Built of primeval timbers, cut and hewn by slaves on the place, the old home at Cherry Grove plantation “sits tight” secured by dependable wooden pegs. It was built in 1788 when time and expense of labor were of little consideration, and nails and modern building equipment were not available.

Pierre Surget of La Rochelle, France, built this Spanish style house, on a Spanish land grant, for his wife, Katherine d’Hubert, and from this couple have come some of Natchez’ most prominent families.

Mr. Surget was a seaman for many years before coming to the Natchez country, and Cherry Grove was built with the sturdiness of a seaworthy vessel.

The home has never passed out of the Surget family. Its present owner, Mrs. Carlotta Surget McKittrick, now possesses the original Spanish land grant made to Pierre Surget in the 1700’s.

In a small cemetery within sight of the old home, enclosed by an imported iron fence, lie the bodies of Pierre Surget and his wife, Katherine.

Descendants of the Surget slaves remain in the “quarters” to look after the place, and to plant and gather cotton from its vast acres.

The house is unoccupied. Much of the original furnishing remains intact, and a Surget heir is today sole owner of the quaint old dwelling of her illustrious forbears.