Of all the Rock Castle women, we know the least about the enslaved women who worked on the plantation including the life of Easter Smith, one of only two African Americans buried in the family cemetery.

 

Although we do not know when Easter arrived at Rock Castle, she most likely worked as a housemaid and later after the birth of Harry & Sallie's daughters, Nannie in 1861 and Tabitha in 1863, became the girls' nanny. Her role as nanny would become even more vital after the death of Sallie in 1863.

 

We assume that Easter was very close with the Smith family for two reasons. First, she remained with the family even after emancipation, and second, she was buried in the family cemetery instead of the slave cemetery. Only two slaves were ever buried in the family plot, Easter and her husband Alfred, and this burial placement would imply that they were highly respected and considered to be like family.

 

Since Easter was most likely the primary housemaid at Rock Castle as well as the nanny for Harry's young children, she must have established a strong bond with the family, caring for them in sickness, grieving with them over loss, celebrating with them in happiness, and spending her life taking care of their needs.

 

Considering her life's work for the Smith family, it seems appropriate that she lay in the family cemetery not only to honor her own memory but also that of the many other enslaved women who spent their lives in service to Rock Castle.