Long Island Reads – Mac Griswold Discusses “The Manor”

On Saturday, May 17, under a brilliant azure sky, a crowd of more than 200 people gathered on the grounds of Sylvester Manor on Shelter Island to listen to acclaimed historian and author Mac Griswold discuss the Long Island Reads 2014 Book of the Year: “The Manor: Three Centuries at a Slave Plantation on Long Island.”  The discussion focused on a particular portion of the book - a transaction between newly freed slave Jack Comus Fanning, the owner of 21 acres on Shelter Island, and lord of the manor Sylvester Dering, who sold the land to Fanning for approximately $735. With the bright yellow manor house, the only intact remnant of a slave plantation north of the Mason-Dixon Line, positioned behind Ms. Griswold as she spoke, the Manor’s inhabitants, now dead for many generations, seemed to come alive. 

Sylvester Manor was occupied from its founding in the 17th century until 2006 by direct descendants of the founding family and their spouses. Those attending the Long Island Reads event were fortunate enough to be able to walk on the grounds and through the inside of the estate, which today looks virtually the same as it did when slavery was abolished back in 1827.

The discussion was followed by a lively question and answer period. One attendee asked how Quakers rationalized their owning of slaves.  Ms. Griswold responded that it was not until a century after their founding that Quakers (also known as Friends) were forbidden to buy and sell slaves.  She suggested that it wasn’t difficult for Quakers to compartmentalize their attitude toward slavery,  just as most people today would not give up their smart phones upon learning that they are made by enslaved children in China.

The question and answer session was followed by a book signing by the author.

The discussion elicited enthusiastic responses. One woman was overhead saying “Fantastic event!” A man told us, “We’re going to our library more often.” Another woman was impressed by Mac Griswold’s coverage of the human aspect of the story of slavery in the North.

The event was co-sponsored by Long Island Reads, a joint committee comprised of library professionals from both Nassau and Suffolk counties.  Each April since 2002 book lovers in Nassau and Suffolk come together to read the same book, participate in discussions of the selection, and enjoy events in their public libraries.  Long Island libraries work together to create programs, develop activities and facilitate discussion all through the inspiration of the award winning book. Long Island Reads selected “The Manor” as best book of 2014 due to its connection with Long Island, readability, appeal to a diverse audience, and outstanding reviews.

“The most gratifying aspect of this event is that so many people thank me for a lovely afternoon,” said Long Island Reads Suffolk County co-chair Deborah Cunningham.  “It is our readers who truly make our working lives rewarding and interesting.”