Henry Nix (1848 - 1940)

Born 15 Mar 1848 in Georgia, United States

Husband of Fanny (Arnold) Nix — married [date unknown] in Georgia, United States

Died 28 Aug 1940 at age 92 in Georgia, United States

Biography

Henry Nix is a part of US Black heritage.

Henry was born on the plantation of Jasper Willis in Upson County, GA. He was born into slavery, since his mother was the property of the Willis plantation.

• 1910 - Living in Griffin, GA with his wife. ^[1]

• 1930 - Living in Griffin, GA with wife in their son's home. ^[2]

Henry passed away in 1940 in Griffin, GA. ^[3]

Interview

Henry was interviewed by Mary A. Crawford September 24, 1936 at his home in Griffin, Georgia as part of the Federal Writer's Project of the Works Progress Administration (WPA). The results are presented in narrative form, most, allegedly, in the first person, and made available by the Library of Congress. ^[4]

When asked about learning to read Henry responded - When asked if Mr. Willis had the slaves taught to read and write, Henry hooted at the idea, saying emphatically, No, Mam, '0le Marse' wua sho hard about dat. He said 'Niggers' wuz made by de good Lawd to work, and onct when my Uncle stole a book and wuz a trying to learn how to read and write, Marse Jasper had the white doctor take off my Uncle's fo' finger right down to de 'fust ,Jint. Marster said he fixed dat darky as a sign fo de res uv 'em No, Miss, we wuzn't larned!

The total interview can be read here.

Family

• Mother - Catherine Willis
• Father - John Nix

Slave Owner

Jasper Willis - Upson County, Georgia

Sources

1. ↑ "United States Census, 1910," database with images, FamilySearch ([1] : accessed 24 October 2021), Henry Nix, Griffin Ward 2, Spalding, Georgia, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 118, sheet 1A, family 8, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1982), roll 209; FHL microfilm 1,374,222.
2. ↑ "United States Census, 1930," database with images, FamilySearch ([2] : accessed 24 October 2021), Henry Nix in household of Willie J Nix, Griffin, Spalding, Georgia, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 3, sheet , line , family , NARA microfilm publication T626 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2002), roll ; FHL microfilm.
3. ↑ "Georgia Deaths, 1928-1943," database with images, FamilySearch ([3] : 2 March 2021), Henry Nix, 28 Aug 1940; citing Griffin, Spalding, Georgia, United States, Georgia State Archives, Morrow.
4. ↑ [4] Library of Congress - TYPEWRITTEN RECORDS PREPARED BY THE FEDERAL WRITERS' PROJECT. 1936-1938 ASSEMBLED BY THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS PROJECT WORK PROJECTS ADMINISTRATION FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA - SLAVE NARRATIVES - Henry Nix - Vol. 4, Georgia, Part 3, Page 143, image 146.