About This Series
The Chronicle presents a series on the history of the Tubmans, a group of slaves set free by Augustan Richard Tubman in 1836. With the help of his widow, Emily, they traveled to Africa, where they settled in a colony that eventually became Liberia.

The Tubman people prospered in their new home, starting farms, churches and schools. And the grandson of two of those slaves went on to become the nation's president, one of the most powerful black men in the world.

Augusta Chronicle staff photographer Jonathan Ernst spent two years researching the story. He lived in Liberia for nearly a month, gathering information and taking photos that accompany the stories.

PART ONE: ACROSS THE SEA

From Augusta to Africa: part one
Web-posted 09/09/2001
In 1833, Richard Tubman plunged his script ''T'' seal into the red-orange wax on the parchment of his last will and testament with what must have been great satisfaction.

PART TWO: WILLIAM V.S. TUBMAN

From Augusta to Africa: part two
Web-posted 09/23/2001
Today, we focus on William V.S. Tubman, the grandson of two of those Augusta slaves, who was Liberia's president for 27 years. He received a hero's welcome during his historic visit to the United States in 1954.

PART THREE: DEATH OF ARISTOCRACY

Days of night
Web-posted 09/30/2001
Today, we focus on William V.S. Tubman, the grandson of two of those Augusta slaves, who was Liberia's president for 27 years. He received a hero's welcome during his historic visit to the United States in 1954.