From Slavery to Freedom: One Family’s Story

Journey’s End. The Turner farm in Grafton, VT. Courtesy, Vermont Folklife Center.

The story of Turner family begins in Africa and continues to this day in Vermont. Through one family’s story, it is possible to help students understand the enduring impacts of slavery and grasp the rich cultural traditions preserved and shared through Daisy Turner’s stories.

“This thing is in me. If I just had read it, it would be a different story. But I’ve lived it.”

Learn more about the Turner family story here

The Turner family lessons are tied to four key ideas:

Enslaved people were human beings with aspirations, dreams, fears, and families. They resisted their enslavement in small and large ways.

Slavery was an institution designed to create profit for enslavers. Enslaved people were viewed as property and provided their masters with great wealth.

Systemic racism is a foundation of American society. Throughout history Black Vermonters have faced bias and discrimination, and this is still true today.

After slavery, freed people worked to maintain their cultural traditions and create new futures for their families. Stories of enslaved people live on through their descendants.

The Lessons

People, Not Numbers

Enslaved people were human beings with aspirations, dreams, fears, and families. They constantly resisted their enslavement in small and large ways.

Lesson: The Turner Family: Resisting Slavery

Story: The Blood-Stained Primer

Daisy recounts how her father learns to read.

The Business of Slavery

Slavery was an institution designed to create profit for enslavers. Enslaved people were viewed as property and provided their masters with great wealth.

Lesson: The Turner Family: The Business of Slavery

Story: Young Alec and his Red Moccasins

Alec’s mother fears he will be sold

Race & Implicit Bias

Systemic racism is a foundation of American society. Throughout history Black Vermonters have faced bias and discrimination, and this is still true today.

Lesson: The Turner Family: Encountering Implicit Bias

Story: Daisy’s Black Doll

As a girl, Daisy Turner faces discrimination at school and confronts it directly–with poetry.

Building New Lives

After slavery, freed people worked to maintain their cultural traditions and create new futures for their families. Stories of enslaved people live on through their descendants.

Lesson: The Turner Family: Building a New Life

Story: Coming to Vermont

Alec Turner and his wife, Sally settle in Vermont on the farm he called Journey’s End.