A play - Jah Kente International

From Newnan to Motown and Back A play written by Roland Barksdale-Hall
Produced and directed by Stephanie Stevenson
Adapted from Roland Barksdale-Hall 's family chronicle,
Healing is the Children 's Bread
The genealogy of the Stevenson, Steverson , and Kellogg family
Riverboat Banquet Cruise Detroit, Michigan July 27, 28 & 29, 2012 Stevenson Waters Steverson Fam ily Reunion Souvenir Book
INTRO DUCTION
Several years ago the family was gathered together at my mother 's when somethi ng
special happened. Before the Georgia sun came up , we headed out to Fairmont. There was
Harry Griffin, my son Edward Terrence Stevenson , Jr" Ralph Smith , Mary Lois Powell, my­
elf, Rufus Tiefing Stevenson. Wavard Stevenson , Drew Hall and Rillis Hall. Barksdale , also
known as Roland Barksdale-Hall took us right to the spot, where our enslaved ancestor Har­
riet Steveson rested . He took us right to the spot where the blessed stone was .
I had grown up in Newnan, Georgia and crossed those tracks and burial grounds many
times but didn't know. Right with my own eyes I saw the pedestal's broad square base,
inscribed in large capital letters, OUR MOTHER. A phallic stone portion read Harriet Steveson
died Dec. 12, 1894, age 75 years old . It resembled much an Egyptian temple or pyramid. There
was nothing else like that blessed stone in the burial grounds.
We were all touched. Before leaving, we all held hands, said a prayer and gave as well as
received a blessing. Seeing the blessed stone was to leave quite an impression. Clearly, it took
sacrifice on the children ' s part, who experienced separation from their mother in slavery , to
purchase such a fine memorial back in them days, we recognized.
Well , our hopes and dreams came to a head with the 2000 SWG (Stevenson, Waters,
Griffin) Detroit Reunion, where more than 300 people were in attendance. It was so beautiful,
recalling the warmness and love that was there. Descendants of family separated through
slavery, that we had never known, were there . Why Barksdale deserves much of the credit in
doing the research to make the gathering possible. His book, Healing is the Children's Bread,
was what brought the family together. It was just the blessing of the Lord.
2
The blessed stone spoke mounds about the endurance of mother's love. On another more
conscious level we reclaimed knowledge of our past. It was then Barksdale started writing his
book, Healing is the Children's Bread, and brought healing through storytelling. With knowledge
of our past comes hope for a brighter future.
As earlier mentioned, Barksdale deserves much of the credit in doing the research to
make the Stevenson Steverson Kellogg gathering possible. Two years ago, Barksdale received a
medal for all his research on the family and was named a senior fellow by the American Society
of Freedmen Descendants. His book, Healing is the Children's Bread, was what brought the
family together. It was the blessing of the Lord. Well, Barksdale brought together people that we
never would have known, was kinfolk. And we are now all together. What a blessing!
Edward Stevenson
3
VOICES OF THE ANCESTORS SPEAK The Adinkra symbol for the family comes from the Akan culture of Ghana. The emblem
represents unity and responsibility but our interconnectedness and richly shared heritage.
Zawadis (cultural gifts) for From Newnan to Motown and Back... Voices of The Ancestors Speak
cast are courtesy of Jah Kente International, Inc. The performance celebrates the rich life and
legacy of Aunt Mary Waters Stevenson (1904-1997), who we love and continue to miss.
THREE SCENES:
Poppa Archie Willie Steveson
Slavery-Freedom
Evergreen
Steveson children: Aunt Charity, Uncle Cass
Lewis, Uncle DelU1is, Uncle Washington,
Uncle Wilson, Aunt Nancy, Uncle Aaron
Detroit
Uncle Noah Allen
Pa Sam Stevenson
CHARACTERS:
Aunt Mary Waters Stevenson
Elder 1
Aunt Nancy Stevenson Burton
Elder 2
Uncle Will Stevenson
Elder 3
Doctor
Narrator 1
Uncle Jim Stevenson
Narrator 2
Aunt Mattie Stevenson Arnold
Customer 1
Edward Stevenson
Customer 2
Mary Lou Johnson Stevenson
Ma Hattie Steveson
Barksdale
4
ACT ONE SCENE ONE ELDER 1: Umoja (Unity) is the first principle of Kwanzaa. Umoja means unity.
Our
ancestors strove for and maintained unity in the family, community, nation, and race.
[ELDER 1 LIGHTS BLACK CANDLE.]
5
ELDER 2: Kujichagulia is the second principle of Kwanzaa. Kujichagulia means self­
determination. "How did our ancestors define themselves, name themselves, and speak for
themselves?" You wonder.
[EDLER 2 LIGHTS THE FARTHEST RED CANDLE ON THE LEFT.]
ELDER 3: Ujima is the third principle of Kwanzaa. Ujima means collective work and
responsibility. In building and maintaining a cohesive family and healthy community, our
ancestors worked side by side, pooled their resources and built churches.
[ELDER 3 LIGHTS THE FARTHEST GREEN CANDLE ON THE RIGHT.]
N ARRA TOR 1: Ma Hattie Allen Steveson was part of the great wave of colored from up the
country brought to Georgia. By the time of the Great War Georgia replaced old Virginia as the
heart of the slave world.
[MA HATTIE PRAYS ON KNEES.]
6
AFR[C.·\N ,\NCfSTRY HERERY Cf-h.TlFl[S rH.>\T
RUFUS TIEFING STEVENSON
:,t-iARES PArEf::..NAL GENE:lIC ,.\/'!C[STRY WITH
PEOPLE LIVING THROUGHOUT EUROPE
RASED ON ,\ PATRICl,\,\;a'
ANAL1'51.':\ nATF D
[ULY 18.2012
~Libtto
!
lUCK !dTTtEl. PH D.
)CI[:-JTlrtC DIRlCfOK
MA HATTIE: Dear Lord make a way out of no way. Old Marse Moore gone now. Keep my
family from being scattered to the four winds.
popp A ARCHIE WILLIE:
The Stephensons were aristocrats! Owned a grist mill and fine
things back in the day. Marse Moore and I got real tight fightin' Injuns and dislodging
rattlesnakes.
MA HATTIE: White Stephensons thought heaps of us, they did. Why I done had more than
fourteen chillen. And spent eleven years with my belly full. Fetched a good price, almost as
much as a good, healthy man. Each suckling I dropped put 'bout two hundred dollars in the
Stephenson's pouch.
7
l09-Year-Old Sharonite
Born (UJ Slave in Georgia'
f~" 'he V~
8baroo, PL, Feb.
T.~
abie
to ea t and 'a1eep weU an more im­
portant to JOt-,ear-old Wu.oD Stu..
. enaon than beln, booored tor' hav­
ln, lived palt the centur,' mark.
"1 CUHl thOM an the blc thlnlJ
to a feUow who hat teen \.be ,.ean
pua by," ny. "o.d" Stev~ who
U eonflned to bed at the borne ~
bl.l ~-ln-t.w and ~t.r, Mr.
.a nd MrI. Je»eph S. McClendon. wbo
rMlde QI'\ a 17.. en taim our Bob­
by'. Comers.
But, "'Dad- admIt. be .. pr-oud
to be one at the 1a ~lnD.la
oent.enariana _boo wiD be booor'ed
In April by Pe:nMylvanla Kedical
lociet7 . . . perl 01. It. lOOth mn1~
-! ,
VUArY celebration thlI year. Thoe ,
rtate croup will make the p~n­
laUoo lhrouCh the Mercn- County
Med!c:al Societ,.
"We all bope that 'Dad' u with
'" ~, but we ruliu thi. severe
winter weather h.u ~ hard on
him," aald hU da\1&hter today. He
MelIa to have put hi. ,oal on Nov. l
.. on ~t 'day he wl\1 ~ 110 years
of a&e and hu birthd&.y. alway.
bav. meant family ~unlon. to him: '
W. . . .". ... "lanr)'
Mr. Steven.oo is the only one of
Pecnlylvan1a'. oldest rHidentJ to
be born In alavery. He wu one of
a t&Dill7 01 14 chUdnn 01 Archie
and tla.niett wbo were alaves on •
St.e'YeMOQ plantation in Newman,
Oe.. He ..,... h1I parenta, being
without a famllT name. adopted the
cam. of their kind muter .tter
the,. were nude free.
:/
:
11&4 ....11,- e( It
8tn-en1on Jocated at Lit hi.
SprinaJ, a.., and In two yean time
..ved eno\JJh money to purchaR a
tum of JS) acres. There he and Mn.
8t.evauon r~ a tamily of nlnc
bo,.. and t1 ve Vrl.J.
Tbe dear-minded Stevenson re­
ean. Ulhl. Spmlgs then had a popu­
t.tioo wblcb wu amaller than the
,I Dumber
of h.il descendants who
pthered In [)etrolt three years ago
for • reunion on hla birthday.
-We had m people there that
day and Ln the rroU'p I had 2J' grand.
ehilc.1ren, %3 p-eat-«randchlldnn.
fin P'Cat-rnat-vandchildrm and
154 nleea and nephew.," he laY' .
a.veral yean uter, he aold hi.
fum and earne to Sharon to live .
Until ~ retired he worked .~adlly
at various jobt In lhl.l community.
'
I
=-=========-:--:-...
~
'I "Dad' Steven OIl' Celebrates
:I His 109th ,'3irthday Today
I
Wi Lon "Dad"
babty the Idest re.:sidi:n t 01 •....u:. cer-cO if n ot of the state, is cele­
brating his 109 h anrUversary to- I day at the home or his son- in­
law and d aug ter. Mr, and M:r,s. S . J . McClend on. Satterf'eld -rd, near
West Middlesex. No special celebration h s been
pla nned, a lthough Mr. S tevenson's _ ,da ughters, Mrs. Dorothy WhJsent. ~ I Dc roil, and Mr . Odelia J ackson, A aota. are spendIng the day with 1 him. Another daughter. Mrs. Lu­
~ I Strickla nd , Cincinnati, was un­
\ able to be pre ent. She reeen l.y l spent five weeks with her father. j I '
I
II "Dad" \\-'as up early this
morn-I IUlg to we come the n umerous vis-
Iitors expected to dl'op in through­
U IOU he day. As usual. h's birl'n­
11: ~.l' c e \ V$l S baked by ~
Fay
~
Ginnis, R. D. 1. S haron, who Ie hilS m ade it for the pas 1 years.
I'
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UNCLE WILSON: Now, Marse Moore was missed around the slave quarters. When Marse
Moore died, they commenced divvying us out into groups. One, two, three .. , One, two,
three ... Lord knows, didn 't want no squabbling among the poor white chillen. That's how Marse
would have wanted it.
MA HATTIE: Me, Poppa Archie Willie, and our suckling Cass Lewis were in bunch 2, Our lot
fell to the-old-widow lady, Missus Linnah. Our red-bone Charity was in bunch 3 and went to a
hitched Massa Benjamin. Dennis went to a grown Massa Thomas. Both Washington and Wilson
8
went to eleven-year-old Missy Emily. Lord have mercy, Missy Emily was but a child herself,
owning slaves.
POPPA ARCHIE WILlIE: A square deal for dem all--each slave bunch being valued at about
sixteen hundred dollars apiece. Every effort was made to be fair.
UNCLE WASHINGTON: Me and my younger brother Wilson stayed together. By now I was
a young healthy man. Favored Poppa Archie Willie a whole lot and was ' bout as strong as him.
Richard C. Wade
Guardian
Return 1854
Voucher No
Received of RC Wade Guardian of Emily Stephenson the sum of
one thousand and sixty one dollars and twenty five cents
including interest in full consideration for a certain negro
girl of yellow complexion called Charity about fourteen years
old when sold and for which 1 made and delivered a bill of
sale for said Negro to the said Wade as Guardian for the
said Emily Stephenson as aforesaid, February 25, 1855
$1061.25Cts
D.L Thomas 21
AUNT CHARITY: The family was separated. We was divvied up right with Henry the bay
mule, Fox the midnight mule, and the hogs and the chickens.
9
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1111",,, SleversOl1 (I 838· /Y4R), his lliifo Rillis (/8 47- 191 7J, alld Iheir childrell, ill a
I" ,ob/graph laken dllrint: a jilTlli/l' ri;lIT1iulI all Ihe SI'~I'I!rso n {,Iantillioll, SoIl ,\i,rings,
!.1 ! .•,. I.ilhi{/ Springs}, (;(:orgil1, ~·a . 19f1J's. L .R, jiml1: Rillis. IVilsf/lI. IJelil"" "S"ifll"
1I".ls"" (1 86219331. Dorol"y "Dalla" Whisenallt lb. 188{];, Mary McCh:lldoli i 1876­
IV50). LilIa "'/,11" Slicklaml (/8, 2 ·clI. 1965): b,Kk: Amanda " ;Ilondy " Redwine (b.
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[MA HATTIE ON KNEES PRAYING.] MA HATTIE: Now I am trusting in you Lord to bring my family back together.
POPP A ARCHIE: Missus Linnah was, just like the rest of white women, not in power. Before
it was all said and done the old widow lady faltered, too. She was in debt and commenced selling
me. I went to a Brewster and was left seeing Ma Hattie and few of them chillen only on the
weekends. When freedom comes, the first titles that we went under were Brewster.
UNCLE DENNIS:
Oh, how we lived for Christmas to be with Poppa. It was a glorious time!
Only thing it never lasted long enough.
13
.----_._-­
~, · tNEW.NAN HAS SLA'VE
L:·;~~~.
TiME NEGRO. CLAIMING
TO aE 115 -YEARS ·OF AGE!
.'
:St~yenaOD, luterviewed b, Herald
'R eporter t ell• .of Old Civil W&r~Day. .
'. A. The Slave of M,.e Jim SteVen8em
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t.baat t-o fIU'I ap.
DenD1s bu an ~, memGr'1
IDd can recall epIDla happenfD,
dur1Dc and befen t.bI ctiu War.
Ra c:Ia1ms to mow ~ DUM of
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CCIWIt7 aDd ~ flo '1ft'. aDd N­
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14
.II
UNCLE WASHINGTON: Now, I had got hitched to Aunt Sidney and took her entitles. I was
going under Kellogg.
UNCLE WILSON: Poppa Archie and Ma Hattie took up Stephenson and told the children to
do the same. Told us we need one name. Before that time we were Brewsters, Fambroughs,
Kelloggs, Stevenson, and Steversons.
POppA ARCHIE: All the children fell right in line with the name Stephenson, excepting
Washington. Now Washington Kellogg-he was my boy, a Stephenson too-took up the name
of his wife' s kinfolk.
15 ---- ........
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or
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16 ACT ONE SCENE TWO -_. .
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8 OCCU~ATIOH
fA' T"AOI:. ""OP't:. . ION OIl
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..... RTICULAR KIND Of' WOR"'_ _ _ _..;~"__''_'·'''''_''''_':.J<.....,=''_+i_----..,
,., GE'NDtAL NATURE 0,. lHDUSYIllY.
BU.JN!:S8 OR En-"'._1 .-I.HMEN'T IN
W"'IC,H DI"\..OYED (OR EM~YER)
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(DURATION)
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WHERE WAa DJ.EA.SE CONl1t.ACT~ •
IF' NOT AT PLACE 0,. DUTH"_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _;
BIRTH"'~CE:
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OF' ""THER
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(nATE 0 .. c:!':::!:U~HT1'I~~y.!.'____._ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _'___ _ _ _ _ DID AN OPIERAT'ON PR.cU. DUTH"~DATI: 0,.·- - - - - - - - - 1
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WA. THEW': AN AUToroevr_ _ _
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[UNCLE NOAH ENTERS STAGE, WALKING WITH HIS FEET STICKING WAY
OUT, HIS KNEES GOING IN.]
UNCLE NOAH ALLEN: I is looking for Hattie. She last was on the Stephenson plantation.
17 [Ma Hattie lets out a great big holler, when she see Uncle Noah. Ma Hattie just smothers
him with hugs and rejoices in the Lord!]
MA HATTIE: Noah, you a sight for sore eyes. Turn around. Thank you Jesus! Well , you see,
the Allens is my Virginny kinfolk.
I was born up around them parts. Reckon some time after
the British torched the White House, best can figure.
[UNCLE NOAH POINTS TO YOUNG PEOPLE WATCHING, NOAH TIPS HIS HAT]
UNCLE NOAH ALLEN: Well, I don't believe I done made your acquaintance.
MA HATTIE: Children, this is your Uncle Noah. Here is Sam, Lewis, Aaron, Nancy, Laura,
and Lula. We was separated in slavery. He once was lost but now he is found.
POPPA ARCHIE WILLIE: Noah, you going to stay with us.
[THE FAMILY HUGS.] 18
NARRATOR 1: Well, there just was so much buying and selling and trading and hiring out of
folks back in slavery that you just couldn't keep track of all your people. But, Lord knows
colored tried their best. In freedom family separated in slavery, traveled in search of loss loved
ones. Uncle Noah was staying down around Corinth, when he passed. The people in Atlanta
wanted his body to experiment. But the colored wasn't hearin' nothin' 'bout that!
NARRATOR 2: Well, there arose such a ferocious thunderstorm on the day of the Homegoing.
It was such a clatter that the folks took off running to get out of there. Left the shovel and grave
uncovered, they did. Then the Atlanta people up and stole Uncle Noah's body! White folks get
funny like that, when they set their minds to wantin' somethin'. Poor fellow's spirit still roamin',
not having a decent burial and all.
19 PART TWO Passing On The Legacy of Caring The Atlanta Constitution, Jan. 28,1987, p. Cl
Terry Harper, grandson ofDelitha "Saint" Steverson Hudson.,
grew up on the Hudson property on Cedar Mountain Road
He played baseball for the Atlanta Braves and Detroit Lions.
ACT TWO SCENE ONE ELDER 1: Ujamma is the fourth principle of Kwanzaa. Ujamma means collective economics.
During Reconstruction our ancestors displayed a mastery of the rural economy. In freedom our
ancestors were industrious and found ways to make money .
[ELDER 1 LIGHTS THE NEXT RED CANDLE ON THE LEFT.]
ELDER 2: Nia is the fifth principle of Kwanzaa. Nia means purpose. The Kellogg, Waters,
Stevenson, Steverson reunion is a time when we build and develop of our community in order to
restore our people to their traditional greatness.
20
[EDLER 2 LIGHTS THE NEXT GREEEN CANDLE.] ELDER 3: Kuumba is the sixth principle of Kwanzaa. Kuumbaa means creativity. The
generation to come must always do as much as we can, in the way we can, in order to leave our
community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it.
[ELDER 3 LIGHTS THE FINAL RED CANDLE.]
AWARD CEREMONY STEVENSON-STEVERSON KELLOGG FAMILY REUNION CHATTANOOGA FAMILY REUNION ORGANIZERS CLEVELAND, OHIO JULY 4-6,2008 21 [SCENE OPENS WITH AUNT MARY WATERS STEVENSON ON A ROCKING
CHAIR AND BARKSDALE SEATED BY HER SIDE WITH A NOTEBOOK AND PEN]
BARKSDALE: Aunt Mary, can you tell me how Pa Sam made a living?
22
I
By Mrs. R. T. INerma JGall"", Sr. Newa. ...cowela "Istorkal Society A s-t turnout for the January meeting. Vinnie Rosenzweig pre­
sented the pro­
gram on local Craftsman ArdII­
lecture. Slides
were shown rep­
resenting dif·
ferent Wnp and
many or the local
homes were
shown in tbis
presentation. The new officers took over for the
Mrs, Guby
year and many rejoined for the
year at this rlrSt meeting.
Coweta Coaly GftIeaJocioI
Society
This Thursday (February 41 is
the first Thursday In tbe month and
this means that It Is lime (or the
Board of Directors meeting. Be
sure to get any ideas or sucgestions
to one of them before tbe
meeting.
Gewell Researrll WorUIMp
The Augusta Genealogical
Society aDd Augusta College De·
Treetops To Roots
partment of Continuing EducaUon
are co-sp<ofISOring this interesting
workshop. II wjJJ be held February
20tb at the Augusta College
Activities '=enter in Augusta. II will
be lead by Kenneth H. Thomas, Jr.
(Genealo<tical columnist for the
Sunday Atlanta Joumal-Constitu­
lion) .
If any of you have relatives in
Augusta, lhis would be a good time
to visit th ,m.
Odoer Articles
QHry Did you like the !\Iorlalily
Schedule as aD article? Would you
like others? Would you like to have
a listing or the 18Z7 Land Lotto"")' or
Coweta eounty? TIlere are 0\",," 300 land lots and this would haw to be
distributed over a period or weeks.
Wbat would help you the Dlost?
Write and send me some item;; that
you would like to see in tbis
column.
t<151 Georgia Mortality CenslIS SdleduJe r.. Coweta Coanly
Name
Bales, l>1!vid Newman.C. Arnold, r.~artba E.
Arnold, u lia Age
30
9
24
5/ 12
2S
Maddox, -;usan Kelly, Moses Skinner, /dartha
Bell, Mar.ha A.
Brown, A:nos T.
Thomp5O:\, Ann
PiUard, F.li2a M.
Smith, Sara E.
Maddox. EIi2abeth
Waldrop. R. W. State Mo. or Marl
Sex 80m Death Wid.
m Ga. Jan. M
m
f
(
r
,
53
13
m
20
f
m
f
f
f
f
m
5/ 12
II:;
5
I
Tl
38
Ga.
Ga.
Ga.
Ga .
S.C.
Ga.
Ga.
Ga.
Ga .
Ga .
Ga.
Ga.
S.C.
Oct.
March
April
Feb.
J a n.
iepl.
Aut!
Dec .
March
Jan.
Sept .
Feb.
Jan.
!II
W
M
M
W
I am a senior al the Univenlly
of Pittsburgh - I am doin g a
research projec:t on my family tree
-
I ha ve lraco!d one line of my
family tree back to Newnan,
Georgia in the 1830's.
I am searching for any
infonnation available on a George
Fambrow. He fought for the
Coafedmlte side in Georgia during
the Civil War. My matemalgre&t.
grandfather. Wilson Steverson ,
was a slave or George Fambrow. I
orten found the Steverson name
misspelled Stevenson. Wilson was
born in Newnan Novl!mber 3, 18311
to slaves Archie and Harriel. HI!
was one of 14 children . Wilson
fought alongside his master during
the Civil War. All« being freo!d he
emigrated from Coweta coonly.
In 1938, Wilson's brothl!r,
Dt!nnis Steverson was still living In
Newnan at th4!ageof98. If have
gotten in touch with two of Dennis'
grandchildren a nd they wiD write
you).
W
M
Roland C. Hall, 939 Bald win
AV4!DUe. Sharon. Pa . 16146.
I·
AUNT MARY: Well, Pa Sam run a stud service. He took a huge bull and opened a stud
service. If your heifer cow was going low, you would bring her to his place. RW1 one for the
lady hogs too. He sold chickens, turkeys, guineas, ribbon cane syrup, sorghum syrup, peanuts,
sweet peas, crowder peas- and pigs.
NEIGHBOR 1: Can my cow get along with yours?
P A SAM: Yes! Put her in the fence.
23
NEIGHBOR 1: Sam, here is a dollar. My heifer done had her calf.
PA SAM: Much obliged. Come back again, you here. Within six weeks after that old sow
come in, I'm selling those piglets.
NEIGHBOR 2: Now your lady hog done had a litter. She done got together with my gentleman
hog!
PA SAM: Well, I don ' t know whose hog it was. She was running free. I don ' t have to give you
any of my litter! Nature done just took its course, I reckon.
NEIGHBOR 2: Ooh wee, Sam Stevenson, you a hard customer.
PA SAM: Pretty gal , fetch me some pomeeters.
AUNT MARY: Camp meeting be coming around soon. It is the third Sunday in August. Look
like you planning a big feed .
24
P A SAM: Jim, grab that hog over there. Best get the pallets ready for the children and
grandchildren. We fitting to have a barbecue for the grands. Folks be here from Chalk Level.
UNCLE JIM: Now, Pa Sam, you love having the family together.
NARRATOR 1: Pa Sam and his older sons worked building the wooden barn-church which
substituted as a schoolhouse, his younger son Jim carrying the tools and nails between the
workmen. When quarterly conferences were held at the church, Samuel enjoyed putting on a big
feed and entertaining the clergy at his homestead.
25 26 NARRATOR 2: At the homestead there were photographs ofPa Sam, Aunt Nancy, and other
pioneers of Evergreen Methodist Church hung on the wall.. The homestead located in the
Hurricane District was blown away by a big wind.
AUNT MARY: Now, you sure you don't know my Rufus, both of you up in the same place.
You just like my Rufus! Aunt Nancy was shrewd businesswoman.
AUNT NANCY: See that hen over there, with the matted feathers. She's goin' to die. So, let's
sell her. Let's catch that their heifer and get to sellin' her.
AUNT MARY: Cut off all those matted sticky feathers around her behind.
CUSTOMER 1: Well I'll give you fifty cents.
AUNT NANCY: Won't accept a cent less than seventy-five cents.
CUSTOMER 1: Mammy, you drive a hard bargain.
27
[CUSTOMER 1 PAYS AUNT NANCY. AUNT NANCY SLIPS HER MONEY DEEP IN
HER APRON HIP POCKET. IT WAS A CAUSE FOR CELEBRATION. CUSTOMER 1
LEAVES.]
AUNT NANCY (with half-sheepish giggle): The white folks sure did want her.
AUNT MARY: Aunt Nancy, you know that was wrong what we did.
AUNT NANCY: Yeah, but we ain't got to eat the heifer.
28 'COWlty of C017CW"
I
1;""~TJOry,
)
r;;'.: !CY P.ITH'J.·O~! ~
I
HJ~.!:C
do
tl1io
of 3rtLl :; t,;,'1. tc r.-.nd C.OUlll..y,
l::!.:Jt '::ill
r!':j
~.lld
tC9t:.:U;o.~t1t.
b~ln:::
of
:1
f)lU1:Cl ::,nd (li ~;~",:; ill ..: niuu ,',nd
hereby r'cvol~in.;.: un:)" :'.11(\ 1:'.11
OtiU:!!'3
th-~t
-I have heretofore """t,le,
I,!'EE 1 - It i:; I:!J \'iill D•.nd tlc3irc that l'l-:l il0'.iy he lan'icc tn n.
)l':~nller,
the plnce
~.ll(',
uot:'.ilo of \h ). •.:h I leave to ,.1.1':/ di'JI.:htel', r:o.tlif!
Cltr1:)ti ::"~H-ti}:c
[jurt{tn~
d.c~th.
(lfter fly
ITEti:3 - It i9 my Gill and desire th~.t r::; exccl1~or herein:uter n~.",,:d, ",S 3001]
~.ltcr my death, brln(; all my p,'o;lcrty, hoth real c:nd l'cr:wunl, to 2,,10,
6d after ll"ylnt; "'Y ,iust debts, divide nll?,t io left in the follo\':!nt; r,W.llller, to-I'fit:
tw prnctic!lule
Clecst~
To m." e;rnHdehildren. I.intoll, Jcv:cl. Arvclle. TJmotilY. Eloi.!..;e :).nd
l-'ern,y, <'.11 bel.ll~ tit e chi Idren of InY dCCC::\6C<l d"'I!:h tel', Ro<:clla lJur t.on l"er i by, 1 ::;1 vc
~he sun of Olle (S1.00) Dollar eaGh •
• To PLY .cr..sfldr;hi.ldren. J £'.!:'(.'5 n.lxl li;>~thnll.icl Gl~osl'y, the ciljltl.rcll of )<lY
dnujhter, lUnlllo Curtol' Crosby, 1 :;l,e the t;\U'.1 or one ($1.0U) Dol1,,1' eacit,
To my t;r:"nddl).tv.,;hter. E3pcr Burton.
I Give tile ,,~ of Olle ($1.00) !lollar.
After my debts )In.'In hecn !);:',id
dn~hter
of
It1~" d.ecen~cc.!
UlHl thf! heqHC!:$I'.G to hl':{
t
PtJ!l.
decc~u.cd
Jc~:; e
!."·u :'t;: r: ,
...:~l'.:.",ndchtlc!l"cn p.~ st.L'.ti~d
Above hnvc bC~1l paid, I rl'!3i1'C thnt the rer"'.initll~ portioll of ny c:.tate, both 1'e0.1 nIHl
personl\l, be divided e'1\U'.ll/ betllcen "'Y chUdren. tr)-" i t: Hattic ilurton. IJ..Ile Burton
llettlea, Otis !>lIrt.oll, J.!nry Lou Ilurto/l Arnol,l, Nul<,. Durton, ',:111 ll\,rton, J. 1'. BU1'toll
and >.!1 Idred lJurton. ohere and 3hci.re al ike.
IT!!: '. : I herl!by cO:1z:titute .:llld appoint r·!,Y dN.l::hter, Hl!ttie Burton. cxecHtrix
t~et.~,!~,~ntJ :-:. rr.! I e7.:9r~3:_1.:- c onf ~'r upcn her ..::>or~ er ElZ OUt:}] to
!:.:z. 7.:; ~~:,:-.s~t:.-. b:;~_l: :,e~: !':,::'! p~=:)~nn.l. at, ::::.L:'l c 0:" ~?!"iV3t.C Gi:.'.le ...:lthont nny
:--! this :~y la~'t 1<"!11 C'.!"J d
~~~:
~-
. -...
hecl&red. j,7bl1slied. s~"ed I'ud I)onled
b
the
!'=-__ se::ce ~!'
~ ~ ~
~::e
=!
• .at 2:-
t.he
tmder ;;;~-n~ d 3.-!:I
~~ .- '
ea=. :-::.=_
~
! -:r~e
.. %
~
l)y
Jinncy ilurton e..s her last ~111 (', ud test:=cnt, t:it:14!os.es. z~ e fi:-et
~ :-e ~~ ~ ... . :.: ~: !."::' ... ~-:::.
:1 ~
::! ___ 7::
s!..: ~:'::: , ;
!~~
= ~:=
.
-_---- -'--­
.
29
~
..
;:-t!:~ri ':'=. 0" OI[A1Jr04
O~~
LOCAL RECISTRAR'S RECORD OF DEATH
GEORGIA STATE BOARO OF HEAL.TH
e. o. v. e.
.)
1(' -'- , ­
,)(;- .1. J (
I "
BUREAU OF VITAL STATISTICS
~12
..
O I A-::;
NARRATOR 1: In the marketplace Nancy, a sharp Colored haggler, made a little money while
affirming her self-worth. Stories about Nancy and her enterprise were vital additions to the
family lore, teaching how motherwit ingeniously applied was a match to white power.
30 NARRATOR 2: Will was not content working under his father ' s administration and just
wanted to buy his own farm. Will lacked the credit history and got Pa Sam, his father, to put up
the old Stevenson homestead. Pa Sam stood so that his son was able to have his dream. As an
independent farmer, Will hired field hands and became a big shot, buying fine mules. The boll
weevil struck and nobody was able to make a lot of money. Mary Jane, Will's wife, left and
went to Detroit where she had people, sending later for her husband and niece. Before Will left
he promised his father that he was going to send back the payments for the mortgage.
[PA SAM BECOMES FEEBLE AND SICK.]
PA SAM: Something got to be wrong? Haven't heard anything in a long time.
AUNT MARY: Pa Sam, don' t worry. Now, Will done sent from Detroit two payments on the
mortgage. You'll probably be hearing something soon.
P A SAM: You right, Pretty Girl.
31 ACT TWO SCENE TWO C1:RTIFICATE or DEATH
~_,. LJn;litl..
:>I ..... OWIrk. oI . •••
tl!lo(" T.....
--., ............
,.
~0ff'W"KAI."'''~
nAn
~
'ftAL'IW
1.fv.·~
d. . .. ..
Qr , ••.' , .~ •• ~ ••.••••••• _..
•",:r. ..
:'TU~'~Ir./. .~
I:~~m,~,.
....
WIDOWm,
0. 0(Y0Km.
{ .~""'
)
. . 1.. .. .. .. ..
(v.-. ,)
---- - "- - -tr-LIaR
-­
j
"-1.".
~1~~T~j~:~;;
. . . . . . . . . . -.. . . . .".-.-..
=~~ .).--
~
~-
........ .. ... . ................. fo.r.u..) •••••.• -T" .- ............ .. , .. ... J,e'~ ................
.:J:..
I ................~~ ...
~
~~(=~~~:k.
..:cr,:-~~~ou,~::.~:::::.!"C:
n··k
(til IDO'Ta oraa.DDfCa crw ....................
--,
~_
::c_
.....,..........-.._.&
..................
-
--
..."....
_ .....
.,...-r._~
~ .......,....... _..-..___ .•
.......:....................._......._..._..... . NARRATOR 1: IN DETROIT, WILL DID NOT SEND ANY MORE MONEY BACK
HOME.
32
-,....
INVE TORY AND APPRAISE.MENT Decea.sed
NARRATOR 2: AFTER GETTING NEWS PA SAM HAS DIED, WILL SHORTLY
BECOMES ILL.
33
­
DOCTOR: Will, you got heart trouble. To leave the congestion of Detroit and go to the
countryside you might fare better.
UNCLE WILL (weasing, grabbing chest): Reckon, I'll return back to Newnan.
[Michael Jackson 's Man in the Mirror plays.]
ACT TWO SCENE THREE
[BACK IN NEWNAN WILL ARRIVES ON THE TRAIN WEASING AND GRABBING HIS
CHEST.]
AUNT MATTIE: Now that 's my brother but he done reaped what he done sowed!
34
ACT TWO SCENE FOUR ELDER 1: Imani is the seventh principJe of Kwaozaa. Imani means faith.
[EDWARD STEVENSON LIGHTS THE LAST CANDLE.]
She Was My Mother
NARRA TOR 1: TN THE DETROIT BACKYARD OF EDWARD AND MARY LOU
JOHNSON STEVENSON, THEIR CHILDREN, NIECES, AND NEPHEWS GATHER FOR A
PICNIC.
35 EDWARD STEVENSON: Let's give Momma a family reunion.
MARY LOU JOHNSON STEVENSON: Yes, that would be such a beautiful idea.
EDWARD STEVENSON: I'm going to call Virginia, Wavard, Rufus, Edwina, Gitty, Junior,
and Lois.
36 ACT TWO SCENE FIVE
NARRATOR 2: IN NEWNAN THE FIRST STEVENSON WATERS REUNION OCCURS.
[MARY WATERS STEVENSON IS ON ROCKING CHAIR. EVERYBODY GATHERS
ROUND.]
EDWARD STEVENSON: Momma, on behalf of the family we want to present you with this
inspirational plaque which reads:
ONE DAY AT A TIME
Help me believe in what
I could be and all that I am.
Show me the stairway
I have to climb Lord for myfaith
Teach me to take
One day at a time.
--Anonymous
AUNT MARY WATERS STEVENSON: This isjust the blessing of the Lord. Thank you,
children and always remember, one day at a time.
[CLOSE BY HOLDING HANDS AND SINGING IN UNISON: "WE COME THIS FAR BY
FAITH."] 37