Accepting Reservations for a dinner at the Bareville Fire Hall benefitting the Nicholas Stoltzfus Homestead preservation, featuring this amazing story: White Mast – Black Mast.
Dwight Roth and Sharon Cranford wrote of their startling relationship in “Kinship Concealed.” After several years In the same Hesston College department suddenly what had been an academic relationship now was a family one. On December 2, 2017, six met to plan a May 1, 2018 banquet at the Bareville Fire Hall.
The main feature at the event will be the legacy of Charlie Mast, slave to his own father and great-grandfather of speaker Sharon Cranford. “When I heard Sharon tell of her heritage, I heard more than the discovery of an unexpected genealogy connection. I heard a story that speaks to today, how wayward actions that could have left a sad mark actually had a touch of redemption, a redemption we need, whether we are black or white, in a culture that divides and seeks to place blame and to pressure others to solve our problems.” – Paul Kurtz.
In an 1893 article (AHA), Mast is cited as a factor in the development of the frontier. Dr. Tom Middlebrook, a descendant of the white Masts from Nacogdoches County, Texas, knows the history of black Masts in Texas and is expected later in July, 2018 in Lancaster County.
In addition to Sharon Cranford’s talk, Dorothy Mast Moss will tell of her findings concerning the John Mast migration to North Carolina. John had a brother Jacob who was the Berks area Amish bishop until 1808. John’s descendants held slaves; grandson Reuben and a slave girl became parents to Charlie. Reuben took Charlie to East Texas where brothers had gone.
Sharon will also sing songs the slaves sung.
Banquet will be held at the Bareville Fire Hall, 211 E Main St, Leola. The dining area can accommodate 200 participants. Please reserve your spot by April 20. Reservation are $22 per person or $36 (which includes the book at a bargain) and $15 for those under age 12. Send reservation to Leonard Groff, 58 Ashlea Village, New Holland, PA 17557-1815. For more information email lengroff@gmail.com or call 717-355-0454. Checks can be written to: NSHPC, labelled for the May 1 banquet.
Stoltzfus Meats is donating the meal, benefiting the Nicholas Stoltzfus Homestead project.
Sharon and Dwight will also be present with their book (signing) at the annual benefit auction May 5, 1700 Tulpehocken Road, Wyomissing, Pa.
