Just Over the Hill: Black Appalachians in Jackson County, Western North Carolina

Long before the term "Affrilachia" became popular, Victoria A. Casey McDonald spent decades gathering the stories of her family and neighbors in North Carolina's Jackson County. Her book, Just Over the Hill: Black Appalachians in Jackson County, Western North Carolina, presents a collection of narratives that illuminate the lives of African Americans in the region. These stories include her grandmother's, Amanda Thomas, who was born into bondage. The biographies and histories continue through the twentieth century and feature educators, soldiers, factory workers, ministers, athletes, and other community members. Originally published in 2012, this edition of Just Over the Hill with an afterword Marie T. Cochran continues to speak for these resilient individuals to generations to come. Cover Half Title Title Copyright Dedication CONTENTS LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS ACKNOWLEDGMENTS FOREWORD PREFACE SECTION I (1825–1900) Introduction Where It All Began: My Great-Great Grandmother Amanda Thomas: My Great-Grandmother Long Journey Home: Granny Ede Cudge Thomas: Just a Body Servant to My Colonel Pinckney Crawford: The Balsam Defender Sip Bryson: A Man of Few Words George Rogers: First African American Land Owner Lucinda Bryson Love: The First Legal Marriage after the Civil War The Incident at Dillsboro Crossing Aunt Zelia and Son: Pillars of Their Church Integrated Service at Riverside Baptist Church Aunt Zettie Casey: Laundering Was Her Business Mojo: The Healing Hands of Aunt Clercy Grant Wilson: Backbone of Maize Chapel Aunt Mell: Keeper of the Old Ways Miss Josephine and Mr. Sherman Davis John C. Howell: Order of Odd Fellows Wheeling and Dealing: Mr. Jim Wesley Wells SECTION II (1901–1930) Introduction Mr. Homer Rogers: Born to Work Serving in the White Man’s War: Pvt. William Rogers Architect of Methodist Churches: George Dallas Gray The Man of the Hour: ’Fessor Davis For a Grammar School Diploma: George Estus Casey Bussing in Jackson County The Colored Men of the Tannery The Songbird of the Tannery Flats: Miss Gertie Molly Worley and Alice Turk Mingus: Midwives Mr. Silas Davis: Boarding House Operator Deacon Emory E. Curry: Plumber Wilsy Dorsey: A Field of Dreams The Church Organist: Miss Ethel May Fisher The Perfect Couple: Mr. Ode and Miss Hattie Bryson Uncle Charlie Casey: Charity Begins at Home Rev. Joe H. Smith: A Servant to All SECTION III (1931–1950) Introduction Uncle Smart: Hoodoo Man Civil Conservation Corps: Bob Bryson’s Saving Grace The Sylva Women’s Club Miss Mamie Davis and the Flood of 1940 Migrating North: The James Robert Casey, Sr. Story Gossip Columnists or News Reporters! Miss Derosette Casey: First PTA President of CHS A Call to Duty: Private Ida Jean Allen The Pettit Brothers: Serving Their Country The 30th Session of the Feast in the Wilderness ’Fessor Wade: The Man in the Middle Aunt Della: The Good Samaritan Liberty Jubilee Singers The Lackey Men Miss Susie and Mr. Charlie: Sacrifices for Their Children’s Future SECTION IV (1950–1965) Introduction Leroy Leonard McDonald: Buffalo Soldier/Janitor ’Fessor Frank: The Lame Duck Principal Miss Grace: A Safe Place to Play Uncle Clifford: Farrier and Firefighter Streater Star Athletics: “Watch the Ceiling Boys” First Tooth Pulled at 82: Miss Rose Ann Miss Frederick: Her Children Followed in Her Footsteps Casey Brothers Managed Black Baseball Teams From Jook Joint to Church House: Supt. C. W. Johnson, Jr. Avon Calling: Miss Mildred Called to Preach the Gospel: Miss Mary Back Cover Note: The information contained in this book is not necessarily in chronological order. Every attempt was made to correctly identify each person.Just Over the Hill: Black Appalachians in Jackson County, Western North Carolina by Victoria A. Casey McDonald could be recounted as part of “the Liars Bench,” a casual storytelling tradition among southern men sitting in the public square and at barbershops—folktales of a bygone era for entertainment purposes only. This collection of Appalachian narratives simultaneously steps into the circle of griots throughout the African Diaspora. Although Victoria never lived outside of Jackson County, her appetite for knowledge and her ancestral pride granted her regional and global citizenship simultaneously.