Edenton's Hidden African American Heritage

4/5/2015

While researching online, I came across a document submitted to the National Park Service that shocked me. In 2001, Edenton submitted a registration form to the National Register of Historic Places to expand the boundary of their historic district to include the structures designed by prominent African American builders (Architects). They wanted to preserve the ethnic heritage of these African Americans from 1883 to 1910.

In the Statement of Significance in the document below, Edenton acknowledged that in 1973, they chose to focus only on the "colonial and antebellum buildings and did not discuss the building traditions or contributions of the town's majority African-American population" (Section Number 8, p. 7). Part of their reason for doing this was because Edenton was just "climbing out of legal segregation," however, in 2001, Edenton felt this omission was regrettable (Section Number 8, p. 8).

Well, it is 2015, and I wonder if the Edenton town officials still see the need to preserve the ethnic heritage of their African American residents. Kadesh AME Zion Church members would say yes, since their historic building is in dire need of repair. The side of the church wall is held up by support beams. The above photo was taken in 2014 and is unsafe for parishioners to hold services.

Read the entire document. It gives detailed historic data on specific African Americans and they type of work and importance they had to the township. I discovered three of my relatives in the document. Also, the narratives give you a sense of the attitudes and climate of Edenton during the post Civil War periods.

25 Comments

Latoya Collins-Brownstein

4/6/2015 05:48:20 am

Excellent find Michelle! So after, "research," and finally recognizing the contributions of African American artisans, and their construction and architectural historical significance, if only generations later, within this application's documents, Edenton is now determined to eradicate entire blocks and neighborhoods,
whose homes were undoubtedly erected by these successful AA businessmen, for Edenton's dominant AA populace. I guess the priority for preservation is still the stately Antebellum and colonial homes, and I find this exclusion scathing!

I'm sure that NC's consistent distinction, as being one of the top migratory destinations for Americans (usually Northerners) seeking a more affordable cost of living and/or retirement, probably had something to do with the shift from preserving, to "redeveloping," the homes of these areas. Greed is always a factor in enterprises such as these, which use laws and ordinances to displace and "relocate" current residents.

Also, I did a quick scan of the Town of Edenton's FB page, I actually got as far as Jan 2014, and I didn't see any mention of the redevelopment plans there. There's a link to the plans on the town's official website, but not on FB. As I scanned down the timeline, I noticed the many pictures of Edenton's picturesque setting, town officials and the many achievements of other noted residents. It also occurred to me that of all of the notable Edentonians mentioned personally and/or professionally on the FB page, there were only a handful that depicted African Americans in any capcity! One of a food pantry worker, a man and his daughter sending seasons greetings, a young lady who just passed the bar exam, public works employees gardening and filling potholes, and of course, mugshots of African Americans arrested in an undercover drug sting!

I need some clarification from those of you familiar with the demographics of the town. Are there any AA city officials? I know from a FB pic that the entire Edenton Preservation Commission is Caucasian, and I wanted to know how many Councilman, Police Officers, Fireman, Planning Committee members, or those who spearhead economic development are AA. Has there ever been an African American mayor? Is Edenton is still pretty much segregated or do AAs also live in neighborhoods that were predominantly White before and during Jim Crow? How are the AA inhabitants of the town represented in local government?

Is this total disregard for the preservation of areas, planned and built by these distinguished AA artisans also the sentiment for all AA citizens of Edenton?

P.S. I'm also going to research Hessie Collins and see if she's a relation.

Latoya Collins-Brownstein

4/6/2015 05:59:25 am

It seems the town is up in arms about Food Lion moving. There was also mentions of the closing of eateries like Golden Corral and the economic decline of the town, but I didn't read one mention about what is being planned for these homes. They were talking about petitioning and boycotting the Food Lion. Besides this wonderful blog, has there been any mention of the redevelopment in the AA community, or Edenton in general? Has their been any initiatives by local citizen to thwart it?

Audrey Childs

4/6/2015 06:54:58 am

Hi Latoya, I shared with Michele in an email that I found that document a couple of years ago, and I was appalled that even in 1973, they weren't paying any attention to us. Here I am in the nation's capital, two years out of graduating from high school, and two years into college at Howard U., and I really knew nothing about Edenton-a small southern town, and its racial struggles. Only eight years away from the 1965 Voting Rights act, and 10 years away from the March on Washington. It seems that there was, and is yet, a lot to do. And this paper states that even in 1973, they were "just climbing out of legal segregation". I don't know what the residents of Edenton are doing. This has to start with them. Are they being complacent? A couple of summers ago, I took it upon myself to create a questionnaire. I asked someone I had met there, Delois Hall, to please pass them on to residents, churches, pastors, put them anywhere and give them to anyone she could. I made 100 of them, supplied self-addressed envelopes, and offered gift cards to the first 10 that I got back. I only got two back, one from Delois, and the other from Mr. Norman Brinkley, who I've had the pleasure to talk to. He was really encouraging about the book and told me I AM going to write it! I don't know why even the church pastors, aren't taking this on. I'm thinking of at least Providence Baptist, and Kadesh AME, two of the oldest black churches there. I was really disappointed. Regarding the aspect of segregation, again, a few summers ago, my cousin and I went to the visitor center. It's pretty much whitewashed, too. A neat little place, with a few pieces of memorabilia for sale. I asked what they might have had on the AA influence and the history of slavery there. Her reply? "Not much" And she alluded to the fact that they don't talk much about it; people are still uncomfortable about it; people pretty much stay to their own group; etc. She handed me that pamphlet. The AA heritage sites listed are Kadesh AME, Hannibal Badham, Jr. house;Providence Burial Ground (African American Cemetery), a marker for Harriet Jacobs, and a few more. I think that the Bembry store on Gale Street is slated for demolition. It's address is 221 W. Gale. I'm going to look and see. But I don't think, from what I've seen or heard, that there is much going on with the AA population regarding holding public offices or sitting on councils. I can get in touch with Mr. Brinkley and ask him.

Latoya Collins-Brownstein

4/6/2015 10:59:54 am

Well kudos yo you too Audrey. The content of this blog, with opportunities for ascendants and descendants to share their experiences and come together once a year, your upcoming book about Edenton, and its AA inhabitants throughout history, they are all giving voices to those who have been systematically underrepresented--the African American and their legacy in this historic town. And when the woman at the visitor's center said, "not much," after you asked her about the record of AA history and slavery in the town, that probably summed up the town's sentiment towards African Americans in general, I'm sorry to say.

I support diversity, and I'm not one to stoke the embers of racism, but her nonchalance about the matter speaks volumes. You can't continue to suppress one side, of what is a very comprehensive historical journey. You can have your "pilgrimage" and reminisce about the days when you grandfather was master of the plantation, and have your Daughters of the American Revolution teas--these are demonstrations of pride, heritage, history--but when the narrative of a town's past, omits those who were once burdened with the God-forsaken task of making the land habitable, having to cast off the shackles and degradation of slavery, ultimately becoming land/business owning, tax-paying, law-abiding, upwardly mobile, productive members of society, then that story is, incomplete, with only a beginning. It's time to complete this saga..

I know from my own experience and attempts to glean historical tidbits from conversations with my grandmother, who is almost 85 y/o, that the elders can be a bit docile, and I mean that in the best construction of course. I'm hoping that there's a good response to the questionnaire posted here on ROE.

Reviewing the Town of Edenton's FB page gave me a glimpse into the dynamics of this place; quaint, friendly, scenic, built on the backs of men and women, who probably died believing their progeny would inherit all of the fruits of their hard work; equality, education, life, liberty, etc. And while so many ex-slaves, those who endured Jim Crow, and their descendants have had opportunities to realize every success imaginable, it's small rural towns like Edenton that remind us that the more things change, the more they've stayed the same. Jim Crow was abolished, schools were integrated by law, but those boundaries; imaginary, tangible, and bigoted, keeping AAs residing on one side of town, or employed in certain jobs, or deliberately left out of local governance still prevail.

In towns, where the good 'ole boy ideology rules they day, AAs are tolerated, as long as they don't step out of line and try to encroach upon the well manicured lawns of their White neighbors. Now, I'm not saying this is the case in Edenton, but seeing that FB page, with scarcely an AA face (mostly just mugshots), really disappointed me. Is it a wonder that any plans to preserve these parts of town have been abandoned? A town that's 54% AA, is governed predominantly by Caucasians. How many of them live in the neighborhoods slated for "redevelopment"? How many attend churches there? How many have a history there, other than the fact that their ggg grandparents possessed the forefathers of its current inhabitants? How many have the best interests of the AA community at heart?

The content of the town's FB page suggests that the Food Lion move is more pressing than these redevelopment plans, that positive AA contributions to Edenton are few and far between, that AAs citizens, who are most likely participants in the criminal underbelly of the town, are undeserving of equal representation in local government. Yeeee haw!

Without a website like this, or the book you plan to publish, you would hardly know of any accomplishments of AA Edentonians, past or present.

Audrey Childs

4/6/2015 01:06:38 pm

I am humbled and appreciative of this discourse. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be able to network with those who are so fervent and passionate about a small town, that we have in common. When the genealogy bug "bit" me, it was because I asked my mother if there was anybody left in the family from Edenton. I started at the National Archives here in DC, reading microfilm. That was before the internet! My mom barely mentioned it, I didn't even know about the town. We never went there when we (my sisters and I) were children. They never took us. As far as I knew, my family was in Norfolk only. On the other hand, the descendants of the youngest former slave, Eden Cox, visited frequently. I'm only recently over the past couple of years, keeping up with a cousin from that end. She knew the town and spent summers there, because her grandmother went back a lot. When I saw the death dates of a couple of ancestors, I was saddened that I didn't get interested in this until after they were long gone. The only person I had, until just last year, was my great aunt, who passed at the age of 103. She was able to give me a couple of tidbits. This spot is invaluable. Here's a little gem for us-a few years ago during a visit( it's a long story, but my father's sister knew someone from Edenton-Ms. Mignon Jenkins. Her family was originally from Edenton. Her sister lived next door to my aunt in Norfolk. Anyway, one day when we rode down, Mignon said she would take me to visit some "old folk", who might be able to give me some points of interest. I was introduced to Ms. Fanny Parker. Found out that Ms. Parker knew my grandmother, and that we were kind of related on the Blount side! Well, as I shared with her that the last person to own my ancestor, that I knew of, was Tristrim Lowther Skinner, who died in a battle in 1862. Her response was "Lawd a'mercy, Massa Trim!" She remembers hearing about him from HER grandmother. I am recently in touch with Mary Maillard. She is the editor of the online history of Tristrim Lowther Skinner Family Papers. I wrote her a couple of weeks ago, and found out that Tristrim was her gg grandfather! She actually asked me if I had been on this website, and she also was alarmed and concerned with the news of what they are planning to do in Edenton. We have kept up a fascinating discourse, and she has been so helpful. Hopefully we will talk soon. So, Latoya, let's keep networking. You, Michele and I HAVE to meet and soon! I just finished extracting close to 450 names of heads of household in the 1870 census, who were farmers, general laborers, barbers, blackmsiths, brickmasons, carpenters, clergy, cooks, 1 town constable, a cooper, merchants, painters and a shoemaker. The farmers and general laborers are listed alphabetically page by page (92 of 'em!). I'm going to put the other occupations in one block of each, with names. The plan is to give sort of a general statement of each occupation, provide a picture, and then list names. Whew! The 1940 census seems like a long way off.... The second part of the book will be pretty much reproductions of newspaper articles from Fisherman and Farmer's "Colored News" section. Not much research needed there. That column lasted from 1887-1891. I had ordered the Chowan Herald, which had a colored news section from about 1930 or so. Didn't have time to read it in the evenings at our Martin Luther King library like I thought I would, and it had to go back before I was able to really give it some time. Thank you so much for your encouragement, and we will keep this going!

Latoya Collins - Brownstein

4/7/2015 05:46:50 am

Absolutely Audrey. This is a personal connection I am grateful for and plan to keep! Meeting you, and anyone with Edenton's roots, especially those responsible for this website/blog, in the flesh one of these days, sounds like a plan!

I've been doing research of this side of my family for about a year, and finding this site was icing on the cake. You've obviously been on your Edenton A-game, and it's inspiring. Looking at digital records is a start, but these personal connections have given what ancesry.com can't, and i hope to start filling the holes of my family history.

I'm trying to make the Norfolk connection because I know family members also migrated there and to NY. I also want to know why family members from Bertie co. and New Bern migrated to Edenton in the late 1800s, early 1900s. I'm determined to find out and I'm excited. I found an article on newspapers.com and I think my grand dad's maternal grand father may have been a bigamist! Lol!

I am also concerned about what's going to happen to the dwellings slated for "redevelopment." Once these developers and investors get a foothold and start demolishing and rebuilding, it's usually only a matter of time before the neighborhood is gentrified and/or unaffordable for those who used to call it home. I'm going to do some digging. You have to follow the money with projects like this. I think Michelle already posed the question, and we really need to find out who profits from this redevelopment.

Audrey Childs

4/16/2015 08:25:18 am

Hello Edenton researcher friends!
Taking spring break to sit here at my desk and continue working on the book. I found something interesting that I didn't know about. I found a book written by a woman who grew up in Edenton. It's called "White Gloves and Collard Greens" by Helen Pruden Kaufman. It's her story about growing up in a privileged childhood, as the town began to come out of the Jim Crow era, and into the Civil Rights movement. Should be a good read that will give some insight. Who knows what names may be in her book? It's on Amazon, so I ordered it. I will share info when I get it!

Audrey Childs

4/6/2015 01:07:49 pm

Latoya Collins - Brownstein

4/16/2015 08:44:56 am

Hello Audrey. I actually just finished reading that book last week, and besides the maids that worked for her family, there isn't really any mention of African Americans by name. The book is a very good read, and you will definitely get a better insight into racial norms and traditions at the time. The author is very candid about her racist relatives and their attitudes about "us," but because the racial divides in Edenton were so defined in those days, the author's experiences with African Americans is very limited. She does mention the women who worked for her family and two AA children she had the chance to play with as a child, but that's about it. As a writer, you will appreciate the style of storytelling as I did, but i think you may be disappointed by the lack of AA reference.

Audrey Childs

4/16/2015 10:01:43 am

Hi Latoya, thanks for the info! I thought there were so few books on anybody concerning Edenton, that I'd gotten them all. I've been online for the better part of today, since I'm on spring break. Gotten a few more pieces of the book together. I've documented barbers, blacksmiths, brickmasons, carpenters, clergy, a constable, a cook (fascinating find-Jennie Woodard was a cook for the Woodard Hotel. That hotel was owned by John Woodard. Jennie was listed with his family in the 1870 census, which leads me to believe that she was a slave in the Woodard household!) Any Woodards on that Edenton tree? Even though she may have married later, maybe someone knows she's their ancestor! I've documented a town constable, a cooper (barrel maker). I have about four more categories-merchants, painters, shoemakers and watermen, and then Im done with the 1870 census! So, I've ordered the book. Thank you for telling me what to expect, but it will give continued insight into what we already knew was the going feeling down there, as in every southern and many northern parts of our country about us during that time period. Sad, but true. That's why we MUST have our own literature and histories written. I'm working as hard as I can. This WILL be done, even if I have to put it out in increments, which is what I'm thinking. I'll probably do 1870-to the end of the 1880s; then tackle 1900-1919 (you know the 1890 census is unavailable) 1920-1939; then all of 1940. It's a work in progress. Keep pushing!

Latoya Collins-Brownstein

4/20/2015 03:25:07 pm

The disappointing aspect of this book was the lack of depth and details where African Americans are concerned, even in historically significant events. The book mentions a one-day sit-in at the Michener drug store, but never says who sat in or if anyone was arrested, etc. There is also mention of weekly pickets outside of the local theater, where AA had to enter through the alley door to access the balcony, but again no reference to who the protesters were. And Dr. King's visit and the crowds outside of the armory are also recalled, but because this is a memoir, and the author was a teen when this happened, there's very little detail given besides the fact that her racist family members disliked any semblance of change where the dynamics between African American and White Edentonians were concerned.

Latoya Collins - Brownstein

4/16/2015 11:02:59 am

Fascinating Audrey! Yes keep pushing, because I can't wait to read your book. I applaud your efforts to tell the whole truth of Edenton's history.

As for "White Gloves..." it's well written. I finished it in a day and a half, which is my average for a good book. You will definitely get a glimpse into Jim Crow Edenton and how the divides that exist today were established. Good reading. ..and writing!

Helen Pruden Kaufmann link

7/26/2015 01:44:27 pm

I came across the ROE website while doing research for a talk about my memoir, White Gloves and Collards. I, too, believe that Edenton’s African-American history has long been overlooked in the town’s promotion of its heritage, and I’m so glad that you’re pushing for this to change. (You might want to check out the Edenton Chowan Natives Facebook page—there was a recent post about the St. John the Evangelist Church, and I think folks would be interested in knowing more about its history and other AA landmarks.) Thanks for your comments about my book. I, too, wish that I’d been able to include more about what African Americans were going through during the 50s and 60s, but as a memoirist I had to stick to my limited observations as a child. Fortunately, I saw enough to realize that the system I was born into needed to change. I look forward reading more about ROE on your blog!

Latoya Collins - Brownstein

7/26/2015 03:38:48 pm

Hello Helen!

I think many of us stumbled upon this blog while doing research about our Edenton roots, and I thank the owners for taking the initiative to establish a forum where descendants can share and communicate. The content and contributions here have sparked a much needed discourse and concern about the preservation and acknowledgment of the AA significance in Edenton's history.

I did read your book, and as stated previously, it was a very good read. It was a touching memoir of your rearing in Jim Crow Edenton, however because of segregation, your point of view on the AA reality is, understandably, very limited. I did appreciate the candor regarding your family's sentiments about race and the fact that you did not sugar coat that.

I have yet to visit Edenton, but I suspect that the town is still divided and that this has become an accepted norm, wherein the lines between Caucasian and African American neighborhoods are defined and rarely crossed racially. I've seen this in cities like Charleston, and if I'm wrong in my assumptions about Edenton, I stand to he corrected. It does seem like a lovely town, but I'm concerned. And because I live hundreds of miles away, and did not grow up there, I hope my opinions are not misunderstood.

The dialogue here has been invaluable to me, and as others join the discussion, recognizing the lack of AA inclusion in Edenton's historical narrative, I hope it culminates into the realization of that.

Audrey Childs

7/26/2015 06:19:56 pm

Hello Helen,
Nice to share with a fellow author about Edenton. I found your book on Amazon. I hope to get mine there too. Please read my comments about the content of my book, on another blog page. I also read your book. I understand what its content was, from your point of view as a child and teenager. This was your life's story. You may already know that your father's sister, Lina, was mentioned in a couple of books. If not, I hope I can share another resource for you. One book by Blair Currie, is titled "Edenton: A Celebration of Life". A picture of her, and a biographical sketch are on pages 136 and 137. Also, in Louis Van Camp's "Images of America: Edenton and Chowan County North Carolina, on page 60, there is a picture of the view of West Gale Street looking north. Lina is a very small figure in the center of the picture, at the age of 10. Her parents, James Norfleet Pruden and Penelope McMullan Pruden, are thought to be the to the left. I hope you can see both of these, if you haven't already. We did grow up in about the same time period, though. I watched Captain Kangaroo and all the other shows-you there in Edenton, and I here in Washington, DC! Your book has been helpful, in that it gives the reader an understanding of what Edenton was like in those times.

audrey childs

4/23/2015 06:28:00 am

Hi Friends,
I just started reading the book. I see what you mean....I wish we could talk specifically to the current pastors of Kadesh and Providence, to have them encourage their members to participate in telling their stories. We need some face-to-face contact and interviews of the most senior members in Edenton now, before we lose them. I truly wish this could be done. I'm so ready to start NOW, with recorders and cameras! I need to come down during the summer, plan to stay two weeks in a hotel, and beat the pavement from door to door, or have an "interview Saturday and Sunday" where members of those churches would meet with me to tell their stories!

audrey childs

4/24/2015 06:33:02 am

audrey childs

4/27/2015 01:53:00 am

Helen Pruden Kaufmann link

7/27/2015 10:53:08 am

Hi, Audrey.Thanks for referring me to the two books that mention my Aunt Lina. I look forward to ordering YOUR book on Amazon, and I wish you all the best as you work toward completion of such a worthwhile project. Will the title of your book be "Edenton's Hidden African American Heritage"?

audrey j childs

7/27/2015 04:35:36 pm

Hi Helen,
You're quite welcome for the references about your Aunt Lina. Whenever I do research, I like to try to put faces to names. That's why family photos, and old photos are so important. Did you know about these before? I have a question for you-somewhere in your book you mentioned a small store that was owned and operated by a black businessman of the town. I have tried to browse through your book to find out where you mentioned it, but I can't locate it again. Maybe the store was La Dall, on Oakum? It was owned by Vernon Austin. I interviewed him briefly while I was down there. Information about him is directly under the picture of your Aunt Lina in Van Camp's book. As for my book, hopefully it will be on Amazon in the not-too-distant future! It will be titled "Trouble So Hard: Labor and Life of African American Residents in Edenton, NC 1870-1900". I want to do this all the way up to the 1940 census, but it will be too much to do it all in one, so I will eventually work in 1910 to 1940, in a second book. Keep returning to this website-your comments are valuable!

Helen Pruden Kaufmann link

8/3/2015 05:15:21 am

Hi, Audrey. Since your post, I've been able to round up both of the books you mentioned. (I found out that my brother owns the original of the photo in the Van Camp book and he said that it's actually of our great aunt Margaret Pruden, not Lina.) I remember Vernon Austin, who worked at Mitchener's, but don't believe I ever visited his store on Oakum. My brother and I sometimes went to a little grocery store on North Granville, but I don't know who owned it--I just remember that the sour pickles were amazing. I hope your research is progressing well. Looking forward to your book's publication--both volumes!

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audrey j childs

2/9/2017 09:56:36 pm

Hello all,
It has been a while since I have posted. I have continued to steadily work on the book. Two summers ago, I attended the Roots of Edenton gathering in NC, and was privileged to give a slide show/talk on my book. I completed the rough draft just a few weeks ago, and now an outline of it is on its way to Heritage Publishers! I just happened to go to a website about Edenton, and a few quick videos had been added. The Heritage Players put out a few scenes of what life may have been like in different time periods of Edenton's history. The only participation/reference to African Americans were two ladies who played the parts of servants....I was so excited to find this website, as evidenced by my posts. I hope the excitement and fervor about telling our history their has not waned!

Edenton's Hidden African American Heritage

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