I FOUND
THE CASSETTE TAPE!
On April 8, 2005, I drove to Memphis, TN to capture my late Cousin Robert
Danner’s family recollections on tape. This was for an assignment for one of my
graduate classes while pursuing my Master of Arts degree in African-American
Studies from Clark Atlanta Univ. The day
of this interview was Cousin Robert’s 99th birthday. Shortly after moving to Memphis in Nov. 1996, I developed a close relationship with him. Born on April 8, 1906 near
Como, Mississippi, he was my maternal grandmother’s first cousin and my
great-grandmother Mary Danner Davis’ nephew.
He became like a grandfather to me; he shared so much with me about our
family history. In fact, Mississippi
to Africa: A Journey of Discovery would not have been possible if it
wasn’t for his clear mind and vivid recollections.
I often brag that Cousin Robert was a “Walking History Book,” and now
you can hear why.
This interview is presented here in 5 short
clips with a synopsis of what he had shared with me many times during the 11
years I was blessed to have him in my life. Really, this is just a small portion of all the knowledge he poured onto me. Cousin Robert Danner joined the ancestors three years after this
interview on April 9, 2008, at the age of 102. I am thrilled to be able to
share his voice, his kind spirit, and his wonderful recollections with family
members and the world. Two thumbs up for technology!
Cousin Robert Danner with his
longtime companion/”girlfriend,” Ruthie Mae Byers (left), and our cousin, Orien
Reid Nix (right), taken in 1998, Memphis, TN
AUDIO
CLIP 1 (7:40):
Cousin Robert shares his memory of his grandmother, Louisa “Lue” Bobo Danner (1842-1921) of Panola County (Como), MS (my
great-great-grandmother), and why he and his baby sister were afraid of her
when they were small children. He also
shares how Grandma Lue got her land (100 acres).
AUDIO
CLIP 2 (8:00):
Cousin Robert talks about how his father, Uncle
Alfred Danner, quit school to work after his father Edward “Ed” Danner had passed away on Sept. 15, 1876. Ed Danner was only 42 years old. He shared
more recollections of his grandmother, Lue.
He recalls her white half-brother, Sandy Wilbourn. In this interview, he
said Sandy was her “Daddy” in error but in previous conversations, he confirmed
that Sandy was her brother. He also
recalls what his grandmother Lue had told him about how they had church during
slavery. He shares about how he and his family lived on Dr. Archie Yarbrough’s
farm near Como. Lastly, he talked about how his church, Mt. Moriah C.M.E.Church
(Como), began shortly after slavery.
Cousin Robert’s
father, Alfred Danner (1863-1961),
sitting with his sister, Laura Danner Reid
(1871-1955)
AUDIO
CLIP 3 (8:00):
Cousin Robert continues talking about the history of Mt. Moriah Church and how
it was built shortly after slavery by his grandfather Ed, the Pratchers, etc.
He discusses the injustice of sharecropping. He recalls the elders he
remembered during his childhood, and how his grandmother’s sisters would visit
her and they had “church” out in the road. He shares how his grandmother Lue
would be shouting as she walked to church (Mt. Moriah).
Mt. Moriah C.M.E. Church near Como, MS. The
red arrow points to the spot where Cousin Robert showed me where Grandma Lue Danner
was buried on July 6, 1921.
AUDIO
CLIP 4 (4:14): Cousin Robert confirms that his father,
Alfred Danner, was born into slavery. He describes his grandmother Lue’s house.
He talks about his Aunt Martha’s son, Isaac Gray (who changed his last name to
Hockenhull after his stepfather, his mother’s 2nd husband.). Cousin Isaac
Hockenhull married the great gospel singer, Mahalia Jackson. Remarkably, he
shares accounts of what his father told him about how he raised money to pay
the lawyer so that Grandma Lue could get a widow’s pension from the federal
government. Her husband Edward Danner
(my great-great-grandfather) fought with the 59th Regiment of the United States
Colored Troops (USCT) during the Civil War.
Cousin Robert shares how he heard that black soldiers fought in the War
with sticks.
1880 Panola County, MS
Census showing Cousin Robert’s father, Alfred
Danner, in his mother’s household. His reported age was 18. My
great-grandmother was Mary.
AUDIO
CLIP 5: Cousin Robert discusses how a white store-owner
in Como, named Charlie Chambers, surprisingly revealed to him that his wife,
Mrs. Maggie “A.T.” Wilbourn Chambers, was a first cousin to his father,
Alfred. He recalls a story of how his
father Alfred had to borrow money from a white merchant in Como. He also discusses how his father had a
philosophy of a person being a “Man of his Word”.
Was glued to every word, enjoyed following the story with the pictures and audio clips. What a wonderful story to tell and well told. Centenarians in the Family is assuredly an extended blessing of Long life and legacy. Thank you for sharing, always inspirational.
ReplyDeleteWow! Such a well written and interesting read! I was thrilled to find this blog post. Ruthie Mae is my grandmother!!!
ReplyDeleteWow! How is your grandmother? She was always VERY nice to me!
DeleteExcellent post! This was very interesting! My sister, Vixenlibra, told me I should checkout this post.
ReplyDelete