Tademy is a former slave who has made his home in The Bottom, near Colfax, Louisiana. A natural leader, Sam is also a dreamer. His dream of a black school is central to the plot and is instrumental in shaping the lives of his sons and later ancestors. He helps with the occupation of the courthouse but notably avoids volunteering to be a deputy. He is one of the only survivors of the Colfax Massacre, as he was entrusted with the task of leading the women and children to safety. Sam is pushed to help the residents of The Bottom out of a sense of survivor’s guilt. He also takes pains to pass down a sense of honor and pride in the name “Tademy” to his sons.

Israel is a former slave who has made his home in The Bottom, raising his family there with his wife, Lucy. Israel does not care for his eldest son, David, who is not his biological heir, giving preference to Noby and creating lasting tension between the boys that causes a rift later in life. Israel has a bad temper that sometimes gets the better of him. As a slave, he once fought back against an overseer, who thereafter went out of his way to torture Israel.