6. Owned Over 700 Enslaved People
Historical records reveal that Adelicia Acklen owned more than 700 enslaved people during her lifetime, placing her among the largest slaveholders in the region. Her plantations in Tennessee and Louisiana relied on their forced labor, and her extraordinary wealth was built upon their exploitation. This staggering number underscores the scale of her involvement in—and dependence on—the institution of slavery. Read more
