Murder at Brick House: Chapter Six - A Most Unusual Man
The Legend of Amelia
Murder At Brick House: The Legend of Amelia is based on a well-known South Carolina Lowcountry ghost story about a young girl who was shot and killed on what was to be her wedding day (August 13) at Brick House Plantation, Edisto Island, SC.
Although there has never been any verification that this story is true, varying accounts have been published over the years. As with most ghost stories, there is, no doubt, some element of truth.
This Serial novel is a fictional account that explores what Amelia’s life might have been like in the context of the Antebellum South. Some historical places and names are real.
Brick House Plantation is held in a family trust and has been continuously owned by the Jenkins family (of which I am a part) since the early 1800s.
“What do you mean, he has a tribal name as well?”, Amelia asked Martha as they arrived at Brick House.
She was referring to James Izard, Jr., who owned Sea Island Consulting with his father, James, Sr.
Martha introduced James to Amelia when they met him on the avenue leading up to the house on the way from Steamboat Landing. He was on his way home after a morning hunt with Paul, Martha’s brother.
“James’ mother, Mayon, is a descendant of Alushe, who was a principle chief of the Edisto Indians.”, Martha said. “Besides his Christian name, his grandfather gave him the name of Shah˙doo after one of the earlier tribal chiefs. According to him, it means ‘Wise and Strong’.
“Maybe Daddy can give you the back story on James and his family after supper tonight.”
Brick House had become one of the Izard’s biggest consulting clients for Sea Island cotton production. James and his father had often visited with the Jenkins family on their trips to Edisto. Over time, the story of James, Sr. and Mayon became known.
Joseph relayed the story to Amelia just as it had been shared by James, Sr. several years back …
“On my very first trip to Edisto”, James, Sr. had told them, “I had decided to try a shortcut to see Daniel Townsend at Bleak Hall, which I had heard was one the largest Sea Island cotton producing plantations in the whole state. I thought I might as well start at the top.
“As I was following the contour of the marsh bank that ran alongside Ocella Creek, my horse was spooked by a rather large black cat-like creature that I had never seen the likes of before. Rounding a bend and ducking under some lower tree branches, we came upon this animal, which apparently had been sleeping in the sun out in the middle of the path.
“Startled, he made the most blood-curdling sound I had ever heard. My horse reared up and threw me sideways into a tree, which knocked me out cold and broke a couple of ribs.
“It was dusk when I awoke. I was in a bed in the house of an Indian family. I was in a lot of pain. They had already applied some sort of poultice and bandages to my head and my ribs.
“The man said he was Dawheesh. He introduced his wife, Yanahume and his daughter, Mayon. They had found my horse a ways down the path from where I had fallen and were able to trace his tracks back to me.”
“Yes, I know Dawheesh and his family”, Joseph said. “Their people have inhabited Edisto for centuries. He is one of the wisest and gentlest men I know, even though the natives have suffered greatly at the hands of the whites.
“Many of the coastal tribal people, and a number of the Africans, I might add, converted to Christianity in the early 1700s during Wesley and Whitefield’s evangelistic travels. Some of them, including Dawheesh’s family, have continued to this day in the Christian faith.
“By the way, the Africans refer to these black cats, which are extremely rare, as ‘Haints’ or evil spirits. Very superstitious people. As a matter of fact, I’ve never seen one, myself.”
“Well, I can tell you this’”, James replied, “It was about as real anything I have ever seen or heard.
“Anyway, I was laid up for several weeks before I could even attempt to travel back to Yemassee. The constant attention by Mayon allowed me to see and get to know her in a much deeper way. There was an innocence about her that was very attractive. And she had inherited the gentleness and wise ways of her father and the natural beauty of her mother, inside and out.
“I didn’t know how we would make it work in a predominately white man’s world, but we had fallen in love and desired to marry. Her father gave us his blessing, but warned of the hardships and injustices that we and our children would encounter.
“And I must say, there certainly have been some very trying times, but God has given much grace and Providential protection. And there have been some families, especially from our church, that have become our dearest friends.
“Although our children have had as normal a life as possible, they have experienced their share of injustice and prejudice. It’s interesting, it seems that just because they are descended from both white and native linages, the prejudice is even more prevalent. ‘Half-breed’ is the term used the most by other children. We have tried to teach them to trust God’s way and live out the fruit of His Spirit in love and peace.
“As soon as James, Jr. was old enough, I began training him how to successfully navigate this fallen world we live in.
Neither pride nor bitterness can be our motivation in life. Revenge is not an equalizer. No matter what our background is, or how we have been treated, we must allow the work of our hands to reflect the goodness of the Lord in our hearts.
“From age ten, he has assisted me in every aspect of our business and now accompanies me when I travel. Our business has grown to the point now that we are talking about James establishing a permanent branch here on Edisto. He is here so much anyway and it would allow him to spend as much remaining time as possible with his grandparents, Dawheesh and Yanahume.”
James, Sr. seemed to have come to terms with the consequences of bucking the societal norm and had taught his children to do the same with grace and kindness.
The calm matter-of-fact way in which he accepted the trials that accompanied his marriage to Mayon, the prejudices their children have suffered, and his sympathetic feelings towards the enslaved Africans was something they could not explain.
Although it would be years and take a long, bloody war before Joseph would come to terms with the evils of slavery, James’ story had drawn the two closer. James was resolute in his opposition, yet he was not judgmental.
Their whole society and culture was based on this system. It was not something that would nor could change overnight. James understood that a man’s heart must change before his mind can change.
Joseph and his wife, Ann, talked often about James’ story. It had made a profound effect on their family, especially young Paul.
The seed had been planted and now it needed to be nurtured.
“I don’t think I will ever get tired of this view”, Amelia said in amazement.
Time seemed suspended as they slowly strolled down the long avenue gazing at the setting sun which was almost perfectly framed by the overhanging canopy of moss-draped live oaks.
Martha told Amelia how James, Jr. and her brother, Paul, had become best friends. Before James was old enough to move to Edisto and expand their business, his father would often leave him at Brick House between his trips. The boys played, explored, and hunted the marshes, creeks, and woods for hours.
“He sure is handsome enough, Martha. I bet he has all sorts of girls vying for his attention.”
“Well, you might be surprised”, Martha said. “He is somewhat shy and sensitive to how others perceive him. He understands how dangerous it would be if he were to become romantically involved with one of the planter’s daughters.”
“How unfortunate”, Amelia said. “What does it matter? James is a successful businessman. He’s handsome, he’s polite, he has such tenderness in his eyes.”
“Wow”, Martha said. “You noticed a lot in that short time. Well, I agree, but I can tell you that many look simply at skin tone and family background. Nothing else matters.
“James has said that he would not want to have that hanging over his family. So, he does not mingle very much or put himself in situations where he would be tempted to develop a relationship with a girl from one of the plantation families.
“He says God will bring him the right person in His perfect time.”
“What a most unusual man”, Amelia replied. She felt a little flutter in her heart.
“That he is, my dear friend. That he is.”
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