[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 101 (Tuesday, June 20, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1292]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


           TRIBUTE TO THE DESCENDANTS OF JACK SPANN OF SUMTER

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                         HON. JAMES E. CLYBURN

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 20, 1995
  Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the 
descendants of Jack Spann of Sumter, SC as they celebrate their family 
reunion.
  Jack Spann was born May 16, 1844, in Middleton Township in my 
hometown of Sumter County, SC. Jack was the son of Milton and Lettie 
Spann, who had one other son, Dave.
  Born into slavery, Jack received his freedom around 1854, prior to 
the 1863 Emancipation Proclamation. After receiving his freedom, Jack 
lived on Scriven Moore's place as a tenant farmer in a community known 
as Scuffletown.
  Jack Spann was also a minister and was assistant to the pastor of St. 
Luke AME Church for many years. He could quote the Bible from Genesis 
to Revelation. It was said of him, ``If Christianity was ever 
demonstrated, Jack Spann was an excellent example.'' When a member of 
the community died, families called on Jack Spann to pray with them.
  In 1876, Jack Spann married Sophie Bradford, with whom he had 11 
children, 6 of whom died in infancy and early childhood. Those who 
lived to adulthood were: Harriet, Annette, Jack, Joseph, and Henry. 
Sophia Bradford Spann died in 1889 and is believed to be buried in the 
old St. Luke AME Church cemetery.
  In 1891, Jack married Alice Jackson Singleton, a young widow, who had 
a child from her first marriage, Sipio, who was known as ``Fisher.'' 
Jack and Alice had nine children of their own: James, Richard, Albert, 
Samuel, Mary Alice, Eliza, Willa, and Sarah--twins, and Lummie. After a 
long and fruitful life, Jack Spann died in Sumter County at 7:35 a.m. 
on June 11, 1925, at the age of 81. Alice Spann died in Kershaw County 
on July 29, 1948, at the age of 76.
  Mr. Speaker, on June 23, 1995, Jack Spann's descendants, including 
his only surviving child, Eliza Spann Missouri Pickett, 92 years of 
age, will gather in New York to celebrate their family reunion and to 
honor the memory of Jack Spann and all of their long-gone relatives. 
Please join me in congratulating this fine family.


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