Rev. Jackson married in 1882 and has seven sons and seven daughters.  Owns his own home and plenty of other property around the neighborhood.  Ninety-six years of age and still feels as spry as a man of fifty, keen of wit, with a memory as good can be expected.  This handsome bronze piece of humanity with snow-white beard over his beaming face ended the interview saying, “I am waiting now to hear the call of God to the promise land.”  He once was considered as a candidate for senator after the Civil war but declined to run.  He says that the treatment during the time of slavery was very tough at times, but gathering himself up he said, “no storm lasts forever” and I had the faith and courage of Jesus to carry me on, continuing, “even the best masters in slavery couldn’t be as good as the worst person in freedom, Oh, God, it is good to be free, and I am thankful.”

REFERENCE

Personal interview with subject, Rev. Squires Jackson, 706 Third Street, Jacksonville, Florida.

FEDERAL WRITERS’ PROJECT American Guide, (Negro Writers’ Unit)

L. Rebecca Baker, Field Worker
Daytona Beach, Florida
January 11, 1937

“PROPHET” JOHN HENRY KEMP

A long grey beard, a pair of piercing owl-like eyes and large bare feet, mark “Prophet” Kemp among the citizenry of Daytona Beach, Florida.  The “Prophet”, christened John Henry—­as nearly as he can remember—­is an 80 year old ex-slave whose remininiscences of the past, delight all those who can prevail upon him to talk of his early life on the plantation of the section.

“Prophet” Kemp does not talk only of the past, however, his conversation turns to the future; he believes himself to be equally competent to talk of the future, and talks more of the latter if permitted.

Oketibbeha County, Mississippi was the birthplace of the “Prophet”.  The first master he can remember was John Gay, owner of a plantation of some 2,700 acres and over 100 slaves and a heavy drinker.  The “Prophet” calls Gay “father”, and becomes very vague when asked if this title is a blood tie or a name of which he is generally known.

According to Kemp—­Gay was one of the meanest plantation owners in the entire section, and frequently voiced his pride in being able to employ the cruelest overseers that could be found in all Mississippi.  Among these were such men as G.T.  Turner, Nels T. Thompson, Billy Hole, Andrew Winston and other men with statewide reputations for brutality.  When all of the cruelties of one overseer had been felt by the slaves on the Gay plantation and another meaner man’s reputation was heard of on the Gay plantation, the master would delight in telling his slaves that if they did not behave, he would send for this man.  “Behaving”—­the “Prophet” says, meant living on less food than one should have; mating only at his command and for purposes purely of breeding more and stronger slaves on his plantation for sale.  In some cases with women—­subjecting to his every demand if they would escape hanging by the wrists for half a day or being beaten with a cowhide whip.