In 2011 the first book in a four-book series, “Savannah Immortal City,” was released in conjunction with the 150th anniversary of the Civil War. We reviewed the book authored by Barry Sheehy in this column. Photography was done by co-author Cindy Wallace.
The second book of the series was released in 2012. The book, “Bankers, Brokers, and Bay Lane – Inside the Slave Trade,” is available for sale in the Effingham Museum Gift Shop and other places. Vaughnette Goode-Walker, co-author, will be the guest speaker at the Historic Effingham Society banquet on Feb. 2 at the New Ebenezer Retreat Center. The books are featured on the Web site civilwarsavannah.org. She will be available to sign your copy and books will be available for purchase at the banquet.
The combination of cultural grandeur, legendary mystique and historical prominence assigned to Savannah has been referred to as a “moss curtain.” This metaphor is a comprehensive one illustrated by the sight of the Spanish moss swaying in the breeze in the beautiful trees that adorn the city. The word “curtain” indicates something hidden and waiting to be revealed.
This book confronts the issue of slavery as one of the core political, moral and economic factors that gave rise to the Civil War. Slavery was part of everyday life in Savannah and other cities before the war.
Although the practice was outlawed in Georgia, the book explains how the port of Savannah came to be the main port of entry for slaves imported from Africa and the Caribbean. Once the city achieved the dubious distinction, most of its citizens were reluctant to relinquish it in the face of war or anything else.
This book approaches the subject of slavery that many authors skirt around. The subject of how and why human beings allowed themselves to be seduced by beliefs and practices throughout history that we condemn as heinous is recorded in the pages of this book. It presents with journalistic detachment how bankers underwrote expenses for individuals to spend thousands of dollars for the purchase of slaves; how buyers and sellers navigated around the law to avoid such legalities as municipal slaves taxes; and how these same individuals paid to punish rebellious individuals.
The nature of slavery in the past — just like human trafficking in modern times — is something, according to the authors, that cannot be disputed. Yet the irony behind this landmark look through the moss curtain presented in the series may very well be that, ultimately, it reveals the groundwork for what is now one of the most multiculturally vibrant cities in the U.S.
The descendants of slaves produced Savannah’s first two black mayors of the 21st century and the culture that defined their ancestors constitutes a major defining aspect of the city’s unique character, according to the authors. “Brokers, Bankers and Bay Lane” is a testimony to how far those descendants have come as it is an unprecedented portrait of the soul of Savannah and America’s past.
The authors of “Brokers, Bankers and Bay Lane” are recent recipients of the 2012 Award for Excellence in Research from the Georgia Historical Records Advisory Board. The award was issued to the authors by Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp in October 2012.
Our guest speaker to be, Vaughnette Goode-Walker, had a 25-year career as a network and cable television news writer. She now works in historic preservation and serves on the Historic Savannah Foundation Board, the friends of Massie Heritage Centre, and the Chatham County Historic Preservation Commission.
Her discipline in the rigorous research policies demanded within the broadcast news industry are reflected in her numerous research projects with a deeply personal focus on urban slavery.
A graduate of St. Vincent’s Academy in Savannah, Goode-Walker taught history there from 1997-2002. With her intimate knowledge of Savannah, she opened unknown doors and donated hundreds of hours of careful guidance that helped ensure the factual accuracy of this unprecedented four volume historical series, “Civil War Savannah.”
Historic Effingham is selling tickets for its Feb. 2 banquet at Effingham Museum on Monday through Friday 9 a.m.-1 p.m. for $20 each. The banquet is advanced tickets only to be purchased no later than 12 noon on Jan. 28.
Join us at New Ebenezer Retreat Center in the Great Hall on Feb. 2 at 5:30 p.m. For more information or to acquire tickets, please contact Effingham Museum at 754-2170 or 826-4705.
This was compiled by Susan Exley of Historic Effingham Society from information and photos provided by publicists for the authors at civilwarsavannah.org. If you have photos, comments or information to share, contact Susan Exley at 754-6681 or email her at: susanexley@historiceffinghamsociety.org.
