Daisy Turner's Kin: An African American Family Saga

Folklore Studies in a Multicultural World

by Jane C. Beck

A daughter of freed African American slaves, Daisy Turner became a living repository of history. The family narrative entrusted to her--"a well-polished artifact, an heirloom that had been carefully preserved"--began among the Yoruba in West Africa and continued with her own century and more of life.
 
In 1983, folklorist Jane Beck began a series of interviews with Turner, then one hundred years old and still relating four generations of oral history. Beck uses Turner's storytelling to build the Turner family saga, using at its foundation the oft-repeated touchstone stories at the heart of their the abduction into slavery of Turner's African ancestors; Daisy's father Alec Turner learning to read; his return as a soldier to his former plantation to kill his former overseer; and Daisy's childhood stand against racism. Other stories re-create enslavement and her father's life in Vermont--in short, the range of life events large and small, transmitted by means so alive as to include voice inflections. Beck, at the same time, weaves in historical research and offers a folklorist's perspective on oral history and the hazards--and uses--of memory.

Publication of this book is supported by grants from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and the L. J. and Mary C. Skaggs Folklore Fund.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Biography

312 pages, Hardcover

First published June 15, 2014

Reviews

[Joanne Otto · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am in awe of two things about this book: Beck's discovery of the 200-year history of a truly remarkable African-American family, and the breadth and depth of scholarly research she has devoted to developing it into a thoroughly documented book. I first learned of it when she and I were taking part in a Zoom reunion of our middle school class, not having met since graduation. When she mentioned the book, I thought it sounded interesting, so I bought it on Kindle to read on an upcoming airplane trip. After reading it on Kindle, I simply had to buy a hard copy as well in order to share it with friends and family. That this family history goes back 200 years is remarkable enough in itself, but what Daisy and her kin accomplished through hard work, persistence, intelligence, skill, and prayer is even more astonishing. And Beck took great care to investigate the story she heard from Daisy as the centenarian family griot (I had to look up the word!) in order, insofar as possible, to separate the facts from family legends and dim memories. Daisy's story proved to be surprisingly accurate as well as inspiring. And though some of it is heartbreaking, it can also be most amusing as well. I highly recommend this book.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really good story. Although not history in the traditional sense, it preserves the history of an African American family from slavery to the present. The Turners have a lot to be proud of and Daisy Turner through sheer strength of will preserved her dad’s history from Africa to slavery to civil war service to landowner until her death at 104. Alec Turner the patriarch of the family was clearly a strong, intelligent man and left his descendants with strong family connections and pride of place. Not many families can claim so much.

[Catherine Symchych · Rating 4 out of 5]

So amazing that we can get current stories from the daughter of a slave! The benefits of oral tradition come through so clearly. I love that the author fact checked everything as well, trying to prove and flesh out the stories.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jane C. Beck, founder of the Vermont Folklife Center, has preserved the remarkable journey of one African American family from the shores of West Africa to the hills of Vermont.

Daisy Turner's stories covered 178 years of her family history, her father's stories dating back to his father's life in Africa. Beck spent several years interviewing Daisy, resulting in the 1990 Peabody Award winning documentary film Journey's End: Memories and Traditions of Daisy Turner and Her Family.

After Daisy's death Beck continued her research, investigating the authenticity and recorded history behind the stories.

Daisy's father Alexander (Alec) Turner (1845-1923) told tales of the family history every night after dinner. His father Alessi was the grandson of a Yoruban chief. His mother was a European woman who survived a shipwreck off the coast of Nigeria. Alessi traded with Europeans; around 1830 traders kidnapped him. After a torturous and eventful passage he landed in America and was illegally sold into slavery to the wealthy and sporting Jack Gouldin of Port Royal, Virginia. Gouldin made Alessi his champion in boxing and cockfighting. Alessi married Rose, who was Cherokee and was knowledgeable in herbal remedies.

Alec felt a strong connection to the Gouldin family; he later named his daughter for the kind granddaughter of his master. But he longed for liberty. During the Civil War he ran away when he was fourteen, and took the name Turner. He was mentored by surgeon and Northern Abolitionist Ferdinand Dayton. As contraband Alec could not join the army but worked as Dayton's personal servant and orderly, carrying wounded men from the field of battle to the hospital. After the war Dayton helped Alec get an education and found him employment. Alec fell in love with a frightened, newly free fourteen-year-old refugee, Sally Early, and she became his wife.

Alec's work took him to a slate mine in Maine and to the lumber mills of Grafton, Vermont, where he established bought land and built his house. He employed the knowledge gained from his plantation life, patterning his home on the Gouldin manor.

The Turners were extraordinary people. Alec had pride and charisma and ingenuity. He was resourceful, and his strength was legendary. His work ethic and honesty garnered respect from white society. He held a deep Christian faith and taught his children to face trials with "contentment and understanding".

The Turner women were also hard working, proud, and upright. Alec's wife Sally has a strength beyond imagining. And she could write poetry. Daisy learned her facility with words from her parents; she could recite from memory improvisational poems she had created years before.

Turner heirs include Rev. Veronica Lanier, the first African American Baptist minister in New England. During the 20th c the family demanded equality under the law and continued to break down racial barriers.
The Turner family will amaze readers.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Daisy Turner was the daughter of freed African American slaves, Daisy Turner became a living repository of history. The family narrative entrusted to her. Her grandfather was a member of the Yoruba in West Africa who came to the US as a slave. His mother was actually a white British woman who was in a shipwreck off western Africa. She had a child (Daisy's grandfather) who she taught to speak English. His story and hers and her extended family's story was entrusted to her. They author was able to interview her and research her story. This is an incredible story of slavery and perseverance..

[Priscilla Herrington · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vermont Folklorist Jane C. Beck met Daisy Turner, the Vermont daughter of African-American freed slaves, near the end of Ms. Turner's long life. Beck was granted many interviews with Turner and they became friends. The result is Miss Daisy's dream: The preservation of the saga of the Turner family, their African roots, and their long sojourn in New England.

Perhaps only a folklorist could have undertaken this project. Miss Daisy's mind was sharp and her recollections were vivid, yet sometimes seemed fantastical. Beck was able to verify many people, places and incidents, and she understood the essential truth of the entire story. Those interested in African-American history will thank her for her contribution, as will those whose interest is New England - and particularly Vermont - history.

[Robert]

What a surprising pleasure!! We live part-time in Grafton, Vermont - so, since the author was coming to Grafton to talk about this book, it was incumbent on me to read it. I started grudgingly and was (almost) immediately caught up in this remarkable story. Daisy Turner is still a much-talked-about "presence" in our little village - because she lived much of her life on the 150-acre farm on the top of Bare Hill, a short ways outside of Grafton. Her father, Alex, had come there shortly after the Civil War and raised his family there. The research on this book (back to Africa) is exacting - and the family tales are astonishing. After reading the book, Carol and I climbed up to the old Turner homestead, at the top of Turner Hill Road and found the one remaining (1901) cabin, which is now going to be preserved and added to the African-American Heritage Trail.

[Polly Krize · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

An engaging oral history of the Turner family - from slavery to freedom. Jane C. Beck has preserved Daisy's stories as told to her by Daisy at 100 years of age. A true gem, this story deserves to be read over and over again. Recommended.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really, really enjoyed this book, but then too I am into genealogy and history. Oral history, though it may be exaggerated always has some truth to it and is a great stepping stone to finding the past. This woman was a treasure trove of history.