Henry “Uncle Dad” Brown

Choice program:

• Choice selections will be based on space availability at the selected school.

• Student athletic eligibility remains under S.C. High School League rules.

• Transportation will not be provided for Expanded School Choice. Parents and guardians are responsible for providing transportation.

• Once a child is selected to participate, Expanded School Choice will remain in effect until the student completes the choice grade level.

• If a child moves into the county after the request period ends, the child must attend the school to which they are zoned. A parent can apply during the next choice cycle.

• It is not necessary for parents to complete an application for their child to attend the school for which they are already zoned and attending.

• The online application for the Expanded School Choice Program will be available on the district’s website through the deadline of Feb. 28. For complete guidelines, an application, or more information, please contact Darlington County School District’s Office of Administration and Operations at (843) 398-2269.

To celebrate Black History Month, the Hartsville News Journal will recognize noteworthy African American individuals, families, and locations with ties to Hartsville, Darlington County, and the Pee Dee Region.

Most stories about the Civil War describe a misguided nation, large egos, and a bitter divide among the citizenship for the ownership of the nation’s collective soul.

America allowed the pursuit of money to cloud obvious truths, societal norms to excuse the degradation of half its citizens. Not all our countrymen failed to see this bigger picture, the melting pot that would become the United States of America. Henry “Uncle Dad” Brown of Darlington was one of these pioneers.

An African American man, Brown voluntarily signed up to serve the Confederacy. In the present day, we might be quite mystified to understand why an African American would serve the very government that wished to keep him in shackles. Brown answered this rather weighty question by telling his critics that he did not wish to preserve slavery or endorse succession. Brown wished, as so many did, to have a part in protecting his homeland, neighbors, and friends.

When Brown joined the war effort he served in the capacity of drummer for the 8th S.C. Infantry under the command of Captain W. H. Evans, later serving with Captain S. H. Wild in the S.C. 21st Regiment.

The Confederate Congress ordered that all African American musicians be paid the same as white musicians. Under this law, Brown was paid $12 a month for his service to the South. To be a drummer during the Civil War era was to truly take your life in your hands. As a musician you were unarmed, but could see just as much action as your armed counterparts. While dangerous, a drummer performed the necessary function of providing orders to the troops. The instruments booming cadence could be heard more easily than the human voice over cannon blasts.

Brown had many notable experiences during his military service. One such experience was being present in the thick of the fighting at the Battle of Bull Run. Another was when “Uncle Daddy” made off with a pair of Yankee drumsticks. These pilfered drumsticks represented the war to Brown and he was photographed with them as they often accompanied him. This photograph is proudly on display at the Darlington County Historical Society.

After retiring from service, Brown became a wealthy landowner and brick mason. He took many under his wing, offering several apprenticeships. He was even elected to serve as Darlington County’s coroner.

Believing in giving back to his community, Brown did not hoard his success. He often pro- vided financial assistance to any neighbors in need, regardless of their race. To Brown, you were American before anything else. Brown’s belief was never more clearly on display than at his funeral. When death came for Henry Brown on Nov. 2, 1907, the whole of Darlington society came out to honor this exceptional human being. At his passing, the Darlington Guards, an all white military unit, marched to Brown’s home and kept vigil with his family. Black and white ministers, J.J. Jefferson and D.M. Fulton, presided over his funeral. All white pallbearers brought his casket to its final resting place. He was laid to rest beside his beloved bride, Laura.

A 15- foot monument stands in remembrance of this American titan in Darlington. Through his life and death Henry “Uncle Dad” Brown, embodied the very meaning of America.

Written by Lauren Monica.