Some of the state’s most historic sites are also the most inconspicuous, and that’s exactly the case with Prospect Hill Plantation. At first glance, the historic home looks like just that - an old house. However, the home, which dates back to the 1850s, has an interesting story, which involves a prominent Mississippi family, hundreds of slaves, and a long journey to Africa.

This is Prospect Hill. It’s hidden in the midst of a deep forest in Lorman, so most people don’t even know it exists, which is surprising when you learn of the property’s significance.

The plantation itself dates back to the early 1800s, when it was acquired by Isaac Ross, a revolutionary war veteran. Ross came to the area with "a large contingent of slaves as well as free blacks who had served alongside him in the war."

Ross had a close relationship with the slaves that worked for him. He was also a member of the Mississippi Colonization Society, which aimed to "repatriate" freed slaves to Africa. These two facts led to Ross making a decision that would forever change history.

When Ross drafted his will, he included two unusual demands.

First, all of his slaves were to be freed following the death of his daughter, Margaret. Second, Prospect Hill was to be sold and the proceeds used to fund the slaves’ trip to Africa.

Margaret’s son, Isaac Ross Wade, was not happy with his grandfather’s decision. As a result, he contested the will in court, hoping to prevent the sale of the plantation. The matter was tied up in court for more than a decade.

In April 1845, in the midst of litigation, tempers reached a boiling point, leading to a "slave uprising." During the rebellion, the main home on the plantation burned down and a young girl died in the fire.

That same year, Mississippi Supreme Court reached a decision – Ross’ will was to be honored. Nearly 300 Ross family slaves were freed.

After their emancipation, they made their way from Prospect Hill to New Orleans, where they boarded a boat bound for Africa. Once in Africa, the group built huge plantations- complete with Greek Revival-style mansions – in a region they renamed "Mississippi in Africa." Even more interesting, descendants of these men and women were "among the Americo-Liberian elite that held power into the late 20th century."

Several years later back in Lorman, Isaac Ross Wade regained possession of the plantation. In 1854, he built a huge house on the property to replace the original that burned down years before.

Wade-Ross descendants occupied the home and property until 1956.

By 1970, the home had been empty for a couple of years. It remained vacant for quite some time and slowly began to deteriorate.

Luckily, in 2011, the Archaeological Conservancy bought Prospect Hill and began restoring it.

Prospect Hill is located at 1197 Tillman Chapel Rd., Lorman, MS 39096. For more information, visit the plantation’s Facebook page or the Archaeological Conservancy website.

Want to learn more about Prospect Hill and its history? Check out "Mississippi in Africa" by Alan Huffman.

So, did you know about Prospect Hill and the significant role it’s played? Tell us in the comments section.

Mississippi has an interesting history! Read about another event from the state’s past here.