Summary of "George Dawes Green: The House that Sherman Didn’t Burn" – The Moth Podcast
Introduction In the March 2, 2009 episode of The Moth podcast titled "George Dawes Green: The House that Sherman Didn’t Burn", storyteller George Dawes Green narrates a deeply personal and historically rooted tale intertwining family legacy, Southern heritage, and personal identity. The story delves into the haunting history of his family's plantation, Truitland Hall, and the emotional turmoil arising from its eventual destruction.
Family Heritage and Truitland Hall George begins by connecting with his audience, particularly those from the South, highlighting the region’s rich tapestry of stories. He recounts a haunting family legend dating back to the Civil War, where Union General Sherman's troops spared Truitland Hall, allegedly out of reverence for his family's ancestral land. He shares his great-grandmother's eerie encounter with the soldiers:
"A woman came out on the veranda... she was very beautiful, but very frail... we sold it all long ago. All that lies there are the remains of my boys, my twins, who died stillborn. And if you dig them up, you'll be seeing their faces for all eternity." [04:30]
This story sets the stage for the deep-seated beliefs and superstitions that permeate his family's history.
Truitland Hall: A Grand Legacy George paints a vivid picture of Truitland Hall, emphasizing its grandeur and the complex emotions it evokes:
"As you entered the foyer, you looked up, and there was this horrifying mosaic of Medusa looking down at you... the staircase that was so grand and went up to the seven bedrooms and the five bathrooms." [06:10]
He describes personal memories, such as his mother's dances in the grand ballroom and the intimate "Turkish room," highlighting the contrast between the opulent surroundings and the underlying familial tensions.
Generational Conflict and Personal Rebellion George shares his strained relationship with his mother, stemming from his rejection of the Southern aristocratic lifestyle. He details his rebellious youth:
"I dropped out of high school, and I went to live on my own because I could not stand to be there... I had a chip on my shoulder the size of the moon." [10:15]
This rebellion leads him to work for Lewis Ross, a wealthy man from his mother's hometown, whom his mother vehemently dislikes.
Encounter with Lewis Ross George recounts a pivotal interaction with Lewis Ross, marked by dark humor and underlying tension:
"Lewis Ross... 'Now, my name is not Jones.' He said, 'jones was my great grandmother's name.'... 'jaybolt's kind of crooked and it's about as long as your dick when it gets hard.'" [12:45]
Determined to impress his colleagues and Lewis Ross, George embarks on a task fraught with anxiety, fearing that failure could tarnish his identity.
A Night of Revelations and Tragic Consequences The narrative reaches its climax when Lewis Ross reveals his plan to purchase and repurpose Truitland Hall as a resort's centerpiece. George's confrontation with his mother over her decision to take the job leads to a series of regretful actions:
"I called her to say I was sorry. But she said it was all right... she wanted to go to Waynesboro one more time to look at Truitland hall in its real home." [15:50]
Tragically, Truitland Hall is set ablaze that night, an event later known as the Great Conflagration. The fire consumes the ancestral home, fulfilling the ominous legends of the past:
"By the time they did, Trueland hall was gone... they determined it was arson and that an accelerant, namely gasoline, had been used." [16:20]
Emotional Aftermath and Personal Reflection George reflects on the emotional devastation caused by the loss of Truitland Hall, intertwining grief with a sense of pride:
"I sat up all night and I felt a kind of grief that I have never felt before... And then I felt a kind of pride. And I thought, my mother did this. Thank you." [16:30]
This duality encapsulates the complex emotions tied to his family's legacy and the personal reconciliation with his Southern identity.
Conclusion George Dawes Green's story is a poignant exploration of family history, personal identity, and the inescapable ties to one's heritage. Through vivid storytelling and emotional honesty, he navigates the shadows of Truitland Hall, ultimately finding a sense of closure and understanding in the face of loss.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps
- "A woman came out on the veranda... she was very beautiful, but very frail..." [04:30]
- "As you entered the foyer, you looked up, and there was this horrifying mosaic of Medusa looking down at you..." [06:10]
- "I had a chip on my shoulder the size of the moon." [10:15]
- "Lewis Ross... 'jaybolt's kind of crooked and it's about as long as your dick when it gets hard.'" [12:45]
- "I sat up all night and I felt a kind of grief that I have never felt before... And then I felt a kind of pride. And I thought, my mother did this. Thank you." [16:30]
Final Thoughts George Dawes Green's narrative offers a window into the enduring impact of family legends and the struggle to define oneself amidst the weight of ancestral expectations. His ability to intertwine historical context with personal experience creates a rich and engaging story that resonates deeply with listeners.