Muzel Bryant (1904-2008) was the last member of Ocracoke's historic black family to live on the island. Muzel's grandmother Winnie Blount was born into slavery. She came from near
Washington, NC, with her husband Harkus to live on Ocracoke after the
slaves were freed. Harkus was a carpenter and boat builder, and the
couple managed to acquire land along the lighthouse road. They had
two daughters, Jane and Annie Laura. Jane eventually met and married
Leonard Bryant from Engelhard while she and Winnie were working at the
old Doxsee Clam Factory, which was located near the entrance to the
harbor. Annie Laura also lived on the island with her husband, but they
moved to the mainland soon after their little boy fell off the back porch
into the water barrel and drowned.
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| Aunt Winnie |
Muzel was one of Jane and Leonard's nine children.
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| Muzel Bryant, photo: OPS |
You can read multiple articles about Muzel and her family by clicking
here.
Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a history of Village Craftsmen (1970 - the Present). You can read the Newsletter here:
https://www.villagecraftsmen.com/history-village-craftsmen-ocracoke-island/.
Is OI a historically dangerous place for children?
ReplyDeleteI would say just the opposite. Ocracoke is a very safe place for children. Of course we are surrounded by water, and ocean currents can be dangerous, espeacially for the reckless.
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