Old Josh, in: Ole Grandpa Shep & Acorn Bluff (Pure Nigger. 2nd Series)) Episode #14))

Old Josh, in:
Ole Grandpa Shep & Acorn Bluff (1899)
(Episode #14)



(Josh and Silas laying back at Acorn Bluff, fishing out of Goose Creek that runs by the Bluff, and the many oak trees that have the hard fruit, just fishing and resting against a big tree, among the Acorns, Josh has his fishing stick stuck into the ground, Silas, sitting up a bit, waiting for Josh to tell his story.)


Josh: I got a tale yo—all ain’ he’rd before son, listen up a spell…
Silas: Wha’ it pa?
Josh: It ‘bout Ole Grandpa Shep back in ‘29, when my first boy, Toby, was not
yet born, an´ Shep use-to go catch dem dere fish, down her Acorn Bluff, in dis her’ cree (Goose Creek). I been to de Smiley house dis one dey, de white folks’ dere come in wid a big catfish—I’clare, ef-en he ain’ big as you son. Ole Shep, he wes liken ole Granny back den, an’ I sees him talkin’ to de fish, an’ he ask dem kitchen folk, why de not bitin’ much down at de Bluff.
Silas: An’ I suppsen de fish talk back to ole Shep, haw pa?
Josh: Wuy you say dat?
Silas: Cussen yo-all guin to tell me so.
Josh: I sees dat big fish, an’ I ain’ never seen a bigger catfish—I’clare, an’ de white folks give it to de dog, and de white folks say, “It for de nigger or de dog, wuh git it?” an’ de dog git it. Wat yu got to say ‘bout dat? Den he sees me, and say, “Josh, I catch you annudder one tomorrow, an’ I gives it to yu,” and laugh. Den him an’ me part comp’ny. He ain’ have big ‘enough fish to feed me to stay. But dem big fish guin away nowadey…!

2-10-2007


Note: Grandpa Hightower [Shep Hightower] 1734-1829

Note: Josh had three children, Silas, Jordan, and Toby; Toby was born around 1830, died at the end of the Civil War, 1865.

Note: Asha Wash [works in Smiley’s house as housemaid, daughter to the cook: Granny Wash of the Smiely’s plantation, a neighbor to the Hightower’s; — Granny worked for the Smiely’s for 30-years, she was born in 1800, died at 66-yearsold. Her daughter Asha Wash 52-years old, was born to Granny when Granny was 14-years old, both are mulatto Negroess. Asha Wash dies of childbirth in 1867, gave birth to Toby, Josh’s son. And Granny was the father to Granny.