Four generations of Rehoboth African American family share history

Scouring through the attic of a property almost 100 years old, Antoine Vann, a member of the Burton-Vann and Hood family, discovered a collection of photographs and documents stretching back to the 1800s.

“We were shocked because we didn’t know the information existed. We didn’t know that it all went that far back,” said Terrance Vann, son of Antoine Vann. “That’s when we started asking questions.”

On Feb. 21 at the Rehoboth Beach Museum, Antoine and Terrance Vann displayed photographs, artwork and documentation in front of a packed crowd. They told a story as old as Rehoboth itself, the story of one of the longest-known African American families in the city. 

Everything began with Mr. and Mrs. William Burton. They purchased land right outside of the city limits on Church Street. Family member Elijah Burton donated part of the land in 1881 to build a church for the black community. That church eventually became Faith United Methodist Church and is still standing after more than 100 years. 

The family still owns part of that land. 

Lucille Hood, grandmother of Antoine Vann, detailed her experience growing up in Rehoboth in a video. Born in 1932, Hood described the changes in the city regarding race and social development.

She detailed treks to the beach at 7 years old and spending her childhood lost in books to escape reality. She said that though there weren't many white people on their side of the Rehoboth Canal, they still played with them as children.

“We didn’t really see only good or bad in people back then,” Hood said about her childhood and the Jim Crow laws. “It wasn’t until junior high that I started to see how people really treated us. I just never understood why we were lower.”

Hood was part of the first graduating class at William C. Jason Comprehensive High School, an African American school in Georgetown. At age 22, she bought part of the family land for a dollar, and she built her own house, where she still resides to this day. She went on to have five children. 

She spoke of her life with jovial reflection and quick wit.  “I was lucky to have, to me, a perfect family,” Hood said.

Also at the event was the art of Terrance Vann and his grandfather, Clyde Vann, marking the first time that their work has been shown together.

Terrance Vann is a contemporary artist whose work has been shown across the country and recently in London. He was awarded the emerging artist Delaware Division of the Arts Fellowship in 2017 and the Young King Award from the Mitchell Center for African American Heritage at the Delaware Historical Society.

Vann recently moved back to Rehoboth to continue his art and help put together the presentation. He said that despite living in Wilmington for an extended period, he’s always considered himself a Rehoboth native.

As for the effect of the deep dive into family history on his colorful and expressive art, Vann said, “It’s not that it’s influenced just my art. It’s influenced me. Going forward, my work is definitely going to be impacted because it gives me another degree to think about. When I start painting again, who knows how it’s going to express itself.”

“It’s extremely special to find out this much about your heritage,” Hood continued. “You get to realize that a lot of things do get passed down from generations.”

In the Burton-Vann and Hood family’s case, those traits passed down are the love for family and a strong heritage.