Good day. I'm Ted Johnson the Community Engagement Ranger at Timucuan Ecological and Historic
Preserve. As a National Park Service site, Timucuan Preserve protects the natural ecology
of over 46 thousand acres of land and water and over 6,000 years of human history along the St.
Johns and Nassau rivers in Northeast Florida. I'm here with Shanell and Felicia to share a creative
project we worked on together to help tell the stories of those enslaved at Kingsley Plantation,
one of the historic sites protected within the preserve. Hi Ted. I'm so
glad to be here. I'm Shanell Davis-Bryant, the Program Manager with Groundwork Jacksonville
and I lead the Green Team Youth Corps. The goal of the Green Team is to empower youth
to become active community stewards through environmental education and financial incentive.
My privilege is to develop the next generation of environmental leaders and community stewards
with our year-round program. Each summer i lead a group of 22 youth providing opportunities for
them to engage in educational and inspirational outdoor activities while learning skills to become
the next generation of environmentally engaged leaders of Jacksonville. Hi,
and I'm Felicia. I'm the Program and Outreach Director for the Timucuan Parks Foundation.
We're the official friends group for the National Park Service here in Jacksonville. Our mission is
to preserve, promote, and enhance Jacksonville's natural areas through community engagement,
education, and enjoyment. We've had a lot of fun this summer hosting the Green Team in the Timucuan
Preserve getting the kids outdoors for kayaking. We've been fishing and just exploring the park's
natural and cultural resources. Last summer we all met to brainstorm how to most effectively
engage the Green Team at Timucuan Preserve and we developed a project that provided the
youth with an opportunity to learn about the National Park Service, Kingsley Plantation,
and to honor those who were enslaved at the site. All in support of the national commemoration of
the 400th anniversary of the arrival of the first enslaved africans in British North America. Also
acknowledging an even earlier African presence in Spanish-claimed territories such as Florida.
The commemoration is also meant to celebrate the resilience and contributions of African-Americans.
Special insights were provided by Kingsley descendant Ms. Peri Frances. Most importantly,
the youth were provided opportunities to learn and develop invaluable life skills including critical
thinking, active listening, and public speaking. Green Team members also gained insight that will
be helpful in competing for National Park Service jobs in the future. And the Jacksonville Public
Library sponsored two special training sessions focusing on effective researching techniques.
Originally, the team was going to present a public program on the grounds of Kingsley Plantation.
Then the pandemic hit and we waited in anticipation of being able to hold the
program in person. As the pandemic wore on, we knew with certainty we wouldn't be able to
conduct an in-person event. We adapted and changed plans multiple times. We re-evaluated
the situation, revised our plan, and re-emerged as stronger partners. We focused on providing
the most valuable and rewarding experience for the Green Team. With the support of Timucuan
Parks Foundation, we were able to create these very unique mini Black History lessons. We are
more than happy to support this project and these young creative stewards. We had grant funding from
400 years of African-American History Commission, the National Environmental Education Foundation,
and a National Park Service challenge grant. We also think these podcasts are going to be
valuable to those who want to know more about the national park here in Jacksonville and
it's important for everyone to know about those enslaved at Kingsley Plantation. These radio shows
were created through video conferencing software with each member calling in from their homes as
we were all self-isolating for safety. We worked to create the most optimal sound recordings given
the challenges. Our producer, Tim Driscoll, worked incredibly well with the technological challenges
and the Green Team members had a rich and enjoyable learning experience. They combined
their learning with their creativity to contribute to sharing the stories of Kingsley Plantation.
Despite the challenges and changes, we are excited to have partnered with the National
Park Service and Timucuan Parks Foundation this year in commemoration of those who were enslaved
and endured seemingly insurmountable conditions and exhibited unimaginable resilience in the
U.S. over the past 400 years. It is my pleasure to introduce the Green Team's late night show.
[applause and music]
What's up y'all?! It's your host for the day Nai, and welcome back to The Convo. Today we have some
special guests and let me say I'm excited to learn from them. Now let's go to our first guest from
The Talk with their hosts Coleson and Gabe. Guys. Welcome back to The Talk. Today we have
a special guest, William Kingsley, also known as Carpenter Bill. First a quick word from our
sponsor Carpenter Bill's Carpentry Shop. They've got everything you would need to be a carpenter
in the early 1800s. They've got chisels, hammers, saws, planks, nails, and so much more. If you need
wood, Bill's is pretty good. Now we would like to introduce our guest Carpenter Bill. How are you?
I'm doing good. It's great to have you on the show.
We have a couple questions for you today. What is one word that you would use to describe
your daily life on the Kingsley Plantation? That word would be perseverance. Every day
you had to work hard, keep going, and hope the next day will be better than the last.
What is the daily life like for a slave on kingsley plantation?
Kingsley had a task system where we woke up in the morning with a to-do list,
and you would go out and complete the tasks. After we completed the duties for the day
we had the rest of the day to tend to our gardens and our families. We could also sing,
dance, and keep our African culture alive. What was the most important part of your life?
The most important part of my life was when I bought my family out of slavery because I knew
they could live a free life after that. Well we're almost out of time thanks for
coming on the show, it was great. It's been a pleasure. [Music]
Now we turn it over to the Real History Lesson with Cayla and George. Take it away. [Music]
Welcome listeners to the Real History Lesson with Cayla and George. Today we will be interviewing
Esther Napoleon Lottery Bartley. Let's get right into the interview with the first question.
Ms. Esther, how are you doing today? I'm doing well. I'm excited to be here.
That's great we are excited for you to be here. So Ms. Esther, when and where were you born?
I was born in 1823 at White Oak in the Kingsley Plantation.
So what were some of your greatest adversities? I was sold to different plantations also i
was widowed twice. That must have been
hard. Not everyone understands the actual struggles that living came with back then.
Very and they don't know now. But I think they'll get that understanding soon.
Yes they will. How would you describe yourself as a person?
I would say that I'm brave, wise, and old-timer, and preserving.
Those are some great characteristics. An old-timer? Well you look very young.
I heard you have kids. how many kids do you have and what were their names?
I had four beautiful children named Anna, Ruth, Sally and Antoinette.
Awe, those are some beautiful names. Now what would you say that you were known for?
I was known for my keen and quick intellect. Also my exceptional memory.
Thank you Esther for speaking with us today. I'm sure the listeners enjoyed the interview. And now,
a word from our sponsor Calico. This interview was sponsored by Calico Clothing
Company. Calico! Nice and trendy clothes are now 50% off. Yes, I said 50% off! We have bandanas,
aprons, dresses, and so much more. Esther Bartley was known as a quaint, old-time figure
for wearing a calico dress, a calico apron, and a calico bandana. Get your clothing now. [Music]
Now that's what I call dressing to impress. Hmmm, I could use a new apron.
Do you know legacy? Uh, nope.
Do you know hardships and pride? No.
Well, Gullah Jack does, and when you walk with Gullah Jack, there's nothing that could go wrong.
Trust in the Jack. [Music]
That moved me to tears. Now let's move on to our sports section
with our host Kendall from Escape Your Fate. Kendall, take it away. [Music]
Hey everybody, welcome to Escape Your Fate. I'm your host Kendall Ford,
and I'm here with my co-hosts Ciara Burton and Courtney Presley. Say hi everyone.
What's up? Hi!
And before we get into it, Escape Your Fate is sponsored by the greatest universal concept
of them all, family. Hannah of course is a cover athlete because no matter how difficult things got
she always kept her family together. Family, no one left behind.
All right that was amazing. Now let's get right into it. Man oh man do we have a shooting star
tonight as we talk about Hannah Kingsley. She was born on the Laurel Grove Plantation
to Scipio and Old Rose and she's been put through the roughest of the rough. Courtney, take it away.
Sure. So Hannah's been through so much let me tell you! Not only was she born into slavery on
Kingsley Plantation, she was kidnapped at the age of nine with 41 other slaves by the Alachua Creek,
a tribe of indigenous people, during the Patriot Rebellion of 1812. After
disappearing for eight years she appeared on Don Felipe Solano's plantation in St.
Augustine. But before we go any further, Ciara give us some more insight into Hannah.
Of course! When she reappeared at this new plantation Hannah had established a family. She
had married a fellow slave named Dick and had two children, a daughter named Mary and a son named
Joe. Displeased with the new condition, she took her children and ran back to the Native Americans
and established herself within their community. After the American occupation of Spanish Florida
her way of life was threatened, due to the removal of Native Americans to Oklahoma along
the Trail of Tears. With her family at risk, she took her family and relocated to Canadian River.
She's been through so much and her struggle has really pushed her forward. Back to you Kendall.
Thank you all for giving us more insights into Hannah's background.
Hopefully Hannah is able to reunite with her son and build a prosperous life in Oklahoma.
We're your hosts Kendall, Courtney, and Ciara, and we're signing out. [Music]
Let me just say y'all have been amazing tonight. As a treat, here's a special
message about the legendary Gullah Jack who was sold by Zephaniah Kingsley and helped plan a
slave revolt with Denmark Vesey in Charleston all the way back in 1822. Take it away guys.
This is the story of the rebellious folk hero. He was a priest, a slave, and a lieutenant of Denmark
Vesey. his name was Gullah Jack A.K.A. Couter Jack. Couter was his actual name but he mostly
went by Gullah Jack. The word "Gullah" is the name of the descendants of enslaved Africans who
lived on the sea islands of South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, and Northern Florida. And now,
what you're about to hear is a wrap about Gullah Jack's short but memorable life. [Music]
[Singing]
In 1806 I was bought on a ship.
In pain, and chains all to dig up a ditch. But instead I went ahead and hatched up a plan,
with the guy who called me his main man. [Singing] His name was Vesey a man once by
the bay and it happened we had talked all day. [Singing] After that we came up with the plan of
attack to stab our masters up in their backs. [Singing] Disaster oh no yeah it isn't a show
if I had known I would have kicked them out the game for show, but now our heads are hanging
unfortunately... low.
[Rapping]
Hey yo my name is Frankie I'm about to come in and talk about Gullah Jack the coldest man.
Chilling with his boy Vesey out back, never knew that there was gonna be an attack.
[Rapping] Next time we knew it went all bad, these men walked up on them all mad.
Crazy how things can go, getting betrayed, getting slayed, next to his bro.
[Rapping] And that's what I got to say about that, this is the story about Gullah Jack. [Music]
Amazing. Ladies and gentlemen. Nai Rousseau, signing out.
[Music and
applause]