Isaac William France Ex-Slave Storyteller
Isaac William France Ex-Slave, Storyteller, Elocutionist, Singer
Isaac William France was an ex-slave, a lover of poetry and a master storyteller. His tales, and personal association with leading figures in both the Confederate and Union armies positioned Isaac as a highly sought-after speaker in Harrisburg. On at least one occasion he was commissioned to speak for the “ladies” of Harrisburg (see the transcribed newspaper article below “Daughters of 1812 Hear Ex-Slave”).
On August 28, 1835, Isaac William France was born to an enslaved mother, and (some reports say) a free father, in Fredericktown, Frederick, Maryland. His father, James Martin France, was 36 and his mother, Jane, was around 37.
Isaac France, of 1411 James street, an aged colored man of this city, has had many unusual experiences. “Pop” France as he is familiarly called, was the son of James France, a slave on the Keeffer farm near Fredericksburg. The father was a pump worker, and by the time Isaac was six years old he had saved enough money to buy his son and his wife.”
Isaac lived in Frederick, Maryland, until after the Civil War, when he “wandered” before settling in Springfield, Ohio, for a time. According to historic newspaper accounts, Issac arrived in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, sometime around 1898 and quickly became a recognizable figure in the capital city.
Although I have not been able to find any records of her having been his wife during his lifetime, at the time of his death, he was seemingly married to a woman named Helen. Helen France appears in the Harrisburg directories for the 2 years following Isaac’s death and hers; she is living at the same address, and she is listed as his widow.
Isaac died on October 18, 1912, in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. To my knowledge, it was never reported whether or not he had heirs or any other surviving family. Having lived a long life of 77 years, Isaac was buried at Lincoln Cemetery…Helen was buried here 2 years later.
Isaac seemingly learned to read late in his life, and was drawn to poetry only in the last handful of years before his death: “I’ve worked hard all my life and I’m still pegging away. But in the evenings when I get home I’m not too tired to study my poems. Ever since I’m seventy years old I’ve been learning them, say them over and over to myself until I know them.”
In addition to being an elocutionist, “Uncle” Isaac was reported to be a great singer “of no mean repute.” His voice was described as being as “deep as the tones of an organ.”
If you happen to know where we could retain a clearer image of Isaac France, than this reproduction photo that appeared with his obituary, please let us know in the comment section below, or by contacting SOAL directly!
Isaac France, Well Known Negro Story Teller Is Dead
Saw Much of the Military Operations During the Civil War
“UNCLE ISAAC” FRANCE
Isaac France, “Uncle Isaac” to many people of this city, and one of the best known colored men in Harrisburg, died at his home, 1524 Vernon street, last night.
Uncle Isaac came to this city many years ago from Frederick, Md. He saw much of both the blue and gray armies during the Civil War and he was a famous teller of war stories. In this role he was much sought by those who managed entertainments in churches of his race and by clubs and societies. He also was especially good as a reciter of verse and few trained elocutionists were superior to him as an interpreter of the best poetry.
As a familiar figure on the streets he was known to thousands of Harrisburg people and he will be greatly missed.
He was a member of the colored Masonic fraternity and the funeral services will be in charge of the lodge to which he belonged.
“Isaac France Well Known Negro Story Teller Is Dead,” Harrisburg Telegraph, October 19, 1912, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112515136/isaac-france-well-known-negro-story/.
As He Appeared in the Press: Isaac William France Ex-Slave Storyteller
All of these articles were transcribed by character recognition software. I only made edits to the computer’s transcription when it was clear to me that it failed to recognize a particular letter, there are no other changes or additions.
OLD “UNCLE ISAAC” ROUNDS 75 YEARS
Ex-Slave Quietly Celebrates Birthday Today at His Home
Seventy-five years ago In Fredericktown, Md., renowned as the home of Barbara Freitchie a little man-child was born in slavery, who grew and grew as the years rolled along to be of massive frame and mellow voice, with an innate love of poetry and the gift to memorize it. Drifting for years through various parts of the country, ‘Uncle Isaac,” as everybody calls him, finally located In Harrisburg, where he is still quietly and uneventfully passing his life at 1524 Vernon street.
This is his birthday, although few of his friends know it, but kindly greetings and little gifts are always welcomed, although coming a day late sometimes.
“Uncle Isaac” has retired from active service, but he can still give reminiscences of a life full of color and travel, and should anyone doubt that Whittier’s famous poem of “Barbara Freitchie” is founded on anything less than actual fact let them ask “Uncle Isaac” about It, and he will say: “Yes, sah, little Missy grew up ‘most beside me thar In Frederick-town; I knew heh well, and she did truahly wave that Union flag befoah the Confederates.”
“Old Uncle Isaac Rounds 75 Years: Ex-Slave Quietly Celebrates Birthday Today at His Home,” Harrisburg Telegraph, August 28, 1912, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112515111/old-uncle-isaac-rounds-75-years/.
DAUGHTERS HEAR OF 1812 EX-SLAVE
Isaac France Recites Poems at Meeting of the Society
PERSONAL MENTION
Parties, Weddings, Receptions and the Going and Coming of People
Members of Keystone chapter, Pennsylvania Daughters of 1812, enjoyed the April meeting this afternoon at the home of Mrs. Christian W. Lynch, 211 West State street. Miss Fannie Eby, the regent, presided and a most interesting program was presented. Mrs. James Barr Mersereau gave an interesting talk on artists about the time of 1812, speaking especially of the portrait painters who did such fine work for the war heroes of that date. Mrs. Charles H. Bergner gave a great deal of valuable information concerning aeroplanes and various sorts of flying machines inventors were exploiting In the early part of the last century. Two of Mrs. Balsbaugh’s pupils sang most pleasantly. Miss Wolcott giving: (a) “Molly’s eyes,” (b) “The sweetest flower that blows,” and Miss Mitchell Ardillis’ beautiful “O! bacio,” playing her own accompaniment, as well as for Miss Wolcott.
A special feature was the recitations of old “Uncle” Isaac France, a well known figure about the city, who, after a few words of greeting to the ladles. gave in splendid style: “The brook,” by William Cullen Bryant and “The land of used to be,” by James Whitcomb Riley. Born a slave, seventy-five years ago in Fredericksburg, Md., the home town of Francis Scott Key, author of the “Star spangled banner.” Isaac France, of 1411 James street, an aged colored man of this city, has had many unusual experiences. “Pop” France as he is familiarly called, was the son of James France, a slave on the Keeffer farm near Fredericksburg. The father was a pump worker, and by the time Isaac was six years old he had saved enough money to buy his son and his wife. He was emancipated by his mistress and the family lived as free dealers for many years before the war. According to Mr. ingly, Miss Wolcott giving: (a) “Mol – done slaves by their masters are all exaggerated, tor in nis many years in the slave district, he never saw a slave beaten, although he visited every section of Maryland. Fredericksburg was the home of Judge Rltchey, the father of Mrs. Donald McClean. formerly president general of the D. A. R., whom Mr. France knew as a little girl, and whose interest in him still continues. When he lived in Fredericksburg the grave Ardittis’ beautiful “II Bacio, – ‘ playing with only a common slab, but a handsome monument has since been erected there. Twelve years ago Isaac France came to this city from Springfield, Ohio, and has made his home here ever since. Although he has never attended school, he possesses a remarkable memory and a wonderful gift for elocution, as his selections this afternoon showed. At the close of the program friendly greetings were exchanged, refreshments served and the remainder of the time spent in pleasant social intercourse.
The Hoosier Poet: The Life and Career of James Whitcomb Riley, 2017, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lx6O4zzgY_Y;
“Uncle Isaac France Celebrates Borthday,” Harrisburg Daily Independent, August 29, 1911, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/117136549/uncle-isaac-france-celebrates-borthday/;
“18th Century Irish-American Architect/Master Builder Manuscripts. by McCLEERY, Henry (1749-1819), Irish-American Architect – 1790-1840,” Biblio.com, accessed January 24, 2023, https://www.biblio.com/ephemera-manuscript/18th-century-irish-american-architect-master/d/1325088264;
“Obituary for Issac France,” Harrisburg Telegraph, October 22, 1912, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112514775/obituary-for-issac-france/;
“Isaac France Well Known Negro Story Teller Is Dead,” Harrisburg Telegraph, October 19, 1912, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112515136/isaac-france-well-known-negro-story/;
“Old Uncle Isaac Rounds 75 Years: Ex-Slave Quietly Celebrates Birthday Today at His Home,” Harrisburg Telegraph, August 28, 1912, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112515111/old-uncle-isaac-rounds-75-years/;
“Nose Bled For Three Days-Harrisburg Daily Independent· Saturday, November 05, 1910,” Harrisburg Daily Independent, November 5, 1910, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112514729/nose-bled-for-three-days-harrisburg/;
“DAUGHTERS OF 1812 HEAR EX-SLAVE,” Harrisburg Telegraph, April 1, 1910, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112513703/harrisburg-telegraph/;
“Isaac France at 1887 Nation Meeting of the Dunkard Church-The Ottawa Lever=Saturday, June 04, 1887,” The Ottawa Lever, June 4, 1887, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112514707/isaac-france-at-1887-nation-meeting-of/.
