Edward Coles Biography

I’ve been enjoying reading a web-based biography, “The Man Who Freed His Slaves: A Narrative of the Life of Edward Coles,” by Nicholas Gordon. The portions about about the Coles and Carter families, once powerful names in the Charlottesville areas (and no slouches now), and Enniscorthy and its subsidiary estates will be particularly interesting to any local history buff. Chapter 2 and chapter 6 are particularly interesting in that context, providing some valuable insight on how Charlottesville and Albemarle were shaped in the 1700 and 1800s.

3 Responses to “Edward Coles Biography”


  • Big_Al says:

    Not to pick nits, but I’m willing to bet that while Edward Coles surely did feed his slaves, the biography is probably more noteworthy because he freed them. ;-)

  • cville_libertarian says:

    Thanks for pointing this out Waldo – I spent much of my childhood on one of these former Coles’ estates, and it’s always nice to learn more about the history.

  • I’m willing to bet that while Edward Coles surely did feed his slaves, the biography is probably more noteworthy because he freed them.

    Oops. :) Yet another reminder that spellcheck is no substitute for reading.

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