Peter Hairston and Jester Hairston - "Owner and Slave"
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- Опубликовано: 7 сен 2024
- Here the descendant of slaves and the descendant of their owners talk. Peter Hairston was the great grandson of Jester's grandfather's "owner". They sit on the steps of Cooleemee Plantation - the very place of their connection. They talk history and stories.
As a student teacher in college, I was Jester’s chauffeur at a weekend choral festival in 1977 at Longview, Texas. Every night he asked me to come in his room for a few minutes. His routine was the same every night. He got his PJs on, laid out all of his various prescribed medications, lay down in bed, and call his wife. He always wanted me to stay long enough to talk to his wife and reassure her that he took every pill. Then he would ask me to stay a little longer and visit. Actually, he just needed someone to talk to. So I listened as he closed his eyes and the stories began to flow! Yes, his music, acting, conducting was impeccable, but he was the most incredible human I’ve ever met.
I don't check my site very often but thank you for this. I have tried to honor his life now for over 30 years. I produced a documentary film (you can see on this channel, a multi-media book in the Apple Bookstore, and now a broadway musical I am trying to get produced. He was an incredible man.
How fortunate you were to have had such a close interaction with Mr. Hairston! When I was in high school in California (nearly 50 years ago), I sang in the Jester Hairston festivals. I loved the songs and the arrangements. But most of all I loved the camaraderie of the gatherings- hundreds of teenagers, all joined together, with Jester leading us in song. He was an amazing man- such charisma and love for humanity!
Beautiful. Mr. Hairston just had a way about him. I have no doubt he has a good place in Heaven.
Thats an experience you'll never forget. Our elders are everything
I had the privilege of singing under Mr. Hairston at a couple of choir festivals in the 1970s. He was incredibly funny, and a delight to sing for.
Does anyone miss sitting down talking to their grandfathers and getting history lessons. This reminds me of those wonderful years.
Facts spent many night listening and watching late night T.V.
Yes Yes Yes!!! Especially if you were a tomboy❤
While my papa was young i do miss him telling stories of his father whom I never had the honor of meeting. My papa passed last year (2023) and it’s still fresh I wish I could call him up and talk for a couple of hours about NOTHING
I dont miss it at all. My 83 and 84 yr old grandparents moved in with me about 2 years ago. He loves to talk and Ive always thought I should be recording it and putting it on YT. Hes such a good storyteller also.
@pinkroseyrose ❤🙏🏽
My entire life I loved listening to older peoples stories
Me, too! ❤😇
I bet you avoided alot of mistakes by doing that. Me I like to learn the hard way unfortunately.
Same. I love to listen!
I have too. I learned so much so early because I would just ask an open-ended question and let them go!
Me too!
This is the actor Jester Hairston who played Rolly on the TV show Amen.
Oh it’s Rolly? I always thought it was Raleigh like Sir Walter Raleigh.
@@Amir-um7ql On the show it’s spelled Rolly and pronunced Raleigh. Go figure 🤔
I thought it was him as soon as he started speaking.
Wow! I didn't recognize him but I recognized his voice.
I remember him🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
My mom was his caretaker for some many years while he was on Amen unto he passed...he would teach us the song Amen he wrote it
He did not write Shine on Me. Andre Crouch wrote it
@@ebonyoverstreet6726u are correct, somebody else is lying 😳
@ebonyoverstreet6726 I think she meant the song Amen and not the theme song to the show. Two different songs. Amen was made famous in the movie Lillie of the Fields.
@@rahfredajordan5647 must have been a memorable experience to know someone who was actually in chattel slavery. When we think about it those days were not that long ago they're only a parent or grandparent away. Please! I would love to hear more. Did he talk about those days at all with you guys. His testimony is priceless. And thanks for that little piece that you've already shared.
Wow didn't realize that was him
Based on what he said. His birthday was July 9, 1901 and he would be 92 that year and we are in 2024. My calculations say that this was filmed 31 years ago. Rest well Mr. Gentlemen.
Jester was almost a hundred when he died. Amazing.
I WAS GOING TO SAY... GRADUATED COLLEGE IN 1929???? HOW OLD IS THIS? THEY CAN'T STILL BE AROUND IN 2024, CAN THEY? THE PICTURE QUALITY IS GREAT, BUT THIS HAS TO BE OLD. YOU NEVER KNOW THOUGH. SOME PEOPLE ARE 120 NOW, BUT NOT IN IN AS GREAT SHAPE AS THESE TWO ARE SITTING ON THE STEPS.
Yes I calculated it to be in 1993
Rest in peace, Sir❤.
He passed in 2000 at the age of 98.
I could sit and listen to elders talk for hours. They're always giving lots of golden nuggets for life's navigation.
92 years old looking amazing 🫡
This video has to be at least 25 years old
What was said is 92 years old looking amazing actually this from late 80tys early 90tys
Free the slaves in Haiti . They driving the slavery ancestry into extinction 🤦🏿♂️💔
As a Hairston from Martinsville, VA, I used to get so excited seeing my last name on the credits of the show Amen. Rest well, "Cousin" Jester.
I love Martinsville, VA I use to work at the mall
We gotta be family! My family is from Rock run...John and Lucy Hairston
My grandmother was a Hairston born in Martinsville, VA. I don't think she was raised there, though.
I used to love watching Rolly on "Amen" as a little girl. Don't know why this popped up in my feed, but im glad it did. I really enjoyed listening to them.🙏🏾💜
I still sing the theme song to this day lol
What beautiful souls they both had. I've heard that the Hairston Family is still close both black and white. I say bless them all with peace and tranquility.
Amen
This is interesting. I have Hoston and Hairston bloodlines. And Smith, Thompson, Hayes, Taylor, Carter, Looney, Womack, and more. I watch the news and other documentaries feeling like I am related to everybody. It disturbs me that people don't understand the connections. RUclips has some gems.
@@triedntrueiam My family connections are from all over Europe and at least one passed through Jamestown in it's earliest years on his way to the Caribbean. We're all connected by now if you get right down to it. If your family was here before Ellis Island, we're probably related.
My family was the same when I was growing up. My paternal side was "owned" by the Roddenberry family...they were the ones who made the pickles and boiled peanuts (Peanut Patch) and syrups (Cane Patch) that were all over the south up until the 90s when they sold out. And yeah same distant family as Gene Roddenberry who created Star Trek. The family used to intermarry with the Andersons of South Carolina quite frequently. After the Civil War, they didn't allow the black people to use the name Roddenberry/Rodenberry/Roddenbery, so the black side took the name Anderson. My ggg grandfather moved down to Georgia with the Roddenberry family. When they moved, he moved. They helped my family get land, which we still own. All my dad's side worked at the plant producing the food and most retired from there. They all had land, houses, cars, and all. There was never an outward acknowledgement that we were related, but the way they made sure my family had assets and resources up to the 1990s was all the proof necessary.
@@themanifestorsmind Wow is all I can say. Most people don't realize slavery wasn't that long ago meaning our 3 rd generation of grandparents were slaves 😢. Therefore most of our great grandparents and grandparents were share croppers. Mind blowing.
The civility and congeniality is refreshing. We really don't have to divide and hate.
Amen to that
There would be not hate if they would give us reparations for building the wealth of the US. The two survivors of the Tulsa Oklahoma massacre who are 109 are still in court fighting to get recompense for the STEALING and destruction of their wealth. This is over when 🤚🏻do what is right😮💯
@@g_hagan No.
@@g_haganI agree with you because it is only fair
@@g_hagan not at all, unless you were a slave why do you want to make money off your deceased relations? Greed or no job skills?
For those that have "Take me to Church," the famous "Amen" line comes from the song "Amen" by Jester Hairston and it was used for the movie "Lilies of the Field" in 1963. Otis Redding sang a cover and made his own version singing the "amen" line that inspired Hozier
I did not know that!!
Love that part of the Lillie's of the field
Don't forget Curtis Mayfield and the Impressions made it a top 10 hit. Their first big hit the same year the movie came out.
Every day is a teaching moment ,thank you
Idk how I came across this but I'm happy I did
Me to!!!!
Same ! So happy I did, my heart needed this 🙏🏽
I’m a Hairston as well…my grandfather was Juble Hairston;, Jr.! Rich history and legacy!
My great great Grandfather is Robert Hairston..💪🏾
My great grandmother was Inez! Hi family!
All blacks got their names from white folks ..
Did any of you inherit some of that musical ability that seems to have been overflowing in Mr. Hairston???
I'm a Hairston too 😊
They seem like such good friends. I love when old people have conversations.
Well damn, it says he owned him as a slave right?
An OWNER and a SLAVE aren't FRIENDS. EVER.
@@aaronhugz4277💯💯💯
@@MYBESTSOUNDSwell that's just click bate, The older man was born in 1901 slavery well gone by than .. his grandparents were the ones working on plantation ..
My mom met Jester in the late 80s at a family reunion in Homestead. He was already on Amen. He signed a dollar and gave it to her.
Ok I thought that was him, his voice was just more gravely on there❤️
That was the best show! As a kid it taught me a lot!
Homestead Florida? I grew up there🤔
@@sapiophile545 Homested PA
@@sapiophile545Homestead P.A. Just outside of Pittsburgh
Jester Hairston was the Great Grandfather of one of my best friends from elementary school till we graduated together, I used to love to watch him on the t.v. show Amen,he was born not to far from me,Belews Creek N.C!
Yes my family is related to the Hairston s from Belews Creek NC.
The fact that he wasn’t a slave and he wasn’t a slave owner but became great friends is amazing..he followed this mans career even at their old age…neither one feels any hatred or entitlement about anything..just two friends catching up..
reparations now !!!
@ernestcanteen3806 why???
@@g_haganhe's trolling
@jolenehendrickson8915 he's either trolling or has to keep racism alive in order 2 thrive.. smh 🙄
@@ernestcanteen3806lol get a job
I love the way they talk to one another
Not sure how I happened upon this story but glad I did. What a blessing to be this alert and articulate at 92. Their shared history is part of the fabric of this country and
an example of a positive friendship Great post. Rip .....🌺🪻🌹🌷🌷🌺
Amen
As a high school student in the 60’s, I sang in the choir. Multiple high school choirs in California met at the university in Stockton. We had the wonderful experience of singing beautiful Spirituals together and being directed by Mr. Jester Hairston. I will never forget it!
He reminds me so much of my Parran. I was little and LOVED watching Amen. “Parran! I saw you on TV! You were on Amen!” He thought that was so funny because he was head deacon at our church and boy when he got on one knee and prayed on Sundays you could hear our history in his voice. It was like a hymn! Man I miss my elders.
He does look like the deacon from Amen.
Regal, Black and etherally beautiful ✨
Just look at these two that lived it and there’s no hate only love amazing ❤
Oh my god, I am speechless. I just stumbled upon this video. The video looks as if it was taken 30 years ago. The man is 92!.
walking , talking, sharp as day. And in great health...god, is good. What a wild story. Not, too many people can trace back their family's history.
I could watch Jester all day I love older ppl.
Me ✌🏽❤
From then, yes. Now the boomers are a completely different group. This reverence that we offered to their parents is lost now. That generation lost their purpose to their offspring due to integration. Sad. I grew up with older people and loved them. Now the elderly are just old, they are not elders.
@ 1:27 when he says “oooh Jester” and makes the joke about him stealing his bed 😂 couple of good old buds here 😊
That's what a good Christian man should do. LEAD BY EXAMPLE. ❤🙏🇺🇲
123 Years Later Here I am watching & listening to your story Mr. Jester. I Really Pray that God Had Blessed your Soul to be Reincarnated.
That's not accurate or how Christianity works.
Reincarnated? Heavens no. May he be in paradise with Jesus 🙏
@@Sundayschoolnetwork what makes you an expert and so sure of Said Comment??? You are an product of Reincarnation
@@United-Kingz-of-Dallas I believe Jesus, his Word.
@@mattmarzula I'm not a Christian Buddy
I love hearing old people's stories.
Owner and Slave, no not at all, we talk about the grandson and great grandson....
I had not heard of Jester Hairston until today and i feel like ive missed out on someone super important
Me too😊
He play the character Rolly on a TV show called Amen. The show aired in the late 80s through the early 90s. A great funny show.
Me too
Me too
Jester Hairston also acted on one of my favorite old television shows Amos 'n' Andy
I haven’t heard this show name in forever!❤
Young people today don't understand sitting and asking questions. Will some day be something they will regret they didn't do. I hate that I didn't ask questions about my dad's family.
I bet both are God fearing men. That's why they love and respect each other and not hate one another. ❤. God is love
Why, because some made up god is going to punish them for not accepting a cult leader as their "savior" from his petty wrath?
@@Miodrag.VukomanovicGod is very real my friend .
@@swampghost72 Yes god is real, but religion is false.
God fearing slave owner?🤔 Sounds like a complete oxymoron.
@@Miodrag.Vukomanovic well Religion and faith are two different things to me..Religion is to me just something that you do repetitively and often..( Religiously). But faith is something different..so I sort of agree with you there..
This is how everybody should behave this should be a good lesson for people to get along
It should be but sadly I wont see it in my lifetime.
Those days are gone . Now everyone is taught hate especially in college. Division is emphasized , womanhood is reduced to a costume all under the guise of love and equality @cannkotlarz621
@@MyBizOnluWe do, it’s our government and media that say we don’t. I’m 63 and I nor anyone I know have a racist bone in our bodies.
I’m pass
Respectfully he has no reason to show him any respect image being held hostage and then being friendly with those who held you captive not saying be violent but I wouldn't have anything good to say period he is completely brainwashed by the times 😢
As a white male, growing up in an inner city project i always was fascinated listening to the older black neighbors and their stories. To this day, it saddens me to confront that part of America's past! I will never understand how Southerners back then considered themselves Christians!
Not even back then, they still do.
Same...and yeah, they still do!
And STILL do. The mental gymnastics are still astounding
It's truly mind-boggling how one can claim to love and follow Jesus Christ and hate your fellow man.
I love the freindship beautiful
These guys are talking about the 20s and WWII like it was yesterday 😂😂 😂😂
It kinda was😌
My whole family used to talk this way.
I learned more from my elders than I will ever possibly be able to thank them for.
Wow this video was amazing, ! Hello Family, My great-grand uncle was James Edward Harrison who married Lee Ana Gaines. I grew up less than 2 miles from Homestead, PA in West Mifflin.
These are some real life history lessons that should be watched in school. I am so touched by this video and interview with the genuine between these two gentlemen.
That last shot of them walking away was beautiful 🎥❤️
Jester Joseph Hairston (July 9, 1901 - January 18, 2000) was an American composer, songwriter, arranger, choral conductor and actor. He was regarded as a leading expert on black spirituals and choral music.[1][2] His notable compositions include "Amen," a gospel-tinged theme from the film Lilies of the Field and a 1964 hit for the Impressions, and the Christmas song "Mary's Boy Child."
Even if you did not know how accomplished and scholarly Mr. Hairston was, he still would have that dignified bearing and you'd treat him with respect. I wish someone would post the video of Jester telling Johnny Carson about legendary composer Dimitri Tiomkin offering him a job to do choral arrangements for the movies. Not PC, but I never saw Johnny laugh so hard. Jester just told it like it was.
Not sure if this is the vid: "The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson (aired 10/15/1987) Jester Hairston shared slave ancestry story"
ruclips.net/video/ljWQe3ebhr0/видео.htmlsi=JJ4abvZWtTjSiKfN
I swear him and my great grandmother Inez were twins! They looked so much alike. They were first cousins!
Did you inherit some of that musical ability that seems to have been overflowing in Mr. Hairston??
@@Jake-nk4wg I wish! 😩
@@Jake-nk4wgI did
@@tiffytwotimes
I knew someone had to have inherited some of those amazing abilities Mr. Hairston had. Did your talent come in the form of: voice, piano, orchestral instruments other than piano, directing, etc. or all of...?? Please tell us; inquiring minds want to know. 🙂🙂🎼🎵🎶🎵🎶🎵🎶
@@Jake-nk4wg piano and flute. Since age 5.
Mr. Hariston was also on a few episodes of Amos and Andy. What a legacy he left. Much respect to our Ancestors. ❤
I don’t know how I got to your channel but I’m so happy with the RUclips algorithm
I was thinking the same thing. I wouldn't have even known this existed if it hadn't shown up in my feed. It's interesting to learn more about Mr. Hairston.
Older generations were superior to offerings of today . Less spoiled . More grateful , less wasteful and just better people
Mr. Hairston reminds me of my grandmother. She mentioned ONCE how she was (my words, not hers) "cheated" out of money supposedly deducted from her wages for social security. In the 1940s-1950s she worked as a maid and cook for a white family.
There was no anger in her voice when she told me that story. She never spoke negatively of whites or anyone else.
My grandma just died a couple months ago, she was maid/nanny for some Jews. She was cheated out of Social Security as well. Mind you she worked for these people her whole working life, and they paid her peanuts. I’m pissed and I don’t care about all the let’s get along!
Really, really enjoyed this clip. Thank you for sharing!!
He looks so much like my Daddy ! RIH!💙🙏🏼🕊 Can't wait to go to the Hairston reunion!
OMG he looks like my granddaddy I love watching him on amen and I was just thinking about him peace
I could listen to these two for hours. They sound like my dad and his brother.
Kissed by the sun; amazing complexion, very articulate, and great memory for his age!
I remember when he was on Amen when I was a teenager. I'm 50 now. I love these types of documentary videos.
Listening to Old Folks talk is GOLDEN!
What a beautiful picture
Fascinating interview!
This is so beautiful, so much love between these two. God is good. 🕊️🕊️🕊️
July 9th! Same birthday as my husband! I love listening to these old stories! These men saw some very fascinating times! ❤
Look at how kind they are to each other. The respect…the pathetic youth of today could learn something from it but they won’t. Colleges have taught them how to NOT learn anything of use…our elders are history books just waiting to be tapped. They need to be better protected in our country (elderly care ect) ❤️❤️❤️
No we can’t learn cause they claimed blacks was always slaves and white snd blacks never got along a long time ago. 😢
You speak of kindness, but then immediately insult an entire generation. This is a human issue. It's up to all of us.
@@BeautyInYOU583This old man have Stockholm syndrome. Nothing great about this. I'd never be friends with any man who owned my family during slavery. I will not be identifying with the slave master.( Stockholm syndrome)
The African American gentleman, didn't he play on the sitcom "Amen" with Sherman Hemsley?
Yes that's correct.
This goes to show how civil people who can put difference aside and get along just fine. today's societies look towards difference instead of similarities. We are all the same people, only different upbringing .
Nice conversation between two good persons… it is so easy to simply enjoy being a human being and share time with other people no matter what skin colour or origin they have…
Better men from a better world, things we lost in the fire.
Very well said
All slave owners should give land, money compensation from their estates to the descendents of their slaves.
How does that work in reality lmao. Everyone is descended from slavery.
What lovely old men! They were brought up under different circumstances yet you can tell despite the pigment difference they are very fond of each other! No hatred or animosity only respect for each other, lovely to see!I love hearing these old stories!
Jester was the best person in the world !!
I would've loved to meet him
It’s the spirit of God in human that makes them respect other human beings irrespective of skin color.
Yes Amen❤
Isaiah 14:2
The mental commitment to accuracy was paramount in those days. Watching this makes me aware of our current programmed condition.
How is it that these two men that were involved in the situation can sit together and have peaceful conversation but, those that weren't even thought of at those times stir up so much hate and confusion!?
Good question!
#peace because this video is a troll
What a beautiful friendship ❤❤ i could listen to them all night
Love and miss my uncle.
Wow! Hi family 😊 Jester was my great grandmother Inez first cousin! I remember meeting him at one of the Hairston Clan's family reunions when I was a little girl.
Reparations now
@@designed2bmumscarmichael582Reparations now
My great grandpa was born in 1903 and died in 2005 at 101 his dad was a slave and he used to talk about how white people were so hatful towards black people
You can take it as gospel , because I'm sure he spoke the truth . But he didn't witness it from the whole white race . We will always have both good & bad people from every race & country . But that shouldn't affect how we live & die ... just because a white person hates black people , doesn't mean all white people hate black people ...
It has not changed too much.
Oh I bet he had some really interesting stories to tell! Rest in Peace to your great grandfather! ❤
This is so sad they are clearly about the same age but the color of their skin had them live 2 different lives 💜😔
I miss him he was such a great actor Amen was one of my favorite shows as a kid
Actor from Amen❤
Lawd have mercy, I was just saying he look just like Rowley!
Yep Rolly Forbes from the tv show Amen!
This man understands things better than people do today even though he was so much closer to the reality of what slavery was for the short time it was in America
So many people love the idea of a slave being friendly with their slave owner…y’all typed that and didn’t think it was concerning
Exactly! 🫠
It's false the older man was born in 1901. He grew up in PA and went to college. He made something of himself. He met the other guy when the other guy was a teen ager. Didn't you listen.
So glad I found this!
Do you see how far we have come? Yes still have a long ways to go but for the descendants to be able to sit together and seemingly like friends is good to see.
His grandfather chose to keep the last name , jester had nothing to do with that. Nor did Peter, you hold the people responsible for slavery responsible not the ones that came after the slavers, there will never be forgiveness progress if we don’t . Not that I should mention this but I will I’m black , a women and a veteran, and can see that they have at least tried to transcend past the hurts and injustices to become great friends and it is obvious that Peter admires Jester !
Thank you
Did not know he grew up in Homestead. I went to college in Pittsburgh, worked there and raised my children there. Drove through Homestead a few weeks ago!
Black and White - Beautiful Harmony
Not the kinda harmony you want. This makes you feel good about yourself doesn't it. Makes you feel like this is how it's supposed to be. How it was when America was great.
@@tobiasisrael3758 eat a case of Snickers, please
@@lumberjack297 right exactly downplay my expression of truth to being hangry... because that's the solution.
@@tobiasisrael3758 ... I hope you get help with your anger
What a wonderful man. 92 (l think that's what he said) and still sharp as a tack. It's a privilege to hear his stories and l love seeing the camaraderie between these two men. The only downside was not being able to hear the interviewer.
May he rest in peace.. Jester grew up in Pennsylvania.. very interesting story..
God bless this family!
Loved this. Delightful men.
I can't tell the difference between slave and Master. All I see is two old men sitting and chatting about the old days. The eyes of the Lord will set you free.
Very cool! I was born in PA, and live in Mocksville.
In short, BOSS AND WORKER. Like today.
I see this video and one thing comes to my mind: WE ALL WILL GET OLD, DIE AND GIVE ACCOUNT OF OUR SINS.
Indeed we will, Remember me Lord Jesus, Remember me
may our Heavenly Father cover their soul and spirits the forgiver and the changer
It’s great they are friends. However on many levels slavery was wrong. My great grandad was born on a plantation and died in 2016. He was alive for my children and I’m only 42 and my eldest 22. It wasn’t that long ago.
We found our Slave Owner Family. The Blackburns of Amarillo Tx
How is this slave and owner when he was born in 1901???
Needs more views
This sounds just like the man that played rollie on AMEN is this him oh my what a treat if this is him❤
It is him, Jester Hairston. Your memory served you well!
What a treat. Thanks for sharing.
❤my cousin ( the hairston clan) my Family my great grandfather was Collie Hairston