After touring the grounds for a bit, I learned that appearances are deceiving – the house just seems to go on and on once you get in- side. We met Beth Harris who is Education Cu-
rator of Rosedale for a guided tour. Built in 1815 by Archibald Frew, it became known by locals as “Frew’s Folly” although no one knows why. Known for its faux woodgrain and the original French wallpaper that has been pre- served, Rosedale is a prime exam- ple of Federal period style architecture. With original furnishings still in place, it is not hard to imagine life in the house of Mr. Frew - who served as a tax collec- tor, merchant and post mas- ter during his years here - and his sister Sarah. With 4,600 square feet and the latest style in home con- struction and décor, it was considered a showplace in its time. Archibald’s sister, Sarah, married Thomas
owned several slaves who were skilled black- smiths and these added to the income of the plantation. Later on, he also began taking in boarding students from a school located on the grounds of a nearby church. Graffiti from these students still adorns the walls of one of the bedrooms. In touring the house, the first level, en-
tered from the front porch, is as one might expect. A large living room with smaller rooms on either side. However, with one room opening into an- other and stair- cases leading to upper levels, this house quickly be- came much larger in my eyes. There are rooms under the eaves – what we would call “bonus rooms” in the 21st century - but were so tiny and the doors so
Piano in the parlor at Rosedale Plantation
small that only a very small person
Davidson and after he passed, she married his nephew William. Sarah took the bold move of having her second husband, William, who was six years younger than her, sign an agree- ment waiving his rights under NC law to her property. In 1833 the plantation was sold to Dr.
David Caldwell. He was able to supplement the income from the plantation with his fees as a physician, owning stock in a gold mine and hiring out his skilled slaves. Dr. Caldwell
or child would be able to use the area. One of these was designated for the use of the gov- erness for the children of the household. With period and original furniture in each room, it is truly a remarkable example of life in the early to mid 1800’s. We were allowed to tour the unrestored and partially unfinished attic and we thought the tour would end there. However, we were taken back outside and al- lowed to step into the basement kitchen. The floors of this large room were lined with handmade bricks recovered from a collapsed chimney. As I looked down, there they were. More fingerprints, possibly from slave labor. Here I was, following a trail of fingerprints, from the bricks in the original slave cabin at
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