Charles Manigault
He is a “prosperous and methodical - had accumulated a treasure-house of historical records. He saved letters from his overseers, put his ideas on paper, kept annual lists of his slaves, and taught his child Louis to do the same.” Charles Manigault rans a regime of slavery which provides him immense wealth. He justifies slavery because it tremendously enriches him.
Gabriel Manigault I
He is “Charles’s great-grandfather, Gabriel Manigault I, had been the richest colonial Charleston merchant and the owner of 491 slaves and nearly fifty thousand acres of land, including several valuable plantations.” He is a society leader who benefits immensely from enslavement of blacks. They offer free labor on his plantations that pass on to his subsequent generations.
Peter Manigault
He is “Charles’ grandfather…after being educated as a barrister in London, had three times been the Speaker of South Carolina’s colonial assembly.” His powerful rank as a speaker renders him a dominant person in South Carolina.
Gabriel Manigault II
He is “Charles’s father…a gifted amateur architect who had inherited nearly half of that fortune but who too was not a dedicated rice planter." His inherited fortune comes from the exploitation of slaves on his father and grandfather’s plantations.
Henry
He is “Ralph Izard’s eldest son… (rebelling against a dictatorial father?), ruined himself and his own family by gambling." Unfortunately, Henry wastes the family fortune due to irresponsibility and eventually terminates his life through suicide.
Joseph Manigault
He is, “Charles' uncle who had inherited almost half of Gabriel Manigault I's fortune, including 245 slaves, yet he died in 1843 nearly ruined, his estate encumbered with debts.” Despite being a scholar, he does not manage his inherited estate prudently. Charles feels that Joseph Manigault is inexperienced when it comes to dealing with the harsh realities of existence.
