Reading Corner | ‘Mansfield Plantation’ is well-researched book on the South’s largest rice producing farm

Although our country is considered young in the history of the world, she grew up so quickly and many parts that made the whole were lost.

There is also quite a bit that she would sooner forget, which would not only be folly, but utterly disrespectful. Thankfully, there are people who understand the importance of history and would go through any lengths to preserve it.

“Mansfield Plantation” is a well-researched documentation of what was once the South’s largest rice producing farm throughout the 18th and 19th centuries. Located in Georgetown County, this plantation has a long history and has only recently found itself back in the possession of the descendants of the original family.

Beginning at its inception, author Christopher Boyle highlights the major events in the plantation’s long life with precision and an undercurrent of reverence. Boyle’s passion for the property and for the nation’s history in general is very obvious, especially in all the details he has found. Many times he uses physical evidence, like letters and records, to better illustrate what life was like during the era and on the actual plantation.

Another admirable part of Boyle’s intensive research is his deconstruction of the rice planter culture and his frankness when discussing the ugly side of the nation’s history.

The Mansfield Plantation became the largest farm for rice, yes, but he never lets his audience forget that the success was built on slave labor. So much culture of the South, and Lowcountry, originates from the oppressed and Boyle manages to reveal some of that in his research.

Boyle remains decidedly objective, simply reporting what is found from well preserved pieces of history. Given his goal of spreading information about this large tract of land rather than taking a particular stance, objectivity makes sense. Objectivity notwithstanding, Boyle’s willingness to showcase the good and the bad, down to nitty gritty details, is how history should be taught.

Being very specific in nature, not many will find the history of this once great rice plantation to be of interest, but that’s rarely the reason for research such as this. This book isn’t just about Mansfield however. It encompasses a history and culture over nearly two centuries of what we have come to know and love as the Lowcountry.

Now that Mansfield Plantation is back in the hands of descendants of the original family owners, the acres that are left are being changed back into working rice fields. A few of the buildings that remain are being renovated as well. A piece of our nation’s account will live on thanks to these owners and dedicated historians like Boyle.

Emily Smith, For The Sun News.

Two local book discussions set

The Surfside Library, 410 Surfside Drive, Surfside Beach, will discuss Jodi Picoult’s “Leaving Time” at 3 p.m. Thursday.

Also, on Friday, Josephine Humphreys, Susan Millar Williams and Aïda Rogers’ book “State of the Heart: South Carolina Writers on the Places They Love, Vol. 2” will be discussed at Great Pee Dee Q, 251 Willbrook Blvd., Pawleys Island. Call 843-314-3928 for details.

This story was originally published October 4, 2015 at 4:19 AM with the headline "Reading Corner | ‘Mansfield Plantation’ is well-researched book on the South’s largest rice producing farm."