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Davenport House Museum Volunteer Newsletter

September 2019 www.davenporthousemuseum.org 912/236-8097 Become a Facebook fan, follow us on Instagram and Twitter

To the Editors of the Georgian. worthless of the canine race, and no city like hour glasses, I pity the unfortunate Of all the nuisances ever known to our requires it more than Savannah. wanderer that adopts it – a folly which city, I conceive none so formidable in its I would beg leave through the medium of has not the merit of being pleasant or production of gloomy and unpleasant paper to suggest the consideration of this becoming. feelings, and one that has a tendency at the next meeting of Council. “Och! My Norah’s gown for me, sooner to raise our choler, either in sick- Yours respectfully, That floats as wild as mountain ness, or health, as the continued howling Somnus. breeze, and barking at night of the canine race. Savannah Republican, September 26 1829. Leaving every beauty free, To those who at this season of the year To sink or swell as nature pleases.” are so unfortunate as to be prostrated on Simplicity in dress is its greatest beauty – A man named Arquilla R. Acock, was the bed of sickness, and who are prevent- yesterday brought into the Police Office artificiality becomes distortion, and I ed from reposing during the day, from charged with having seriously recommend an immediate heat or other causes, naturally close their the night previous abandonment of the vices in question, eye-lids when nature has thrown her entered the Exchange, assuring the fair sex, that if a sudden gust dark mantle o’er us, and bids us rest – but, breaking glasses in of wind should happen to take place, it all in vain. one of the upper rooms, and disturbing would be out of the power of friends to

The violent and discordant yelping and the clock. The watchman in the steeple give any assistance—that ladies, unlike barking of the Moon gazers, are sufficient came down, and on approaching Acock, ships, are much best “when slack in to counter act the most potent opiates – his lamp was arrested from him and stays.” Persons in the enjoyment of health, who thrown at his head – at the same time, I am, dear sir, Acock, with a drawn knife in his hand, after the exertions and fatigue of a long Your most humble servant, inflicted a severe wound in the arm of the sultry day, seek at its close “tired nature’s HUMATAS. sweet restorer, balmy sleep,” (which can- watchman. Two of the guards came to Savannah Republican, September 3, 1829. not be dispensed with) are alike dis- the assistance of the watchman, and the turbed by the favorite, and mangy curs of offender secured. He was, after examina- Committed to Jail, children and negroes. tion, committed by Justice Pelot, for trial, At Coosawatchie, on the 15th of May last, before the next Superior Court. In a certain section of our city, (where a negro man named GEORGE who says Savannah Republican, September 5, 1829. he belongs to the Oakmulgee Naviga- they are most numerous) the effects upon tion Company in , of whom Mr. invalids are extremely unpleasant. I [For the SAVANNAH REPUBLICAN.] Robert McCall is agent; he is about 35 would not be supposed to be unfriendly Mr. Editor: -- I am astonished to see the years of age, 5 feet 7 or 8 inches high. to dogs, on the contrary, the characteris- change that has taken place in the dress tics of certain dogs are highly admired, J. J. BECK, j.h.d. and appearance of our respectable fe- Savannah Republican. September17, 1829. and they even set man a noble example males. Do they think that by wearing of sagacity and fidelity—but the noisy, such monstrous sleeves, that appear in TO A YOUNG LADY, ON HER MARRIAGE. and diminutive curs - the destroyers of my humble opinion, sufficiently large to They tell me, gentle lady, that they deck our rest – the incessant Moon barkers are enable one of our militia companies, bag- thee for a bride— those that I am inimical to, and which for gage and all, to parade therein with per- That the wreath is woven for thy hair, the our own comfort, ought to be destroyed. fect ease, without any fear of treading on bridegroom by thy It has been found actually necessary in their neighbor’s toes, to increase the re- side; Philadelph- gard and esteem of their admirers? How And I think I hear thy ia, and other egregiously are they mistaken? I know father’s sigh, thy cities, to not what may be the opinion of others, mother’s calmer have a gen- but for myself, when I see a pair of mam- tone, eral thin- moth shoulders, and a waist screwed up ning of the As they give thee to another’s arms – - 6 p.m. – September Junior Topic: 1810 to 1860,

their beautiful – their own. Interpreter Meeting The World of I never saw a bridal but my eyelid hath Wednesday, September 18 at 5 the Davenports been wet, p.m. – Dance rehearsal Lecture: September And it always seems to me as though a Thursday, September 19 at 5 p.m. – 16, 2019 @ 6pm joyous crowd were met Annual Maintenance Review/ in Kennedy To see the saddest sights of all – a gay Volunteer Maintenance Team Pharmacy and girlish thing Monday, September 23 at 6 & 8 (Speaker: Dr. Christopher Hen- Lay aside her maiden gladness – for a p.m. in the Drawing Room - dricks) name, and for a ring. Savannah’s Music Through the Concerts: September 23, 2019 @ 6pm And other cares will claim thy thoughts, Ages/Vocal Performance and 8pm at the Davenport House and other hearts thy love, Tuesday, September 24 from 4 to 6 Museum And gayer friends may be around and p.m. – Road Scholars/Urban bluer skies above; Slavery Topic: 1900-1940, Early Jazz Yet thou, when I behold thee next, - 6:30 p.m. – Savannah Arts Lecture: December 9, 2019 @ 6pm may’st wear upon they brow, Academy Junior Interpreter Ori- in Kennedy Pharmacy Perchance, a mother’s look of care, for entation (Speaker: TBA) that which lights it now. Wednesday, September 25 at 9:30 Concerts: December 16 @ 6pm and And when I think how often I have seen a.m. – Special Tour/Preservation 8pm at the Davenport House thee with thy mind Walking Tour Museum And lovely look, and step of air, and Saturday, September 28 at 4:30 bearing like a child— p.m. – Madeira Motor Coach Topic: 1950-1970, Broadway and the Oh! How mournfully, how mournfully series American Songbook the thought comes o’er my brain, Monday, September 30 from 9 to 3 Lecture: February 3, 2020 @ 6pm When I think thou ne’er must be that p.m. – Shop Inventory (Speaker: TBA) free and girlish thing again. - 6 p.m.- Dress Rehearsal/ Concerts: February 10, 2020 @ 6pm Savannah Georgian. September 17, 1829. Yellow Fever (Would love an au- and 8pm at the Davenport House dience of volunteers!) Museum —————————————

DAVENPORT HOUSE CALENDAR SAVANNAH VOICE FESTIVAL/ Topic: 1980-Present day September 2019 DAVENPORT HOUSE MUSEUM Lecture: May 4, 2020 @ 6pm in Sa- Wednesday, September 4 from 2 to PARTNERSHIP – SAVANNAH’S vannah Theater ( 4 p.m. /House and KP – Tour MUSIC THROUGH THE AGES Speaker: Michael Ching) and Hospitality Concerts: May 11, 2020 @ 6pm and - 5 p.m. – Dance rehearsal From the world of the Davenports 8pm at the Davenport House Sunday, September 8 at 4:30 p.m. to the present day, join us for a Museum – Madeira Motor Coach series glimpse into how music has Tuesday, September 10 at 10 a.m. changed through the ages here in Sponsored by a grant from Georgia – DH 200th Birthday Planning Savannah. Humanities Committee Credit line: This project is support- Monday, September 16 at 6 p.m. in This project is a co-production be- ed by Georgia Humanities, in part- the Kennedy Pharmacy – Sa- tween the Savannah VOICE Festival nership with the office of vannah’s Music Through the Ag- and the Davenport House Museum, Georgia Department of Economic es/Lecture: Dr. Christopher Hen- featuring a series of four concerts and Development, through funding dricks “The World of the Daven- associated free community lecture from the Georgia General ports” series. Assembly. Tuesday, September 17 at 11 a.m. – For tickets to the Vocal Performances

Davenport House Committee with opera stars of the future, see https://savannahvoicefestival.org SHOP NEWS: INTERPRETATION: Sunday, October 6 at 4:30 p.m. (43p) – - Shop inventory: The annual shop - Research/Columbia Square: Docents: Don Starr, Brent Ingram, inventory will be taken on Monday, Mark O’Dell delivered an introduc- Marty Barnes; Server: Sharla Kicen- September 30 from 9 a.m. until it is tion to the research he is doing in Sa- ski Sunday, October 27 at 4:30 p.m. (43p) done. See the sign-up sheet on the vannah censuses at the July Volunteer – Docents: Don Starr, Marty Barnes, kitchen door during the month. Gaye Luncheon. It is indeed interesting to Phyllis Carlino, John Sorel; Server: will need help with the counting!! our story: Sharla Kicenski - New Shop Items: We now offer Here is a little list of the facts that three teas from I drew from the 1830 Census. ROAD SCHOLARS: URBAN SLAVERY Ashford Tea US FEDERAL CENSUS OF 1830 The experience includes a PowerPoint Company – Columbia Ward Population- 219 presentation in the Kennedy Pharma- Savannah -103 White cy followed by a special focus tour Breeze (black -102 Enslaved that includes scenes with costumed tea), Tybee (green tea) and Midnight -14 Free African American interpreters in the Office and the Gar- in the Garden (black tea). Each can- Number of Households- 29 ret Room. The ending of the time on ister is $12. -24 White the property includes Benne wafers -5 Free African American and lemonade in the garden and an DOCENT NEWS: The Davenports owned 13 slaves, opportunity to visit the shop. All - Fall Docent Training Program: only second to Sarah Wolhopter [have presentations are from 4 to 6 p.m. The Museum will offer its Docent also seen it spelled Woolhoper] who owned Tuesday, September 24 - Phyllis Car- Training Program in October. 16 slaves. Four families owned 10 or lino, need additional docents Please let your friends and acquaint- more slaves, and the majority owned Tuesday, October 15 - Brent Ingram, ances know about the opportunity to six or less slaves. Mary Jane Mataxas, need one more be a part of this remarkable historic docent Tuesday, October 22 – Brent Ingram, site. The tentative schedule is Mon- GEARING UP A BUSY FALL days from 9:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.: Mary Jane Mataxas, Nancy Hubbard Look for your name! Tuesday, October 29 – Brent Ingram, Monday, October 7 – Orientation/ Mary Jane Mataxas, Phyllis Carlino Preservation Movement/Institutional MADEIRA/MOTOR COACH: Tuesday, November 12 – Phyllis Car- Culture. lino, John Sorel, need one more do- Monday, October 14 – Content of the This hour-long experience includes a cent Site Part I/Room Studies. spritely tour of the house focusing on Monday. October 21 – Content of the hospitality and the Madeira wine con- Jamie Credle will present Urban Site Part 2/Room Studies/Tour Giv- nection with the port city followed by Slavery training for Road Scholars ing Methodology. a reception in the DH garden. docents on Tuesday, September 10 Monday, October 28 – Odds and Ends/ Sunday, September 8 at 4:30 p.m. (21p) at 3 p.m. All are welcome. Safety/Sample Tour. – Docents: Marty Barnes, Phyllis If you need a refresher, please plan Carlino; Server: Jamie Credle SAVANNAH ARTS ACADEMY to attend. If there is someone who Sunday, September 22 at 4:30 p.m. JUNIOR INTERPRETERS: needs a personal invitation, please let (35p) – Docents: Marty Barnes, The DH begins the fourteenth year of Jamie or Sheena know. Phyllis Carlino, John Sorel; Set up – the Savannah Arts Academy/ Adele Packert and Sharla Kicenski - On the Schedule: Hurray to Susan Davenport House Museum Junior Saturday, September 28 at 4:30 p.m. Allen, Hew Evans, Carmen Kurdys, Interpreter Program in September. (26p) – Docents: Abby Schreiber, Dan and Carole Massey, and Adele Roger Smith, Steve Whiteway; Server: Orientation will be held on Tuesday, Packert. 100% of the summer Do- Linda Flanagan September 24 at 6:30 p.m. If neces- cent Training Class are now full- Saturday, October 5 at 4:30 p.m. (with sary there will be a lottery to deter- fledged docents having given their the Yellow Fever program to follow) mine the fifteen participants who will evaluation tours and are on the calen- (22p) – Docents: Abby Schreiber, learn to give tours of the DH during dar! Brent Ingram the fall. The class will meet on Tues- days in October and November with the culminating activity on the Friday DESCRIPTION: See a historical recre- treated victims during the 1820s epi- and Saturday of Thanksgiving break. ation of Savannah’s dreadful Yellow demic – Mary Lavindar American History teacher Michael Fever Epidemic of 1820 with partic- Johnson will recruit students from his ular emphasis on daily life in the port AP History Classes. city and medical techniques of the - JIs Help!: We will need help from period. A highlight is moving though veteran JIs with SAA JI Orientation the candlelit rooms witnessing enact- on Tuesday, September 24 from 6 to ments by costumed performers. In an 8 p.m. Let Jamie know if you can area seldom seen by visitors, the fate help. and experiences of the uncounted half ALL JUNIOR INTERPRETERS: of the city’s population, both free and - September JI Meeting: There will enslaved Africans, are revealed. be a September JI meeting on Tues- Reservations recommended. day, September 17. It will be a chance The performance requires that guests be able for JIs to get to know each other. to walk up and down stairs and maneu- The topic for the evening will be Yel- ver in the candlelit rooms. WHAT WE NEED FROM YOU FOR low Fever and other scary things. Not appropriate for children less than 8 THE YELLOW FEVER PROGRAM: years of age. - Distribute posters and post cards: This is an education program performed by We need people to distribute publicity volunteers as a community service to post cards and posters. HELP US benefit the Davenport House Museum. GET THE WORD OUT. Linda - Cast: Jamal Toure, Jamie Credle, Garner will oordinate post card distri- Jeff Freeman, Raleigh Marcell, John bution to hotels, inns, B&Bs in the - Congratulations on a job well Leonti, Anne Hagan, Sherry Hines, Landmark District. We need others done/Summer JIs: The Summer JI Susan Allen, Jody Leyva, Rachel Hick- to: Program culminated in JI Day on July man, Becca Robinson, Emma Mad- - Make food: Snack makers each 31. Seven terrific young people – sen, Naia Cookson, Sian Michaels, Ari night of the performance (Some of Surrena Copeland, SAA; Kernan Kalantari, Lily Kachmar the performers will come straight Frey, Savannah Christian; Chris Jen- NEW THIS YEAR: from work or school and would ap- kins, Savannah Country Day; Emma -Experience a new scene depicting the preciate a treat from the DH). Madsen, SAA; Sarah Kate Maher, household duties that come into play - Assist on performance nights: SAA; Alex Perpinan, Savannah when there has been a death in the We need house monitors and greeters Christian and Swati Shrestha, Islands house including preparation of the during the evenings of the perfor- HS - completed the program. Say body for . This scene is adapted mance. “Hello” when you see them around. from a Conrad Aiken story that at- - Attend a performance. tempts to answer “What is it like to be OCTOBER PROGRAM: dead?” DONATIONS IN AUGUST YELLOW FEVER in Savannah POPULAR FEATURES RETURNING: Margaret and Cory Highland Know the details: -Witnessing the discourse on the Amanda Plotner LIVING HISTORY PROGRAM: emergency by the enslaved and free Yellow Fever in Savannah people of color WORTH MENTIONING: Friday and Saturday nights in October 2018 -Seeing the house in the evening by - New Sod: Our dead grass crisis was DATES: October 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, candlelight hopefully corrected with the new sod 25, 26 -Viewing a scene in the garret room laid in August. Beware of chinch TIME: 7 p.m. which is seldom seen by visitors bugs! ADMISSION: $16 in advance; $19 -Hearing the treatments of two doc- - Thank you, Hew. Our SCAD at the door. Plus tax. tors with opposing views summer intern Hew Evans complet- -Meeting an historical character who ed the season’s projects in outstanding fashion. They in- Hickman, Sherry Hines, Chloe Al- - Linda Meyer found the DH an op- cluded reporting fred, Ava Burr, Naia Cookson, portunity. She says Island Helping on the annual Kernan Frey, Emma Madsen, Sa- Hand Thrift Shop, 119 Charlotte maintenance re- rah Kate Maher, Alex Perpinan, Road, Suite G, 31410—912-349-4669 view and collec- Becca Robinson, and Hilmy is happy to designated all proceeds tion inventory. Rukmana. Thank you, one and all! from thrift items sold to a charity (the The information - Expert here: Architectural conser- DH) as long as you design your wish- compiled will be vator George Fore visited the DH in es known. used to set priori- August to review the historic house - Trip to Mosaic Jekyll Island: In ties of building maintenance and and write a proposal providing exper- August, staff took the opportunity preservation. Hew also completed the tise in the preservation of the building while business was slow to visit sister Docent Training Program and shop and offering recommendations to the sites to the south. The first stop was training. The DH is fortunate to have contractors for the impending con- Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation near such a capable and willing student of struction activities. Staff members are Brunswick. The final destination was museology. He plans to return for anxious to receive the information Jekyll Island to see the new exhibit in more service during the fall quarter. gathered because he uncovered infor- what was the Jekyll Island Club sta- Lucky DH! mation that they did not know about bles. The 3.1 million dollar building - Dancers: DH Dance Mistress from (including finding “” in the conversion and exhibit presentation California, Elizabeth Albe, put danc- lower level). precipitated a rebranding endeavor. ers through their paces - Help where help is needed: Archi- The facility is now called Mosaic Jek- during her July 31 vis- tectural historian and DH volunteer yll Island Museum. It is worth the it. They sharpened Nancy Hubbard is providing exper- trip to experience the historic site their repertoire under tise both to George Fore and to the tour and the new exhibit. While dif- Albe’s tutelage. The DH/KP expansion team on ways to ferent in many ways, what was done at Museum is scheduling be mindful and sensitive to the histor- Jekyll is what will be done at the DH performances for the ic structure as we plan for the future. – an historic site tour and new exhibit. season and has several dates in De- Thank you, Nancy! DH people had a positive response to cember booked. They are happy to - Kelly’s New Job: Our friend and all. teach new people the steps. And Davenport House researcher, Kelly note: Jeff needs a partner! We need Westfield, has a new job as Coordi- new participants! Contact Jamie or nator, Teaching and Learning Center, Jeff if you or someone you know are Florida South Western State College, interested. Lee Campus. Congratulations! - Preservation/Maintenance Team - Endowment Directors: The DH Evaluation: Building professionals said “so long” to Adam Caracci who and DH volunteers will meet on has taken a new job in Dallas. He and Thursday, September 19 at 5 p.m. to his wife Erin moved in August. DH review the material put together dur- stalwart Brooke Wilford has taken ing the summer inspection. The Caracci’s place on the DH Endow- group makes recommendations for ment Directors Committee. Hey the 2019-2020 fiscal year for the Brooke! Glad to have you back! - JI Field Trip on August 1: Our building and grounds. - Farewell!: The DH Committee said colleagues treated veteran JIs beauti- - HSF donor party: Our across the “farewell” to member Denise Ger- fully during their “be a tourist in your square colleagues at HSF hosted a man, who moves to Greenville, SC in own hometown before school stu- gathering on August 22 and they had September. Thank you, Denise. We dents” adventure. They love The lots of DH help. Along with Jeff, loved having you in the DH Commu- SCAD Story at Poetter Hall. The Raleigh and Jamie, volunteers were nity! staff at Andrew Low House was out in force. Thank you to Rachael gracious and kind. JIs had the chance to take in the beauty and solemnity of house museum in Savannah. With my were being held at the Davenport the Cathedral of St. John the Bap- great interest in learning more about House. I was expecting only to greet tist. What a wonderful asset to be Savannah, and my would-be first offi- customers, get their name and paper- preserved. And, Cody Shelley at cial exposure to a job-like environ- work, and tell them where to go. Alt- Flannery O’Connor Childhood ment, I felt like the opportunity was hough that stayed true for the first Home was a revelation. Terrific! destined for me. I came to the brief few weddings, the last wedding was - November lecture!: We are waiting introduction of the house and imme- one to remember. There were two to make a more formal announcement diately put my name on the sign-up wives who individually and out-of-the once all of the details have been con- sheet crossing my fingers tighter and -blue proposed to their husbands right firmed but know the DH annual lec- tighter so that I would be chosen to in front of me and Sian in the gift shop! ture is going to be revelatory! Regina have the opportunity to work at the Everybody was in tears, everybody Mason, a direct descendant of Wil- house. Fortunately, I was chosen, and was happy for them, and the general liam Grimes and co-editor of his auto- I had not regretted my choice in the mood in the room was spectacular. A biography, Life of William Grimes, slightest. moment I am surely to never forget. the Runaway Slave, will speak at DH: What do you do outside of DH: How long have you lived in Second African Baptist Church at the Davenport House? Savannah? the invitation of the Davenport Hilmy: Besides the Davenport Hilmy: Thirteen years! House Museum, Andrew Low House, I attend Savannah Arts Acade- DH: What is your favorite thing to House and Ships of the Sea Muse- my and I am currently attending my do in Savannah? um. Save the date and time: Mon- junior year at the school. At school, I Hilmy: My favorite thing to do in day, November 4 at 6:30 p.m. surround myself with academics, Savannah is probably walk from one - Dickens of a Christmas: We are friends, and many different clubs (e.g. destination to another in Downtown. very excited about a new dinner/ Math Bowl, Quiz Bowl, Science Bowl, It may seem mundane, but no matter tour/holiday event planned for Garden Club, and FBLA). Outside of the length of the walk, there is always Wednesday, December 11 at the Mar- school, I play tennis often and, yes, if something new and gorgeous whenev- shall House/DH to benefit the Mu- you were asking, I do consider myself er I take a walk. seum and to celebrate the season. It a decent player. Besides tennis, I am a DH: What are your plans for the will be a Dickens/19th Century frequent runner and I have recently future? themed merriment. Anticipate hear- picked up reading again (p.s. would Hilmy: For one, I plan to finish writ- ing more! highly recommend The Old Man and the ing this email before it's due. But Sea). more seriously, I plan to graduate high DH: What is your favorite thing in school and attend my absolute the Davenport House? dream college, MIT although it is a Hilmy: In the master bedroom, in more tech-oriented college, and the the corner, there is a transformable Davenport House is obviously more night commode. I always find joy in history- getting a laugh from my audience oriented. In whenever I describe how mind- the future, ______blowing that it's a night-commode when I attend JUNIOR INTERPRETER that can transform. It may seem child- college, I plan

SPOTLIGHT ish, but I love it! to visit the Hilmy Rukmana DH: What's the most unusual Davenport DH: How did you thing that has happened to you in House every come to be associated the Davenport House? chance I am with the Davenport House? Hilmy: Well, I wouldn't call it unusu- given. The Hilmy: As many JIs, my AP U.S. al by any stretch, but I would definite- house has History teacher, Mr. Johnson, opened ly call it out of the ordinary. Sian given me the idea of volunteering at a historical Michaels and I volunteered to help many fond memories and I hope with Valentine’s Day Weddings that there are more to come! A LOOK AT THE DAVENPORT Reprint on an internet article: myself, and also have HOUSE GUEST REGISTER use of my limbs. I got SOUTHERN-SPIRITS.COM up, and went to her During the month of August 2019, GHOSTLY VOICES FROM bed, and tried to get the Davenport House Museum saw DIXIE LAND. “ RIDING under her coverlid; but visitors from 29 states and 19 countries could not find her. I in August. Our international visitors AND BY found her bed clothes hailed from Australia, Austria, Belgium WILLIAMS GRIMES.” wet. I kept feeling for her, but could not , India, France, Israel, , Ja- 2004. Catherine Yronwode. Southern- find her. pan, , Mexico, New Zealand, Po- spirits.com [A classic sign of the who goes land, Serbia Spain, Ukraine, United Ar- Grimes described the following episode riding at night is that her body is literal- ab Emirates, United Kingdom, and in a house in Savannah in the 1810s. ly not in her bed, so all you will find Vietnam. Interesting hometown names while she is out is her skin, which is wet My slave owner - “had a black female slave inside, like a freshly skinned hide. One included Pocahontas, AR; Gepp, AR; whom he called Frankee. I always believed way to catch such a witch is to salt her Jena, LA; Pearl, MS; Colonia, NJ; Lam- her to be a witch.” wet hide so that it shrinks and she can- berville, NJ; Maine, NY; Weaverville, “She had a straw bed on a bed stead about not fit back into it. Evidently Grimes NC; Sylvania, OH; Conshohocken, four paces from mine.” [They both slept in did not know how to do this or was too PA; Pigeon Forge, TN; Moab, UT. the kitchen.] terrified to try.] How They Heard About Us (in descending order of frequency) “I have heretofore stated I am convinced Her bed was tumbled from head to foot. I that this creature was a witch, and would was then convinced she was a witch, and Internet (Groupon, Pinterest, Google), turn herself into almost any different shape that she rode me. I then lay across the cor- Trolley Tours (Old Town Trolley, Old she chose.” ner of her bed without any covering, be- Savannah Tours), Walk Bys, Tour cause I thought she would not dare to ride “I have at different times of the night felt a Guides (Andrew Low House, Ships of me on her own bed, although she was a singular sensation, such as people generally the Sea), Concierge (Perry Lane), witch. call the night-: I would feel her com- Books, Friend, Maps, Relatives, Televi- ing toward me, and endeavouring to make a I have often, at the time she started from sion. noise, which I could quite plainly at first; her own bed, in some shape or other, felt a What They Had to Say but the nearer she approached me the more shock, and the nigher she advanced toward "We were lucky to get the best tour faintly I would cry out. I called to her, aunt me, the more severe the shock would be. guide - Thanks Roseann." "Beautiful Frankee, aunt Frankee, as plain as I could The next morning my master asked me until she got upon me and began to exer- home! Lovely tour!" '"Beautiful what was the matter of me last night. I told cise her enchantments on me. I was then house!" "Great job!" "Very cool! him that some old witch rode me, and that entirely speechless; making a noise like one Beautiful!" "Lovely with a nice staff." old witch, is not other than old Frankee. apparently choking, or strangling.” "Wonderful." "Awesome!" "Nicely He cursed me and called me a damned fool, done!" "Great tour. Lovely tour My master had often heard me make this and told me that if he heard any more of it, guide!" "Loved it, Marty!" "Loved it. noise in the night, and had called to me, to he would whip me. I then knew he did not Wonderful tour gal!" "Amazing stories know what was the matter; but as long as believe in witch-craft. she remained there I could not answer. She of history here! "Beautifully restored." He said, why don’t she ride me? I will give would then leave me and go to her own "Susan did a great job! Enjoyed our her a dollar. Ride me you old hag, and I bed. tour." "Wonderful! Marty was awe- will give you a dollar. I told him she would some!" "Very nice and informative After my master had called to her a number not dare to ride him. of times. Frankee, Frankee, when she got to tour." "Interesting. Amazing job!" [The description of hag-riding is as her own bed, and would answer, sair. "Great tour guide!" "Beautiful. Loved classically European as it is African- learning the history." "Amazing. Lots What ails Theo (a name I went by there, American. The terminology—including of history." "Simply amazing. Keep it cutting short the name Theodore) the words hag-riding and witchcraft— are more European than African, but up." "Excellent." "Cool place with lots She answered, hag ride him sair. of history." "Very educational." are especially common in Virginia, He then called to me, telling me to go and "Roseann was great! We had a very Maryland, and the Carolinas, where a sleep with her. great deal of English and Germanic good time. Well done!" "Great whirl- folklore has entered into .] wind tour to help us make our flight!" I could then, after she had left me, speak DH Interpretation – Be Considerate of the Hag!

My childhood expe- Terrors of Sleep” writes, “In Iran, it in their riences with witches would be the `bakhtak,’ a kind of sprit lives.” (McRobbie) Many people were watching Eliz- that perches on the chest. In , know the feeling!. Other sleep dis- abeth Montgomery ‘kanashibari,’ the sensation of being turbances which could be attributed to twitch her nose as bound by invisible metal for centuries hag riding include night terrors, sleep Samantha Stephens attributed to the stifling presence of walking and the general feeling of ex- in Bewitched TV . In Newfoundland and some haustion on waking of sleep apnea reruns after school places in the American South, it’s the sufferers, sans Cpap machine. In de- and Margaret Ham- `Night Hag,’ a witch who sits on the scribing her torment a seventy-nine- ilton as the witch in dreamer’s chest.” (McRobbie) Howev- year-old (in 1940) woman the er, one senses from online searches sounds to others who suffer movie. I was actually more fright- the veracity of the sentiment for from disquieting thoughts that hinder ened of Hamilton as the menacing in the Lowcountry. Writer Shane KP a sound sleep. “Ain’t sleep so good neighbor, Almira Gulch, stealing Toto O’Neill, says, “If anything or anyone for almost two weeks. Expect the hag the-dog away in her bicycle basket fears the more than the rest, had rode me. Seems like I can’t get than I was of her portraying the green it is the Gullah people.” (O’Neill) no rest no more. All kinds of things -faced Witch of the West. cross my mind and when I drop [off As preservers and interpreters of the Witches were not part of my belief to] sleep my sleep is not natural. I see area’s unique culture, we need to be system beyond TV and Halloween. a crow descend down on my pea familiar with and able to elaborate on Until recently, when I heard stories patch and carry every single pea off; I this phenomenon. South about “witches” I brushed them off see my baby leave the house without a Carolina Folktales: Stories of Animals without sensitivity. That was wrong. hand to take him; I see my old mother and Supernatural Beings (1941) com- If we want to be informed and in-tune stir restless in her grave; I see too piled by Writer’s Project workers says, to our community, we should be con- many thing like that.” (Paraphrased. “The hag is one of the most dreaded siderate of all phantasms. “Hag Duh Ride Me.” WPA, SC) of all supernatural creatures in South For people in the past, attitudes about Carolina.” (WPA, SC) This important One particular witches had a centrality to their cul- work on folk culture draws heavily on documented ture that may be hard for us to under- Lowcountry traditions and includes experience of stand. Their presence explained the stories known south of the Savannah hag riding hap- unexplainable and their existence was River (us). It contains four stories of pened in Sa- a deeply held belief. If we hope to hags and of being ridden in the night. vannah, possi- consider people in the past with bly Columbia About now you might be saying, thoughtfulness, one must revive one’s Square, when “Isn’t this a charming bit of nostal- open-mindedness. This became clear the enslaved carriage driver William gia?” at least until you consider what a to me with the realization of the al- Grimes recounted the story of gift a good night’s sleep is! The hag most universal belief in witches, par- Frankee, the cook, who he believed, riding phenomenon explains sleep ticularly hag riders, by Gullah was a witch. [See the accompanying paralysis, the “sudden waking inabil- Geechee people in the Lowcountry recounting in this newsletter.] ity to move, the feeling that something during the antebellum period. Grimes was the son of a white Virgin- is suffocating you, and visions of terri- ia planter and enslaved domestic who The belief in a witch who torments a ble things coming to get you.” was brought to Savannah in the early person by riding on his/her chest as (McRobbie) Sleep researcher and 19th century. He eventually found they sleep is not solely a Gullah clinic psychologist Brian Sharpless freedom and in 1825 published his Geechee belief. Cultures throughout “estimates that 8 percent of the gen- biography, which is known to be the the world have similar acceptances. eral population, nearly 29 percent of first narrative of an ex-slave and was Linda Rodrigues McRobbie in her students, and 32 percent of psychiatric written by his own hand, meaning he article “The Night Hag and Other patients had at least one episode of and bulging arteries are horrifi- A well-known deterrent to us is cally exposed (the muscle itself to paint window frames, the is said to be blood- front porches or even the exteri- red).” (O’Neill) ors doors of one’s house haint blue (a la the DH garret room) At daylight the hag ceases the to keep witches and evil doers at torment and returns from bay. The smell of sulphur is ab- whence she came, but a victim horrent to a hag, which is why can expect return visits. This keeping gunpowder handy is a anticipation leads to anxiety and deterrent as well. Sincere and mental illness. However, plan- was a literate man who expressed ex- fervent prayer and reciting ning to confront a hag head-on periences personally and not through verses, particularly Psalm 121, would be futile as ”wrestling a ghostwriter. What is significant for can protect one from the wrath with the Boo Hag is hardly an us about Grimes is he was contempo- of the hag. advisable course of action, as the rary with Isaiah Davenport having creature possesses supernatural When I first heard the hag riding sto- been born in the same year 1784 and strength and can easily overpow- ries from the Lowcountry, I was shak- he lived in Savannah during the time er a full-grown man.” (O’Neill) en with familiarity. The hag rider is of “our” Davenports. He mentions exactly the same story I heard in the one of his Savannah owners as being One should be industrious and 1990s of cauchemar from the African Philip Woolhopter, who was the pub- sly in hopes of outwitting the American-French-Catholic cultural lisher of the Columbia Museum hag for she can pass though the community of southwest . (newspaper) and lived across the tiniest spaces such as key holes While living in New Iberia, LA in the square from the Davenports when and cracks underneath doors. 1990s, I assisted with a program called they lived on Columbia Square. There are warning signs of her Oral Traditions in the African nocturnal approach. The atmos- Witches like Frankee are referred to in American Community of Iberia phere may change to humid and modern parlance as Boo Hags. The Parish which used teenagers as folk- hot. Animals may become rest- “Boo” in front of “Hag” seems to lore gatherers and historic interpret- less and the dogs will howl. In pacify or sweeten the term for chil- ers. Students brought in folk beliefs preparing one must be mindful dren’s understanding of what was a to share and document from their of a hag’s ways. One observer terrifying experience. In early docu- families and community. Many had notes, she “suffers from a form mented stories the term “hag” or heard of, if not experienced, the of obsessive-compulsive disorder “witch” is used (sans “boo”) to de- cauchemar (“In modern French, the known as arthimomania. She scribe a demonic who in the day- word cauchemar has come to mean feels compelled to count her ac- time appears “normal” but at night ; with the verb cauque tions or small objects in her sur- “removes her skin and takes to meaning “to press” and the noun roundings. . . .If the Boo Hag the skies (some say as a ball of mare for “phantom.”) (Roberts). should gain entry to one’s home, light), flying about in search of There is certainly a kinship connec- she may be kept out of the bed- those whom she may harass and tion throughout the southern Atlantic room by placing a straw torture whilst they sleep. By do- states with the against the door. No Boo Hag ing so, she restricts or even African diaspo- may pass such a broom until she completely stops the person’s ra. So the Gul- has counted every single bristle. breathing, which could lead to lah Geechee By the time she’s finished, it will suffocation if the Boo Hag story and the be nearly sunrise, she will retreat doesn’t stop before death oc- concept cauche- to her skin, or she will per- curs.” (O’Neill)” Descriptions mar are one in ish.” (O’Neill) This is but one of the “haints” say, she has “no the same. Wil- remedy. skin to call her own and, because liam Grimes, a of this, her muscles, tendons, native Virginian,

was not from which one may

Words associated with of the have no connection “the hag”: Gullah - such as hag riding, Nightmare Geechee but please know tradi- these beliefs contin- Haggard tion, yet ue to exist. One Bedridden he re- should resist the counted temptation to judge. the hag Don’t judge lest ye riding story. What I found striking be judged seems an with more recent discussions is that appropriate lesson. these stories are alive and not relics of As we recount the hag rider, let’s do it Katherine Roberts, Contemporary the past. with respect. In America’s “Most Cauchemar: Experience, Belief, Haunted City,” explaining the Prevention. Louisiana Folklore Katherine Roberts in Contemporary hag provides realism, diversity and a Miscellany. 1998. http:// Cauchemar: Experience, Belief spiritual connection to the milieu. www.louisianafolklife.org/LT/ and Prevention reports on her 1990s Thousands upon thousands of people Articles_Essays/ research on temporary beliefs using visit Savannah because of ghosts – main_misc_cauchemar.html her Louisiana Folklore Fieldwork and some just for ghosts. Here is a class students as information gather- Workers, Writers’ Program, Works ghost with resonance for them! ers. Some informants told interview- Projects Administration, State of ers “that some people believe that Sources: South Carolina. Southern Caroli- talking about cauchemar actually en- na Folks Tales: Stories of Ani- Georgia Writer’s Project. Drums and couraged a visit from it in the mals and Supernatural Beings. Shadows: Survival Studies Among night.” (Roberts) From her field work Columbia, SC: University of the Georgia Coastal Negroes. Roberts writes “The cauchemar tradi- South Carolina Press. 1941. Athens, GA: University of Geor- tion is firmly planted in the present.” gia Press. 1986. She concludes, “Whether its persis- tence is because of the fact that it pro- “Hag Riding and Witchcraft by Wil- AFTERTHOUGHT: It is fun to consid- duces an awareness and cultural un- liam Grimes (1784-1865).” er how we could facilitate the discus- derstanding of the frightening but Ghostly Voices of Dixie Land. sion of the ghost hag in our new ex- inevitable human encounter with the Southern Spirits.com 2004. hibit space in the lower level of the supernatural and the vocabulary with Linda Rodriguez McRobbie. “The house museum. The room where the which to discuss the experience or Night Hag and other Terrors of shop is now, on the south east corner because it serves as a marker of ethnic Sleep." The Boston Globe. of the house, will be staged to show and linguistic identity=or both, or March 23, 2018. https:// where Bella and her children would neither=is difficult to ascertain. All www.bostonglobe.com/ have spent the evening after a long that is certain is that the ideas/2018/03/23/you-sound- day of work in and around the house. cauchemar supernatu- asleep-what-could-wrong/ Objects will be arranged to convey ral belief, like all living MTBJUXzOWp10QodSClW- sleep, spiritual life, hopes and dreams traditions, remains 8wO/story.html and child rearing. If this space were vital to its practition- to have a broom by the door, haint Shane KP O’Neill. “The Boo Hag,” er.” (Roberts) If cauche- blue on the door frames and window Dracula Chronicles. September mar lives, then certainly sills, and a disheveled bed, could you 29, 2016. http:// the hag rider lives as tell the ghost hag story and its rela- www.draculachronicles.co.uk/ well. tionship to the house, neighborhood frontpage/the-boo-hag/ It is easy to disregard and region? Night Hag. Wikipedia. or belittle folk beliefs JC