Twice a Slave is a compelling read based on the lives of the ancestors of Sammy Tippit and Randy Willis, the authors of this drama. It includes history from the early days of our country and the contributions of Joseph Willis, son of a white man and a Christian Cherokee woman. In the 1700’s it was illegal for them to marry, so their vows were taken before a Reverend in a “Clandestine wedding”. While his parents were alive, Joseph was required to live as a slave on the property as that was how Cherokees – even “mix’t” – were treated. In spite of his father’s will, giving the property to him and emancipating him effective on his 21st birthday, his father’s brother determined to take the property and continued to treat Joseph as a slave so he would not own more than the rest of the family – which they couldn’t face.
In spite of the theft of his property and loss of freedom, Joseph had a rich, full life. He fought in the Revolutionary War for the Patriots, at one point fighting in the same militia as his cousin John, son of the uncle who dishonored his father’s will. When John saw his dedication to fighting for this new country, he worked hard to get his father to honor Joseph’s father’s will.
Joseph became a Christian in a beautiful experience, and planned to one day go to Mississippi to help plant churches with the pastor who mentored him, Richard Curtis. He learned to live with great grief, the struggle of being a soldier and a “slave” on the run, the pain of rejection and betrayal by his father’s family, and ultimately the joy of declaring himself a slave of Christ Jesus.
The characters, based on real people, were very well developed. Joseph, his parents, Pastor Curtis, his wives, Ezekiel – the close friend that he ran away with to be a soldier, Joshua Braveboy, and various family members were written clearly of, three-dimensional folks that I would want to meet and know had I lived then.
Joseph’s story was told with compassion but without pity. The work he did for the kingdom of God shows us exactly what the Lord can do with one man that the world in his day would not have considered of value or talents. Yet his legacy in the Baptist church and for the Cherokee people is unique and extremely inspirational. I would very highly recommend this novel to adults of all ages and young adults, to those who appreciate the history of America, the Baptist church, and the Cherokee people. It would be a blessed gift to those who feel they don’t have anything to offer in service to the Lord. That it is based on a true story of the ancestors of the authors brings the characters to life in a way that bears witness to God’s transforming work that transcends far more than anyone could imagine.
I received a copy of this book through the “For Readers Only” group at The Book Club Network, in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own, and no monetary compensation was received for this review.