Catherine's Cross by Millie West Page B

about to have heart failure. His face is gray and he want to know the name of the ship. One of the crew hand him a piece of the hull that has part of the name of the ship on it—it say Defi —the ship that sailed with Colonel Hubbards loot was the Defiance . Scipio and I make a pact not to tell anyone about this. If we say anything we make an enemy out of someone. Why would they believe us anyway? They thinks of us as niggers.
    Jenks took out her notepad from her purse and wrote down the following notes:
    â€œThe winds were steady at 20 knots out of the south. The ship left the dock at 3 p.m. The month is August, but does not mention the date. A sloop arrives and brings news of a ship that burned near St. Helena Sound. Does not reference the tides—only sails mentioned as the type of propulsion—all souls lost. The name of the ship— Defiance .”
    She closed the journal and breathed deeply. As she started to rise from the table, Ida Mae and Meta came into the kitchen from the back room. “How did you do today, Jenkins?”
    â€œI think I found what I was looking for.”
    â€œGood—good, I’s glad to hear it,” Meta said.
    â€œI have enjoyed reading your ancestor’s journals.” Jenks paused as she glanced at the books. “Why don’t you donate a copy of the writings to the Beaufort Library?”
    â€œIt was very unusual for a slave to read and write. We plan to donate de original journals to de Beaufort County Preservation Society when we pass. Dese writings of our ancestor are part of us. We had plenty of scholars come here to read de journals. We never turn anyone down.”
    â€œThe General Sherman in the journal?”
    â€œDat is General Thomas Sherman who in charge of de Federal Navy when dey invade Beaufort—not de General Sherman who like to burn everything down.”
    â€œI see. What happened to Joseph and Scipio?”
    â€œThe Federals stay in Beaufort for the duration of the War. Joseph and Scipio, dey cousins—dey work around de wharves and earn wages from de officers. De white property owners can’t come to pay dere taxes ’cause de enemy hold de town. I’s not saying dat was fair . . . I’s just saying dat what happen. So many of dem default, and some of de land and houses ’round Beaufort go up for sale due to unpaid taxes. Joseph and Scipio go in together and buy a tract on de May River near Bluffton. Dey know how to farm and dey plant cotton and raise dere families. Over de years, de property pass down through generations by what is called a tenancy in common. Dey all owns a part of de land, but it ain’t divided by no survey or deed. It what came to be known as heirs’ property.”
    â€œDo you still own the land?”
    Meta smiled slightly and then said, “No, Miss Jenkins—one of de problems with heirs’ property was dat one owner could call for sale of de land to get dere share and dere ain’t anyting de other owners could do ’bout it. Developers could get dere hands on property real easy dat way. Dey bribe one person to force de sale of de land and de highest bidder comes in and buys it.”
    â€œI’m so sorry. I think that’s terrible.”
    â€œYes um. Back in the 1960s, we was still living on dat property. Dere was de most beautiful view of de May River you ever see in your life. Dey tells me water frontage real important to developers and dis property had plenty of it. One of my daddy’s cousins, he my cousin too—call for de sale of de entire tract—he say he want his share. No amount of pleading stop him from going through with dis. De sale of de land goes to a Mr. Thurston Harrington III from Princeton, New Jersey.”
    â€œOh, no,” Jenks said.
    â€œDe family was devastated. About two weeks later, de boy who force de sale of our family land show up in de most beautiful Cadillac I ever see in my life. It about de color of