Two men of history began vital, history-making ministries from their position as slaves; Joseph and Squanto. The connection made by Governor William Bradford and Squanto is truly miraculous. How many Americans today would expect to meet an English speaking native on our shores in the 1600’s?
Slavery is a blemish on society today, but it was a big help in building our nation. Most of the grand homes in Wilmington and New Bern, NC were built by slaves. In Wilmington a former slave's son is still helping restore the Bellamy Mansion with the skill he learned decades ago. At ninety some years old the craftsman is building the decor for the mansion and it is enjoyed by many visitors right in the center of the town.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Doing research about J. C. Stanly I found the documents showing his liberation from slavery by Lydia and Alexander Stewart. Then found Alexander Stewart was very concerned about the spiritual well-being of the slaves. He wrote in 1719 about leading four to Anglicanism and requested their being baptized. Alexander Stewart is the name of the captain of the slave ship on which J. C.'s mother was brought to America from Afica.
In 1719 Stewart was designated as "Mr." but by 1761 he was Rev. In 1761 he was requesting a school for "Negroe" children. Alexander Stewart is a very interesting man. So is John Carruthers Stanly who went from slave to slave owner.
In 1719 Stewart was designated as "Mr." but by 1761 he was Rev. In 1761 he was requesting a school for "Negroe" children. Alexander Stewart is a very interesting man. So is John Carruthers Stanly who went from slave to slave owner.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Most Americans have heard about slavery and the cruel slave masters. However, some slave owners were not only kind but helpful to their slaves. Frederick Douglass was taught to read by his master's wife.
In North Carolina, we have a number of freedmen who learned valuable skills while they were slaves. One freedman was the wealthiest man in Craven County, North Carolina, in 1824 and owned more slaves than anyone in the nation at the same time. He started by buying his own family and freeing them and then helped others and also used other slaves. There are mixed opinions about him in town, but his former owner is viewed very favorably with a memorial in a local church to her. His children were respected as he was by most of the community. Like Douglass, Barack Obama, and Tiger Woods, he was a mulatto.
The freedmen were in all social classes but one family due to its wealth is better documented than others. The freedmen and slaves in NC are responsible for most of the building and other work.
In North Carolina, we have a number of freedmen who learned valuable skills while they were slaves. One freedman was the wealthiest man in Craven County, North Carolina, in 1824 and owned more slaves than anyone in the nation at the same time. He started by buying his own family and freeing them and then helped others and also used other slaves. There are mixed opinions about him in town, but his former owner is viewed very favorably with a memorial in a local church to her. His children were respected as he was by most of the community. Like Douglass, Barack Obama, and Tiger Woods, he was a mulatto.
The freedmen were in all social classes but one family due to its wealth is better documented than others. The freedmen and slaves in NC are responsible for most of the building and other work.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
On the aluminum cap, atop the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C., are displayed two words: Laus Deo.
No one can see these words. These words have been there for many years; they are 555 feet, 5.125 inches high, perched atop the monument, facing skyward to the Father of our nation.
What do those two words, in Latin, possibly mean? They say, "Praise be to God!"
It was not until 1888 that the monument was inaugurated and opened to the public.
Within the monument itself are 898 steps and 50 landings. As one climbs the steps and pauses at the landings the memorial stones share a message.
On the 12th Landing is a prayer offered by the City of Baltimore; on the 20th is a memorial presented by some Chinese Christians; on the 24th a presentation made by Sunday School children from New York and Philadelphia quoting Proverbs 10:7, Luke 18:16 and Proverbs 22:6.
Washington 's prayer for America was: "Almighty God; We make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt keep the United States in Thy holy protection; that Thou wilt incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to government; and entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another and for their fellow citizens of the United States at large. And finally that Thou wilt most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility, and pacific temper of mind which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion, and without a humble imitation of whose example in these things we can never hope to be a happy nation. Grant our supplication, we beseech Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
I am fascinated at the freedom NC slaves had until about 1820 or so when SC and VA complained to them for being too open to slaves. Then Nat Turner put fear into all slave owners. I do believe too many slave owners were better than portrayed and that the bias is against them. I think the whole truth needs to be told. Reading Frederick Douglass’s life story, he only saw one slave (his aunt) beaten. One too many, but not a great indictment against all owners.
Monday, November 17, 2008
They’re dancing in the streets of North Carolina for Jonkonnu as they did in the days before the civil war. Jonkonnu and Boxing Day are December 26. In the South slaves were celebrating a day of freedom in their eyes. They danced and sang in the streets to Afro-Caribbean type music.
On Boxing Day English men dance in the streets wearing ragman clothes - trousers and jackets or shirts that have these strips of cloth - and carrying wooden swords. So do those reenacting Jonkonnu. Slaves probably brought it in 1770 or so to North Carolina from Jamaica.
To the beats of a drum called a gumba box, the dancers paraded from house to house and collected coins. The coins were usually from white slave-owners. The songs were an expression of their feelings about their lives and their owners. Some songs poked fun at the master and his family. Since a foreign language was used in their songs, most of the whites did not know the meaning and enjoyed the slaves’ happiness.
In North Carolina about 30 people join together to lift the audiences’ spirits led by the “fancy man.” There are a number of prominent figures including a ragman called Pitchy Patchy, Cow Head, and the Devil. At the end of the performance, a costumed ragman—the leader of the revelers—shook hands with the slaves' master.
In the present parades, Pitchy Patchy dances with small, quick steps and turns cartwheels. He moves in large, circular patterns. Cow Head moves in bucking motions and is usually bent low to the ground. The devil alternates small, bouncy steps with much longer ones and makes pitchfork jabs with quick turns. Belly Woman, sometimes considered to be a negative image of mulatto women, made movements with her belly in time to the music.
The event is considered cultural and not religious today. However, African spiritual roots show up in the music and dance like those used in Western African religious practices.
Ten years after the Civil War Winslow Homer painted the Virginia parade version. The painting inspired a story by Amy Littlesugar based upon some true experiences of Homer. There was controversy then and now the controversy is about the term itself and the various words for it. The origin of the word “Jonkonnu” remains a mystery. It was a celebration by slaves around Christmas time. It may have been named after someone who had a similar sound like John Canoe. There was also a slave trader named John Cooner who brought slaves from Africa. Today it is the name of the historical winter celebration.
On Boxing Day English men dance in the streets wearing ragman clothes - trousers and jackets or shirts that have these strips of cloth - and carrying wooden swords. So do those reenacting Jonkonnu. Slaves probably brought it in 1770 or so to North Carolina from Jamaica.
To the beats of a drum called a gumba box, the dancers paraded from house to house and collected coins. The coins were usually from white slave-owners. The songs were an expression of their feelings about their lives and their owners. Some songs poked fun at the master and his family. Since a foreign language was used in their songs, most of the whites did not know the meaning and enjoyed the slaves’ happiness.
In North Carolina about 30 people join together to lift the audiences’ spirits led by the “fancy man.” There are a number of prominent figures including a ragman called Pitchy Patchy, Cow Head, and the Devil. At the end of the performance, a costumed ragman—the leader of the revelers—shook hands with the slaves' master.
In the present parades, Pitchy Patchy dances with small, quick steps and turns cartwheels. He moves in large, circular patterns. Cow Head moves in bucking motions and is usually bent low to the ground. The devil alternates small, bouncy steps with much longer ones and makes pitchfork jabs with quick turns. Belly Woman, sometimes considered to be a negative image of mulatto women, made movements with her belly in time to the music.
The event is considered cultural and not religious today. However, African spiritual roots show up in the music and dance like those used in Western African religious practices.
Ten years after the Civil War Winslow Homer painted the Virginia parade version. The painting inspired a story by Amy Littlesugar based upon some true experiences of Homer. There was controversy then and now the controversy is about the term itself and the various words for it. The origin of the word “Jonkonnu” remains a mystery. It was a celebration by slaves around Christmas time. It may have been named after someone who had a similar sound like John Canoe. There was also a slave trader named John Cooner who brought slaves from Africa. Today it is the name of the historical winter celebration.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Jan's Jam Pan
Good day to one and all,
Being my first blog I shall ask anyone reading this to help with my next entry concerning any interest in history and Christianity. Living in 5 states including California, Virginia, Pennsylvania and now North Carolina has really broadened my viewpoints. Among other aspects of life, I have discovered that Political Correctness is not correct but loaded with errors and even lies.
To start I had been taught that most Southerners were bigoted and even ignorant. However, the people in New Bern are more informed than most people in California. In California the schools are inferior to those in NC and waste the students' time on politically correct aspects rather than reading and writing. The agenda for the schools in California is to indoctrinate students to PC but not to really allow them to read and explore for themselves. The students in NC schools are more cooperative and polite so time is not wasted on discipline as in CA.
Have heard some former CA teachers complain about NC teachers pay but the housing and other costs here are lower and so with more cooperation teaching in NC is worth it.
What is not known by most Americans is the patriotism and fairness of NC now and in the past.
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