Nassau Plantation

In the 1840s an organization of German noblemen, the Mainzner Adelsverein, attempted to settle thousands of German emigrants on the Texas frontier. Nassau Plantation, located near modern-day Round Top, Texas, in northern Fayette County, was a significant part of this story. James C. Kearney has studied a wealth of original source material (much of it in German) to illuminate the history of the plantation and the larger goals and motivation of the Adelsverein. This new study highlights the problematic relationship of German emigrants to slavery. Few today realize that the society's original colonization plan included ownership and operation of slave plantations. Ironically, the German settlements the society later established became hotbeds of anti-slavery and anti-secessionist sentiment. "In depth, thoroughness, and scope, Nassau Plantation has no equal in the literature of the Society. It will become the standard reference on this topic."-Wolfram M. Von-Maszewski, editor of Voyage to North America 1844-45: Prince Carl of Solms's Texas Diary of People, Places, and Events "Nassau Plantation is well grounded in primary sources with good biographical information on the major characters. This will be a valuable reference work."-Walter Buenger, author of Secession and the Union in Texas "Nassau Plantation is an absorbing historical chronicle, following the notable deeds of prominent individuals and families of the plantation as well as the plantation's impact upon Texas society as a whole. A welcome and worthy addition to Texas and German-American history shelves."-Midwest Book Review JAMES C. KEARNEY received his Ph.D. in German and history from the University of Texas. He taught German at Katy High School and has been a featured speaker at numerous conventions and symposia on Texas-German subjects.