Original subtitles

Something goes through here.

You can't even get up far.

Samuel Pinckney was accused of killing a white plantation owner.

Some of what you've been taught about the American South before the Civil War

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

McCullough.

Unfortunately, we may never know the whole story regarding Samuel Pinckney,

this is both a sad fact of history and for me...

personal tragedy because Samuel Pinckney was my distant grandfather.

I do wish we had a complete picture so that Samuel Pinckney would finally be

free.

Thank you.

Hawkins. Yes.

Jessica Fletcher.

Oh, the writer?

Yes. 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 McCulloch, the woman you say owns Samuel Pinckney,

was a very distant aunt of mine.

Really? Well, I'd always heard about that side of my family who came over

Ireland and settled in Virginia 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.

Well, consider yourself connected.

I have to say, though, it's a little disconcerting to learn that my distant

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 I need to apologize.

The only responsibility you have, we all have.

And that's for the living.

I couldn't agree more.

How are you so sure that Samuel was owned by Sarah McCullough?

This.

Read the inscription.

to Samuel Pinckney from S.

McCullough? My cousin gave this to me several months ago, and it prompted me

look further into things.

Maybe you have some information that could help me fill in some of the

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

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 second grave?

Miss Fletcher, Samuel Pinckney is buried in two places.

Samuel Pinckney, born August 4, 1832, died June 25, 1860. Yes, those

are the dates on this marker.

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

Samuel Pinckney, born August 4, 1832, Culpeper, Virginia, died November 6,

1894. This is the same man?

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 the 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.

Exactly. And there's some other facts that I found at the local historical

society that don't line up either.

I'd be very interested to see those.

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

wanted to murder him.

Looks like a very decent sort of person.

One of our more noteworthy Virginia sons.

Lost before his time of murder, on his wedding night.

I'm Stanford Thornton. I'm a long -time student of the South and war between

states. I assume you were discussing the Pinkney case?

Yes. Do you know something about it?

I know it was a tragedy.

The articles say he was going to receive a fair trial.

It's 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.

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.

Oh, we all agree.

Slavery was wrong.

But I find that people are sometimes, shall I say, over -eager to paint every

Southerner with the brush of racial bigotry.

Our finer southern institutions are often misrepresented. I'm touching on

very topic in my lecture across the way in the park.

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.

Oh, I see.

Our trust is known.

agenda in your pursuit.

Agenda? I believe that personal pilgrimages can sometimes lead people to

historical events what they want them to be rather than what they are.

I agree.

If you ladies will excuse me.

Oh, dear. I must get to my lecture.

If anyone ever had an agenda... That man's agenda is more obvious than a... A

politician trying to get votes. You know him?

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 McCulloch estate.

Do you have some documents for my Aunt Sarah? Oh, yes. Some were preserved.

Most unfortunately, we lost.

She didn't have any children, so there was nobody left to maintain her legacy.

These are her letters.

I see.

1846.

1852. I think you're going to 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

after the Mercer wedding.

Simply regal coming down that aisle.

Tell me who made your dress.

I had it sent from Atlanta.

Oh, I believe you're spoiling this daughter of yours, Mr.

Hart. Oh, well, nothing's too good for my Mary.

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

Culpepper's most beautiful young lady has stolen the heart of its most

bachelor.

I know they're going to make a beautiful home up there on that big old spread of

his.

The princess has finally got her kingdom.

Miss Ashland, gentlemen.

My lady, 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. Well, Mrs. Mercer.

unlock 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.

Yes, we are the spoils of war.

Mary, would you just look at you.

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

My goodness me.

This is so exciting.

Miss Sarah. Charles, I brought the extra silverware. Where shall we put it?

Just have Sam drive it around back to the kitchen.

Jim and Marybelle are there. They'll attend to it. Charles, I'm sorry I

get these to you yesterday, but we've been quite busy with plans for the

and all, and I guess that Sam just plumb forgot.

They're just like children, aren't they?

Always forgetting everything.

Except what time supper is.

Well,

I see he didn't forget the 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.

Spend my own money.

Your own money? Is that a fact?

Yes, sir.

Miss McCullough!

You're not paying the slave wages, are you?

He earns it.

It's not much, but it's an incentive to do good work.

You do yourself one better, ma 'am, if you get a hold of a good overseer.

His riff gives Sam plenty of incentive to do a good job, ain't that right, Sam?

Go on, 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 now.

Now, you see what you made me go and do?

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

That was uncalled for.

What's uncalled for, Miss McCullough, is you paying the slave wages.

Here now.

Why don't you all just make your way right on into the house? I know Mary

got some treats and spice punch for everybody.

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

Jed!

Sam?

I've seen you before.

Yes, sir, Mr. Hobbs. I will thank you to consider that today is Mary's wedding

day. Just leave it alone.

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

Sarah, my profound apologies.

Thank you, Charles.

It's a good thing that someone still recognizes a violation of human dignity.

I am sorry,

Sam. That's all right, Miss Sarah.

I'd best be getting this china round to the kitchen.

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

Yes, this is a very happy day.

Thank you.

Well, quite a party, Robert.

It's awful generous of Mr. Hoff to put on such an affair. Well, he does indulge

that girl.

But now... 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 to you... I'll

be the first to know. Yes, sir. Yes.

Well, I don't understand this. Why you don't put some crops in there, tobacco?

Keeping a grassland can't be the most profitable.

Oh, that's... 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 Loudoun County. He's about to sell some real good field

hands. Why, with the workday at offer, you could recoup your investment rather

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

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

So you just get yourself a few.

You don't have to work the poor creatures to death. I mean, you'll be

a favor.

You'll provide them a home and meals.

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

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

If you'll excuse me, Miss Adler. Pleasure, sir.

Ma 'am.

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

You get back to me. Powder flask and bullet mold.

And best of all, gentlemen, you can fire six shots before having to be known.

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

I'll show them just how hot old Dixieland 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

uphold our rights here in the South. So I'm afraid, sir, we are just going to

have to assert ourselves 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 staff. Mr. Ashley, you are preaching to

the choir here with that rag, sir.

Well, everybody in this room knows exactly what our priorities are, don't

gentlemen? We start a war with the Yankees, and for every gun of ours,

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, while I even hear

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 bad.

Mr. Hobson!

Yes, sir.

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

Not at all.

Sarah!

Everything all right, Charles?

Fine, fine.

We just ran out of ice. I just want to make sure y 'all are comfortable. Well,

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 ice house 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're fixing 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. Yes, sir.

Robert, everything all right?

Sam? Oh, yes, ma 'am. The wagon was sounding 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 run out of ice.

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

Oh, yes, ma 'am. Sam, why don't you fetch them over at my place? It's

Sure enough, Mr. Mercer.

Here.

You'll need these.

Thank you.

Don't be too long, Sam.

I appreciate your trust in Sam.

How's that?

With your keys.

Most people around these parts wouldn't do that.

Who's not going to trust Sam?

Mary, there you are. I believe you want me to cut the cake.

Well, yes, of course.

Everybody wants to see their lovely bride.

So pure and altogether innocent.

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

bliss.

Go on and say it. Say what?

Call me by my name.

Mary.

No, silly.

Mrs. Robert Mercer.

It's just the beating of my heart.

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.

I think something's down at the honor shop.

Can you see anything?

No, I can't.

I'll be right back.

I'm not going anywhere.

What are you doing here?

Robert.

Robert.

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

this to justice.

Mary, you said you saw a man on horseback.

Yes. What did he look like?

I didn't see his face.

Was it a slave?

I don't know.

I don't know.

Cornelia's jab.

Please.

He didn't do such a thing.

I don't know.

I can't even imagine.

Charles.

What do you got there, Mr. Ashton?

It's a button. A brass button.

Let me see that.

That's a slave's button.

Are you sure?

Positive. Saw the same button on that best of his.

member board.

We don't want to scare this slave off. Or alert Miss Taylor.

Y 'all take it slow and easy until we get to the bar.

Come on out, Sam.

We know you're in there.

There's a lot under the bar, gentlemen. I think he's home.

It's ever due to you to deserve what you've done to him, boy. I ain't done

nothing. You lie to me.

Hold on. Pull tight.

What in the world is going on?

Stand up, Mrs. 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.

Oh, for Sam's fancy vest he's wearing.

Mr. Bucknell tore that button off. Shut up.

Well, he's right. Anybody could have picked it up.

They never did find that button.

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

Lookie here, what do we got?

Look what he stole.

Not only is he a lying murderer, he's also a thief.

That's his watch.

Mr. Sam, don't pick me.

From S. McCullough.

He didn't steal it. I gave it to him. What are you doing, Sarah? Pandering to

your slave?

He does deliveries for me.

I want him to be on time. It's just good business.

Now, you all listen to me. I'm as distraught as everyone else about what

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

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.

Oh, we're going to get the sheriff over here. You can't protect him.

You better stay put, nigger.

Because if you run, I swear to God I will personally hunt you down and shoot

like a dog.

Take care of that poor face.

I didn't kill Mr.

Moss. I believe you.

But what on earth were you doing in this barn at this hour of night?

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

up with them.

But I ain't telling you where I was.

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

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

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

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

One of her relatives passed on a few years ago. They auctioned off her

A woman over in Spotsylvania County bought the items, but I don't believe

were of any historical value.

I don't suppose you could remember the name of the woman who bought them?

Miss Laura Lee Custer.

She lives over in Fredericksburg.

Oh, my.

He finally got his audience.

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.

Meet these challenges head on for the sake of future generations.

That is why, my friends, it is so important to preserve the culture. We

preserve the past.

Thank you.

Ah, Mr. Thornton. Ah, ladies.

I am sorry you missed my speech. I addressed some of the issues we

earlier in more detail.

And 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 McCulloch's ledger? You did read it, of course.

I read the ledger, yes. I don't recall mentioning the journal.

Yes, but if there was one and it turned up, you'd want to know about it.

Well, most assuredly.

Lieutenant, Colonel Thornton. Private Webber reporting for duty, sir.

Sir.

Private Webber 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 Pinkney case.

They're not part of the Northern Aggression, are they? I hope they don't

change history.

Don't tell Billy.

He doesn't know the war's over.

It's just that I find it...

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.

but 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

as well.

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

Well, I'm just so sorry. I would have sworn I kept that stuff up here

You did check those three boxes. There's Cunnington on this one here. Yes, I've

already looked there. There's just old China and Crystal mostly.

Wait a minute.

What's this?

Jessica?

Just as I suspected.

1972.

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

You know, when I packed China in glass, I always put a wad of paper between the

pieces so they don't get broken.

Just like these.

There's dozens of them in here.

1868. 1866.

Wait, look, look, here's one.

June 22nd, 1860.

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

It's from Sarah.

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

what I might find.

I noticed several peculiar things about the harness shop where Robert was

killed.

Packages arrived and were sent on safely.

Leave us to it.

We figured Sam was laying for him.

Rob would come through that door and bang.

I found this in the wall.

Well, Mary said she heard two shots. This one must have 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 have found one somewhere else. While Jeb Bucknell was showing us

his Colt Walker pistol at the reception, It can fire six shots.

And does it take bullets at a conical like this?

Is that why you come up here just to stir up some implausible scenario?

No. Just trying to find the truth.

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 going to arrest him, at least not until I get all the evidence in.

But you're going to have to promise me you'll keep a close eye on him.

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

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 hornet shop.

That looks like lead from a cold revolver. I understand that Jeff

one of those.

Is that a fact?

Yeah, I was shown it off at the reception.

Well, I'll be going out there this afternoon. I think I'll just have a

talk with him about it. Well, I'd be very interested to hear what he has to

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. Oh, he might be an advocate, Sam.

Yes, sir.

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.

Believe.

I 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're going to ruffle some feathers. You're going to experience some pain

those who don't want the truth.

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

don't get yourself all in an uproar, Jeb. We just want to take a look at it.

Well, it could be Jeb's gun, Sheriff. I got that right here in my gun cap.

And every man who attended the reception knew it.

Uh -huh. You see?

There it is.

Right there.

The way I left it.

Charles?

Now, we also, Mr. Howes, 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

Miss Sarah found.

That's Slavios.

That's what happened. He coming in, 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 in my daughter's reception stole that weapon

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

killing Robert?

And somebody here did?

Well, you tell me.

Daddy, what's going on?

It's nothing, sweetheart. You go on.

Jab, 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, Mary. I had nothing to do with this.

You sure enough wanted him dead.

Now, Mary, you heard that kind of talk.

Mary, I was asleep in this house when Robert Mercer was killed.

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

Now, Mary, you got to believe me. I am telling you the truth on this. Could you

hate him that much?

Well, the fact that Thugnell's pistol was used still doesn't eliminate Sam as

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 going to have to

arrest him.

Good day, Miss Sarah.

Good day, Sheriff.

Mary, would you please listen to me? I will not discuss this further, Jeff. I

will hear no more of your feeble explanations.

As you wish, Mary.

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

It's all so disturbing. So very disturbing.

Kill me.

That day at the reception when I found you two. I did love Jim.

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 that it wasn't true?

Absolutely none.

Miss Sarah, I... I loved Robert.

Will you excuse me?

So you didn't go into the house during the reception at all?

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

Miss, sir, I was just out back listening to the good time that you always have.

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

Maribel, Jim, you.

You saw me with Mr. Musser.

He ain't here to tell now, is he? In fact, they're probably going to use that

against me. And we wasn't doing nothing but looking 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.

We always have hope, Sam. I mean, they can't take that away from us.

Hope.

You tell me what that word means.

Well, I don't pretend to fully understand it, but I certainly do know

can't live without it.

Sometimes it's awful hard living with it.

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

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

next. Like that Levi Stillman, the fellow that Mercer was sending the

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.

It's as if Samuel is crying out to you, but there's nothing you can do about it.

Exactly, and that's what this whole process has been like.

And the more I learn about him, 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 sense that a wrong has been committed, and

there's nothing we can do about it.

I've done some searching into my own past.

What I've learned is these discoveries, even what I'm finding out now about

Sarah, they show us more about those people and what they endured.

But more importantly, they do reaffirm who we are.

Perhaps.

But it doesn't hurt any less.

I don't think I should continue.

Oh, but Cassandra, you can.

Quit now. You might have a chance to finally clear his name.

Wouldn't you just love to give him that gift to right that wrong?

Maybe this family registry

would help.

Here's a Levi Stillman.

Lived in Warrington. 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'll be happy to look and see if I know any of

names.

Oh, well, I'll be.

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

Who? Well, Liza Hoops. Oh, she's quite a character.

Well, 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 Warrington. Her family's had a home up there for 200

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

Oh, hello.

You say you're from England?

No, ma 'am.

New England.

Oh.

Did you bring lobster?

Not this trip. Just as well.

I don't like eating anything that can pinch harder than I can.

You wanted to know about my grandfather?

Actually, it would be your great -grandfather.

Levi.

You knew him?

Is he here?

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?

I had a cat named Mercer once.

I don't think she's going to know anything about telegrams and packages

north.

Great Grandpa sent packages all the time.

Great Grandpa Levi sent packages?

Yes, on the train.

The train?

Yes. Came right through here, it did.

No. It must have been a depot nearby.

Not nearby.

Right through here.

We rode it all the time.

And it had a magic compartment.

Magic compartments. Yes.

My cousins and I rode it all the time.

Came right through this room.

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

No, no, no.

All aboard.

Ride in the magic compartment.

All aboard.

You want to ride?

Grandpa said lots of folks did.

Lots of black folks.

It's not a real train.

It's the Underground Railroad. Yep, all the way to Philadelphia.

The packages Robert was sending to the North were runaway slaves.

Ladies, ladies, I appreciate all these theories you 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

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

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 will excuse me, I have a real piece of history to recreate.

Excuse me?

What have you done to my car?

Those are your words, Mr. Thornton. And 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

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

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

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.

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?

What do you mean it's not here? This is where she lived. Yes, but it's not where

she died.

Look, she died in a field hospital in Manassas. The men in uniform triggered

So? Well, she would have taken the journal with her, right?

Having no living relatives here, her possessions would be with her in the

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

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...

In field hospitals, there were infirmaries where people were

felt ill after the battle.

In Manassas?

In Manassas, I believe, there was a church.

This is your home.

That's a good sign.

There might be some papers.

No, that's it. No papers.

You're not going to believe this.

Look what I found.

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

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, sir.

A slave can never truly be a friend to a wife.

Oh, they'll pretend to be your friend.

No, no, they'll turn on you.

Is that what you heard the day of the reception out back at your bar?

Well, Pinkney had worked himself into a ditto.

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 entrusted him to get eyes from his

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

Look, Robert never did know how to handle the slaves, and you can see how

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 horny 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.

Oh, you and Jeff?

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

Well, honey, I know Jeff'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.

Why, you're interested in freeing your slave, aren't you?

So you're not convinced that it was Sam?

I saw Sam that night.

I saw him flee in Robert's workshop. I'm quite tired of all the talk to the

country.

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 will 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 yourself.

Thank you, Mr. Hobbs.

There, there now.

is, I don't mean no harm.

Well, what is this all about?

Miss, wait. Sam.

Miss, this is all my doing. Don't let her scare you. I'm wrong here.

That's a false bottom, ma 'am.

I made it.

It's for hiding slaves, ma 'am.

Runaway slaves.

You, Sam?

Yes, ma 'am.

When I'm out delivering eggs, I pick them up.

And where do you take them?

Now, you come out with this, Sam.

Also, help me out. I took him 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

trouble. Well, it's my trouble now.

Well, Mr. Mercer, he sent him on north, on the railroad.

He sent him to freedom.

And this woman here?

This here, Bess.

She my wife.

Your wife?

She's from Mr. Latrobe's place.

We got married in secret last fall.

Well, y 'all could have told me.

We was afraid to tell anybody, ma 'am.

Mr. Latrobe, he a hard man. He might have sold Beth, sent her way on down

I never would have seen her again.

I'm sorry, ma 'am.

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

with... Best the night Mr. Mercer got killed. Had gone over to see her.

Well, there's your alibi.

Best here can vouch for your whereabouts that evening. No, no, ma 'am. Ain't

nobody gonna believe that.

They don't know we's mad.

They just gonna think we made all that up, then they gonna send us away for

sure. Now, that's why I brought her here.

I need to get her on up north.

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

Please.

Daddy, what's wrong?

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.

Hit me.

I shall kill him, Mr. Hobbs.

I will shoot that murderer where he stands. Now, you hold on, Jim.

Don't you go running off by yourself.

He might be too dangerous for one man to handle. You let me go get Ashland and

the others.

Yes, sir.

Larry, you get the house locked up. Jim, stand on my horse. Stand aside, Jim.

Miss Sir, I didn't tell you because I wanted to protect you. I wanted to be me

that took the risk, not you.

Whether you told me or not, it doesn't change what you did.

Yes, ma 'am, I know, but you've got to see... 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, stealing other men's property.

Ma 'am, from what Sam tells me...

You're the kind of right proper southerner that would be outraged about

man be somebody's property.

Sam, I always knew you'd marry someone who'd speak her mind.

Yes, ma 'am.

Then I reckon you won't get offended when we tell you about our other

Sam?

Come on, Jeremiah.

There ain't no use hiding nothing now.

Good heavens.

What else have you got stashed in my barn?

That's it, I swear.

This here is Jeremiah Justin.

Oh, I know. He's from the Halstead estate. I recognize him. How'd he get

I got him the day of the wedding. He was actually hiding down at the bottom of

the buckboard while we was driving over to Mr. Hobb's 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 don't think so. I mean, I don't rightly know.

If they did, that would explain... Explain what?

Sam.

Sam, they're coming.

Slow down, Jim. What are you talking about? Mr. Hobbs and Jeb, they're going

get all the white folks.

They found Jeff's pistol in the creek. Says you threw it in there after killing

Mr. Mercer.

They're going to lynch you, Sam.

No.

Thank you.

Look, you best be getting on back. They ain't going to take too kindly to you

being here. Cut across the middle because they're going to be coming down

road.

We got to get you and Jeremiah out of here.

And you as well, Sam.

It's Tom you took that trip.

On the railroad.

I didn'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

Go on, Sam.

Now, I won't take no.

Go on.

We found Jeff's pistol. Just where your Sam threw it.

Now, where is he?

Where's the other one off?

Well, I can assure you that Sam has not run off. But in your present state of

mind, I'm lost to tell you his whereabouts.

Now, I'm going to go and find Sheriff Underwood. You hold on there. You ain't

going nowhere, Sheriff.

Time for protecting that man is done gone. You're going to tell us where he

So you can lynch him?

Now, listen here, Sarah.

You have to understand.

Gentlemen!

He's down south at Morgan's place.

You give me that.

It says right here, Monday.

Milk and cheese run.

You have no right.

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

Come on, Sarah. Out with it.

She's not going to tell you, Mr. Ashton.

But it's all over her face.

That's where a slave is.

Let's get it.

Get on that, Ned.

Hey,

Morgan.

What you doing out here?

I've just been hunting.

Said we'll call a slave in 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. It's going to be hard to track.

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

scent. Yeah! Yeah!

We got to get to that branch, meet Miss Sarah.

No, they might have followed her there.

We're going to split up. You take best.

Travel east, work your way down that embankment to the ravine. Hide out in

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. Come on. Come on.

Another buck and a female. They wouldn't have picked it right down yonder. But

our wing picked it pretty good. That boy ain't gonna move too fast at all.

Y 'all get them dogs out of that blood trail. Now, hold on, hold on. We can't

down this embankment with the dogs.

Caney Bridge, it's just yonder.

We're gonna cross over there, we'll pick up that trail, and then we'll circle on

back. Let's go!

Y 'all get out, get out!

Oh, God in heaven.

What have they done?

Once you rest a spell,

Yeah, come on, Sam. We got to get going.

I ain't going anywhere.

Come on, Sam. You got to. No.

You go.

You and Jeremiah go.

I just slow you up and be for no good anyhow.

No, I'm staying with you.

Listen to me, woman.

There's another picnic coming, sir.

It's going to be my joy.

Jeremiah, promise me you're going to take care of her.

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

All right.

Here's what you're going to do.

They're going to be coming over that bridge up there.

You're all going down this way a little bit.

There's a river.

Float downstream as long as you can.

Make your way to Warren's.

You're going to 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 going to help you on from there.

You understand?

Yeah.

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.

Come on, get her.

Sorry,

ma 'am.

I didn't mean to bring you into all this.

Oh, no. Don't, Sam.

I didn't mean to tarnish your name.

And you know that's what they're going to do.

You're very decent, ma 'am.

No, Sam.

You're the decent one.

I mean, you could have gone up north on that train any time.

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

honor.

You know, I looked up at that storm many times.

Sent others home guided by it.

Told them that was... It's going to be the 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 believing no more.

Why, you was hell -bent on from the beginning.

You've accomplished.

There's still two more out there, gentlemen. Get on. Go on, boys. Get them

the dogs still have a scent.

It's a shame he brought her to this.

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

Now, Sarah, we're going to try and find a way to look past the fact that you

helped this man escape from the law.

Send those wild goose sheds down into Morgan Spence's place.

Now, that was your deduction.

And it proved as wrong as your assumption about this man's guilt,

Don't you be pointing an accusatory finger at us. Robert Mercer's blood is

crying from the grave.

Don't even presume to know the conscience of Robin Mercer. Because I

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 getting 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 going to 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.

If 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'd been a leather shop and

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 Pinkney 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,

Mercer, was running slaves on the Underground Railroad.

You saw Sam here helping him, too, when 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.

What are you doing here?

You take the button that popped off Sam's vest and... Planned it right there

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.

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 Hobbes' name would 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 going to sit still?

With a war brewage, they're going to be like thirsty cattle that smell water and

stampede.

There'll be no stopping them.

Is that what you want?

How about you, Cornelius? Is 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 could be induced to sell it to you.

And you, Jim, 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.

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

going to cotton to the idea that her husband was helping runaway slaves.

You can't hide this from everyone.

People are going to hear what they're going to hear.

And I'm sure Cornelius here will print the proper interpretation of the facts

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 expects 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.

Therefore, I shall exert all means at my disposal to exonerate Samuel and

Robert, despite the insidious machinations of the people I have called

She said nothing more?

No, she mentions the beginning of the war.

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.

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

Her last entry was August 6, 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 Beth.

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 her name.

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

Jeremiah Jessup assumed Samuel Pinckney's name.

His date of birth is his complete identity.

And that's why there are two graves.

With the same name on them.

And the 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.

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, that, isn't it? Oh, yes.

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

genes.

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.