Henry Townsend
One of the main characters in the novel, Henry Townsend is a 31 year old ex-slave who himself now owns more than 30 slaves and a substantial amount of land. He is married to Caldonia.
Caldonia Townsend (nee Newman)
Henry's wife and a former slave, Caldonia is left to manage the estate after she is widowed. Once Henry dies, things begin to fall apart for her and she loses grip over the slaves.
Augustus Townsend
Henry's father and a slave at the time of his son's birth. It is Augustus who makes a payment to Henry's slavemaster who is responsible for Henry gaining his freedom
Mildred Townsend
The wife of Augustus and mother of Henry, she was also bought out of slavery by her husband after he bought himself out
William Robbins
The white plantation owner and slavemaster, it is Robbins who Augustus has to pay to guarantee the release of himself, his wife and son. Robbins and Henry have a good relationship, so much so that Robbins gives him words of advice as to how to run an estate and manage slaves
Moses
Henry's first-bought slave, Moses eventually rises the ranks to become overseer, in charge of all the other slaves on a day to day basis. After Henry dies, he commences an affair with Caldonia in the belief that she will set him and his wife and child free.
