bucket clawhammer / minstrel banjo

Comment by Roberta Perkins on June 5, 2013 at 8:01am

Good Morning, Dan'l:

     The beauty of Ft Delaware is, it is not a National Park site. It is one of Delaware's State Parks. Jane was an African American who lived and worked there as a cook and laundress for a mess of Confederate officers. Its a bit of a story...let me make this relatively short. I am doing research on the African Americans who did lived and worked on Pea Patch Island during the Civil War. I have an exhibit that I present, on the island, twice during the season. I began this research about 2 years ago; and am continuing. As of now, I have not found any first hand documents from the African Americans themselves. Jane, is briefly talked about in the journals of 3 people. The information on her spans a 3.5 week time period, in 1864. Fortunately, for me, that is the period represented at the fort.  This being the first season I am an interpreter, I am a laundress who happens to be African American...not necessarily being "Jane" although I use that name. Playing the banjo is more of a side story, to familiarize to people that African Americans did play the banjo and not necessarily minstrel. Playing music, at the fort, is an add on, to help with atmosphere. We do not have the strict restrictions of National Park rules. We do let visitors know what part of our impression is "hats on" and "hats off". ie What is true to the person and what is something that could and often did occur in that time period. 

   Ft. Delaware was a prison that became a city of prisoners, Union soldiers and laborers to support them...cooks, laundresses, masons, boatmen etc....an interesting place; its worth the visit....

Comment by Roberta Perkins on June 5, 2013 at 8:10am

Joel:

   "Miss Jane" is the name of the banjo. I also use the name in my laundress presentation. I work with what I have, as I research. I stay close to the facts for the bulk of the impression; add a bit of creativity to give the presentation some depth, with out going outside of what could have been. Visitors are encouraged to asked questions. That way they see what is the story and what has been added on....

Comment by Roberta Perkins on June 5, 2013 at 8:49am

Dan'l: The only wives living on the island were those of Union officers and laborers. No wives of Confederate officers were living there...

Comment by Strumelia on June 5, 2013 at 9:39am

Roberta, that sounds wonderful!  Is there a website with information of the event somewhere online?

Comment by Roberta Perkins on June 5, 2013 at 10:00am

Strumelia: Here is the website: http://www.destateparks.com/park/fort-delaware/ferry.asp#backtotop Clicking on "View Our Schedule, Ft De Society and Living History" are good places to start. 

Comment by Wes Merchant on June 5, 2013 at 3:17pm

Roberta this is my Great Grandfather;

ENGLE, WILLIAM F.; b. 1844. 6'0", light complexion, gray eyes, black hair. Farmer. Residence Charles Town. enl. 12/1/62 at Charles Town in Co. A as Pvt. Present at 12/31/62 muster. Present Sept./Oct. 1863. POW captured by 22nd Pa. Cav. at Rippon, Jefferson Co., W.Va. 12/3/63 (Camp Chase, 12/8/63; Ft. Delaware, 3/4/64. Oath of Allegiance to U.S. at Ft. Delaware, 6/20/65. d. 1/13/11 at Engle, Jefferson Co., W.Va. bur. Reformed Church, Shepherdstown, W.Va.

My Dad always said he was put on a train when he was discharged, dropped off in Harper's Ferry in the middle of the night and had to crawl home to Bakerton because he was too weak to walk and no one knew he was coming. Thanks for the link!

Comment by Roberta Perkins on June 5, 2013 at 4:37pm

Wow! 

Wes, I have heard of and read of this type of "discharge" of Union as well as Confederate soldiers. Do you mind if I copy this and forward it to the folks at the Ft De Historical Society? I would like to know if they have him in their records.  What happened to him after he go home?

Comment by Wes Merchant on June 5, 2013 at 6:49pm

Sure! You may also be interested to know he had been a political prisoner at Fort Mchenry before he enlisted... he was released from there after swearing an oath allegiance. After the war he worked in the limestone quarries of Jefferson County.

Comment by Roberta Perkins on June 5, 2013 at 11:19pm

Thanks, Wes:

    I am interested to learn if the Society has anything on your great-grandfather. I will let you know what I get back. I look forward to seeing you at Fort Delaware, this season...

Comment by Roberta Perkins on June 5, 2013 at 11:37pm

Dan'l:

   How cool is that! We will have to touch bases, in the not too distant future. I like the term "bridge" also. I have a copy of the book. Hmmm, this could give me some ideas.

   Which park are you located in? And you certainly may use "hats on" and "hats off". It was part of my orientation speech I gave to visitors, before they entered the fort, last season...I was a docent. I did not create those though:-)

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