Stephen Robinson (root doctor)
Stephen Robinson | |
|---|---|
| Born | Stephany Robinson 1885 Frogmore, South Carolina, U.S. |
| Died | May 5, 1947 (aged 61–62) |
| Resting place | Saint Helena Memorial Gardens, Beaufort, South Carolina, U.S. |
| Occupation | Root doctor |
| Known for | Inspiration for a character in Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil |
Stephen Robinson (born Stephany (or Stepheney[1] or Stephaney[2]) Robinson; 1885 – May 5, 1947) was an American root doctor. He came to prominence after his association with Minerva, one of the main characters in John Berendt's 1994 true-crime book Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. Valerie Boles, of Gullah tongue,[3] was the inspiration for Minerva in the book, and was portrayed by Irma P. Hall in Clint Eastwood's 1997 film adaptation.[4][5] Boles's husband, Percy Washington, was a root doctor known as Dr. Eagle,[6] who was renamed "Dr. Buzzard" in the film adaptation of the story. Dr. Buzzard was based on Robinson.
Early life
[edit]Robinson grew up on Saint Helena Island, South Carolina. Reportedly the son of a witch doctor who emigrated from West Africa, he began practising "root work" in the early 1900s.[7]
Career
[edit]Robinson was accused, by James Edwin McTeer, sheriff of Beaufort County,[8] of practicing medicine without a license. The case failed when McTeer's primary witness collapsed on the witness stand.[7]
Personal life
[edit]Robinson married Molly Bleach, a native of Frogmore, South Carolina. They had one known child together, a son who drowned after driving off a causeway. It was at this point that Robinson decided to give up medicine, but not root doctoring. He passed his medical practise to his son-in-law, known locally as "Buzzy."[7]
He was a member of Saint Helena Island's Baptist Church, and donated funds to replace its sanctuary after a fire.
In 2016, Robinson's grandson was reportedly the only root doctor still practising on the island.[9]
Death
[edit]Robinson died in 1947, aged 61 or 62. He was interred in Beaufort's Saint Helena Memorial Gardens.
References
[edit]- ^ "The Demise of Dr. Buzzard: Black Belt Hoodoo between the Two World Wars". academic.oup.com. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
- ^ Chapter One: Beneath the Spanish Moss: The World of the Root Doctor (2008) – Jack G. Montgomery Jr., Western Kentucky University
- ^ "Voodoo’s heyday has passed, but the Gullah tradition still bewitches in SC" – The State, January 27, 2016
- ^ "4 Savannah-Inspired Halloween Costumes" – Visit Savannah
- ^ "Reclusive voodoo priestess of 'Midnight' fame dies" – Savannah Morning News, May 8, 2009
- ^ Conjure in African American Society, Jeffrey E. Anderson (2008), p. 118 ISBN 9780807135280
- ^ a b c "Dr. Buzzard". South Carolina Encyclopedia. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
- ^ Woods, Baynard (2010). Coffin Point: The Strange Cases of Ed Mcteer, Witchdoctor Sheriff. River City Publishing. ISBN 978-1-57966-088-8.
- ^ "Broken spell: Voodoo's heyday has long passed, but the Gullah tradition continues to bewitch" – Fort Worth Star-Telegram, September 20, 2016