{"product_id":"yes-know-jocko-a-view-into-the-unbeknownst","title":"Yes, Know Jocko: A View into the Unbeknownst","description":"\u003cdiv\u003e \u003cdiv\u003e \u003cdiv\u003e \u003cspan\u003eBefore you venture into the “Creative Nonfiction” story of Jocko Graves, know that this is a manifestation of fiction and nonfiction. The Life and Times of George Washington is a well-known figure in American History. In 1776, the 12-year-old Black Boy, Jocko Graves’ story, however, rode on 250 years of unverified documentation and unknowns about how his wonderfully intriguing life began. I’ll leave the unverified, documented speculations as mentioned above to the readers.\u003cbr\u003e It is known that this small figurine of Jocko, often wearing a red Jockey’s cap and vest, toting a lantern to provide light along walkways at night, was generally found on lawns throughout modern history. Buried in those undocumented years was General George Washington's commissioning of a statue to be erected on his estate at Mount Vernon, Virginia, depicting a life-size image of Jocko Graves, who had died during the Battle of Trenton, New Jersey.\u003cbr\u003e Over time, the unverified documents mentioning Jocko Graves took on a myriad of cognomens, which were never recognized for their significance relative to his deeds, but characterized by derogatory references such as “Black Sambo”. “Lawn Jockey” and the “Faithful Groomsman” had relevance as a handler of General George Washington’s prized horses.\u003cbr\u003e Forgotten, faceless mentions of Jocko's origins were swallowed by time. Interest in the Jocko Graves stories sparked curiosity around the world and is reflected in many formats today.\u003cbr\u003e Tom Graves, Jocko's father, was a soldier in George Washington's Continental Army. Other\u003cbr\u003efamily members, per my own added bit of creativity, were Mary, Jocko's mother, a strong and supportive\u003cbr\u003efamily anchor. Betsy, Jocko's younger sister, was just as brave and feisty as the rest of the family.\u003cbr\u003e The \"Battle of Trenton\" in New Jersey, on Christmas Eve, 1776, was a pivotal point in the\u003cbr\u003eyoung life of Jocko Graves. At the age of 12, he was ready to fight. Because of his bravery and youthful dedication, Washington allowed Jocko to maintain the horses and fire to guide them back across the Delaware River, to the Pennsylvania side, in the night after the battle.\u003cbr\u003e It was a cold and snowy night. The ice-clogged river ushered Washington's victorious and\u003cbr\u003ewar-weary soldiers back across the river. But victory was not as sweet as it was supposed to be. After the battle-weary warriors landed on the riverbank, they discovered young Jocko Graves, frozen to death, still holding the reins of the horses, and their guiding light still aglow.\u003cbr\u003e Years later, President George Washington, after commissioning that statue in recognition of Jocko Graves' heroics, a dedication ceremony for the Graves family would be held at his\u003cbr\u003eMount Vernon Estate in Virginia.\u003cbr\u003e Through the years, Mary and her daughter Betsy, in the wake of Jocko's recognition, began\u003cbr\u003eteaching the history of Black soldiers in the fight for their freedom and the nation. The support of Washington, despite some uneasiness in the town of Taylorsville, Pennsylvania, gave them the courage and confidence they needed to pursue their endeavors in teaching.\u003cbr\u003e After Betsy's schooling in Philadelphia, she became a well-known educator. In her\u003cbr\u003esixties now, she was contacted by a young Black Historian, Emma Thews, who discovered some\u003cbr\u003eof Washington's writings about her brother Jocko. Their engagement and future planning soon turned\u003cbr\u003einto a gathering of sorts, bringing together numerous well-known professionals, students, and members of the general public.\u003cbr\u003e The narrative concludes with another re-dedication at Mount Vernon, Virginia, the Estate of George Washington. Betsy, at the end of her visit, decides to entrust Emma with caring for all the writings about her brother, ensuring that Jocko’s legacy will continue and his recognition will endure.\u003cbr\u003e Creative Nonfiction has given me the flexibility to stretch, co-mingle, and mold my expressions, conveniently in an unverified arena.\u003c\/span\u003e \u003c\/div\u003e \u003c\/div\u003e \u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Books Prime","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45914583302335,"sku":"14fb6ac4-db75-493a-88a2-d730a3d5f3cd","price":18.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0761\/7550\/7647\/files\/e1be8a11788b169b818947e5989a19e1.jpg?v=1785059939","url":"https:\/\/books-prime.com\/products\/yes-know-jocko-a-view-into-the-unbeknownst","provider":"Books Prime","version":"1.0","type":"link"}