Housewarming: a prologue -- This old house: an introduction -- The soul-house built of mud -- House-raising -- The big house/the slave quarter -- A house divided -- House of prayer -- In my father's house are many mansions -- Bleak house: an epilogue -- Open house: a conclusion -- Appendix 1: Research process, methods, and findings -- Appendix 2: Black slaves and free blacks on the Vann plantation, compiled by Julia Autry and William Chase Parker, chief Vann house state historic site -- Appendix 3: The memoir of Margaret Ann Crutchfield (Peggy Scott Vann), written by Anna Rosina Gambold