The Man that Deserves Everything
by Jack M.

A man of many titles,

Many identifying phrases,

“Enslaved here

Married to Penelope Tantipen

Father, neighbor, provider

Farmer, land owner

Emancipated c. 1760

Died 1770, leaving a legacy”

“Enslaved here,” in Guilford, by Thomas and Abigail Hodgkin.

Labored in the heat, worked under the sun, sweated through his clothing, bled crimson blood, cried salty tears, longed for emancipation…

“Married to Penelope Tantipen,” by Jonathan Todd.

Loved her, laughed with her, lived with her, experienced everything with her …

“Father,” to Philip, Phebe, Theophilus Jr., Eliab, Ama, and William.

Comforted them, cared for them, praised them for making him proud, treasured them, more than the clothes on his back…

“Neighbor,” to Jedediah Coe.

Shared with him, received land from him, helped him…

“Provider,” to his family.

Gifted them to the best of his ability, paid for their life with the little money they had, adored them, always labored for them…

“Farmer,” of crops.

Grew them, prized them, kept them healthy…

“Land owner,” of the Wild Cat Swamp lot of land (from the Hodgkins), and land from Jedediah Coe.

Maintained the land, resided on the land, managed the land…

“Emancipated c. 1760.”

Lived his life as a free man…

“Died,” in 1770.

Perished, passed…

“Leaving a legacy”

A legacy worth celebrating.

A legacy worth understanding.

A legacy that has lived on for centuries.

A legacy that is important.

A legacy that was just uncovered, like a pocketed pebble that spent years under the soil…

The legacy of Theophilus Niger.

A man that probably lived only fifty years.

A man that left a legacy, and is still leaving a legacy, in likely only five decades of life…

A man that was enslaved,

Suffered for years on end…

A man who is a hero, to his family, and to me.

A man who deserves everything.

A man who can’t get everything…

Recognition

Respect

Love

Honor

Equality…

Poet’s Statement:

In this poem, I intended to explain the word choice and significance of the language used on the actual “witness stone.” The larger text shows how the writing on the stone will be worded and formatted (with the exclusion of Theophilus Niger’s name at the top), and the rest of the poem is written in regards to the phrasing on the stone, the story of Theophilus, and his legacy. I used many past-tense verbs to explain what Theophilus did (or likely did) when he was alive, which were chosen based on the many titles he was given on the stone, throughout history, and throughout our research. I intended to show that he truly did suffer for much of his life towards the end of the poem by speaking about his enslavement and what he can’t receive, although he should receive it. I intended to speak about the theme “dehumanization” in my poem, by talking about his enslavement and the things he could not get for much, if not all, of his life (for example, equality). I spoke to the theme of “enslaved as property,” by saying that Theophilus was enslaved by people, which is meant to express the fact that they did indeed “own” him, and dehumanized him and treated him like property to some extent. Also, “paternalism” is a theme in my poem because saying that he was enslaved by people implies that he was forced to labor for their benefit, and not necessarily his own. I also wrote with the theme of “economics of slavery” in my mind. Again, speaking about Theophilus’ enslavement to the Hodgkins and the fact that he was a farmer causes a thought to arise that Theophilus likely farmed for the Hodgkins, unwillingly, and farming was done mostly for profit. So, the theme of “economics of slavery” is demonstrated because Theophilus was (likely) forced to farm for profit. Lastly, the theme of “agency and resistance” comes up in my poem when I talk about the legacy Theophilus has left and is leaving. I feel that an enslaver would have to hope for their enslaved people to not even be capable of leaving a legacy, as many of them view their enslaved people as simply machines (another example of dehumanization). Theophilus, who has left such an inspiring legacy, presents an example of resistance against all of those people who doubted and treated him poorly during his time alive. Overall, this poem is meant to honor Theophilus, talk about the lack of kindness he experienced in his life, and, most importantly, speak about his enlightening legacy.

Artist’s Statement:

The image above is a photo of a drawing I made to support my poem. Nearly everything seen is intentional. The head silhouette in the middle represents Theophilus, and the flexing arm in the middle of the head signifies his strength, determination, and perseverance, which was at the heart of everything he did. The six smaller silhouettes on top of Theophilus’ head are supposed to be his children: four boys and two girls. The corn represents the fact that Theophilus was a farmer, and the gift represents the fact that he was a provider for his family. The heart with the “PT” inside of it represents Theophilus’ love and wife, Penelope Tantipen (varying spelling). The house shows that Theophilus was a land owner, and the two clasped hands (that are black and white to signify that people of different races were living as one), represent that he was a neighbor, a friend, and that he wanted and strived for equality (he was obviously against enslavement as he had to experience it firsthand). The word “legacy” represents the legacy he left/is leaving, and the colors of red, orange, and yellow are warm, bright colors, and signify happiness (for his positive legacy). They also represent the colors of the boiling heat of the sun, something Theophilus had to go through to leave his legacy. The chains surrounding him (and many things about him) are meant to show that Theophilus was indeed enslaved, but there was so much more about him than just the chains that bound him. Everything within the chains are the things that are not necessarily seen on the outside, but are at the heart of his life. The lighter colors towards the middle of the drawing represent the happier things present there, whereas outside the chains, where Theophilus is known as just an enslaved person, the color is darker, signifying a sadder feeling. The middle of the chains are colored as a medium shade of the blue hues to show that they are the border and the turning point from Theophilus’ glee to his sadness and anger. That color represents the “neutral-zone.” Finally, there is a broken chain directly in front of Theophilus’ eyes, which is meant to symbolize his emancipation, and that he had his mind set ahead of him, towards his emancipation, through much of his life.