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Black Broadway Actor Buys Huge 19th Century Mansion Built By Slaves

Black Broadway Actor Buys Huge 19th Century Mansion Built By Slaves

He claims the seller assumed the cash only offer would 'take him off the table'

Jake Massey

Jake Massey

A black Broadway actor has bought a mansion in the US built by slaves 200 years ago - and claims the seller assumed the cash only offer would 'take him off the table'.

Robert Hartwell said he knew the property in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, was his future home the minute he lay eyes on it.

However, he claims the seller assumed he wouldn't have sufficient funds to buy the house, which was on the market for $349,000 (£282,854) on a cash only basis.

Hartwell proved them wrong though and is now the proud owner of the mansion, which he has vowed to 'fill with love'.

Hartwell said he had been 'overwhelmed with gratitude' since buying the house.
Instagram/Robert Hartwell

The actor shared a photo of himself outside his new home, with the post receiving 1.1m likes on Facebook and almost 500,000 likes on Instagram.

Captioning the post, he said: "3 weeks ago I found this house online. I said 'this is my house'. I called the seller and was told it was a cash only offer and that 'I'm sure that takes you off the table'. Don't you ever underestimate a hard working black man.

"I saw the house last week and when I walked in I knew I was home. The house was built in 1820 for the Russell family who owned the cotton mill in town. Slavery was still legal. When the agent asked me why I wanted such a large house I said it was 'a generational move'. I know this house is bigger than me.

"I wish I could've told my ancestors when they were breaking their back in 1820 to build this house that 200 years later a free gay black man was going to own it and fill it with love and find a way to say their name even when 200 years later they still thought I would be 'off the table'.

"We are building our own tables. I've never been prouder to be a black man. Come to my White House any time. I can't wait to have you! Glory to God in the highest. I'm a homeowner."


Hartwell has been widely congratulated for his gigantic step on the property ladder and said he was 'so overwhelmed with gratitude'.

LADbible has contacted the estate agent for comment.

Featured Image Credit: Instagram/Robert Hartwell

Topics: Viral, Awesome, Inspirational, US News