She owned plantation where Michelle Obama 's political roots began . Her great - great grandfather is believed to have been a slave on Friendfield Plantation . `` My father knew that Fraser Robinson 's father sold newspapers , '' she recalled . Anywhere from 200 to 500 slaves lived on the plantation over the years . He likely lived in a tiny white - washed slave house on the property .
She owned plantation where Michelle Obama 's political roots began . Her great - great grandfather is believed to have been a slave on Friendfield Plantation . Anywhere from 200 to 500 slaves lived on the plantation over the years . He likely lived in a tiny white - washed slave house on the property .