Fred Miller, an Air Force veteran, purchased a Gothic Revival-style house near his childhood home in southern Virginia. His intention was to create a welcoming space for family gatherings. Unbeknownst to him, this property held historical significance connected to his family.
The house, known as Sharswood, dates back to the 1850s. It was built by a slave-owning uncle and nephew who shared the Miller surname. Miller, unaware of the plantation’s past, expressed surprise when learning of this connection. He shared his reflections during a 60 Minutes interview in 2022.
His sister, Karen Dixon-Rexroth, encouraged him to buy the property. Along with their cousins, Dexter Miller and Sonya Womack-Miranda, she began to investigate Sharswood’s history. The family collaborated with Karice Luck-Brimmer, a local historian, to piece together their ancestral connections.
Documents revealed that their ancestors were enslaved at Sharswood. Fred Miller reflected on the wear on the basement stairs, contemplating how his ancestors walked those very steps to bring food into the main house.
During a scouting visit by the 60 Minutes team, Dexter Miller engaged in a poignant conversation with Bill Thompson, whose family previously owned the property for over a century. Miller inquired about a potential slave cemetery. Thompson pointed out a cluster of trees, identifying the likely burial site of enslaved ancestors.
Lesley Stahl later visited the site with Fred Miller and Karen Dixon-Rexroth. The discovery of the cemetery evoked deep emotions for Miller, who had long wondered about his family’s past. The revelation that the answers lay just beyond his property line was both profound and heart-wrenching.
Following this discovery, Fred Miller moved back to Virginia. He established the Sharswood Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to preserving the slave quarters and cemetery. He also offers tours to educate others about the property’s history.
The 60 Minutes report, produced by Keith Zubrow and edited by Sarah Shafer Prediger, highlights this journey of uncovering family history and heritage.