SPIRITS OF HISTORY

The Ethel Waddell Githii Honors Program teaches us that reading is more than just skimming words on a page, it’s a gateway to a broader worldview, a prompt for critical thinking, and an incentive for personal transformation. Traveling to Uncle Nearest Distillery, I’ve learned that we must examine not just what is presented to us, but also what is misrepresented or forgotten. This directly aligns with the work of Ms. Fawn Weaver, an African American entrepreneur and author whose commitment to truth-telling has sparked a cultural awakening. Her story and the history that she uplifted are both current examples of what it means to reclaim narratives, challenge assumptions, and build a legacy rooted in truth. 

From a young age, Fawn Weaver demonstrated curiosity. She constantly asked questions, sought answers, and refused to accept what was told to her without an explanation. Her spirit of inquiry mirrors the kind of intellect that the Honors Program fosters within its students. Instead of accepting the commonly shared story of Jack Daniel’s whiskey, Weaver asked a vital question: who taught Jack Daniel how to make whiskey? Her search led her to Uncle “Nearest” Green, a formerly enslaved man who not only mentored Jack Daniel, but played an immense role in developing what would become one of the most famous whiskey brands in the world. 

Rather than rely on incomplete secondhand accounts, Weaver immersed herself in the historical landscape of the story, Lynchburg. She didn't just research the past; she walked it. Her work is a model of what it looks like to read between the lines, not just of a book, but of history itself. In doing so, she ensured that the contributions of Nearest Green, and countless other African Americans whose labor and innovation have gone uncredited, would be honored and remembered. 

Today, that legacy lives on not just in the story being told, but in the next generations of people who continue to tell it. Nearest Green’s great-great-granddaughter serves as the master blender at the Uncle Nearest distillery, a living testament to generational excellence. The distillery itself is more than a business, but a historical site, an educational resource, and a space of cultural preservation. From the portraits to the speakeasy, the distillery reflects a commitment to honoring African American history. The Lincoln County Process, a method of filtering whiskey through charcoal that originated in West Africa and serves as a physical representation of African influence on American culture.  

Our visit to the Uncle Nearest distillery offered a transformative experience. Walking the same grounds where a formerly enslaved man once worked, innovated, and taught, provided a tangible connection to a story that had previously been hidden. It was not just a visit; it was an act of witnessing, a moment of historical reckoning. The distillery honors not only the legacy of Nearest Green, but also the women’s suffrage movement and Tennessee’s broader cultural heritage. This intersectionality reflects the Honors Program’s emphasis on understanding how different narratives, identities, and movements are interwoven. It highlights that history is not a single story, but a tapestry of many truths.  

Fawn Weaver’s mission to reclaim Nearest Green’s legacy resonates deeply with my experience in the Honors Program. Her work is a reminder that truth is often buried, and it takes persistence, courage, and critical thinking to uncover it. Her story challenges us to look beyond what is commonly accepted, to dig deeper, and to honor those whose voices have been silenced. As Honors students, we are called not only to excel academically, but to be stewards of truth and equity. Fawn Weaver embodies that calling. Her journey is not just a story of entrepreneurship or historical revision but one of moral clarity and responsibility. 

By: Sydney Daniels

Love Story-

Complication or Tension-

Brand vs. History-