Air Force Veteran Discovers Plantation Ties to Family Heritage

Fred Miller, an Air Force veteran, purchased a house in southern Virginia not far from his childhood home. His intention was to have a spacious place for family gatherings. Surprisingly, he stumbled upon history related to his family’s past. The property, known as Sharswood, was built in the 1850s by slave-owning individuals who shared Miller’s last name. Initially unaware of this history, Miller later discovered significant connections to his ancestors.

In a 2022 interview with 60 Minutes, Miller expressed his lack of knowledge about the plantation. ‘If I had known there was a ‘Miller Plantation,’ I maybe could have… put a connection with the last name Miller and that plantation,’ he shared. His sister, Karen Dixon-Rexroth, played a pivotal role in convincing him to buy the property. Dixon-Rexroth, along with cousins Dexter Miller and Sonya Womack-Miranda, undertook extensive research into Sharswood’s past.

Dixon-Rexroth explained her motivation: ‘Something drew me to knowing the history of this place. I knew it was an old place from the 1800s, so I started from there, as far as looking at the previous owners, and also any records that were available online.’ The Millers eventually partnered with Karice Luck-Brimmer, a local historian and genealogist, to uncover vital documents proving their ancestors were enslaved at Sharswood. Fred Miller reflected on seeing the basement stairs, worn from the heavy traffic of enslaved individuals, and realized their significance.

The 60 Minutes team, during their visit to Sharswood, witnessed an important conversation between Dexter Miller and Bill Thompson. Thompson’s family owned the property for over a century after purchasing it in 1917. Miller was curious to know the location of the slave cemetery, and Thompson revealed its proximity to the property’s boundary, pointing out a cluster of trees. Lesley Stahl accompanied Fred and Karen Miller to this site during her visit, marking the first time they saw the supposed burial site of their ancestors.

Fred Miller found the discovery emotional, stating, ‘It was heart-wrenching, I’ll tell you that,’ regarding the cemetery. This revelation prompted him to initiate a non-profit foundation dedicated to preserving Sharswood’s slave quarters and cemetery. Now residing back in Virginia, Miller offers tours of the house, educating visitors on its historical significance.

You can watch the full report by Lesley Stahl to gain further insight into this compelling story.

Man unknowingly buys former plantation house where his ancestors were enslaved | 60 Minutes 26:42

The video above was originally published on May 15, 2022. Produced by Keith Zubrow and edited by Sarah Shafer Prediger.