Thank you, Wm. J. Faulkner Friends of Folklore . . .

By the William J. Friends of Folklore, Inc.

In 1988, J’miah traveled to Miami, Florida to meet the Browns, Dr. John O. Brown, and his wife, Marie Faulkner-Brown, daughter of the late Reverend Dr. William J. Faulkner. Soon after his arrival, upon realizing that not much had happened to preserve Reverend Faulkner’s historically significance writings and out-of-print book, “The Days When The Animals Used To Talk. . . ,”  a non-profit organization was formed to honor Reverend Faulkner and his work.  The book had been out of print for a decade. It included essays, folktales, anecdotes and stories based on African American history that Reverend Faulkner had heard as a young boy. Reverend Faulkner had always told the stories to his children. He also visited many schools and libraries while living in Miami.  J’miah suggested that a meeting be called to discuss ways to continue to present and perpetuate Reverend Faulkner’s book (The Days When The Animals Used To Talk) once back in print.   Friends of the Browns, local leaders and the business community, came together that August evening.  By the time the meeting was over, the William J. Faulkner Friends of Folklore, Inc. (WJFFF, Inc.) was in the making.  As the organization began to grow, it  presented symposiums and presentations to carry out their goals, educational interests and mission. WJFFF Inc. was able to get the attention and support of a few South Carolina businessmen and politicians behind the organization’s desire to honor Reverend Faulkner’s request, to have Simon Brown and his immediate ancestors recognized for the historical contributions they had made to the Society Hill (Darlington County), South Carolina community.

  Just one year after its founding, in 1989, the WJFFF, Inc were in Society Hill to see and celebrate the unveiling of an historical marker in recognition of Simon Brown and Lawrence Faulkner, and the events that had occurred there during the 1870’s.

In 2001, as the co-founders of the William J. Faulkner Friends of Folklore, Inc., J’miah Nabawi and Marie Faulkner-Brown were recognized and honored by Mayor Joe Carollo and the City of Miami, Florida with a Proclamation that proclaimed September 29, 2001 as William J. Faulkner Friends of Folklore Day.

Society Hill in Darlington County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Lawrence Faulkner / Simon Brown

By Cindy Bullard, November 10, 2010 1. Lawrence Faulkner / Simon Brown Marker (front) Inscription. [Front] Born c.1840 and a resident of Darlington County by 1871, Lawrence Faulkner was a black school teacher, later merchant, and Society Hill’s postmaster from 1877 to 1889. A trustee of nearby Union Baptist Church, Faulkner died in 1898. His store and dwelling were located on this site. [Reverse] A former slave from Virginia, Brown lived in Society Hill around 1900 and for years was employed by Lawrence Faulkner’s widow to work on her farm. His small house was adjacent to the Faulkner house on this site. A gifted story-teller of black folk tales, Brown’s allegories were posthumously recorded by the Smithsonian Institution. Erected 1989 by Darlington County Historical Commission. (Marker Number 16-25.) Location. 34° 30.708′ N, 79° 51.096′ W. Marker is in Society Hill, South Carolina, in Darlington County. Marker is on Main Street (U.S. 401) 0.1 miles north of Carrigan Avenue, on the right when traveling north. Click for map. Marker is in this post office area: Society Hill SC 29593, United States of America. Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Henry C. Burn House (within shouting distance of this marker); Trinity Church (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Welsh Neck Church (about 400 feet away); Long Bluff (about 700 feet away); Society Hill Library Society (approx. ¼ mile away); Caleb Coker House (approx. ¼ mile away); Society Hill Presbyterian Church (approx. 0.3 miles away); Zachariah W. Wines (approx. 0.3 miles away). Click for a list of all markers in Society Hill.

By Cindy Bullard, November 10, 2010 2. Lawrence Faulkner / Simon Brown Marker (reverse)