My Black Mammy

True Story of Thomas Jefferson Penn growing up in the late 1800's, I know that some people will think the title of this book sounds racist or belittling to African Americans, however it is not meant that way. This story is told in Thomas Jefferson Penn's own words, and was his way of honoring a woman that he cared for deeply. The story takes place in the late 1800's when Jefferson Penn was just a child. Thomas Jefferson Penn was born in 1875 to Frank Reid Penn and Annie Spencer Penn of Virginia. He was the fourth child born to Frank and Annie, following older brother Charlie, and sisters, Katie May and Daisy. His younger siblings were Harrison Spencer Penn, Frank Reid Penn Jr., Anita, Jennie Lind, Pearle and Mattie Irwin. After moving to North Carolina, Frank Penn and his brother started the Penn Tobacco Company in Reidsville, NC and Jefferson Penn worked for the company. In 1911 the company was sold to American Tobacco Company, maker of Lucky Strikes, Pall Mall, Tareyton, Hit Parade and Herbert Tareyton cigarettes. Later Thomas Jefferson Penn built a beautiful 27 room rock house on 1000 acres of land he had purchased in Reidsville and named his estate the Chinqua Penn Plantation. He named it after the chin-ki-pin chestnut trees since the land was abundant with these trees at the time. I also had the honor of living at the Chinqua Penn Plantation and seeing the great beauty this estate holds for my self.In 2006 the estate was sold and is now open as a tourist attraction.