Jacob Cleage was one year old in 1851 when he was sold, along with his mother and five sisters, to David Cleage, slave holder in Athens, Tennessee. When freedom came in 1866 he was 15 years old. He next appears in Knoxville, 58 miles from Athens, when he married Miss Fannie Wilson at the residence of Dr. George W. LeVere. They left on the 9 O’Clock train for Athens on a bridal tour. Unfortunately, Athens did not have a black newspaper to cover his return home with his new bride but we are going to assume that they were greeted with dinner and gifts and news.
They had only one child who died young. Fannie worked as a cook for white families and cooked for suppers at their church, Shiloe Presbyterian Church and other community events, such as those given by the Masons, of which her husband was an important part.
Article from Dec 14, 1892 The Journal and Tribune (Knoxville, Tennessee) Stories and events
Jacob was an active and important member of the Harmony Lodge black Masons group. There was a bit of controversy when he joined with a Samuel Anderson declaring Jacob Cleage had been accused of deception and fraud and expelled from one group of Masons and shouldn’t be accepted by the Harmony Lodge. The Lodge responded that it was sour grapes on the part of Anderson. Jacob continued to be active with Harmony, rising to the highest rank. He was also active in politics. Attending and speaking at Republican party meetings.
Jacob died from consumption shortly after Christmas, 1893. His obituary as it appeared in the local press appears below.
JACOB CLEGG (Cleage)
Generalissimo of the Colored Masons of Tennessee
Died of Consumption in Knoxville Yesterday.
He Will be Buried at 2 o’clock This Afternoon With Imposing Ceremonies, in Which all Colored Masons Will Take Part
From. Thursday’s Daily
Jacob Clegg, the biggest negro (sic) Mason in Tennessee, is dead. He died yesterday afternoon shortly after 2 O’Clock.
Clegg held the exalted position of generalissimo of the state Masonic fraternity, and as such was honored by the members of his race throughout Tennessee. The deceased will be buried this afternoon with imposing ceremonies, in which all the colored Masonic orders of the city will participate, The funeral services will be held at Shiloh Presbyterian church, on Clinch street, at 2 O’Clock this afternoon. Clegg was for a long time head waiter at the Hattie house, but for the past year or more he has suffered with consumption, being confined to his home in East Knoxville for a greater part of the present year. Clegg’s wife has for years past been a valued servant in the family of Mr. C.J. McClung, on Main street, and a few days ago Clegg went there to be with his wife. His condition grew worse immediately after going there and he died in the servants’ quarters at the McClung place, at 2 O’Clock yesterday afternoon.
The Semi-Weekly Knoxville Sentinel Knoxville, Tennessee • Sat, Dec 30, 1893 Page 1
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