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
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
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
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
Robinson died in 1947, aged 61 or 62. He was interred in Beaufort's Saint Helena Memorial Gardens.
References
- ^ "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