Nearest Green – Master Distiller
By
John C Abercrombie
This story may be disregarded by some because it involves the production of alcohol, but it is much more than that! It is the story of friendship, respect and engagement of the entrepreneurial spirit to form one of the worlds best known brands.
The story starts with Reverend Daniel Call, a Lutheran Minister who lived in Lynchburg, Tennessee. Reverend Call owned a general store and behind the store was his whiskey business and still which produced the Liquor. Call Family Distillers represents a deep-rooted heritage of whiskey making, beginning in the 1800’s in Lynchburg, TN. Here the history and fact begin to diverge.
History tells us that Reverend Call taught a young man, Jasper Newton “Jack” Daniel, to make the wiskey, however in reality that is not the way it went. Reverend Call actually had a head distiller by the name of Nathan “Nearest” Green Who taught the young man to make the whiskey.
Let’s take a look to see how we got to this point.
Nathan Green was better known by the name of “Nearest” or “Uncle Nearest”. Was a slave, but not owned by Rev. Call. Census records indicate that Nearest was owned by the firm of Landis & Green and hired him out for a significant fee. Distillers were in high demand and commanded such a high price that Rev. Call found it more profitable to “rent” Nearest than buy him outright.
Nearest was undoubtedly treated well by Rev. Call, because of his status and loyalty, remaining with Call after his emancipation. We will see this in greater detail as the story unfolds.
Documentation shows that Green was owned by a firm known as Landis & Green, who likely hired him out to Call for a fee. Green was one of a few enslaved people who worked for Call who stayed on with him after his emancipation.
We find another divergence in history as is written and fact.
The temperance movement began to sweep the country. Temperance actually means moderation, but the movement that swept across the country took the position that the safest form of drinking was no alcohol at all. This put Rev. Call in opposition to his own church which demanded that me make a decision, either no alcohol or no church.
He chose the church, but there is no evidence that he did not retain a financial interest in the business. The facts of the case are that Nearest Green was the head distiller and in charge of the entire operation.
To clear up confusion, the head distiller today is referred to as a master distiller. There is no universally accepted use of the term “Master Distiller” and in some cases it is bestowed on owners and other who do not actively make the product. However, in the earlier days, when Nearest worked, the job of head distiller was the person responsible for the entire production facility and workers. This is quite unusual to think of a slave or ex-slave to be “The” person in charge, but there is a great deal of support for this position that exits to this day.
Since temperance means basically “moderation”, you might assume that, with respect to alcohol, temperance would mean moderate consumption, or “social drinking”. Instead, the word has usually meant the prohibition of all alcohol. To temperance leaders such as Carry Nation, the safest form of drinking was no alcohol at all.
The story comes to life in the biography of Jack Daniel’s. Here we pick up the story of Jasper Newton “Jack” Daniel the young boy working in the store of Rev. Call. Jack was a small kid, but an eager worker. He did all manner of work for Call but was always intrigued by the still operation. Rev. Call tells Nearest to teach young Jack the operation of the business.
Jack’s strength to the operation was his innate ability to sell and sell he did. He marketed the product and Nearest ran production. As the autobiography of Jack is being written, the name of Nearest is mentioned 50 times, showing the knowledge that existed on his role and the significance of him to the success of the business.
The relationship between Jack and Nearest is remarkable! Jack is said to have finally bought the business but was taught by Nearest. At any rate, Nearest continued to run the business and Jack marketed the product. There were Black and White workers and what was most amazing for the time is that Blacks and Whites were paid the same wage. Of course, there were differences paid for specific jobs and years of experience, but there was no difference between similarly qualified workers. This was highly unusual for the time.
The history of Jack Daniels has never denied the existence of Nearest or his role. There is an early picture in the archives of the company with Jack in the center and a Black man immediately to his right in the center of the picture. This in itself is highly unusual since Blacks, even those who played a significant role were not acknowledged.
The man in the picture is not Nearest as there are no known pictures of him. The man in the picture is George Green, son of Nearest, attesting to the role of the family on a continuing basis. There are direct descendants of Nearest that work there today.
This most amazing story was picked up by several influential publications, such as the New York Times, finally attracting the attention of Fawn Weaver who has taken up the cause of making this remarkable story known worldwide.
There are amazing videos that accompany this article. It is the mission of amazingblackhistory.com to provide the highest quality of information on the subjects and launch a platform for those who desire more information. The links to books and value items allow you to shop for the items. This is also a way to support our operation without cost to you. Feel free to use our links as you shop for other items on Amazon.
Interesting fact – is there a difference between Whiskey and Whisky? Yes, and no. for many years, the terms have been interchangeable, however, in recent years the difference has been acknowledged. They give difference to the spelling in the country of origin. So, while American varieties such as bourbon rye and Tennessee as well as Irish keep their spelling as whiskey, product from Scotland, Canada and Japan are now properly referred to as whisky.
So, while American-produced varieties such as bourbon, rye, and Tennessee – as well as the Irish stuff – kept their previous NYTimes-styled “whiskey” spelling, the stuff from Scotland, Canada, and Japan now would be referred to as “whisky.”
To answer another frequently asked question is there a difference between bourbon and Tennessee. Yes, they both are technically the same product with the exception of Tennessee, which includes an extra step known as the Lincoln County process or mellowing using sugar maple charcoal to provide a more mellow product. The first person known and acknowledged to use this process is none other than Nathan “Nearest” Green. The process can be traced back to Western Africa where charcoal was used to purify water.
The use of charcoal is mentioned in the videos and also in the cookbook featured in the books and value offers “The Cooking Gene”.
There is so much more information, continue to scroll down for videos, books and value offers.
We appreciate your support. Please share the site and posts and of course use our links when you shop Amazon.
As you scroll down through the books and videos, you will encounter some value offers. These take you directly to Amazon where you can do all your shopping. We encourage you to use our links as we receive a small royalty without cost to you. These funds help us continue to provide you with quality information.
To see the full listing of posts, click on our Blog list
For Black History Month 2020, we posted daily. To see the posts, click here
To comment or make suggestions on future posts, use Contact Us
We encourage you to share the site on social media.
Use our links to Amazon anytime you shop Amazon. We receive a small royalty without cost to you. Continue to scroll for fascinating Videos and Books to enhance your learning experience.
Continue scrolling down for more amazing information, videos, books and value items.
**
The lost story of the slave who taught Jack Daniel how to make whiskey – CBS morning news
There’s no mystery about what goes into Jack Daniel’s whiskey. The popular drink has been around for 151 years and its recipe is on the company’s website, but a story about how Jack Daniel began his distillery is only now gaining traction. Michelle Miller reports.
**
Homebrewing and Winemaking
A tremendous hobby. The ability to craft great brews and wines are within your control. Shop using our Amazon affiliate link below
ABH – Home Brewing and Winemaking
**
Jack Daniel’s Legacy | 50th Anniversary Edition
“This is a news story written by a newspaperman about an unusual American who becomes greater by the day. He is an absolutely “unique” character who produced a “unique whiskey” under circumstances unapproved by any other whiskey pioneer–and his successors have continued this distinctive achievement. “This book tells how this happened, when it happened, why it happened and circumstances under which of these events took place. It’s just a news story–a real fact book. The only imagination used in the book was to dream up a boy’s life until he was about ten years old. From then on, all facts are verified.” -Ben A. Green Jack Daniel’s Legacy began in an extended conversation with Thomas Gregory Motlow, 89, a nephew and a most intimate confidant of Jack Daniel. From there, scores more were added. Those relied upon for the details contained herein were all of Uncle Jack’s most trusted confidants and family members still living at the time of its original publication (1967). This 50th Anniversary Edition includes a new Preface and Foreword written by USA Today and New York Times best-selling author, Fawn Weaver. Drawing on more than 2,500 hours of research and more than 10,000 original documents and artifacts, Weaver concludes, ” I came to this story as a skeptic of Jack Daniel. His legacy seemed greatly exaggerated. After nearly a year of research around this country, with much of it happening right here in the small town of Lynchburg, Tennessee, I’ve become a genuine fan.” Proceeds from the 50th Anniversary edition will go to the Nearest Green Foundation, dedicated to preserving the history of the first African-American master distiller on record in the United States, and the first master distiller for Jack Daniel Distillery.
**
Breads and Bakery
The staff of life, many people don’t realize the connection between bread and brewing. During prohibition, some breweries survived by supplying yeast for items such a bread. shop using our Amazon affiliate link below
**
The Nearest Green Story
Proceeds from the 50th Anniversary edition will go to the Nearest Green Foundation, dedicated to preserving the history of the first African-American master distiller on record in the United States, and the first master distiller for Jack Daniel Distillery. Fawn Weaver & Kenny Burns Tell the Untold Story of Nearest Green
**
Clothes and Accessories
For your clothing and accessory needs, use our Amazon affiliate link below
**
The History of Jack Daniel’s and Nearest Green an African-American Master Distiller | Lynchburg, TN
A family takes a tour The History of Jack Daniel’s and Nearest Green an African-American Master Distiller is some of the best American History I’ve discovered most recently. Jack Daniel’s Whiskey has been around for over 150 years and the story of the late Jack Daniels and the relationship he had with Nearest
**
You have seen it on TV – shop here and save
**
The Home Distiller’s Workbook Vol II: How to Brew Beer,
a beginners guide to home brewing (Volume 2) Get the eBook version FREE* with purchase via Amazon’s MatchBook service. How to Make Beer is the first companion book to the best selling Home Distiller’s Workbook. Many people are looking to learn the lost art of Moonshining and try to jump right into distilling but quickly learn that running a still is only half of the equation. While certainly important, distillation does not make alcohol, it only concentrates it. The real magic of alcohol is in brewing. A little known secret is that brewing a good beer is the first real step to making a great whiskey. As such I wrote this book to teach people the basics of brewing. We will cover the topic of Extract Brewing, as opposed to the more complicated All Grain Brewing which will be covered in the next book in the series. You will learn all the concepts and skills needed to not only make a good larger or ale but also what sets it apart from a distiller’s beer/mash. We will discuss malts, yeasts, and different brewing techniques. Whether you want to just learn how to make your own beer or you are looking to round out your moonshine making skills, How to Make Beer will give you the essential skills you need. *Note that all books published by FOI Publishing are DRM FREE as well as MATCHBOOK ENABLED. What is MatchBook? MB is a program in Amazon where, if the publisher enables it (And we have!), you get the kindle version for a discounted price. How discounted? Well at FOIPub we think FREE is the right answer to that question. Our view is that you have purchased a “License” for the book. You paid for it right? Then who are we to say when and how you want to enjoy your media. Paperback or eBook, we don’t care, read it however you want. That is why all FOIPub eBooks are now 100% when you buy the paperback! It is also why there is no DRM (Digital Rights Management). DRM is used to stop people from copying media from one device to another. Mainly to stop media pirates from stealing an author’s work. Our take at FOIPub is that we don’t just assume that our readers are thieves like some publisher do! And lets face it, honest folk will pay for good content and thieves never were going to pay for it in the first place. Its why we call them thieves right? So if you are a customer please know that we honor and respect your choice to pay for our content. If you are a thief, what can I say, hope you like your Karma!
ABH – Basics of Home Distilling
**
Audible Premium Plus gift membership
Every Premium Plus gift membership includes: The Plus Catalog: the all-you-can-listen catalog including thousands of audiobooks, podcasts, and originals 1 credit a month good for any title in the app to keep forever Free and easy exchanges for titles purchased with a credit All the best audio entertainment, all in one free app
**
Unearthing The Story Of Nearest Green, Jack Daniel’s Mentor
2 Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey is one of the most well-known brands in the world, producing whiskey in Lynchburg, Tennessee and sending it to all corners of the globe, but a name many don’t know is Nathan “Nearest” Green, the man who taught Jack Daniel how to create whiskey when
**
Amazon Prime – Gift
With so many restrictions on life, give a wonderful to people who will welcome the benefits of membership, great for parents, grandparents and so many others
**
This book was mentioned in the videos The Cooking Gene: A Journey Through African American Culinary History
in the Old South 2018 James Beard Foundation Book of the Year | 2018 James Beard Foundation Book Award Winner inWriting | Nominee for the 2018 Hurston/Wright Legacy Award in Nonfiction | #75 on The Root100 2018 A renowned culinary historian offers a fresh perspective on our most divisive cultural issue, race, in this illuminating memoir of Southern cuisine and food culture that traces his ancestry—both black and white—through food, from Africa to America and slavery to freedom.
**
Foot Hand and Nail Care
Begins here with this amazing link to a world of care, use our Amazon affiliate link below
**
Nearest Green’s Legacy Gets a New Home (WhiskyCast Episode 675: January 7, 2018)
Last November, Fawn Weaver told us about her mission to spread the story of Nathan “Nearest” Green, the former slave who became Jack Daniel’s first distiller when he started making whiskey in Lynchburg, Tennessee after the end of the Civil War. Part of that mission is the Uncle Nearest This video has a lot of extraneous information that may be of interest to those truly interested in detailed information in the field of bourbon.
**
Beauty and Grooming Gift Sets
An amazing array of gift ideas that brings out the best in a person. Looking good using our Amazon affiliate link below
ABH – Beauty and Grooming Gift Sets
**
90 Days to C.E.O: A Guide To Avoid Business Pitfalls And Unlock The Secrets Of Entrepreneurship
Like so many of us, Rochelle Graham-Campbell was a broke college student working multiple jobs to make ends meet. From working at a local nursing home and delivering newspapers to waitressing at Olive Garden by night, her entrepreneurial spirit was alive and well. After Rochelle’s “big chop” in 2008, it was this same spirit that led her to make and sell her own natural hair care products when the market let her down. From a tiny bathroom in her college apartment, Rochelle began filming her haircare journey, soon becoming one of the pioneers of natural hair vlogging on YouTube. Prompted by dozens of women inspired by her hair growth, Rochelle realized her calling. With just $100 in tips from a night of waitressing, she bought the first set of bottles and ingredients to formulate her own products. These kitchen concoctions soon became Alikay Naturals, Rochelle’s solution to beauty without compromise. From humble beginnings, Alikay has blossomed into a wildly successful bootstrapped business now sold in Target, CVS, Rite Aid, Kroger, Walmart, Bed Bath & Beyond, and top beauty supply stores and salons across twenty-two countries. Now in her tenth year of business, Rochelle shares her journey from server to beauty founder and breaks down the mindset behind her success. Covering the hustle, self-care, and purpose beyond profit, 90 Days to C.E.O is a comprehensive no-BS guide to starting and running a successful business.
**
Arts Crafts and Sewing Beading and Jewelry Making.
Surprise yourself with the ease where you can show your creativity. Remember many tur a hobby into a business, shop using our Amazon affiliate link below
ABH – Arts Crafts and sewing – Beading and Jewelry Making
**
Fawn Weaver Tells the Story of Nearest Green, America’s 1st African-American Master Distiller
To get the “rest of the story,” read the full article here. A Day on the Trail: The Story of Nearest Green, America’s 1st African-American Master Distiller
**
Today, we see skills possessed by a Black man. Where did these skills come from? When we consider the quote of Fawn Weaver, we see some great possibilities. “When something just drops out of the sky, there is a good chance it came from Africa. This seems to be the case, but we also see a man charged with the running of the entire facility which is the job of the Master Distiller. We also see a successful operation here people of all races ere paid the same, based on the job they held. A very novel idea at the time and one that should be expanded today. We now focus on the Master Distiller, Nathan “Nearest” Green.