All language subtitles for msw_-_2001_movie_the_last_free_man

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.