The Legend of Black Hannah

 

            The children are running from the woods- legs pumping faster as their imaginations produce an overwhelming amount of adrenaline.

            What was that noise?  Was it the spirit of Black Hannah warning them to go no further?  Have they already gone too far?

            The story of Black Hannah’s life is as mysterious and alluring as her “afterlife”.  In the late 1700s to early 1800s, Hannah Johnson who was thought to be a former slave, managed to make her way to North Tonawanda via the Underground Railroad.  She was given a cabin to reside in near the edge of the woods.

            Similar to the story of Hanzel and Gretel, Black Hannah would entertain children in her cabin in the woods with tasty morsels.  NO- she did not try to eat the children, in fact there was nothing to fear at all.  Her company was sought after, not only by the youth, but their parents as well.  It has been said that they went to her for a peek at their future.  She was indeed a fortune teller- specializing in teacup readings.

            She was well liked and familiar with her community.  She often babysat children and did housework for her white neighbors.  She had excellent cooking skills and a keen sense for gardening.

            In fact, after her death in 1883, and after her cabin had burned to the ground, it was noted that flowers rare to other parts of North Tonawanda flourished in exactly that spot— east of Elmwood Avenue and north of Sweeney Street on the old Chadwick farm.

            Hannah Johnson lived to be almost 90 years old – dying only of old age.  Records indicate she is buried in the Sweeney cemetery in North Tonawanda in an unmarked grave (with the presence of her spirit still in question).

            Her kindness and generosity made her a legend in her own time – her death and participation in the occult makes her a legend now.