Byron's Babbles

I ended yesterday’s post, “In Love With Justice, Part I”, at Barrelhouse BBQ having a Grilled Cheese Crack Jack. Then I was off to Jack Daniel’s Distillery for a tour. I wanted to see the results of Fawn Weaver’s leadership in telling the story of the relationship of Uncle Nearest and Jack Daniel. I was immediately greeted by a Nearest Green exhibit. Also there is a place on the Jack Daniel’s website dedicated to Nearest Green. Click here to check it out. I was so excited!

The exhibit had a Green family tree, incredible photos, and a great narrative of the Nearest and Jack story. Having read Love & Whiskey I knew this exhibit would have never happened without Fawn’s telling the story. As she says, “May all the stories find the light.” She has got to love the mention of her in the exhibit when it says, “Because of her efforts [Fawn Weaver], we [Jack Daniel’s] now believe Nearest Green to be the first African American master distiller on record.” What a great tribute to all the work Fawn had done for lifting the memory and shining a light on the memory of Uncle Nearest.

It was so exciting to see the cave where the “cave water” that is still used to make Jack Daniel’s products today. Also, we went into Jack’s original office and we were given more information about Nearest’s role in mentoring Jack while an enslaved purpose and being his master distiller. We were shown the photo of Jack with Nearest’s son George (see above), who worked for Jack after Nearest retired. The thing I want to point out is how Jack has George right beside him in the photograph. Fawn points out several times in the book how inclusive Jack was and recognized the contributions of all. You really need to read the book, because there is so much more. I was just excited to have a portion of the tour guides talk in Jack’s original office dedicated to the Green family.

After the tour, I had to stop by Jack Daniel’s grave. I did take a moment to sit in one of the benches they have at his grave. What I really wanted to do, however was find the memorial that Fawn had put in the “colored” cemetery the next hill over. I’m using the term “colored” to give the historical context in the same way Fawn does in the book. Fawn was not able to find the exact resting place of Uncle Nearest, but the Highview Cemetery seems a likely place and there are many Green family members buried there. She made a point of making sure it could be seen from Jack’s grave. And it could. As I stood there I was so ashamed that there was a time where there was a “white” cemetery and a “colored” cemetery. But there they were. Right there – two hilltop cemeteries right next to each other, but separated nonetheless. Again, I was experiencing history first hand and doing some heaving reflecting. Again, so thankful for Fawn Weaver helping shine light on all this and helping us navigate and do better.

I’m not sure we can ever make up for all the atrocities of racism, but we must try. We must continue to seek justice. We must continue to be in love with justice. Most importantly, we need to grow and be better every day, right now. We can do that! I want to close Part II with the inscription on Nearest’s memorial: “Father. Husband. Mentor. The Best Whiskey Maker The World Never Knew.” We know you now, Uncle Nearest!