could vouch for you?

Mary-Belle. Jim.

You.

You saw me with Mr. Mercer,

but he ain't here to tell,
now is he?

In fact, they probably
gonna use that against me,

and we wasn't doing nothing,
but lookin' at a split rim.

And that's all you were doing?

Yes, ma'am,
that's all we was doing.

Miss Sarah, I appreciate
all your effort,

but it ain't gonna make
a bit of difference.

A slave is always guilty.

Well, we always have hope, Sam.

I mean, they can't
take that away from us.

"Hope."

You tell me what that word mean?

Well, I don't pretend
to fully understand it,

but I certainly do know that
we can't live without it.

Sometimes it's awful hard
living with it.

I ain't so sure I believe
in believin' no more.

The poor soul.

This letter only raises
more questions than it answers.

But they're good questions.

Who stole the pistol?

Who was to get the food
that Sarah found?

And the letter tells us
where to look next.

Like that... that Levi Stillman.

The fella that Mercer was
sending the packages to?

Cassandra?

As a scholar, you take
a rather cold look at history,

but this isn't like looking
at someone else's life.

This is part of my own.

[sighs]

It's as if Samuel
is crying out to you,

but there's nothing
you can do about it.

Exactly. And this is what this
whole process has been like.

The more I learn about him,

what he... what he went through,
the injustice,

it consumes me,
and there's no release.

Because those people
have gone on.

And here we are,
left with this...

this sense that a wrong
has been committed, and...

and there's nothing
we can do about it.

Well, I've done some searching
into my own past,

and what I've learned is...

these discoveries,

even what I'm
finding out now about Sarah,

they show us more about those
people than what they endured,

but more importantly,

they do reaffirm who weare.

Perhaps.

But it doesn't hurt any less.

I don't think I should continue.

Oh, but, Cassandra,
you can't quit now.

You might have a chance
to finally clear his name.

I mean, wouldn't you just
love to give him that gift,

to right that wrong?

[sighs]

Let's see.

Maybe this...

family registry could help.

Here's a Levi Stillman.

Lived in Warrenton.
Family were Quakers, pacifists.

Oh, yeah.
There's lots and lots of folks

around these parts
got Quaker roots.

Well, do you recognize any
of his descendants, Laura Lee?

Well, I'm no historian,
but I'd be happy to look and see

if I know any of the names.

Oh, well, I'll be.

I didn't know she had
Stillman blood in her.

Who?

[Laura] Well, Liza Hoops!

Oh, she's quite a character!

I guess she'd be Levi Stillman's
great-granddaughter.

Is she still alive?

Well, there's no date of death
in the registry.

I know she lives up
around Warrenton.

Her family's had a home
up there for 200 years.

My goodness, she has to be
over 100 by now.

Oh, hello.

Hi!

You say you're from England?

Uh, no, ma'am. New England.

Oh! Did you bring lobster?

Uh, not this trip.

Just as well. I don't like
eating anything

that can pinch harder
than I can.

Uh, you wanted to know
about my grandfather?

Uh, actually it would be
your great-grandfather.

Levi.

You knew him?

Is he here?

Uh, no, ma'am, he's not.

But do you remember when he was?

Do you remember anything
about a friend of his

named Robert Mercer?

[chuckles] I had a cat
named Mercer once.

I don't think she's
gonna know anything

about telegrams
and packages sent north.

Great-grandpa sent
packages all the time.

Great-grandpa Levi
sent packages?

Yes, on the train.

- The train?
- [Liza] Yes.

Came right through here, it did.

No, it must've been
a depot nearby.

Not nearby. Right through here.

We rode it all the time.

And it had a magic compartment.

- "Magic compartments."
- [Liza] Yes!

My cousins and I

rode it all the time.

Came right through this room.

Shh!

Don't disturb the passengers.

All aboard! Train's leaving!

Hurry up. You'll miss the train!

I think you should sit down.
You could hurt yourself.

No, no, no. All aboard!

Ride in the magic compartment!

All aboard!

You want a ride?

Grandpa said lots of folks did.

Lots of black folks.

I-It's not a real train.

I-It's the Underground Railroad.

Yep! All the way
to Philadelphia.

The packages Robert
were sending to the North

were runaway slaves.

[Thornton]
Ladies, ladies, I appreciate

all these theories
y'all are coming up with.

No, but these are more
than just theories.

I mean, there is
considerable evidence

to suggest that Robert Mercer

was working on
the Underground Railroad.

Samuel Pinckney and
other slaves in the county

probably knew about it.

Well, don't you see?

He wouldn't have murdered
Robert Mercer.

This man was helping
his people to freedom.

Ma'am, just because
a merchant sent a package

doesn't mean that package
was a slave.

You women are coming up
with these meaningless things

and using them
to spin fairy tales

about how you wish
things happened,

rather than
the way they really were.

And you're not?

I write books
that spell out facts,

and I use these words to inform,
not to influence.

Now if you'll excuse me,

I have a real piece
of history to recreate.

[Hawkins] Excuse me.

Look what they've done
to my car!

[gasps] Those are your words,
Mr. Thornton!

You still think
you have no influence?

I don't know what to say.

It's not what you say now.

It's what you have said
in the past!

I had nothing to do with this.

You may not carry a rifle,

but your words are
certainly weapons.

It's those very sentiments

that can fuel
this kind of behavior.

Surely as an historian,
you have seen

that there are those
in this world

who hate people
who aren't like them.

Now, do you really want
to give them more reasons

to justify that hatred?

I've always felt very strongly

about the traditions
of the South

but it was
an intellectual debate.

I was simply
trying to preserve...

Preserve what, Mr. Thornton?

Your noble past?

And just what about that past
are you wanting to keep alive?

Because in spite
of this town's accomplishments,

this was a place where
one man could own another,

where children could be ripped
from their parents' arms

and never see them again...

a place where a human being
with passions and desires

had to deny the very spark
that makes him human,

his own will.

Meanwhile, the good townspeople

just went on
about their business.

They saw no shame in it.

Is that what you're
trying to preserve?

Not just prejudice,

but the right not to notice

when something is happening
right in front of you?

I have always sought the truth.

That was my sole motivation.

[scoffs] Oh, the truth.

That is the most elusive
of all mysteries.

You know the insidious thing
about a lie

is that the best ones
are closest to the truth.

But if you find
one more bit of evidence,

it all becomes clear.

We're looking
in the wrong place.

- What?
- Aunt Sarah's journal,

it's not here in Culpeper.
How'd I miss that?

[Hawkins] What do you mean
it's not here?

This is where she lived.

[Jessica] Yes, but it's
not where she died.

Look, she died
in a field hospital in Manassas.

The men in uniform triggered it.

So?

Well, she would've taken
the journal with her, right?

Having no living relatives here,

her possessions would be with
her in the place where she died,

so chances are,
if the journal does exist,

it's in Manassas.

I believe you're correct.

What you ladies need is someone

to guide you through
the battle of Manassas.

Someone who has studied it
in detail perhaps?

Yes, but more importantly,

someone who wants to help
find the truth in all this.

Hmm. A truth.

A truth. Wait a minute.

If she didn't die from wounds,
how would she...

Perhaps she succumbed
to some disease or other?

Disease? Where?

Well, there were places
other than field hospitals.

There were infirmaries
where people were quarantined

if they fell ill
after the battle.

In Manassas?

In Manassas, I believe...

there was a church.

[church bells ring]

[church bells ring]

Here's a uniform.

That's a good sign.

There might be some papers.

[Thornton] No, that's it.
No papers.

[gasps]

You're not gonna believe this.

Look what I found.

[Hawkins] "The Journal
of Sarah McCullough

1858 through..."

Well, she never finished.

But of course she
never finished. She died.

Go ahead. Read it.

"June 1860..."

Today I decided to press on
with my inquiry.

There was a peculiar sense
of duplicity in the air.

Everyone acquainted
with the murder

seemed strangely guarded.

"I wondered what
they were hiding."

Charles, the one question that no
one seems to be asking is, "Why?"

I mean, what on Earth
would be the motive for Sam?

He and Robert were
the best of friends.

"Friends"?
Oh, come, come, Sarah.

A slave could never truly
be a friend to a white.

Oh, they'll pretend
to be your friend,

but no, no. They'll turn on you.

Is that what you heard

the day of the reception,
out back at your barn?

Well, Pinckney had worked
himself into a dither.

Are you saying that Robert
had words with Samuel?

Well, I certainly wasn't
privy to their dispute,

but, yes, that slave of yours

and Robert had an altercation.

Well, if Robert was upset
with Sam,

how come he turned right around

and then trusted him
to get ice from his house?

Oh, honey,
how in the world would I know?

Look, Robert never did
know how to handle the slaves,

and you can see how it
finally caught up with him.

I'm telling you, Sarah,

you cannot trust the negroes.

He trusted Sam enough to give
him the keys to his place.

He gave him his keys?

Well, there you have it.
Don't you see?

It's those very keys that gave
Sam access to the harness shop.

Well, it's interesting
that a man with a key

would find it necessary
to break open the lock.

What?

I was over at the harness shop.

Whoever killed Robert
didn't have any key.

They forced their way in
that night.

Now, you look here, Sarah.

You're upset.
But you be careful,

or you may get more
than you bargained for.

[Mary] Daddy, we're going out.

Oh, you and Jeb?

Yes. I need to get my mind
off all these ill feelings.

[chuckles] Well, honey, I know

Jeb's been
a great comfort to you.

My efforts in regards
to Mary are most certainly

quite contrary to what Miss
McCullough's been insinuating.

I'm just trying to find out

who killed your husband!

Ah, you're interested in
freeing your slave who did it.

So you're now convinced
that it was Sam?

I saw Sam that night.

I saw him fleeing
Robert's workshop,

and I am quite tired of all
the talk to the contrary.

Now if you'll excuse us,
Jeb and I are going riding.

Well, I think
that's a splendid idea.

I think the fresh air
would do you good.

Oh, Daddy, I seem
to have misplaced

my riding crop.
May I borrow yours?

Of course, darling.
It's in the tack room.

Y'all run along now,
and enjoy yourselves.

Thank you, Mr. Hobbs.
Miss McCullough.

[horse neighs]

There, there, now.

What on Earth?

Ouch. [Panting]

Who are you?

Name's Bess.

Please don't hurt me, ma'am.

You ain't gonna hurt me, is you?

I don't mean no harm.

Well, what is this all about?

- Bess, wait!
- Sam!

Uh, Miss Sarah,
this is all my doing.

Don't let her scare you.
I brung her here.

In... In this... this...

That's a-a false bottom, ma'am.

I made it.

It's... It's for hidin' slaves,
ma'am,

runaway slaves.

You, Sam?

Yes, ma'am.

When I'm out deliverin' eggs,
I pick 'em up.

And where do you take 'em?

Now you come out with this, Sam,

or so help me, I...

I-I took 'em
to Mr. Mercer's house.

That is, until he got killed.

You weren't supposed
to know none of this, ma'am.

I didn't want this
to be your trouble.

Well, it's my trouble now.

Well, Mr. Mercer, he...
he sent them all north on the railroad.

He sent them to freedom.

And this woman here?

This here Bess.

She my wife.

Your wife?

[Sam] Yes, ma'am.

She from Mr. Latrope's place.

We got married in secret
last fall.

Well, y'all coulda told me.

We was afraid
to tell anybody, ma'am.

Mr. Latrope, he a hard man.

He might've sold Bess,
sent her way on down South.

I never would've seen her again.

I'm sorry, ma'am.

I ain't... I ain't never
meant to lie to you. I...

I was with Bess the night
Mr. Mercer got killed,

had gone over to see her.

Well, there's your alibi.

Bess here can vouch for
your whereabouts that evening.

No, no, ma'am.
Ain't nobody gonna believe that.

They don't know we's married.

They just gonna think
we made all that up.

Then they gonna send
Bess away for sure.

That's why I...
I brought her here.

I-I need to get her on up north.

[Bess] You ain't gonna
tell it, is you, ma'am?

Please.

[sighs]

[Hobbs yelling]
Look out there! Look out!

Whoa, whoa. Mary, Jeb,
get over here!

[Mary] Daddy, what's wrong?

[Jeb] Mr. Hobbs, what is it?

You know that creek
between here and Robert's house?

- Yes, sir.
- Well, I'm checking out the west pasture,

and I see something gleaming
in the mud,

right down in that creek bottom.

You recognize this?

That's my revolver.

So it is your pistol.

How did it get there?

Well, that road
is the most direct route

between here and
Sarah McCullough's house.

You tell me.

[Jeb] Pinckney.

I shall kill him, Mr. Hobbs.

I will shoot that murderer
where he stands.

[Hobbs] Now you hold on, Jeb.

Don't you go runnin' off
by yourself.

He might be too dangerous
for one man to handle.

You let me go get Ashland
and the others.

Yes, sir. Mary, you get
in the house. Lock up.

Jim, saddle my horse!

Stand aside, Jim!

Hyah! Hyah! Hyah!

Miss Sarah, I didn't tell you,

because I wanted to protect you.

I wanted it to be me that took
the risk, not you.

But whether you told me or not,

it doesn't change what you did.

Yes, ma'am, I know,
but you gotta see all...

You're not hearing me, Sam.

What I'm saying is,
you don't need to apologize.

What you're doing
is a good thing,

and I don't hold it against you.

I reckon I should,

being a right, proper Southerner
that I am.

I should be enraged.
Stealin' other men's property?

Ma'am, from what Sam tells me,

uh, you're the kind of
right, proper Southerner

that would be outraged

about makin' a man
be somebody's property.

[sighs] Sam...

I always knew
you'd marry someone

who'd speak her mind.

[chuckles] Yes, ma'am.

Then I reckon
you won't get offended

when we tell you
about our other surprise.

Sam?

C-Come on, Jeremiah.

Ain't no use hidin' nothing now.

Good heavens!

What else have you got
stashed in my barn?

That's it, I-I swear.

This here is Jeremiah Jessup.

Oh, I know. He's from
the Holstead estate.

I recognize him.
How'd he get here?

I got him the day
of the wedding.

He was actually hiding down
at the bottom of the buckboard

when we was driving over
to Mr. Hobbs' reception.

Well, no wonder that dog
was having such a fit!

That old dog about gave me
and Mr. Mercer away.

My goodness.

Do you suppose anyone
saw Jeremiah at the reception?

I-I don't think so. I mean,
I don't rightly know.

If they did,
that would explain...

Explain what?!

Sam! Sam, they comin'!

Slow down, Jim,
what are you talkin' about?

Mr. Hobbs and Jeb, they're
gonna get all the white folks.

They found Jeb's pistol
in the creek.

Says you threw it there
after killing Mr. Mercer.

They gonna lynch you, Sam.

No!

Thank you.

Hey, look, you best
be gettin' on back.

They ain't gonna take
too kindly to you being here.

Cut across the meadow, 'cause they
gonna be coming down the road.

We gots to get you and
Jeremiah outta here.

And you as well, Sam.

It's time you took that trip...

on the railroad.

I ain't do what they said.

I didn't ditch no gun.

I know you didn't.

And I think I have
a good idea who did,

but there's no time now.

Now you've all got to get going.

Now I will pick up some supplies

and meet you all down
at Caney's Bridge later.

Go on, Sam.

Now I won't take no...

Go on!

Thank you.

[Bess gasps]

[sighs]

- [men shouting]
- Hyah!

[man] Come on, boys!

[Jeb] Where's that
murderin' slave of yours?

What is this all about?

We found Jeb's pistol.

Just where your Sam threw it.

Now where is he?

Or has he already run off?

Well, I can assure you
that Sam has not run off.

But in your present state
of mind,

I'm loath to tell you
his whereabouts.

Now I'm gonna go and
find Sheriff Underwood.

You hold on there.
You ain't goin' nowhere, Sarah.

Time for protectin'
that man is done gone.

- You gonna tell us where he is.
- That's right.

So you can lynch him?

Now listen here, Sarah.

- You have to understand...
- [Jeb] Gentlemen!

He's down south
at Morgan's place.

- You give me that!
- Ah-ah-ah!

It says right here, "Monday.
Milk and cheese run."

No, you have no right.

That's where he is, isn't it?

Come on, Sarah. Out with it!

She's not gonna tell you,
Mr. Ashland!

But it's all over her face.

That's where her slave is.

Let's get him!

Hyah!

Hyah!

[clicks tongue]
Get on there, Ned.

Hyah!

[men yelling]

Hey, Morgan,
what you doing out here?

I just been huntin'.

Sarah McCullough's slave
been to see you today?

No, sir. I haven't seen him
for a couple of weeks.

She tricked us, gentlemen.

Well, I'm sure
he's on the run now.

It's getting dark soon.
He's gonna be hard to track.

Now let's go get the dogs. Then we'll go
back to her place and pick up the scent.

Hyah! Hyah!

- [dogs barking]
- [men shouting]

- What you hear, Sa...
- Shh.

- [dogs barking]
- [men shouting]

[Jeb] Keep goin'! Keep goin'!

Now who, Sam...

We gotta get to that bridge,
meet Miss Sarah.

No, they might've
followed her there.

We gonna split up.
You take Bess.

Travel east, work your way
down the embankment

to the ravine. Hide out
in the woods down there.

If everything checks out
all right over here,

I'll get the provisions
from Miss Sarah,

and I'll meet you
over there. Go on!

[Jeremiah] Come on. Come on.

[men clamoring]

- [dogs barking]
- Right over here!

Jeb, think up there?

Oh, sure. Get the dogs movin'.

[panting]

[men clamoring]

Check down there in them bushes.

[men clamoring]

[dogs barking]

Sam! Sam, are you there?

[gunshot]

[Sam] Oh! [Grunts]

Oh, Sam!

[gasps]

Sam! [Sobs] Oh, Samuel!

[grunts]

- We gotta make it to the woods.
- [grunts]

[gunshot]

[Jeremiah] Oh, my God!

Come on! Get on up here!
I got 'em!

Hold up. Hold up.
Come over there.

Easy. Easy.

- [Sam] Is it clean through?
- Yeah.

- Yeah. It went clean through.
- Jesus. Sweet Jesus!

[dogs barking]

[Ashland] Where is he?

- There's three of 'em.
- Three?!

Three, that's what I said,
Mr. Ashland. Three.

Another buck and a female.

They were in that thicket
right down yonder.

But I wing-picked
him pretty good.

- All right.
- That boy ain't gonna movin' too fast at all.

Y'all get them dogs
out on that foot trail.

Now hold on. Hold on. We can't go
down this embankment with the dogs.

Caney Bridge is just yonder.

We're gonna cross over there.
We'll pick up their trail,

and then we'll circle on back.

Let's go!

Y'all get out! Get out!

- Go around the other side!
- Come on!

- [dogs barking]
- Fast!

Oh, God in heaven.

What have they done?

Once he rests a spell,
I'll carry him.

[Bess] Yeah, come on, Sam.
We got to get going.

[Sam] I ain't goin' anywhere.

- Come on, Sam. You got to.
- Bess, no.

You go.

You and Jeremiah go.

I'll just slow you up,

and it'd be for no good anyhow.

No, I'm stayin' with you.

Listen to me, woman. Freedom...

Freedom is still there for you,

you and the little one.

[sobs]

Sam. Sam.

There's another Pinckney
comin', Miss Sarah.

It was gonna be my joy.

Oh.

[sighs]

But you got to go, Bess.

That's my only chance
at freedom,

you and that child.

[sobs]

[sniffles]

[gasps]

Jeremiah, promise me
you gonna take care of her.

I'll protect her
with my own life, I will.

All right.
Here's what you gonna do.

They're gonna be comin'
over that bridge up there.

Y'all gonna goin' down
this way a little bit.

There's a river.

Float downstream
as long as you can.

Make your way to Warrenton.

You gonna find that little house
that we talked about.

Mr. Levi Stillman,

that's the man's name.

He's a friend of Mr. Mercer's
on the Underground Railroad.

He's gonna help you
go on from there.

You understand?

Yeah.

- [Bess shushing]
- Bess, no.

This here is for you, Bess.

That's the only thing
in this world that I own,

that I hold dear.

Now, you give that to
the little one. You understand?

And you tell him...

You tell him

who's the man's name
on that watch.

[grunts] Now...

- go on.
- No.

[Sam] Go on, woman.

No! [Cries]

Go!

Jeremiah, get her.

[Bess crying]

Sorry, ma'am. I didn't mean
to bring you into all of this.

Oh, no. Don't, Sam.

I didn't mean
to tarnish your name.

And you know that's
what they're gonna do.

You're very decent, ma'am.

No, Sam. You are
the decent one in all of this.

I mean, you could've gone
up North on that train anytime,

and you chose to stay behind
and help the others to freedom.

Any association they want
to make between you and me,

I would consider it an honor.

You know, I looked up
at that star many times,

sent others on guided by it,

told 'em that was gonna be
their promise to a better life.

Some of them,
they've seen that life,

when all I got was the promise.

You know, when I said I don't
believe in believin' no more...

that ain't true.

Havin' that promise

and believin'
even when you can't see...

that do keep you.

That...

[gasps]

[sobs] Sam.

- [dogs barking]
- [men shouting]

[Sarah] Get back!

Here now! Told you I winged him.

Is he dead?

What you was hellbent on
from the beginning,

you've accomplished.

There's still two more
out there, gentlemen!

- Get on them!
- Go on, boys! Get 'em

while the dogs
still have a scent!

It's a shame
he brought it to this.

"He"? You are the ones with
innocent blood on your hands.

Now, Sarah, we gonna try
and find a way to look past

the fact that you helped
this man escape from the law.

Sent us on that wild-goose chase

down at Morgan Spencer's place.

Now that was your deduction,

and it proved as wrong
as your assumption

about this man's guilt,
didn't it?

Don't you be pointin'
an accusatory finger at us!

Robert Mercer's blood
is cryin' from the grave!

Don't even presume to know the
conscience of Robert Mercer.

Because I can assure you
that his motives

are far removed from your own!

Now this whole thing's
been a terrible tragedy, Sarah,

but it's over now.

Now we need to be
gettin' on back.

It's not over.

There's still
a few things missing,

and I think you know what
I'm talking about, Charles.

Now, Sarah, we're not
all gonna stand here

and listen to you
while you rant.

Have you found your riding crop?

Jeb, did it ever turn up when you
and Mary went out for your ride?

No, ma'am, but what's
that got to do with all this?

Of course you never located it,

because it wasn't in your tack room
like you said, was it, Charles?

Sarah, we've all been through
a lot here tonight.

It wasn't there, because I
went back, and I found it.

Right there in Robert Mercer's
harness shop

where you left it
the night you murdered him.

Why, that's outrageous!

Is it? No one saw it
the next day.

Blended right in, it being
a leather shop and all.

And suddenly I remembered
noticing it

when I was over there.

Probably triggered
your memory as well.

But when you went back
to find it,

I had already been there
to get it myself.

Now, was it at that point
you concocted the story

about Pinckney throwing
the pistol in this creek?

You knew exactly
where in the creek it was,

because you threw it there

the night
of your daughter's wedding,

the night that your suspicions
were confirmed

that your new son-in-law,
Robert Mercer,

was running slaves
on the Underground Railroad.

You saw Sam here
helping him, too,

and you didn't know
what to do with yourself.

You couldn't fathom
your own daughter

being married to Robert,

a man who "never knew
how to handle a slave."

So you came up with a plan.

You'd murder Robert.

Wh-What are you doing here?

[gunshots]

You'd take the button
that popped off Sam's vest

and plant it right there
at the scene of the crime.

Then you could get Sam as well.

Oh, it was a good plan.

Get rid of both of the men
in one stroke.

The only crime being

setting the slaves
and the county free.

You couldn't bear having this
be your grandchildren's legacy.

[laughs] That's...
That's quite a story, Sarah.

It's true, isn't it?

Yes. Yes, it is.

And you're right
about one thing, Sarah.

It needed to be done.

The Hobbs' name
will never be sullied.

Gentlemen...

I don't think any of this
needs to be revealed.

Y'all know what I'm
talking about.

If the slaves
ever get wind of this,

you think they're
gonna sit still?

With a war brewin'?

They're gonna be like thirsty cattle
that smell water and stampede.

There'll be no stopping 'em.

That what you want?

How about you, Cornelius?
That what you want?

No. I see.

But I know exactly
what you do want.

That land of Mercer's,

that's legally
Mary's property now.

I'm sure she can be induced
to sell it to you.

And you, Jeb,

I know what you
want as well, Mary herself.

You and I both know she never
has really gotten over you.

I'm sure those affections
can be rekindled

with her Daddy's blessing.

She will know the truth.

[scoffs] From you?

Oh, you can conjure up
your version of it,

but Mary's already convinced
it was Sam that did it,

and I don't think
she's gonna cotton

to the idea that her husband
was helping runaway slaves.

You can't hide this
from everyone.

[scoffs] People are gonna hear
what they gonna hear,

and I'm sure
Cornelius here will print

the proper interpretation
of the facts in his newspaper.

Am I right, Cornelius?

I think we all agree
what happened.

So...

You can squawk
all you want, Miss Sarah.

But it'll only confirm
what everybody in this county

already suspects about you,

that you're partial
to the slaves...

and your attitudes only serve
to undermine our way of life.

You're right.

People can think
what they want about me,

but the blood of Robert Mercer
and now Samuel Pinckney

cries for justice,

and that voice will be heard.

Gentlemen...

follow me.

[Hawkins] "Therefore, I shall
exert all means at my disposal

to exonerate Samuel and Robert

despite the insidious
machinations of the people

I have called neighbor."

She said nothing more?

[Hawkins] Uh, no, she...

she mentions
the beginning of the war and...

Well, now, she does say that she
was confronted by a neighbor

to stop rumors
about Mercer's murder.

She obviously
tried to make it right.

Yeah.

And then she went off to...
to help on the front lines.

Her last entry was
August 6th, 1861.

She mentions her illness there.

That's about three weeks after
the First Battle of Manassas.

But this still doesn't tell us
anything about Jeremiah and Bess.

Oh, on the contrary,
I think it tells us everything.

They got the watch,

and the watch wound up
in Pennsylvania,

and I think we can assume
that they made it to freedom.

And once they got there,

Jeremiah Jessup probably wanted
to change his identity.

But certainly Bess didn't
want to change hername.

She wanted that little baby
to have her daddy's name.

Jeremiah Jessup assumed
Samuel Pinckney's name,

his date of birth,
his complete identity.

And that's why
there are two graves

with the same name on them.

And historical record
confirms that

Mary Hobbs sold the land to Cornelius
Ashland and then married Jeb Bucknell.

Well, Mary and Bucknell
weren't involved in the murder,

but it sounds like
they deserved each other.

[chuckles] Ashland wasn't involved
either, but he got what he wanted.

Hobbs' plan worked.

History was altered.

Not if I have anything
to do with it.

- Quite a legacy Samuel left, didn't he?
- Oh, yes.

[Jessica] Without his ordeal,

I never would have come to know
so much about my own roots.

I'll say. All that spunk
and determination

has to be passed down
through the genes.

[sighs] Samuel...

Bess made it on to Pennsylvania.

Yes, she did.

And that child of yours
was born,

a little girl.

And she grew up and had a son,

who had a son,

who had a daughter,

who had a son...

who had me.

I know why Sam
sent that watch on.

He wanted it to keep time

until he got his own justice.

It doesn't have
to mark time anymore.

Samuel Pinckney...

you're finally free.