Name/Title
Mark ThrashEntry/Object ID
2020.220.001Description
A photographic postcard with the front showing "Uncle" Mark Thrash (December 25, 1820 – December 17, 1943) sitting in a wooden chair, holding a walking stick. His jacket has medals on the lapel..
Underneath the photograph reads "'Uncle' MARK THRASH, age 118, Born tear Richmond, Virginia, Dec. 25, 1820. Coat shown presented him by General Grant. Resides in Chickamauga National Park. PHOTO BY J. A. Neal"
"Here is "Uncle" Mark Thrash. Will be 121 years of age this coming Christmas Day, 1941. Uncle Sam's oldest pensioner. Lives in Chickamauga National Park. Born in slavery, in Virginia, in 1820. The first president that he remembers was John Quincy Adams. Was 43 years old when the Battle of Chickamauga was fought and helped bury its dead—"the Gray in one trench, the Blue in an-other, and the horses in another." For a period of several weeks after the war, he and his family lived on acorns boiled in seasoned water, made salty with handfuls of dirt dug up where brine had been poured from his ruined master's smokehouse. Has always been "satisfied" through life, always obedient, a good cook, and a caretaker of horses. "Have never been abused, either in slavery or out." Was captured and re-captured several times by both sides during the war. Waited upon Lee and Grant, but told them that when the fighting started, "would make myself scarce. I kept my word, and that's one reason why I am here now." His voice is pleasant, soft, and clear. He is serene, smiling, and gentle. Wears spectacles once in a while, just to rest his eyes. Owns "three Bibles and sometimes four." Has twin brother preaching in Africa, who is 16 minutes his senior. "I believe the number of my children living is 18. I am the father of 29. My oldest is 98. My youngest 60. They are all north, east, and west. Am living here with my fifth wife. If I outlive her, I may try again. There is nothing equals to a good wife and a good husband. This two-room log cabin was built for me by the government. The garden goes with the place, and I raise our own vegetables. Everything plain, simple, quiet. Never went to school but learned to read from my children." He smokes ana chews in moderation but nods his head in the negative as to drink. Ate with the Indians and was fond of them when he came to Georgia from Virginia to clear up a plantation purchased by his master. His existence is geared to the smooth tranquility of nature, which is the heritage of comfortable darkies. His parting words to the many callers from all parts of the nation are: "Come see me whenever you are this way again. I hope you live as long as I will and always be as good looking as you are today." "Jumping the broom" was the ceremony that tied the knot at his first marriage when he was 17. He and his bride jumped forward over a broom handle on the floor and then jumped back over it again. That made them man and wife. "Uncle" Mark never goes without wearing his white apron. Without it, he doesn't feel dressed. He got that way in childhood when Owner Thrash ordered his servants to don white aprons so they could be distinguished from others' servants."Subject Person/Organization
Mark ThrashSubject Place
* Untyped Subject Place
Chickamauga Battlefield, Chickamauga, Georgia, Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military ParkCollection
Portrait CollectionCopyright
Type of License
Copyright Not Evaluated
