in that bountiful time before the war between the states there were four thousand, four hundred inhabitants on edisto island off the south carolina coast: 400 white. 4000 black slaves. in those days of great wealth the sea island's precious, long staple cotton was sought after by the finest fabric markets of the world. and on the island, still, those days are lovingly remembered as a time of grand, plantation mansions...of privileged and abundant living...where land barons ruled their worlds. but those exuberant and extravagant days were only a part of the history of the island. after the war the south was forced to change. and the members of the baynard family of prospect hill mansion watched it all. this is a story of what they knew and saw. the words you take from this book as yours form the living history of the mansion, prospect hill and give life and breath to the people who passed through its rooms on life's amazing journeys. it is a real story...as real as living. and it is told with great joy and heartbreak and learned strength. it can only be a southern story.