In the 1630s, Jesuit priests arrived in Maryland in order to avoid religious persecution in England. In order to support themselves and to build the university that would become known as Georgetown University, the Jesuits began operating tobacco farms. By 1838, the Jesuits had six plantations in Maryland, which covered nearly 12,000 acres, with hundreds of slaves that provided the labor they needed.

Actor S. Epatha Merkerson learns about her enslaved African American ancestors, who were sold by Jesuit priests in 1838 in order to save Georgetown University. The Finding Your Roots team tells Epatha about this history and how Georgetown continues to come to terms with its history.