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Viola Williams was states that she was born on May 20, 1907 in Clemson, SC [death certificate suggests May 20, 1902 through February 1994]. She was the daughter of Mary Legree Wright. Mrs. Williams was a domestic worker and also a technician at Clemson University's Long Hall bacteriology lab for 18 years. Both her mother and grandmother were domestic workers for the Calhoun family at Fort Hill. She died in 1994.
Cassette 1
Side 1
00:07-21:10--Her first memories of Fort Hill can be traced to around the time she was seven years of age. Her mother was a domestic worker at the home. Her grandmother, Nancy Legree, was a slave who worked for the Calhoun and Colhoun families. Legree was born in Abbeville County. After briefly working at Fort Hill, Legree moved with Ransom Colhoun [William Ransom Colhoun--died in 1862?] to Columbia, SC. Slaves were not allowed to pray, sing, or proclaim their faith. A story was passed down to Mrs. Williams by her grandmother Legree detailing an incident that occurred to another slave while in Columbia. An older slave named Ms. Dina was overheard by Ransom Colhoun proclaiming her faith in song. When confronted, she continued to proclaim her faith even at the threat of death. After emancipation, Nancy Legree returned to the Abbeville, SC area and married a man from Charleston, SC. Pictures and news articles regarding her grandmother were destroyed in a house fire. Williams goes on to describe some of the responsibilities that her mother had as a domestic worker for Margaret, Carrie, Ida, and Rebecca Calhoun.
21:14-31:36--Her mother lived in the servant house behind the mansion [the physical appearance of this building is described]. She can also recall that servant's quarters were very near the contemporary location of the football stadium. The Whitt, Martin, and Dupree families lived there, among others. Williams is not sure if these buildings were pre or post Civil War era. She also recalls that the college post office was located on the upper story of the mansion for a period of time.
31:40--Audio ends.
Cassette 1
Side 2
00:06-10:32--She recalls as a youth observing her grandmother Easter Reid making coffee and grits. Easter worked on the Davis farm near Keowee, SC before moving to the Clemson/Calhoun area. Her grandmother had been a member of Abel Baptist from the very beginning of its inception; the church was originally a very simple structure.
10:35-31:34--Mrs. Williams gives a tour around the mansion; as each room is entered, Williams recalls how each looked when she was a child. Among the locations discussed are the outside grounds, dining room, parlor room, John C. Calhoun's study, the Calhoun girl's bedroom, Margaret Calhoun's bedroom, as well as the breakfast room. She states that the outside cookhouse was not in use when she was young.
31:40---Audio ends.
Cassette 2
Side 1
00:10-11:28--Mrs. Williams's mother had to enter and exit the mansion through a side stairwell that led to and from the basement cook-room. Williams describes some of the foods that her mother commonly cooked. She was not allowed to bring leftover meals home to the family. Lunch was the largest meal of the day; supper consisted of leftovers from this meal. Mrs. Williams describes the deaths of both her mother and father.
11:33-29:03--Williams was born at home with the help of a local midwife named Mariah English [?]. Williams worked at the bacteriology lab at Clemson's Long Hall for eighteen years in addition to local domestic work. Her husband worked at the Clemson dining hall for forty-eight years. The group goes down to the basement area of Fort Hill; Williams describes how things looked when she was a youth. Coal was used for heating and cooking. She goes on to describe her mother's typical routine starting at 7am in preparation for serving the Calhoun family breakfast.
29:09--Audio ends.
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Maxie Williams was born on December 18, 1909 in Townville, SC. She was the daughter of David and Ida (?) Craig/Craft(?). She died on July 24, 2001.
Cassette 1
Side 1
1:45-5:50--In regards to older relatives, Mrs. Williams first talks about her grandma Emily, whose house was always filled with the aroma of cakes, jelly, and turnover pies. Her maternal grandparents died before she was born. Her aunt Georgia Singleton was a local midwife in Oconee County (she attended both white and black patients). Her uncle Stafford Grant lived to the age of 100.
5:55--Her parents sharecropped over the years for the Whitfield, Shelby, and [inaudible] families.
8:02--Mrs. Williams had seven brothers and four sisters.
9:50--Slavery--her grandparents passed down stories; at this point she cannot recall specifics [she remembers several stories later in the interview].
12:18-13:20--Williams briefly recalls playing both in her neighborhood and in "the country," and fishing trips that her relatives would occasionally go on.
14:58--Mrs. Williams shows Goodwin a few of her photographs; the women in her family were known for their work as midwives.
16:48--She begins to discuss her grandfather Miles Brewer. The Craig/Craft(?) family [farm overseers] are also recalled.
19:24--Most of her family is buried at Shiloh Baptist in Townville, SC, though her mother is buried at Oak Grove Cemetery.
20:09--She recalls fiery preaching and exciting services at the church she attended. Families from rural areas traveled to church by wagon. She learned the bible before she learned her ABC's.
22:41--Williams recalls the death of her mother.
23:30--She learned how to cook and quilt from her mother. She shows the interviewer a few examples of the "butterfly" quilt pattern; she explains a few steps in the process of producing this design. She also has old plates passed down from her grandmother.
28:15--She and her husband raised the children of one of her sisters as their own following the divorce of that sibling.
29:46--Church--her family was always associated with the Baptist denomination. She can recall Reverend Glenn ministering to her church when she was a youth.
31:44--Audio ends.
Cassette 1
Side 2
00:07--Church--in mid-sentence, Mrs. Williams is discussing the situation whereby the congregation would donate food and money to the minister in order to complement his salary. Though camp meetings were Methodist (Bethel Grove), all denominations were welcome. When her mother was a little girl, people literally did "camp out" near the site of the services. The meetings often lasted a week, and a general festival atmosphere surrounded the event. Different ministers from around the area were involved with carrying out services. Williams states that whites have always enjoyed hearing black preaching, and occasionally attending black-sponsored church revivals. Before the establishment of all black churches, blacks would attend white churches where they had to sit in balconies upstairs; an example of this occurrence is at the local white Shiloh Church. Some of her favorite songs are: Swing Low Sweet Chariot, This Little Light of Mine, Jacob's Ladder, etc. Williams states that the trials and tribulations of slaves inspired beautiful music and lyrics. She goes on to explain how slaves communicate in code through song.
15:09--Slavery--Williams explains how, according to her relatives that experienced it, much of the brutality and violence against slaves were carried out by the overseer, not the master. She goes on to recall the living conditions of field slaves versus those who were cooks and domestics for the master.
22:25-29:03--Sunday school conventions were periodically organized in order to raise funds for the benefit of local black education, especially the Seneca Institute.
31:40--Audio ends.
Cassette 2
Side 1
00:40--Before organized education was available to her older relatives, Williams' understanding is that they were educated in large part by their slave master's (Maxwell, Grant, and Gaines families).
4:32--She mentions that the names of her maternal grandparents were George and Classie.
7:10--Funerals--the first funeral that Mrs. Williams can recall attending was that of Adeline Jones. She remembers a coach-like wagon that transported the body to the church. Beforehand the body had been prepared at home, followed by a wake or "sitting up" in which family and friends would gather to pray and sing. Caskets were store-bought. She discusses local men in the area who would help with funeral services [in the days before undertakers]. Offerings were also taken at funeral services in order to help families pay for the cost.
15:08--She can recall the flu epidemic during the time of World War I. There was much death and sickness.
15:52--Williams recalls the celebrations that occurred when World War I ended. She had two brothers who served; one actually fought in France, while the other was stationed at Fort Jackson when the conflict ended. Williams states that whites and blacks came together in prayer both during and after the conflict.
21:52--Audio ends.
Cassette 2
Side 2
00:12--Mrs. Williams discusses a few items that have been passed down to her such as an old chest/trunk, and a safe. Quilts are also still in the family. Her grandfather Brewer made baskets. An old local man everyone called Uncle John was also skilled at making white oak baskets.
4:01--She had older relatives who operated a ferry across a local river. Williams recalls what she knew of its operation for travel between the Pendleton, Townville, and Clemson areas.
12:05--Mulattos--relationships between whites and blacks were not approved of, but the community loved the children of these unions nonetheless.
15:53--She discusses the work of men such as Billy Parker in the organization of churches in the local area, as well as the involvement of blacks in the foundation and construction of Clemson College. Williams goes on to state that black history is not a straight-line narrative, but rather bits and pieces must be collected here and there in order to get an accurate picture.
23:26--Her paternal great grandmother had Native American ancestry. She was described as being quick-tempered, with physical features including long, straight hair and high cheekbones.
24:46--In her opinion, the black race as a community was never as unified as it was just after freedom. She believes that the modern black community has lost this sense of cooperation.
29:42--When asked how blacks and whites got along, she responds by stating that like today, it depended on the situation, etc. Some relations were good, while others were not.
31:42--Audio ends.
Cassette 3
Side 1
00:17--Mrs. Williams states that she was never warned about white people, but admits a certain sense of uneasiness in some situations.
1:06--She is aware of several lynching incidents in the area. One involved Allen Green of Walhalla (he was dragged through the streets), another involved a shootout in which a man named Gibson was killed. If a white woman felt insulted by what a black man said to her for example, that individual was in danger of being killed by a mob without trial. She can recall being frightened of the chain gang when they occasionally passed her house. Williams states that she has never been able to understand how the Ku Klux Klan could claim to "uphold the law" by hiding behind a sheet and carrying out justice without the benefit of a trial. She points out that Martin Luther King never hid his face from the public.
10:42-Mrs. Williams details the work of church groups such as the WMWA and Burial Aids Society.
17:27--Education--schools were supported financially by church conventions. She first attempts to identify members of a graduating class from Seneca Institute as depicted on a brochure before going on to detail some of the issues regarding the foundation of the Institute and naming prominent graduates. Later she recalls the situation regarding the eventual closure of the school.
30:44--Audio ends.
Cassette 3
Side 2
1:07--Relatives of hers attended Benedict, South Carolina State, and Morehouse Colleges. Books, newspapers, catalogs, and magazines were available in her home; chief among these was the Holy Bible.
5:26--She gives the location of the East End School, which she attended. She was not taught "black history" per se, because at that time the history was an oral one and not yet widely published. Blue-back spelling books were prized educational tools when she was a youth. Among the schools she attended were: Boiling Springs, St. Paul's, and the East End School. Due to overcrowding, some older students who were educated in certain subjects were asked to help teach the younger children. School years were limited for children who helped their parent's farm. Williams herself had a four to five mile walk to and from school everyday. She describes carrying large lunch buckets, and recalls an educator named Clarence Howard.
19:34--Employment options after graduation varied; for higher education graduates, ministry and educational jobs were available. She did have a few relatives who left the area; blacks were always on the move in search of better opportunity.
26:20--Williams recalls common recreational activities such as dancing, making ice cream, and attending box suppers.
28:07--Shopping--her parents shopped at the Dobbins', Nimmons', and Gignilliat establishments locally, utilizing both the cash and credit systems depending on the time of year (cash-winter, credit-summer). Since most food was raised at home, her family only bought staples such as sugar, coffee, fruits, and candy from local stores.
31:44--Audio ends.
Cassette 4
Side 1
00:07--Her family didn't have to buy meat products; they owned their own livestock. She explains the process of preparing meat and eggs during the year.
2:52--Mrs. Williams worked as a local nurse; she became known as a sort of advice counselor to her patients. She talks at length about her philosophy of life.
8:56--Audio ends.
Cassette 4
Side 2
00:45--As a youth, trips to Greenville, SC were never made; she can recall one trip to Anderson by train in order to have her tonsils removed by Dr. McQuarter.
3:14--Holidays/celebrations--baseball games during lay-by-time, and July 4th Celebrations were popular. During Christmas, her family would bake cakes and prepare locust beer and popcorn. Santa Claus would visit, often bringing homemade gifts. Birthdays were also recognized in her family.
11:46-Mrs. Williams states that her parents most prized processions were their children.
12:45--She states that she greatly admired a Sunday school teacher named Laura Harrison, and an aunt named Edna Wright.
17:39--Mrs. Williams was always proud of being black since a very early age. She played with white children as a youth and didn't feel any difference. She always had self-respect for herself.
24:53--There have been several instances of serious illness in memory, including typhoid and flu epidemics. She recalls that people burned cloths and used lye soap to disinfect. During the flu epidemic there were no funerals, just burials. Her mother was skilled in home remedies [a few examples are given].
31:45--Audio ends.
Cassette 5
Side 1
00:07--Church--she names a few more of her favorite songs: Get Right Children, and Let's Go Home, Near the Cross, What A Friend We Have In Jesus, and It Is Well With My Soul. Williams sings lyrics from How Great Thou Art and Be Peace in the Valley. She goes on to discuss her strong Christian faith, and her belief that true "freedom" can only be achieved through knowledge of the Holy Bible.
11:38--Audio ends.
Cassette 5
Side 2
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These individuals were sisters; both were the daughters of Jimmy and Leah Wilson Fruster. Lucile Fruster Williams states that she was born around 1915 [death certificate states that she was born on June 7, 1914 and died on February 20, 1999]. She married James Williams and was a domestic worker in the Clemson area. Leah Fruster Grier states that she was born in 1907 [death certificate states that she was born on May 5, 1906 and died in April of 1992]. She married Henry C. Grier and worked at the Clemson Laundry for 37 years.
**NOTE** the interview took place at Lucile Williams home--she signed the donor's agreement--therefore this cassette is placed alphabetically with "W" instead of "G."
Side 1
2:15-7:50--Their parents were from near the Walhalla, SC area. Their paternal grandparents were Thomas and Fanny Fruster. They can only recall their maternal grandmother Julia. They go on to discuss family photos and give brief account of how they met their husbands.
7:56-19:28--Their father Thomas worked at Clemson College in agricultural aspects (horses), while their mother took care of the home. They name their eleven siblings. Jobs available to black men when they were young mostly involved farming and railroad work (they had a brother named Matthew who was killed while working with the railroad). They recall traveling by train to shop at white owned general stores in the Seneca, SC area.
19:31-31:40--They were members of Goldenview Baptist Church; their parents were members of Abel Baptist Church. They discuss aspects of "rowdy" camp meetings; they never personally attended. They go on to briefly comment upon their education at local Clemson elementary schools. The school term was only around three months.
31:44--Audio ends.
Side 2
00:17-11:15--Educational issues continue to be briefly discussed. They didn't know anything about white schools, so what differences there were between the two are unknown to them. A Fruster relative worked for Thomas G. Clemson; the family was some of the first black landowners around the Calhoun/Clemson area. They can vaguely recall the lynching incident involving Mr. Green of Walhalla, SC. Their parents' marriage was one of equality.
11:19-14:55--Their father Jimmy was one of the first blacks in the area to own a car. Holidays and celebrations were important to the black community, though neither sibling were able to get involved much on account of their work schedules.
15:00-28:32--Mrs. Williams and Grier recounts their employment as a laundry worker and domestic, respectively. They make short comment regarding their parents prized moments and possessions (church, car), and their thoughts on being black.
28:45--Audio ends.
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Lizealur M. Williams was born on June 8, 1911 [grave marker gives date January 8, 1911] in Anderson County, SC. She was married to James G. Williams, a local railroad employee. Mrs. Williams operated a hair salon and boarding house locally. She died in 2002.
Cassette 1
Side 1
2:48-12:06--Her grandmother Morris lived with the family in her elderly years. Mrs. Williams briefly touches on a variety of topics: her ten siblings; the keeping of family records through the use of bibles; her family owned their own house, land, farm, and car; she grew up in a racially mixed neighborhood; and the fact that her grandmother was a slave [she can no longer recall any stories her grandmother may have told, however]. Traditional funeral and wedding practices are briefly recalled. Aspects of childbirth are touched upon.
12:10-19:52--Mrs. Williams recalls her hair salon business in the Clemson area circa 1940. She was required to have a license to run the business. She goes on to detail hairdressing equipment, customers, and popular hairstyles. She also ran a boarding establishment for teachers and railroad workers. Jobs available to blacks when she was young mostly involved agricultural work. Her family shopped in Oconee and Anderson occasionally. During the flu epidemic of 1917-1918, her entire family became ill.
19:59-31:28--Mrs. Williams has belonged to both the Baptist and Methodist denominations. She is currently a member at New Holly Light. She was baptized near the Zion Community Church in Oconee County. She describes aspects of local camp meeting and describes shape-note singing at singing conventions. Williams received an eighth grade education. She had a brother who attended Seneca Junior College. The relationships between blacks and whites were, in her estimation, one in which they "...got along well." She briefly mentions that Christmas and New Year's Eve were important holidays in the black community.
31:32--Audio ends
Cassette 1
Side 2
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Cassette 2
Side 1
00:06-5:40--Deas-Moore examines a family photo album and takes photographs.
5:48--Audio ends.
Cassette 2
Side 2
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Mr. Williams is the husband of Lizealur Williams. He worked with the Southern Railroad for over forty-eight years.
**Note** This is an interview taken from a series of South Carolina Humanities Council-supported oral histories in Anderson County, including both black and white interviewees. The entire series is available at the Pendleton District Historical and Recreation Commission offices in Pendleton, SC.
Side 1
00:51--Mr. Williams briefly explains how he acquired the nickname "Red."
1:42--He began his career with the Southern Railroad on December 24, 1925. He retired after forty-eight years, seven months of employment. Because of his experience and seniority, he survived many layoffs and cutbacks over the years. At one point he was the oldest man in the service. Railroad life afforded tough, honest work.
5:46--Williams talks briefly about knowing local track supervisor R.H. Martindale.
7:01--He begins talking about the old railroad songs that he and his work-gang used to sing. These were sung in round, with a leader (Williams) singing a line, and his work-gang repeating the line in unison. In preparation, he would sing [these first lyrics are hard to make out] "Well...you boys get right again...everybody right?" Then his work-gang would answer: "Right!" Williams would then start singing lyrics such as: "L & N come 'round the bend, loaded down with the section board." [The lyrics often corresponded to specific tasks.] Toward evening they would sing, "Getting so dark, I hardly can see...etc." Other lyrics: "Every time I go to town, boys keep kicking my dog around. Makes no difference, he's a hound, got to quit kicking my dog around." "Captain can't read, Captain can't write, how can he tell if the track is right?" Songs were sung in order to motivate the workers and keep pace for their choreographed movements. Williams states that these songs were sung to move the spirit, just like in church.
22:47--Williams tells a lengthy story regarding his courtship and marriage. At the time of this recording, he had been married fifty-three years.
30:25--Mr. Williams recalls the popularity of passenger rail service in the old days, and its gradual decline.
36:10--When he started work, there were twenty-six men working alongside him. When he retired there was one work-gang, and four men. He goes on to relate a story in which a foreman who became stricken with illness while on the track requested that they sing a song whose lyrics included "the grace of God is so wonderful, half has never been told." A timber dragging song included the lyrics "yon come Lula heisting high." Mr. Williams is a member of his church's choir. He expresses concern that older songs are losing out in popularity to more contemporary material. He states that the new songs just don't "move" people as they did in the old days. He goes on to sing an entire verse of Father, I Stretch My Hand To Thee.
46:50--Audio ends.
Side 2
Blank
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Ezra W. Whittenberg was born on August 10, 1901 in the Piedmont region of Greenville County, SC. He was the son of William L. and Carrie Ross Whittenberg. After obtaining a BS degree in Agriculture from South Carolina State, he was an educator in Upstate SC. He died on October 17, 1990.
Cassette 1
Side 1
1:24--His paternal grandparents were Jonas and Sara McKinney Whittenberg. His maternal grandparents were Jerry and Mariah Ross.
2:51--His grandfather Jonas was originally a slave from the Portsmouth, Virginia area. A white owner from Greenville County, SC named Grey bought him off the block in order that he began work at a gristmill. After freedom, Jonas took the name of his former master from Virginia. Mr. Whittenberg was a much kinder master than was Mr. Grey, who was harsher in his treatment.
9:24--Mr. Whittenberg knew his maternal grandparents fairly well; they lived to a much older age than those on his paternal side. Jerry Ross had been a local minister as well as a worker on the Southern Railroad (Charlotte to Atlanta) while still a slave. His grandfather said that many bodies of slaves who died while laying the track are buried up and down the line.
15:27--Mr. Whittenberg begins to recall at length several aspects of local education. The Black Baptist Association was heavily involved with the foundation of schools. In addition, he discusses the efforts of Mr. Rosenwald and Mr. Huff, two men who were important financial contributors to black educations. Whittenberg names the location of seven local Rosenwald schools.
28:15--Most of his family is buried at Reedy Forks Baptist Church in Greenville County, SC. His oldest sister is buried at Pleasant Grove near Ware Place, SC.
31:44--Audio ends.
Cassette 1
Side 2
00:30--His wife's grandfather was McKinney Daniel. Mr. Daniel was the postmaster in West Union, SC; his route and responsibilities are recalled. He owned 300 acres of land; Mr. Whittenberg takes time to point out the landmarks in all directions that encompass this land. Mr. Whittenberg then points out the property lines of both Mr. Darby's as well as his own. The location of the McKinney family cemetery is given.
13:37--Mr. Whittenberg names his siblings: Mamie, Daniel, Sylvester, Henrietta, Anna Bell, Essie (died), Priscilla, Preston, John B., William, A. Jonas, Clarence (died), and Geneva.
16:14--His wife was from the Cureton family. Her siblings were: Lillie, Jasper, (?), Bessie, Johnnie, Edward, Henson, Suzy Bell, and Melva.
17:02--The family photo album was lost at some point along the way; it contained photos from both sides of the family.
18:24--His father-in-law John Columbus Curitan (?) built the house he is currently living in. Mr. Whittenberg gives a lengthy tour, pointing out architectural aspects and rooms that have been added on over the years.
28:09--Mr. Whittenberg recalls farming with a thrashing machine and receiving around 1/10 of the grain collected as payment.
31:45--Audio ends.
Cassette 2
Side 1
00:19--Whittenberg continues discussing aspects of thrashing, bagging, and transporting grain crops.
1:55--After freedom, his paternal grandfather continued to be a milliner, while his grandmother took care of the home. His maternal grandfather Jerry Ross was involved in farming and ministerial work in Cherokee County, SC.
5:15--His oldest brother Daniel left for Virginia to work in the coal mines for a time before returning to Cherokee County, SC.
7:31--His brothers Daniel and Sylvester both served in World War I.
12:39--Employment opportunities for black men were limited, other than farming or contract work. Women did domestic work.
15:38--Shopping--most shopping was done in Simpsonville, Piedmont, or Greenville at white-owned general stores. His mother made most clothing at home. Shoes, neckties, and accessories were store-bought.
19:12--His father would order fish from Charleston, SC. Whittenberg recalls the packing and preservation of the fish. They were sold for $0.35 per string.
23:36--Furniture--he points out prominent pieces in the home that have been passed down through the generations.
25:55--Whittenberg describes a "what-not" that was made by McKinley Daniel as well as tools that were passed down to him.
31:40--Audio ends.
Cassette 2
Side 2
00:14--Whittenberg concludes his comments regarding tools passed down from his father.
2:06--Family talents included preaching, as well as needle and cloth work. He goes on to describe a few steps in quilting design and homemade clothing.
6:40--Tornadoes were an unknown phenomenon in his youth; he had never heard of such things until he was a teenager. He tells of one incident involving a tornado that hit a Belton, SC textile mill.
13:40--The flu epidemic hit his family hard, though none died as a result.
15:03--Whittenberg goes on to discuss the first black undertaker in Greenville County before giving a brief glimpse into funeral practices in his youth.
20:45--Dr. Dupree and Dr. Richardson both made house calls during times of sickness. He recalls common medicines, doses, etc.
25:15--Church--His family were all Baptists. They attended Reedy Forks Baptist Church; his uncle Frank Whittenberg was a minister there. Worship services were held once a month; Sunday school was held every week.
31:45--Audio ends.
Cassette 3
Side 1
00:32-13:50--Mr. Whittenberg tells a lengthy story regarding the first meeting with his future wife.
13:55--Burials/funerals--Whittenberg describes the work of local Benevolent Burial Aids Societies. He recalls how much a typical burial might cost, and the terms of agreement that were often worked out between these societies and local families. He helped his father build caskets for the community.
17:55--Whittenberg briefly finishes the story regarding the occasion on which he first met his wife.
20:00-Mr. Whittenberg did not marry until the age of 27. He explains that he promised his father while he was on his deathbed to look after his youngest daughter Geneva [Whittenberg's sister], and to make sure she got an education. He followed his father's wishes, and saw to it that she established herself before he himself married and started a career. He names the places where he was an educator as well as an insurance agent.
26:12--Church--other notable local denominations were the Methodists and Church of God. Most of these churches had their own cemeteries. He goes on to recall camp meetings and singing conventions.
31:44--Audio ends.
Cassette 3
Side 2
00:15--Church--singing schools were held once a week for people not in the church choir. Whites occasionally attended his church; they especially liked the style and delivery of the black preachers. Church groups included the Women's Auxiliary, and the Baptist Young People's Union.
4:54--Education--he started at a one-room schoolhouse at Reedy Forks. One teacher (Mrs. Bernie Sullivan) taught seven grades. He had to walk 4 miles to and from school. There was an hour difference in the start times between the black and white schools. Black schools opened at 9:30am and closed at 3:00pm. The school year lasted only three months. He goes on to describe the benches that students sat in, general curriculum, and lunch and recess activities. He traces his education from elementary school in Simpsonville through Morris and South Carolina State Colleges. He went on to teach agriculture locally. He states that he himself planted the white oak trees at the East End School in the early days of his teaching career.
28:41--Mamie (his oldest sister) was the first in the family to attend college.
31:27--He begins recollections of college by listing the items in his wardrobe.
31:44--Audio ends.
Cassette 4
Side 1
00:07--Mr. Whittenberg relates some of his experiences while in college [Morris and South Carolina State]. He describes the mail delivery job he had while in college during his early years; his last year he worked as a night watchman. After several years at Morris College, he transferred to South Carolina State and there received a BS in Agriculture.
5:14--Whittenberg lists the educational level of several of his siblings.
8:06--When he was growing up, books, newspapers, and magazines were always available in the house.
8:57--He didn't learn specifics of "black history" until college.
11:17--Organizations and social groups that his family members were a part of included the Odd Fellow's Club, Benevolent Society, and quilting clubs.
12:57--Politics/voting--Whittenberg's father was the first member of the family to vote.
15:20--His parent's related stories to him when he was a youth that reminded him to be careful around whites. He tells a short story as an example: he hasn't worn a hat in public since the age of fifteen. Blacks had to tip their hats to passing whites. Even if a black was busy out in the fields plowing, he had to be on the lookout for any whites that might be passing through the area. If the black failed to see the white passing while doing his job in the field, and subsequently not tip his hat, he was subject to being beaten.
17:38--The threat of lynching incidents cast fear over the black community. He had never heard of any specifically that occurred locally. As far as law enforcement goes, Mr. Whittenberg states that, "...the white man was the law."
18:20--Marriage relationships--just as today, some were equal and some were dominated by one or the other partner.
19:31--Black/white sexual relations occurred, but were not approved of. He relates a short story as an example of a typical situation: he knew of an unmarried powerful white landowner in Abbeville, SC who kept a black mistress for himself. They had many children, and some were sent to South Carolina State to be educated.
22:13--Mulattos--there were many in his local area; he states that there were even churches who accepted only mulatto members into their congregations. Some could "pass for white." His brother had a mulatto friend; Whittenberg recalls a story in which the friend was served at a restaurant, while his brother was asked to leave.
24:03--Mr. Whittenberg states that Native Americans didn't live in his community.
24:25--His family occasionally made shopping trips to Greenville and Anderson.
25:07--Celebrations/holidays--July 4th was an important holiday where family and friends would gather in fellowship. Baseball games were popular during lay-by-time [between growing seasons]. Christmas was celebrated with a visit from Santa Claus, who brought fruits and gifts. Birthdays were recognized, but anniversaries were not. Hot-suppers and church auctions were both popular fundraising events.
28:42--His mother prized quilts and quilt making. He describes her popular sunflower design that was incorporated into her quilts. His father prized the architectural aspects of carpentry.
31:44--Audio ends.
Cassette 4
Side 2
00:20--Whittenberg recalls that he most admired and liked teachers and uncles [he doesn't name specific individuals].
1:04--He thought nothing of being black; he didn't really relate to whites.
1:49--His wish is that the two races would accept each other more readily. He goes on to briefly recall how he was the first black person to run for the Oconee County Council. The top five were elected; he came in sixth out of fourteen candidates, narrowly missing the office.
5:00--Audio ends.
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Eldora White was born on July 26, 1908 in Nashville, Tennessee. She was the daughter of James A. and Rebecca Milliner Reese. After living in New York for a number of years, Mrs. White returned to the area and became involved with activities at the Pendleton Community Center. Mrs. White died on December 19, 2000.
Cassette 1
Side 1
1:09--Her maternal grandparents were Abraham and Carolyn Milliner (she died in 1908). Abraham married twice after her death: Daisy Walker and Florence Thompson.
3:23--White recalls aunts on the Reese side who lived in the Clemson area: Carrie, Maggie, and Lula.
5:31--Mrs. White's family was from the Seneca, Clemson, and Pendleton areas.
8:33--Her family is buried at King's Chapel AME Church.
12:14--White's father was a blacksmith; her mother was a teacher at the Central, Oak Grove, and Rosenwald Schools (she attended SC State). Her grandfather did farming related work.
15:12--Mrs. White lived in New York from 1928-1964; after which she returned to SC in order to take care of family and help run a café.
17:11--She had an uncle named Eddie Milliner who worked on the railroad; he was killed in some type of accident [White does not elaborate].
18:20-31:40--White makes short comment on a variety of topics: common employment opportunities for black men and women such as grocery store delivery, blacksmith-related work, railroad, teaching, and jobs at Clemson College. She goes on to discuss shopping at Hunter's Store, buying and making clothing, raising vegetables and livestock, aspects of furniture that was passed down through the generations, and her uncle Eddie who was sent overseas to fight in World War I.
31:44--Audio ends.
Cassette 1
Side 2
00:33--White speaks at length regarding local church life. Her family went to King's Chapel AME Church, though her father was originally a Baptist before he married. King's Chapel had a parsonage for their minister. Many of their ministers attended Allen University. Aspects of local camp meetings and singing conventions are discussed. Mrs. White herself sang in the choir; she can recall that Pauline Thompson taught music. The work of church groups such as the Women's Missionary Society, Men's Club, and Youth Group are recalled.
12:56--Education--she first attended school at King's Chapel AME in a two-room building. The building had a big wood-burning stove; the children sat on benches. School hours ran from 8am-3pm, with an hour for lunch and recess. Rena Clark is a teacher that she can recall being an educator there. White later attended high school at the Hampton Institute in Virginia. She later went to New York and was employed by the Naval Yard for a time before doing domestic work. She believes her mother was the first of the family to attend college. Books and newspapers were always available in her home.
28:21--Her father and mother were members of the Freemasons and Eastern Star, respectively.
31:44--Audio ends.
Cassette 2
Side 1
00:40--Mrs. White's father was born in 1859 near Clemson, SC. Her mother was born in 1878 in Pendleton, SC.
4:14--White states that she married a native New Yorker around 1940. She states that his name was John White [the 12/22/2000 Greenville News Obituary states that her husband's name was David White].
8:19--She was never warned about how to act around white people. Life was segregated; she had little contact with whites growing up.
9:35--Her mother seemed to be the head of the family in many ways; she thinks this may be due to her education.
10:53--Romantic/sexual relations between whites and blacks occurred, but were not openly discussed. She knew of no one locally who "passed for white."
12:10--She never had reason to travel to either Greenville or Anderson as a youth.
16:42--Christmas holidays were very special; the family would visit relatives, swap gifts, and eat large meals of turkey, vegetables, and sweets. Santa Claus would visit on Christmas Eve.
19:30--"Hot Suppers" were often held in local homes as a sort of fundraising event. Yard parties were similar, and auctions were also occasionally held locally (Mr. Ben Keese would auction items he purchased in Philadelphia).
28:26--Her father loved baseball. She speaks briefly regarding local teams, prominent players, and the locations of local playing fields.
31:40--Audio ends.
Cassette 2
Side 2
00:33--Aspects of baseball competition continue to be discussed, such as concessions sold at games, local baseball fields, and whites who came to watch the events.
4:35--She admires a cousin on her mother's side that lived in Charleston, SC. She was a very fancy dresser.
5:40--Happy childhood moments included the year she went to New York at age ten with relatives in order to attend school there.
9:06--"Color" meant nothing to her [white or black race].
12:35--They discuss an award that Mrs. White received to honor her service to the Pendleton Community Center.
14:55--Mrs. White talks about singing in the choir, and a few of her favorite songs such as Don't Turn Around.
20:36--Looking back, she would have liked to have completed her education.
26:29--Audio ends.
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Mr. Watson was born in Atlanta, GA, the son of Charles D. and Lillie Sharp Watson. Watson received an education from both Morehouse and Benedict Colleges. His uncle was Dr. Bryant S. Sharp.
Cassette 1
Side 1
1:00-9:30--Watson's family moved between Georgia, South Carolina, and Virginia on account of his father's railroad job. His uncle was Bryant Sebastian Sharp (born in 1877), who was the first black medical doctor in Oconee County, SC who ran an integrated practice from its inception. His paternal grandparents were John and Mary Jane Watson. John was a minister at several churches in Anderson Country as well as Ebenezer locally.
9:36-19:37--Watson's maternal grandparents were Joseph and Evelyn Glenn Sharp. They did farming related work and raised twelve children. In 1906 they, along with 8 children, left the United States in route towards Liberia, Africa in order to do missionary work. Only 3 children made it back (Watson's mother and two sisters), the rest either died shortly after arriving in Africa or on the subsequent voyage back to the United States.
19:41-31:15--Watson makes short comment on a variety of topics: His mothers teaching profession, members of the family (including Dr. Sharp) who didn't go on the African mission trip, family photo that depict the Joseph Sharp family as well as his Aunt Ella, his in-laws (the Blassingame's), his father's railroad profession, and two uncles who lived in Greenville, SC (one was a barber, the other a pharmacist).
31:20--Audio ends.
Cassette 1
Side 2
00:32-11:40--Watson recalls his summers spent with his uncle Dr. Sharp when he was a youth in Seneca, SC, talks about jobs commonly open to black men and women, shopping in Seneca (furniture, general, and clothing stores), the flu epidemic of 1917-1918 (his family was not affected), and his family's church affiliations with the Baptist and Church of God denominations.
11:45-31:39--Some of the ministers he can recall from his youth are Reverend Hicks, Dr. Starks, Dr. Clark, and Dr. Hancock. St. James United Methodist and African Methodist Episcopal were other important denominations locally bedsides the Baptists. He details his education: Catholic school, public school (Oconee County Training School), Seneca Junior College, Morehouse College, and Benedict College. He goes on to detail some of his grade school experiences before recalling aspects of his parent's education. His grandfather Sharp was a white man; his grandmother was perhaps of mixed Native American/African ancestry. In his grandfather's day, men were the head of the household.
31:45--Audio ends.
Cassette 2
Side 1
00:07-10:40--Advancement of the black community was greatly enhanced by the educational opportunities afforded by places like Seneca Institute. Watson goes on to recall aspects of Dr. Sharp's medical practice and his strong religious faith. Dr. Sharp attended medical school at the institution now known as Shaw University in Raleigh, NC.
10:48-14:00--Watson's uncle B.C. Sharp was a local pharmacist. The Sharp brother's offices occupied a building across from the Thomas Clothing Store locally (Dr. Sebastian Sharp was upstairs, B.C. Sharp was downstairs.
Cassette 2
Side 2
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Ernest Watkins, Jr. was born on November 27, 1915 in Central, SC. He was the son of Ernest and Estelle Jamison Watkins. He married Laura Taylor in Chicago in 1954. Mr. Watkins died on May 14, 1995.
Cassette 1
Side 1
1:29--After naming a few uncles and aunts on the Watkins side, he states that his maternal grandparents were Jeff and Hannah Jamison.
3:16--Harrison and Suzy Haywood were relatives; he gives the location of the old Haywood home.
4:51--Mr. Watkins parents were farmers; they worked around 48 acres.
5:20--Mr. Watkins had three siblings: Robert, Andell (Mickens), and Beatrice (Patterson).
6:01--Mr. Watkins recalls daily chores and the main crops grown at the farm. Most food was grown at home; the family had its own vegetable garden as well as livestock. He goes on to discuss the cotton-picking process as well as its price and to whom it was sold (Mr. Gaines of Central, SC).
9:36--The family shopped at Morgan's Store and Kelly's Meat Market locally.
10:09--Education--his sisters attended Tuskegee and Morris, respectively. He goes on to describe his own elementary school experience. He details the typical length of the school year, the grades available (1-7), the location of the building, hours of operation, his walk to and from school everyday, and where he bought his books. A few teachers he can recall are: Ella Williams, Professor Robinson, Rebecca Thompson, and Conyers Williams. While in school, black history was taught to the children; the works of G. W. Carver, Booker T. Washington, Mary McCloud Bethune, and Fredrick Douglas were commonly read. He goes on to detail some of his college experiences while in Clinton, SC and Trenton, Virginia.
25:24--Black newspapers available in his home as a youth were the Pittsburgh Courier and the Chicago Defender.
27:40--His parents received a grammar school education.
28:29--Books were always available in the home; his mother did laundry for Wesleyan College and people there would give her reading material.
30:09--His parents never owned a car, but had little trouble finding people who had cars that were willing to take them places.
30:45--Mr. Watkins talks briefly about the Jamison family.
31:45--Audio ends.
Cassette 1
Side 2
00:47--He continues discussing the Jamison family. His mother Estelle had many siblings: Lawrence, Bill, Bayless, George, Mack, Ada, and Ina. They lived in the Norris, SC community. There was a black Presbyterian church there: Rock Hill Presbyterian.
3:14--His grandmother Hannah Jamison was originally a Chapman.
3:28--Many family members are buried at New Olive Grove Baptist Church.
5:51--Watkins discusses his Haywood relatives. Harrison and his daughter Suzy were both longtime secretaries at Abel Baptist Church. Suzy was known for her gorgeous penmanship; locals would often bring her family bibles in order that she fill in their genealogical information.
11:23--Watkins has heard of the alleged 1888 incident in which Harrison Haywood was involved in the lynching of a white man. He doesn't believe the accusations were ever proven.
12:23--Lynching--this was always a concern for the black community, though he never heard of any specifics.
14:16--When he was a youth, he played with white children. They would play ball, jump rope, etc.
16:01--Black baseball teams in the local area are recalled. There were teams from Clemson, New Light, and Pendleton that competed locally.
21:41--Church--Watkins' family attended New Olive, Abel, White Oak, and Mt. Zion on different Sundays. Departure for church would typically start around 9am, with arrival back home around 2pm. He goes on to detail Sunday dinner, Sunday school, singing in the choir, and camp meetings.
31:44--Audio ends.
Cassette 2
Side 1
00:25--Ministers usually had other jobs in order to complement their income; many were farmers. Most lived a short distance from the church. Watkins recalls family prayer in the evenings, and memorizing bible verses.
5:23--Watkins had a relative (brother-in-law?) who fought in World War I. His health was not good in the years after his return; he suffered from a chemical gas attack.
6:26--During the flu epidemic of 1917-1918, his father became ill and his grandmother died. Dr. Clayton made house calls to the sick.
9:01--Watkins briefly discusses local singing conventions.
10:20--Watkins recalls the work of P.S. Little, who was the first black teacher in the area.
11:37--There were black owned businesses locally when he was a youth; they included restaurants and barbershops. A gentleman named Tom Brown owned a restaurant circa 1920.
14:30--Holidays--aspects of Christmas, New Year's, and Thanksgiving are discussed.
17:18--Large local families included the Littlejohn's, Gaines's, and Knox's.
20:18--Megginson is interested to know if the stories of the Haywood family being able to "pass for white" are true. Watkins affirms that they probably could have, but would likely not have done so locally. Many moved to the New York and Cincinnati areas.
22:23--Watkins moved to Chicago after military service in 1946. Immediately after college he had worked in the Naval Cafeteria in Washington, DC.
25:07--He married Laura Taylor in 1954 while living in Chicago.
26:00--Watkins reads from the family bible. Birth, marriage, and death dates are given for his parents and siblings.
28:59--Audio ends.
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George H. Washington, Sr. was born in 1906 near Belton, SC. He is the son of Fredrick G. and Tecora Seagrams Washington. Mr. Washington received an MA from Wayne State University. He was a principal and teacher at Warren County Training School in NC. After retirement at age 65, he received an MA in Divinity from Charlotte University in NC. He and his family have always been strong supporters of education in the area. He married the former Molly Jones in 1933.
Cassette 1
Side 1
2:23--His paternal grandparents were W.T. and Rosanna Washington. He knew his maternal grandfather Seagrams, but did not know his grandmother because she died when he was young. W.T., along with Grandpa Seagrams helped to establish the New Hope Baptist Church near Belton, SC.
3:47--His father's half-siblings were Frank, Josephine, and Richard Holloway.
5:10--Mr. Washington's grandparent's related stories of their lives: His Grandpa Seagrams was able to purchase 375 acres of land in Greenville County known as "Possum Kingdom." His Grandpa Washington was 14 when the Civil War ended. He was a slave to the Cox family of Belton, SC. After freedom, he didn't take the Cox name and chose Washington instead. This was not a reflection of the relationship, however. The Cox family always treated his grandfather with much respect, and the two families have remained close ever since the end of the war in 1865.
8:20--Mr. Washington's family are buried at New Hope Baptist near Belton, SC.
9:26--Funerals--he can remember the funerals of both Washington grandparents, as well as that of his Grandpa Seagrams. They were conducted much as they are today.
10:28--His parents were baptized and married by Dr. H. Watkins.
11:20--Mr. Washington married Molly Jones in 1933 in Oxford, NC. They met while at Johnson C. Smith University in NC.
12:58--Some older family members went north during the Depression in order to find work for destinations such as Detroit, Chicago, and New York.
13:25--His uncle Rich Holloway started working for the Blue Ridge Railroad at age 6 (brakeman) on the route from Belton, SC to Walhalla, SC. He later moved to Charlotte, NC.
14:07--Good employment opportunities were hard to find. Black men often were involved in farming, railroad, or blacksmith related jobs. Women mostly did domestic work.
15:33--Mr. Washington's family did most of their shopping in either the Belton or Anderson area in white owned stores. They always used cash. They bought most of their clothes. An individual usually had work and Sunday clothes. Most food items were produced at home; perhaps things like fish and cheese were store-bought. Furniture was also purchased.
20:30--Family talents included teaching and ministry.
21:55--There were plenty of hard times when he was younger, but his family was very industrious.
23:14--His oldest sister died c. 1924 while boarding at school. The family soon moved in order to be closer to the Seneca Institute. Mr. Washington goes on to discuss the efforts of Mr. Rosenwald in regards to the foundation of the Oconee County Training School.
26:57--He recalls his early college experience, and working odd jobs in order to make extra money and pay for books and tuition.
30:52--Mr. Washington was kept out of service during World War II on account of his home front responsibilities.
31:44--Audio ends.
Cassette 1
Side 2
00:06--His father had been in the Army for one week prior to the end of World War I. Mr. Washington can recall the joy of the community on learning of the cessation of hostilities.
1:02--Mr. Washington recalls his move to Detroit during World War II in order to work for an aircraft defense plant. He was a problem solver and trouble-shooter during the time he was there. Management was impressed, and soon offered him a lifetime guarantee of employment with the company, which he didn't accept. Instead, he returned to North Carolina where he was an educator and principal from 1940-1972. After retirement, he returned to the Seneca area.
5:16--Church--his family were members of New Hope Baptist while they lived near Belton, SC. He is currently Associate Pastor at Ebenezer. Dr. A. Walker and Dr. Daniel were both ministers he can remember from his youth. Camp meetings and singing conventions are recalled. Camp meetings were occasionally rowdy events. During his grandparent's time, whites occasionally worshipped alongside blacks.
12:16--Education--Mr. Washington started school at New Hope Baptist Church. There were 150 children for one teacher in the one room building. It supported grades 1-7. He recalls typical school day activities. He had to walk 3 miles to and from school. He can recall a few teachers: Ms. Williams and Cooley. They lived in their own homes. Teachers were allowed to take certification exams while in the seventh grade. His father went through the ninth grade, his mother the sixth. His father was offered a scholarship to Benedict College, which he turned down because he was anxious to be married. They both made sure their children received an education. Mr. Washington once again revisits aspects of his own education. There was very little black history taught; he only began learning specifics once he reached college. He goes on to discuss the vision and works of Dr. J.J. Starks before mentioning that his grandparents were educated by whites.
31:44--Audio ends.
Cassette 2
Side 1
00:10--Educational issues continue to be discussed. The foundation of Seneca Institute is discussed. It was founded in 1899 by Dr. J.J. Starks and was supported by black Baptist churches in Oconee County. It supported grades 1-12 and accepted students from a wide multi-state area. Later the school changed its name to Seneca Junior College to reflect the two additional years of study that were added after the twelfth grade. There were around 350 students and 10 instructors. A curriculum of English, Chemistry, Arithmetic, Physics, History, etc. were available. He discusses distinguished alumni, tuition, athletics, and several local leaders involved with its operation over the years.
10:45--The foundation of the Oconee County Training School is recalled. His father was instrumental in establishing this school, with the help of Mr. Rosenwald. There was some friction in the community as a result between those who supported Seneca Institute and the OCTS.
17:44--Mr. Washington goes into a little more detail regarding his defense plant experiences during World War II in Detroit.
23:10--His father was a 33° Freemason; his mother was in the Eastern Star organization. He goes on to describe their missionary work and social activism.
27:05--Politics--his father was the first to vote in the family.
27:35---His maternal grandfather [Seagrams] was free before the end of the Civil War [no specifics are given].
28:29--Mulattos--mulattos seemed to be leaders in the black community in the post-Civil War period. They were treated more fairly by whites.
30:07--Black/white relationships--his experiences with whites have been positive; they respected blacks and helped them to build churches and schools. There was separation, however. Each race had its own place in society.
31:45---Audio ends.
Cassette 2
Side 2
00:06--Mr. Washington was never taught to be wary of whites; the relationships were cordial in his experience.
00:33--Lynching--there was one near Starr, SC when he was young. The last one he heard about happened to Mr. Green of Walhalla, SC in the 1930's.
1:21--Law enforcement officials were not always fair in their treatment of blacks.
2:03--Marriage relationships--in his grandparents day, the man was the head of the household.
2:28--Romantic/sexual relationships between whites and blacks were not openly discussed. He knew individuals who could, and occasionally did, pass for white.
7:07--Mr. Washington discusses aspects of holidays and celebrations such as July 4th, Emancipation Day, and Christmas.
10:55--He greatly admired his grandparents and parents equally; they prayed for him and looked after him during times of sickness (he was ill with pneumonia at least 4 times as a child).
12:30--Despite that fact that he received Master's degrees in two fields, he wishes that his early education had been better.
13:25--Regarding the foundation of New Hope Baptist Church; the records were destroyed in a fire.
14:36--The Cox and Washington families have remained close since freedom came after the Civil War. Many of the descendants of the Cox family still live in Belton, SC.
18:56--Mr. Washington again praises the education that places like Seneca Institute offered blacks and revisits the controversy surrounding the establishment of the Oconee County Training School.
25:56--Aspects of his wife's teaching career are briefly discussed.
31:45--Audio ends.
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T.C. Walker was born on November 18, 1907 in Pickens County, SC. He was the son of Archie [?] and Jane [?] Walker. Mr. Walker died on June 12, 1991.
**NOTE** the recorder is much closer in proximity to the interviewer than Mr. Walker is. The questions are clearly heard, but Mr. Walker's answers are often very difficult to make out. As a result, the questions asked by the interviewer will sometimes be noted in this abstract, rather than the comments by Mr. Walker.
Side 1
1:03--He can recall that family and friends knew his maternal grandfather as "Uncle Jack."
1:52--Mr. Walker's family rented their home in a sharecropping agreement; he cannot recall the landowner's name.
2:21--Slavery--there really wasn't much talk regarding this issue; his sister [older?] told him stories that his grandfather told her [specifics not provided].
3:45--Burial locations of family members.
6:11--His parents sharecropping work.
7:25--Employment opportunities for blacks were limited; blacks weren't allowed to work in the local mills. Most did farming-related work.
9:41--His family shopped at a general store in Westminster, SC. Clothing items were both made and store-bought. The family raised most of its own food through the utilization of livestock and gardening.
14:10--Family talents?
15:44--Hard times/good times?--there were more discussions of hard times when he was a youth; he shares a few stories regarding crops and dealing with whites.
21:07--Flu epidemic of 1917-1918--neither he nor his sister got ill during this time; most of his other family members did, however. He cannot recall anyone from his family dying as a result though.
22:38--Mr. Walker recalls family members who served in World War I.
23:39--Church/religious affiliation--his immediate family attended Ozion Baptist Church; he goes on to name other local churches that other members of his family attended. He recalls camp meetings in Seneca, Pendleton, and Central, as well as singing conventions.
28:08--Education--Mr. Walker attended a school in Westminster, SC. He thinks his parents attended a school somewhere in Anderson County.
31:40--Audio ends.
Side 2
00:27--He had to walk around three miles to and from school. Teachers taught black history. Books, newspapers, and magazines were provided in the home [no specifics are given].
2:26--He discusses white/black relationships, as well as how local law enforcement treated blacks.
8:15--Mr. Walker recalls Christmas celebrations.
9:50--Mr. Walker discusses some of his happiest childhood moments.
11:59--Audio ends.
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Minnie Walker was born in Anderson County, SC. No other biographical information is provided, other than the names of her grandparents: Simon and Rosa Williams.
Side 1
1:35-5:20--Her family did not own their own home. The family is buried at Mt. Pleasant Methodist in Anderson County. Her parents and grandparents were sharecroppers. In 1925, her brother moved to Greensboro, NC in order to find better employment opportunities.
5:25-12:47--Mrs. Walker's family shopped at white owned stores in Seneca, SC. They utilized both the cash and credit systems. Clothing for the family was both homemade and store-bought. Most food was grown at home; they had their own livestock and garden. Sugar and spices, however, were store-bought. Furniture in the house was either second-hand or handmade by her grandfather. White oak baskets that were handmade are still in possession of the family. Some family talents included preaching (uncle J.L. Williams) and blacksmithing (maternal grandfather). She can recall the flu epidemic; many fell ill and neighbors helped each other.
12:50-16:59--Church--there are several denominations represented within Mrs. Walker's family: Methodist, Holiness, and Baptist. Reverend Smith is the first minister she can recall; he attended seminary in Atlanta, GA. She goes on to describe activities during camp meetings and church conferences.
17:10-22:10--Education--Mrs. Walker first attended Mt. Pleasant Elementary School in Townville, SC. Teachers she can recall are: Logan, Pratt, and Richardson. In those days, the school term lasted only around three months. She later attended and graduated from Seneca Junior College. After graduation, Mrs. Walker became a teacher. Black history was not taught in her school. One of the main differences between black and white schools was a considerably shorter school term for blacks.
22:18-30:52--When Mrs. Walker was growing up, it was understood that blacks had to be differential and show respect towards whites in social situations. A lynching that she can remember older people talking about involved two Gibson brothers from Oconee County. She mentions that blacks were treated badly by the law when she was younger. Her family went to Anderson, SC twice a year by wagon in order to purchase materials for clothes. Picnics, fish-fry's, ballgames, and box suppers were popular social events in the black community. Mrs. Walker greatly admired her Sunday school teacher, Reverend Marcus.
31:07--Audio ends.
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Daughter of Mary Louise Vance Martin.
Cassette 1
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1:02--Mrs. Vance Robinson begins the interview by discussing some of the oldest members of her family. Her maternal great-grandmother was Martha Burt. Martha's parents were Sydney (1824-1889) and Cora Burt. Sydney Burt was the first black businessman in Pendleton, SC. There he operated his own blacksmith shop. Mrs. Vance Robinson goes on to detail some archeological findings at the site (Tony Bennett of Anderson oversaw the dig).
3:57--Speculation is offered as to who may have owned Sydney Burt when he was a slave.
4:50--Her great-grandmother Martha Burt was born in 1852.
7:38--She believes that the original home place of Sydney and Cora Burt may have been constructed in a way in which the blacksmith shop was actually part of the structure.
8:51--Mrs. Vance Robinson is unsure of where Sydney and Cora Burt were buried.
9:42--According to the 1870 census, Sydney and Cora had five children: Elsie, Mandy, Martha, Ellen, and Sydney, Jr.
10:35--According to documents Megginson has seen, Sydney Burt was registered to vote in 1868.
11:24--Her great-grandfather was Augustus T. Vance (1849-1924). His parents were "Dandy" and Priscilla Galliard Vance. They had a daughter named Grace, and two sons named Augustus and C.B., respectively. Cornelia Thompson Alexander (member--Kings Chapel AME) said that Augustus T. Vance was a fine minister, and she was converted under his tutelage. He also did farming work. He was the first minister ordained at Kings Chapel AME Church. Mrs. Vance Robinson names the members of the first Board of Trustees at the church. She also produces a document that states that Augustus T. Vance was married on December 26, 1878 at St. Paul's.
17:21--Mrs. Vance Robinson produces documents that detail Augustus T. Robinson's purchases at Hunter's Store in 1902. She also reads from a Report to the Elder's dated 1902 regarding church statistics.
22:25--Education--Mrs. Vance Robinson begins to recall aspects of the school that is located next door to her house on Vance Street [the name of the school is not given]. The school had already closed by the time she was a little girl. She reads from the deed: land was purchased from Dr. H.C. Miller. Cora Reid was a teacher at this school.
26:49--Anderson County Training School may have been the old Rosenwald School.
27:20--Church/religion--she states that the congregation may have originally started meeting in the home of Simon Robertson. She goes on to give dates and locations of the Kings Chapel AME buildings, along with physical appearances.
31:25--Audio ends.
Cassette 1
Side 2
00:25-31:40--The entirety of this interview takes place as Mrs. Vance Robinson and Megginson look at a family photograph of the Vance family that was taken in 1907. As she identifies various family members depicted, she details aspects of their lives, such as their personalities, hairstyles, clothes, etc. Among them are: Augustus T. Vance, Martha Burt, Thomas Vance, Uncle Emmanuelle, Aunt Rebecca, and Uncle Sydney.
31:45--Audio ends.
Cassette 2
Side 1
00:31--Vance Robinson talks about her mother who, in her opinion, was the backbone of the family.
8:58--She talks about Charles Burgess and Mary Stark Vance. Mary died of the flu in 1919.
11:25--Megginson is interested to know if blacks may be more susceptible to disease. In her opinion blacks may well have been more susceptible, especially in those days, because of diet and poor living conditions. There was no focus on nutrition.
14:11--As a child she cannot recall people ever going to the hospital. Dr. Horton was local black physician who made house calls. She goes on to describe the work of local midwives (specifically Emma Vance--no relation), and medicines that were commonly available.
20:45--Her grandfather [Augustus T. Vance?] was a laborer and lay minister at Kings Chapel AME. He was born in April of 1888 and died in 1968.
23:02--Mrs. Vance Robinson's mother was Mary Louise Vance Martin. Clara Vance Weeks was one of her sisters.
23:33--Mrs. Vance Robinson recalls her stepfather, Lincoln Arthur Martin. He was originally from Oklahoma, but moved to New York at some point where he became an executive with the JC Penney Company. He met her mother there in New York. She had moved there from South Carolina in order to find better employment. Vance Robinson details their courtship (he was 30 years her senior). He was also a white man, who moved in very aristocratic circle socially. There were hardships as a result of the relationship, but he didn't seem to care. They were married on October 14, 1961 in Mount Vernon, NY. The family lived in Berksdale (?) for a time.
31:45--Audio ends.
Cassette 2
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Lucille Vance was born on November 17, 1906 near Pendleton, SC. She was the daughter of Ernest and Amanda Reid Webb. She married Walter Vance on January 27, 1929. Mrs. Vance died on September 21, 2002.
Cassette 1
Side 1
1:31--Her paternal grandparents were James and Amelia Webb. Her maternal grandparents were Peter and Hattie Walker Reid. Her maternal great-grandparents were Larkin and Sara White Walker. Mrs. Vance can vaguely recall her great-grandfather Larkin; her great-grandmother Sara lived until Mrs. Vance had reached high school age. Her grandparents helped raise her because her mother died at age 34.
4:30--She lived in the Vine Community section of Anderson County, SC in a home that was purchased by her grandfather. He bought the house from Clotell Brown's father.
4:45--Slavery--her great-grandmother Sara spoke infrequently about it. She was a child just before freedom came. Her father farmed, while her mother worked in the master's house as a cook; they lived in Anderson County at the time.
7:10--Her family is buried at Holly Springs in Anderson County.
7:30--Funerals--her great-grandfather Larkin Walker was the first person to be buried at Holly Springs Cemetery. She can recall that they traveled by buggy; she was perhaps 5 years old.
9:20--Weddings--Rosa Wheatley's marriage to Joe Young was the first she can recall.
10:50--Mrs. Vance discusses many of her relatives by marriage.
12:31--The two briefly look at a family photo of the Vance family circa 1909. It depicts Gus Vance, who was the first pastor of Old Kings Chapel. The building was erected in 1871.
14:07--Her father was a farmer on the Campbell place in Seneca, SC. The division of Larkin Walker's land to his 11 children is discussed.
18:58--Some of her family members went north; Cleveland and Pittsburg were two destinations.
21:06--Employment opportunities for black men often involved either farming or railroad work. Women did domestic and laundry work (typical pay is discussed).
24:27--Her family shopped both at Zion Community Store (Moore's) and Hill's Store locally. These were white owned establishments. Clothes were handmade by her grandmother. Shoes and the cloth for clothes were store-bought.
26:45--Most food was raised at home; livestock and fruits and vegetables didn't have to be bought.
31:45--Audio ends.
Cassette 1
Side 2
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Cassette 2
Side 1
00:07--Mrs. Vance briefly discusses a typhoid fever outbreak that effected James Webb's family.
1:20--Church--her family were all members of Holly Springs Baptist Church in the Zion community near Pendleton, SC. Reverend Watkins was the first she can remember (lived in Anderson). J.C. Cowlings was another (lived in Starr). Grove Chapel Methodist and St. Luke were other popular local churches. Holly Springs and New Light Churches combined to form New Holly Light Church. She goes on to speak at length regarding camp meetings and singing conventions, and the work of the Missionary Society in the community.
18:37--Education--Mrs. Vance speaks at length regarding educational aspects. She attended Ozion School; she discusses the physical appearance of the school, its heating system, the teacher (Margie Agnew), as well as the general curriculum. Mrs. Vance was an advanced placement student; she went fro the first to the third grade. The normal school term lasted from November through April.
26:50--Mrs. Vance speaks at length regarding the growing of tobacco, as well as family members who were skilled at basket weaving.
30:05--Education is briefly brought up once more: her teacher Ms. Agnew lived in Walhalla and boarded locally during the school term.
31:40--Audio ends.
Cassette 2
Side 2
Blank
Cassette 3
Side 1
00:07--In her opinion, black life in the Pendleton, SC area "...was very good."
1:37--Her grandmother prized making grape jelly and wine, growing potted flowers, and harvesting peaches, apples, and cherries.
5:12--Family talents--her parents were considered very talented singers; her father led the church choir and could also play the organ.
7:42--She always admired her grandfather; he would always bring the kids a surprise whenever he purchased items at the general store. She liked Laura Keasler and Suzy Walker Riley as a youth.
11:43--She recalls happy childhood moments at her Aunt Cindy's house.
12:45--Mrs. Vance thought nothing of being black or being around whites; she played with whites as a child. A white named Maria Shaw was particularly close. She died at a young age; it deeply saddened Mrs. Vance.
16:35--Mrs. Vance feels that she has had a good life, and been blessed with a good family. She was married to her husband Walter for 60 years. She talks at length about how they first met, their courtship, marriage, and the first house they lived in.
22:23--Mrs. Vance talks about Sally Walker's marriage, which was the first wedding she attended.
25:28--Audio ends.
Cassette 3
Side 2
Blank
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Dora Brown Tidmore was born in Anderson County, SC on May 22, 1917. She died on February 4, 1997.
Side 1
00:45--Her grandparents owned and farmed their own land near the Oak Grove community. Her grandparents were well known throughout the county because they had twenty-one children [their names are not provided].
2:07--Her family is buried in an area called Mountain Springs. Mrs. Tidmore states that this land is now owned by Clemson University.
4:05-4:27--Mrs. Tidmore briefly discusses her parents and grandparents farms, and the crops that were commonly grown before turning to aspects of her own education and employment.
6:08--Her mother's involvement with Bethel Grove is mentioned, as well as the fact that many of the local houses in her neighborhood in Pendleton were constructed with the help of her father.
7:34--Mrs. Tidmore gives the impression that she lived away from South Carolina [in NewYork?] for many years before retuning after retirement.
7:53--Education--She attended Anderson County Training School, Sterling High in Greenville, Union High in Belton, and Morris College in Sumter.
9:30--Church--Tidmore was the Vice President for the Council of Matrons [SC] for eleven years.
12:05-20:00--Mrs. Tidmore makes short comments on a variety of topics: shopping at Hunter's Store, white/black relations, lynching incidents, slavery, camp meeting and singing conventions, and hot suppers.
21:01--Mulattos--although she states that she would never speak for how the mulatto community actually felt, her belief is that they may have thought that they were a little higher socially than blacks. She doesn't feel that many of the relationships were mutual or romantic in nature; rather she feels it more likely that the black women were being taken advantage of by whites.
23:25-31:35--Mrs. Tidmore discusses celebrations and holidays in the black community, talks briefly about her marriage, and states that she would have like to have had the opportunities that are available to the current generation.
31:40--Audio ends.
Side 2
**NOTE** this side contains a short interview with a woman identified as Prudence Idlett who was staying with Mrs. Tidmore at the time of this interview. This interview does not pertain to the scope of the Black Heritage in the Upper Piedmont Project.
00:07--Prudence Idlett states that she was born in 1893 in Suwannee Florida.
00:43--The only older relative she can recall is her grandmother Mary Dance, who was raised in Knoxville, Tenn. Her grandmother's experiences of slavery were not all negative; her master and his family were "church people" who apparently treated their slaves with respect. She worked as a mid-wife.
2:25--Her father was a blacksmith.
2:43--Education--in the old days, things regarding education were simple. Prudence states that from lunch to curriculum, things were not as "fancy" as they are today but the children enjoyed it nonetheless.
3:50--She had several brothers and sisters [not named] who have all predeceased her.
4:10--Clothes were both store-bought and handmade.
5:52--After she finished school, she did domestic work for the C.W. Rodgers family. She enjoyed working for him.
6:44--Prudence states that she moved to South Carolina with her husband on account of his work.
7:19--As a youth she was a member of Shiloh Methodist Church. She can recall camp meetings where services consisted of singing and the confirmation of new members to the church. She didn't attend singing conventions.
8:42--Hot suppers were a popular way in which communities would celebrate with food and dancing. These events would sometimes get rowdy, however.
9:22--During Christmas, family and friends would have parties and decorate trees.
9:51--Funerals were carried out in a much simpler way when she was a youth.
10:44--Youths often made extra money by picking cotton. It was hard work though; she didn't enjoy it.
12:01--When she moved to South Carolina, she worked as a cook in a local Clemson boarding establishment.
12:31--Prudence states that she has enjoyed her life and wouldn't change anything.
13:14--Audio ends.
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Robert H. Thompson was born on August 18, 1926 in Pendleton, SC, the son of William and Dorothy Rosetta Hamburg Thompson. He attended South Carolina State College, earning a degree in Industrial Education. He and his wife Elsie have 4 children. The Thompson family has lived in the South Carolina Piedmont for seven generations (Robert Thompson is fifth generation). Mr. Thompson and his family have always been socially active; at the time of this interview he was President of the Board of Trustees for Kings Chapel AME Church, and also had been a county councilman.
Deas-Moore Interview, April 19, 1989
Cassette 1
Side 1
**Note** This interview was not originally part of the BHUP Project. This field research was added to complement the Black Heritage in the Upper Piedmont Project.
1:04-12:00--Mr. Thompson begins the interview by giving a detailed history of his family origins in Walhalla, SC. A young Native American servant who worked for the Grisham family had a child named Betty as the result of a relationship with Mr. Grisham. Betty later married a black Mexican named Reuben Thompson, who had migrated to the SC upstate area. Thompson first details his family's involvement in the foundation of the Oak Grove School before giving a short history of Kings Chapel AME Church, of which he is a member. At the time of this interview, he is the President of the Board of Trustees at this church. His wife Elsie provides a few remarks regarding her own family.
12:04-18:47--Mr. Thompson describes jobs that were commonly available to black men during his childhood. His father was a blacksmith; he describes the responsibilities of individuals in this line of work. He goes on to give brief historical sketches regarding both the family home place and the land that it was built upon. Popular social events and celebrations such as May Day, as well as church picnics at the Seneca River bottoms are recalled.
18:51-32:02--Mr. Thompson describes the first local black schools and attempts at providing education. Early black schools were not state certified. He makes comment on the operation of Anderson County Training School before pointing out that there is a recent emphasis on technical training and the increased high tech industry in the area that has helped keep the brightest individuals from moving away to other states. He goes on to detail certain aspects of the integration of Anderson County schools.
32:12--Audio ends.
Deas-Moore Interview
Cassette 1
Side 2
00:07-10:20--Mr. Thompson details the work of several New Deal programs that were active in South Carolina, such as the WPA (Santee Cooper Project) and the Negro Youth Association. The northern migration of blacks was a direct result of World War II. The draft affected male populations in the north and south, this left openings for blacks to take advantage of work in defense plants, for example. This occurred mostly in the north, because there were still labor laws in place against blacks in the south.
10:23-18:01--Mr. Thompson first describes his time as a county councilman and the role that race played in county government before making brief comment on charitable groups such as the Freemason's and Eastern Star whom were active within the black community.
18:09--Audio ends.
Yolanda Harrell Interview, February 7 & 9, 1990
Cassette 2
Side 1
00:44--Mr. Thompson's parents were William and Dorothy Rosetta Hamburg Thompson. His father was born on January 22, 1894; his mother on February 7, 1897.
2:01--His paternal grandparents were Stewart (born 1863) and Josephine Thompson. His maternal grandparents were Robert C. (adopted by Hester Smith) and Mary Watkins Hamburg. His paternal great-grandparents were Reuben and Martha Thompson. His great-great grandmother was Betty Thompson.
4:25--His maternal grandparents (Hamburg's) were known to him; his paternal grandparents had died either when he was young or before he was born. His grandfather was a carpenter and farmer who owned his own land.
9:44--Slavery--no stories of slavery have been passed down because his family comes from a long line of blacksmith's; they were traditionally free men.
10:30--His family is buried at Kings Chapel AME Church cemetery. The land for the church was purchased in 1887. Thompson's great grandfather Reuben's name appears on the deed. Mr. Thompson describes the general dimensions of the church property.
12:14--Funerals--his grandfather talked about days when the deceased were laid out on "cooling boards" in preparation for burial (there were no undertakers in those days).
15:01--Families related by marriage are the Winston's and Miller's.
17:25--His paternal grandfather Thompson was a talented craftsman and furniture maker. He died at the age of 43, leaving his wife Josephine to care for 14 children. She established a truck farm business in order to support the family.
18:42--Elsie Thompson [Mr. Thompson's wife--they have been married 44 years] begins to speak at length regarding Josephine's efforts to look after her large family. She was a successful businesswoman, and was well respected by both the white and black communities. Her death was reported in the newspaper; it was at the time an extremely rare circumstance for a black individual's death to be reported.
20:45--Mr. Thompson begins to give a very detailed genealogy of the Thompson family. They have Irish, German, Mexican, and Native American ancestry.
23:44--Mr. Thompson had aunts and uncles who left the area in search of better employment opportunity. Destinations were: Detroit (Walter), Cleveland (Booker), Greensboro, NC (Aunt Willie), and Orangeburg, SC (Sam).
25:13--The location of the Thompson family land is where the Woodhaven Golf Course is now.
25:46--His uncle Henry Thompson was a fireman on the Blue Ridge Railroad. He was killed in a local train accident.
27:15--Employment opportunities for blacks were very limited: one could go into business for oneself, preach, teach, or farm. It was rare to find good paying jobs locally, even if one had a college education.
29:26--Mr. Thompson discusses the blacksmith trade, and its importance to old south agriculture. Blacksmiths were traditionally free men. Black women were often teachers; two of his Aunts (Florence and Lessie) were involved in the founding of Oak Grove School.
31:44--Audio ends.
Harrell Interview
Cassette 2
Side 2
00:07--Thompson continues discussing Oak Grove School. It was a one-room schoolhouse with two teachers. It provided grades 1-7. The school was later incorporated into Anderson School District 4.
3:43--Shopping was done at Hunter's Store locally using both cash and credit. The establishment closed in the 1950's. In 1990, the building was the site of the Pendleton Historical Association.
6:57--Clothing was both store-bought and handmade. Individuals usually had one set of dress clothes for church along with work clothes.
8:41---His family raised most of its own food utilizing a garden and livestock. Staples such as sugar, coffee, and rice were store-bought.
9:45--Thompson discusses furniture pieces in the home that are handmade, as well as blacksmith tools that have been passed down.
11:35--Family members who were particularly talented with music are the Winston's.
14:03--In 1935, the family home was destroyed by a tornado. The children hid under brass beds; the house was basically flattened all around them.
16:08--He remembers people talking about the flu epidemic that occurred around the time of World War I. There was much death and sickness in the community, though no one in his family died from it.
17:07--His father served in World War I. He was stationed in France and was injured during a gas attack, though he experienced no long-term effects from it.
18:04--Church--his family were members of Kings Chapel AME Church. The ministers he can remember include men named Jefferson, Chappelle, and Brown (who had the first heating system installed). A parsonage was provided for the minister. Camp meetings took place in October, usually starting on a Saturday and ending on Sunday. Favorite songs are recalled; the family has a recording of Henry Thompson [uncle of Robert] singing How Great Thou Art. Church sponsored groups included the Men's Club, Women's Missionary Society, and various youth groups.
29:58--Education--His father went Oak Grove School before attending South Carolina State. His fathers' college education was cut short on account of his being drafted into military service for World War I. Robert Thompson went to Anderson County Training School before also attending South Carolina State.
31:45--Audio ends.
Harrell Interview
Cassette 3
Side 1
00:10--Educational issues continue to be discussed. Thompson begins to recall the names of a few teachers: Mamie J. Crawford taught both he and his father (she was an educator for fifty-one years) and Rena J. Clark, who was an educator and Principal of Anderson County Training School. Educator's usually lived in the town where the school was located; many lived in boarding establishments. Most were college graduates. Mr. Thompson's mother was largely self-educated, having only attended school through the seventh grade (she could read and write, and was the President of the local PTA for twenty-two years). Mr. Thompson's grandparents could read and write, though he is unaware of specifics regarding their education. Mr. Thompson graduated high school [eleventh grade] at the age of sixteen. He went on to SC State, where he received a degree in Industrial Education. Mr. Thompson has three siblings; all attended college. Thompson goes on to describe aspects of the work of Jewish philanthropist Julius Rosenwald, who was a prominent benefactor of black schools. Black history was taught in Mr. Thompson's schools, and Lift Every Voice and Sing was a popular empowerment song when he was young. Differences between white and black schools are discussed.
14:09--The work of local groups such as the PTA are discussed, as well as Jane Hunter's establishment of the Phyllis Wheatley Foundation. The Odd Fellows were a popular fraternal organization.
18:47--Politics--Thompson's mother, along with Mamie Morris, Albert Gantt, Maggie Wheeler, and Bill Richardson were the first blacks that voted in Pendleton. This occurred sometime in the 1940s.
22:25--White treatment of blacks--when Mr. Thompson was growing up, strict segregation seemed to be a way of life. There were many little things that blacks had to be keenly aware of while interacting with whites. For example: blacks could not purchase Coca-Cola, because it was considered a "white man's" drink. Pepsi and RC Cola were safe to purchase. When in conversation with white women, individuals were not allowed to look the female in the eye; they had to turn their heads or look down. Blacks always had to yield to whites when passing them on the sidewalk. Once a white male youth reached the age of twelve, he would expect to be addressed as "Mister" by blacks. When traveling, blacks could not use public restrooms and were many times forced to go in the woods. If caught doing this, they were often arrested and charged with "indecent exposure." If a black introduced himself/herself by their surname to a white, the white would ask for the individual's first name and proceed to address them by that name, instead of using "Mr." or "Mrs."
26:20--Lynching incidents--the last one Mr. Thompson heard of occurred in Pickens, SC, where members of the Yellow Cab Company from Greenville, SC lynched a man [Willie Earl].
27:25--Law enforcement was harsh towards blacks when Mr. Thompson was younger. Blacks could expect false imprisonment for just about anything. If a particular black family had a good reputation in the eyes of the law, however, they were not harassed as much.
28:31--Marriage relationships were usually male dominated in the old days.
28:47--White/black romantic encounters occasionally took place. Mr. Thompson states that it seems there was always one black woman in town that wore fine clothes and jewelry and could go wherever she wanted and say whatever she pleased. To an outsider this would seem puzzling behavior for a black during that era, but it was because she was the mistress of a white man.
31:45--Audio ends.
Harrell Interview
Cassette 3
Side 2
00:17--Mulattos--they were seen by the black community as somewhat immoral, because somewhere along the line there were sexual relations with whites; this was not condoned. Whites often looked on them more favorably. Mr. Thompson knew of people who "passed for white" when the need arose. He states that whites often cannot tell the difference, and just assume the mulatto individual to be white. Blacks, however, can spot the difference almost immediately. As far as Native American contacts go, Thompson points out that white women often liked to think that the mulatto skin-tone came from relations between blacks and Native Americans. Thompson states that, in truth, there was very little mixing between the two; Native Americans mostly kept to themselves.
2:46--Thompson's father and grandfather both owned cars, so trips to Greenville and Anderson were occasionally made. The Anderson County Fair was a popular destination, and his aunt Aida Lee lived in Greenville.
5:38--Celebrations/holidays--July fourth holidays often included picnics and baseball games. During Christmas, traditions included caroling. An event called "The Hundreds," took place on Christmas Eve, where all the black men in the community would build a bon fire and have logrolling contests until dawn. School sponsored events were May Day and Field Day. Christmas was celebrated much as it is today, with Santa Claus and gift giving. His family celebrated birthdays and anniversaries. Hot suppers in effect were nightclubs and restaurants run out of someone's home without a license. Music, food, dancing, and gambling were the order of the day. These events often turned rowdy.
15:02--Thompson recalls that his grandfather's prized possession was a mule named "Bird." He treated the animal as a pet.
18:44--Thompson states that if his parents could have changed anything about their lives, it likely would have been the opportunity to get more education.
19:37--His father made quilting frames that could be lowered from the ceiling.
21:37--The Thompson family was awarded with the South Carolina State Family of the Year in 1989. He explains the process of nomination and selection, along with the awards ceremony.
24:40--The Thompson's have 5 children: Cecelia (New York University--PhD in History), Pam (MA--Atlanta University, University of Florida law degree), Diane (LD--lives at home with them), Gloria (Coker College), and Robert (freshman at Clemson University c.1990). He goes on to talk about his seven grandchildren.
31:45--Audio ends.
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Bertha M. Strickland was born on December 25, 1927 in Oconee County, SC. She was the daughter of Jack M. and Bertha L. Strickland. Mrs. Strickland died on April 16, 2003.
Side 1
2:25--She can recall that her paternal grandmother's name was Donna Strickland. Her great-grandmother was Sadie Collins.
3:35--Strickland's father worked with the railroad in NC, and was often away from home. Her mother worked for the Lunney family locally for 50 years. Dr. Lunney predeceased his wife, so Strickland's mother was largely responsible for the day-today operations of the household. Strickland discusses at length life in the Lunney household.
13:46--Mrs. Strickland, as a child, did domestic work for the Joe Bird family locally. She started work for them when she was in the sixth grade. Her brother did landscaping work for the Burton family.
15:10--Financially the family didn't earn much, but they made ends meet. Clothes were often passed down to them from whites families.
16:20--Strickland's neighborhood was racially mixed, with houses of large white families and black domestic workers just one block away.
19:05--Education--Strickland attended Oconee County Training School. There were occasional problems with white's going to and from school.
22:09--Church--She has always attended St. James United Methodist Church.
28:05--Strickland mentions that her mother was a member of the Mary McCloud Bethune Society.
31:30--Audio ends.
Side 2
00:30--Strickland makes brief comment regarding a variety of issues. Strickland's mother likely started working for the Lunney family at a young age. The way in which the Lunney estate was divided is discussed. Some thought blacks lived in the Lunney Mansion because after Mrs. Lunney's stroke, she was rarely seen outside the home. Her mother wore either a grey or white uniform while working around the mansion. Strickland's brother moved to New York after joining the military. Mrs. Strickland graduated high school in 1946. Aspects of social life such as dances are recalled. She can remember being able to do the "Jitterbug," "Big Apple," and "Charleston."
14:07--Audio ends.
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Bessie Stevens was born on March 18, 1905 in Pickens County, SC, the daughter of John and Martha Whitman. She worked for the Clemson Laundry Service for 21 years, retiring in 1970. Mrs. Stevens died on February 13, 1999.
Side 1
2:30-5:32--Stevens states that her mother was a housekeeper for the family; her father worked on the local railroad as well as at the Physical Plant ay Clemson College.
6:06--Slavery--Some of her family members experienced slavery. She explains, however, that stories were not passed down or overheard because children were expected to clear out of the house when older people visited.
6:50--Her family is buried at Abel Baptist Cemetery.
7:21--Funerals--There wasn't the same amount of music in the old days at services. There weren't any musicians. A local white undertaker (Duckett) worked for both races. Adams Mortuary was a local black establishment.
8:48--Marriages--Stevens' marriage was a simple affair, performed before the minister at his house.
10:02---Stevens briefly points out family photos of her sisters' c. 1930.
11:09--Employment opportunities for black women usually involved some sort of domestic work, while men worked on farms (Clemson College Dairy or local sharecropping).
12:30--Her family did its shopping at the Smith Store in Calhoun, SC. Clothes were homemade, though the cloth was store-bought.
13:10--Stevens had on daughter and one stepdaughter. Her daughter moved to Ohio in 1955.
14:27--One of Mrs. Stevens' sister's was a teacher and pianist in the lower part of SC.
15:36--Education--Stevens attended the Calhoun School. It was a one-room schoolhouse with one teacher. There were eight grades
17:51--During the summers, her mother would let her were pick cotton at the Cochran farms.
18:05--Reading material at the home included the Bible and schoolbooks.18:58--Curriculum at her school covered reading, writing, arithmetic, and geography.
18:58--Curriculum at her school covered reading, writing, arithmetic, and geography.
19:44--Community organizations were usually church related.
20:20--Her family all attended Abel Baptist. She can recall Reverend's Watson and Galloway. She did not attend camp meetings or singing conventions.
23:22--Stevens doesn't recall her parents ever voting, though she herself has.
24:45--White/black relationships--her family never had any troubles or difficulties with white people.
27:36--She can remember occasionally traveling to both Anderson and Greenville, SC. Wagon and train services were commonly utilized.
29:30--Celebrations/holidays--aspects of Christmas, Easter, and Thanksgiving holidays are recalled.
31:09--Audio ends.
Side 2
00:22--Discussions of holidays continue, as Mrs. Stevens discusses New Year's Day.
1:49--She can recall the flu epidemic that occulted during the time of World War I. There was much sickness, though she can recall no specific deaths.
2:06--Stevens had a sister that died in an accident. A bridge either collapsed or was washed away while she was trying to cross it in a car.
4:40--Stevens's father was a Freemason; there was a Masonic hall at Abel.
7:05--Stevens worked with the Clemson Laundry Service for 21 years. She describes the operation (washing, ironing, etc.). She retired in 1970.
11:34--Audio ends.
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Cato Spencer was born circa 1899-1903 in the area near the Georgia/South Carolina border in Anderson County, SC. He was the son of "Ju" and Della Spencer. He was married to Katie Park Spencer. They had four children. Mr. Spencer worked for Clemson College for over 40 years in various aspects of agriculture. Mr. Spencer died circa 1997.
Side 1
00:07-11:40--Mr. Spencer talks briefly about several subjects; namely that of the possible origins of the Spencer surname, funerals he experienced as a child, families related to him by marriage, and his parent's occupations. His father was a farmer who for 18 years worked the land of a gentleman named Clay Doyle. His mother did domestic work.
11:46-21:10--Spencer begins recalling family members who worked with the local railroad. He had two older stepbrothers (Jim and Horace) who worked with the railroad laying track and crossties. Jobs that were commonly available to black men included work in blacksmith shops or agriculture. His family shopped at Hunter's Store in Pendleton, SC. There one could find just about anything from food and fresh produce, to clothes and shoes. Cash and credit were both utilized from time to time. In Mr. Spencer's case, his family never had to buy much accept staples because they grew most of their food products at home. Clothes were handmade, as were quilts and some furniture as well. Harrell reads a few names from a prepared Spencer family tree.
21:15-31:37--The flu epidemic struck his family during around the 1917-1918 period. Virtually the entire family became ill, though only his brother Pat died. Spencer goes on to discuss his family's church affiliation with Bethel Grove Methodist Church, along with a few recollections of camp meetings and singing conventions. The local black community named a slavery era church that preceded Bethel Grove "Brush Harbor."
31:40--Audio ends.
Side 2
00:19-10:24--Spencer continues to discuss aspects of singing conventions such as "note-singing." He mentions that blacks and whites occasionally did worship together, though gives no specifics. He recalls his educational experience. Spencer received very little education, on account that he had to work in the fields. He got to attend school, for example, "only when it rained." The school was a log cabin style building named Vance Grove. A teacher he can recall working at the school was Tim Grant. There were no books or magazines in his house as a youth, his parents belonged to no fraternal organizations, nor were they politically active. He cannot recall them ever voting. The main impressions of slavery times are that his ancestor's were worked extremely hard in the fields.
10:30-19:46--Spencer discusses experiences with sharecropping. His family would work "cane to cane" (daylight until dark). Wages were perhaps $0.25 per day. He can remember eating meals such as lunch or supper while still in the fields; they didn't have time often to go back home to eat. Blacks had to do whatever the white's said, and also had to show respect and be mannerly around them. Mulattos were often treated better; they were not expected to work as hard. Mr. Spencer traveled to Anderson, SC occasionally in order to purchase fertilizer.
19:50-26:55--Spencer makes brief comment on holidays such as Christmas, as well as celebrations such as cake walks and hot suppers. He most admired and liked his mother when he was younger.
27:01--Spencer recalls aspects of his employment with Clemson College. He worked with the college for over 40 years. Much of the farmland is now under Hartwell Lake.
29:12--Audio ends.
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Grace Shaw was born in Oconee County, South Carolina, the daughter of Dalton and Florence Ann Young Williams. She was married to Lewis H. Shaw of Pickens, SC.
**Note** Daniel Shaw, Lewis H. Shaw's brother, provides information regarding his brother. By the time of this interview, Lewis H. Shaw had developed Alzheimer's disease.
Side 1
1:01--Mrs. Shaw recalls that her maternal grandparents were from the Seneca area.
1:35--Her parents rented their home; they were sharecroppers.
1:53--An older relative she can remember is her Aunt Louise Williams, who had five children.
2:23--Most of her immediate family is buried at Mount Nebo.
3:52--Some of her siblings moved north for employment opportunities; Detroit and Chicago were two such destinations.
4:54--Mrs. Shaw had several uncles that worked on the railroad. Her husband Lewis also was involved in rail work. Daniel Shaw states that his brother started working with the Southern Railroad in 1926, and retired when he was around 56 years old. Lewis Shaw was also involved in local ministry.
7:15--Mrs. Shaw herself farmed, and looked after her children at home.
7:40--The family shopped in Seneca, SC at white owned businesses, though much of the food that the family needed was produced at home.
9:05--Her father was talented at making white-oak baskets. Her mother made quilts.
10:07--Daniel Shaw begins to speak regarding hard times. He agrees that there were hard times, but points out that there seems to be no hope of advancement for poor people in modern times. In the old days, even people within the bounds of poverty had skills enough to attempt to make ends meet. He states that the community has lost its strong focus on education, parents these days don't seem to stress it as much. For example, Mr. Shaw states that by the time he was 5 he had already been taught to read and write by his father (this was even before he had entered school).
15:36--Mrs. Shaw's family is predominantly Baptist. Local ministers usually did other work such as farming and rail work.
17:09-18:19--Mrs. Shaw recalls local camp meetings and singing conventions.
21:00--Education--She went to the school set up by Bethel Grove. This was a "country school." The term lasted 6 weeks. She later attended schools in Seneca, in which the term lasted 9 months. Mrs. Shaw recalls a huge fight that once broke out at the Bethel Grove School. Her parents didn't get to attend much school. Mrs. Shaw had two sons that attended college. She names where her children are currently living and their occupations. She did learn about "black history" at school, but had to quit on account of farming.
30:27-31:07--Mrs. Shaw recalls social events such as dancing before detailing how she met her husband.
31:45--Audio ends.
Side 2
00:14--Her parents sometimes talked about the family's experiences with slavery, but she can no longer recall specific stories.
1:42--She had the general feeling that she was expected to act a certain way around whites.
3:55--Her family never went to Greenville, SC, but did go to Anderson occasionally to shop or see relatives.
4:35--Mrs. Shaw makes brief comment on celebrations such as Christmas.
5:21--"Hot Suppers" involved dancing and purchased meals.
6:34-8:37--Mrs. Shaw states that she was the third child in her family, lists happy childhood moments, and states that looking back; she would have liked to have been a teacher.
12:30--Audio ends.
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James D. Rutledge was born on December 24, 1921 in Oconee County, SC. He is the son of Morgan and Rosie Lee Wright Rutledge. He graduated from Benedict College, and received a Master's degree from North Carolina State.
Cassette 1
Side 1
1:24--Rutledge states that his paternal grandparents were Jack and Bell Blassingame Rutledge. His maternal grandparents were Sonie and Laura Wright. He can remember only Bell Rutledge, who lived in a large house atop a hill in the "Many Forks" section of town.
4:00--His father was a sharecropper who worked in the Richland community for J.D. McMahan.
5:54--Most of his immediate family is buried at Oak Grove Cemetery.
6:03--Rutledge makes brief comment of funerals and weddings as they were carried out when he was younger.
8:06--A few of the families he is related to are the Rileys, Crafts, Browns, Grants, and Gilberts. His wife's surname was Bezzard (?).
9:29--His siblings are Lucille R. Poole, George, Johnny, Willie Mae R. Webb, and Elizabeth R. Reid.
10:00--Rutledge produces a family bible that was printed by the Southwestern Company of Tennessee.
11:38--His father was a sharecropper. He recalls his mother's work as a midwife. Many of his family members left the area to find work in places such as Ohio and Charlotte. Jobs available to black men were commonly carpentry, farming, and blacksmith work. Women usually were involved with domestic activities. He recounts his family's experiences shopping and eating in cafés in the Seneca area. One local black business owner was Joe Long.
22:07--Rutledge describes the relationships between whites and blacks in Seneca as cooperative. Dr. Sharp, who was black, cared for both white and black patients locally. Most café's and restaurants were segregated, however. His family shopped most often with cash to buy staples such as sugar and coffee. Most clothing was handmade by his mother, who used a spinning wheel. His grandfather Johnson Wright made furniture and chair backs for the house, some of which Rutledge still owns.
31:25--Audio ends.
Cassette 1
Side 2
00:32--He still owns oak baskets made by his grandfather, and can recall his mother making quilts during quilting parties. Two clocks, one of which was his grandmother Bell's is still in his possession. His sister Lucille was quite a talented seamstress who worked utilized handlooms to create artistic patterns. During the flu epidemic of 1917-1918, his grandmother Bell went house-to-house treating white and black patients.
9:54-20:00--He briefly mentions that he had a couple of cousins who may have been stationed in France before moving the conversation toward church related issues. His family has long been associated with Ebenezer Baptist Church, which at the time of this interview was 100 years old. A few of the ministers that he can recall preaching there are Reverend's Morton, Galloway, and Stewart. There were other churches and cemeteries named Ozion and Richland, respectively. Her details the workings of the Seneca River Baptist Organization and its support for Seneca Junior College, which it founded with the help of J.J. Starks.
20:02-31:40--Local whites that saw the importance of an educated local black population supported Seneca Jr. College. He feels local educational opportunities made the Seneca community a little more progressive than other areas. The school covered the eighth through high school grades, plus two years of junior college. Founded in 1899, it provided educational advancement until it closed in 1939. He describes the functions of the 8 campus buildings before detailing the general curriculum offered and the school's common hours of operation.
31:44--Audio ends.
Cassette 2
Side 1
00:22-11:19--Rutledge recalls camp meetings held at Bethel Grove. The event was usually held in September, and visiting families actually would camp out around the festival grounds. Hundreds would come from around the country on the homecoming Sunday, which was the last of three days of worship and fellowship. In addition to this, Rutledge recalls aspects of singing conventions. A couple of active groups within the church were the Missionary Society and the Young Men's Progressive Club.
11:23-31:35--Rutledge began his education at age six at Richland Elementary School. It entailed grades 1-7. He had a 3 1/2 mile walk to and from school everyday. He details school lunches, hours of operation, physical structure of the one room building, numbers of students, and typical makeup of the school term (5 months). Some of his teachers were Pauline Harrison Beals (?), Cora Blassingame, and Elizabeth Gault. He then discusses aspects these same aspects of education as they relate to Oconee County Training School as well as Seneca Junior College.
31:40--Audio ends.
Cassette 2
Side 2
00:20-31:35--Rutledge continues a lengthy recollection of educational issues. Closing thoughts regarding Seneca Jr. College are given before aspects of his parents and siblings education are discussed. He then details his own continuing education at both Benedict College and North Carolina State, where he received his Master's degree. He then recalls his career as a teacher.
31:40--Audio ends.
Cassette 3
Side 1
00:30-12:30--Civic groups such as the WMWA, Freemasons, and Eastern Star were important community benefactors. Black/white relationships in the Seneca area were generally good in his opinion. He is aware of the lynching of Allen Green of Walhalla. There was some friction between the black and mulatto communities because the mulattos "acted white," and sometimes felt they were entitled to more privileges than blacks.
12:37-21:55--Rutledge details trips to Anderson and Greenville, SC, most often in order to shop or attend parades. Common celebrations and holidays included Fourth of July baseball games and picnics, as well as gift giving during Christmas and birthdays. Other popular community events included square dancing and cake walks.
22:04-31:37--Rutledge compares the relationships between whites and blacks in the Seneca area to that of surrounding locales. He feels that in general, the communities have gotten along better in Seneca than in other areas, perhaps because of the elevated educational level of most of the black population, thanks in large part to the efforts of Seneca Jr. College. He goes on to recount his mother's work as a local midwife, and some of his father's most prized possessions. Rutledge states the reasons why his mother was his most admired adult.
31:42--Audio ends
Cassette 3
Side 2
00:17-9:40--He recounts happy memories such as learning to cook from watching his mother, as well as humorous childhood stories regarding church. He states that he has never had any problems with the white community; he had white neighbors and played with them as a child. Overall, Rutledge believes he has been blessed and is thankful for the way his life has turned out.
9:48--Audio ends.
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Mattie Ross was born on January 26, 1917 in an area near Clemson, SC known as the "Quarters" near the Woodburn Plantation.
Side 1
00:51--Mrs. Ross states that her mother was originally from Pendleton, SC. Her father was from Toccoa, GA. She can remember that her maternal grandmother died in 1938, and one of her grandfathers died around 1920.
2:33--Her father owned a home on Jackson Street in Pendleton. The street is named after him.
3:08--Slavery--there were not many details passed down to her. Her grandparents were born before freedom was granted, however, and her grandfather's siblings took different surnames. Some were Washington's, while others chose the name Burke (Burch?).
4:21--Most of her immediate family members are buried at King's Chapel Church.
5:20--Ross states that in 1970, many of the family's possessions were destroyed in a house fire.
5:56--Her father worked with the Blue Ridge Railroad. He started working with the company when he was 16 years old. He retired in the 1950's. Her grandfather did farming work, while her grandmother did domestic work for the Harris and Sloan families locally.
7:16--Many young blacks went north for employment. Some of the destinations of her family members included Cleveland, Detroit, New York, and Philadelphia. She herself moved to New York to find work.
8:54--When she was young, most black men farmed, while black women did domestic work.
10:21-13:02--Mrs. Ross touches upon aspects of shopping at Hunter's store in Pendleton, the family garden, homemade clothing, quilting parties, and the fact that an antique victrolla survived the fire in 1970.
13:08--Her Uncle Ben was a very talented guitar player.
15:50--Ross mentions that she recalls the flu epidemic of 1917-1918 and that her father was drafted during World War II, but didn't have to serve because he had too many children to take care of back home.
17:05--Church--She has been a member of King's Chapel Church locally. Reverend Brown was an early minister that she recalled preaching there. He was also a teacher at the Anderson County Training School. Another local church was Silver Springs Methodist. She goes on to discuss camp meetings, revivals, youth groups, missionary societies, and church booster clubs.
23:12--Education--she attended Anderson County Training School. She had to walk to and from the location every day. Some of her teachers were: Principal Coreena Clark, Mamie Crawford, Rebecca Reese, and Cora Grove. There were 11 grades offered at this school.
27:20--After graduation, Mrs. Ross moved to New York in order to find work. She is very proud of her children; she lists some of their accomplishments.
30:41--The family had reading material at the house such as the Bible, newspapers from Anderson, SC, and magazines such as The Grit.
31:24--Mrs. Ross did learn black history while in school; she remembers reading many books by black authors.
31:36--Audio ends.
Side 2
00:21--Differences between black and white schools are discussed. There was a serious gap in facilities. White children played basketball inside their gymnasiums, while blacks had to platy outside. In her opinion, many of the black schoolhouses themselves were "firetraps." She states that her father sold some of the land on which Riverside High School was built.
5:52--White/black relationships--Ross gives the impression that she always stood her ground on issues, and didn't take her parent's advice to "keep her mouth shut." There was not much racial strife in the area in which she grew up. She states that it really was a "unique place."
11:05--Marriage relationships were equal in her family.
11:55--She details the mixed racial makeup of her family. Her father had half-brothers that were mixed. His mother had several children with a prominent man form Pendleton. A couple of his half-siblings were close (Sally and Jules), while the others didn't keep in as much contact.
16:22--20:14--Mrs. Ross makes comment on the condition of roads when she was younger, details holidays and celebrations, and recalls travel by train to destinations like Cincinnati and Cleveland, OH.
21:55--Biographical information is given regarding some of her relatives. Her grandfather was Jack Washington. Her grandmother Aida had a brother nicknamed "Goob." He had two daughters: Mattie and Aida.
23:57--Mrs. Ross was born in the "Quarters" on Woodburn Plantation.
31:40--Audio ends.
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Anna Reid was born on June 24, 1923 in Westminster, SC. She is the daughter of Edward and Cennie (?) Caroline Henderson Wilkes. Starting in the 1960's, she began work as a lab technician for the USDA at Clemson University in which the chemical makeup of cotton was tested. She later became the first black person appointed to the Board of Visitor's at Clemson. In addition, she served as the Assistant Director of the Black Heritage in the Upper Piedmont Project.
Cassette 1
Side 1
1:20-6:47--Mrs. Reid first discusses the area in which she grew up before highlighting her involvement with the Black Heritage in the Upper Piedmont Project. She grew up in Westminster, but since her local school only provided an education through the 9th grade, she had to move to the Seneca area in order to finish her education at the Seneca Training School. After finishing high school she attended Friendship Junior College where she met her future husband, Lawrence. She recounts the story of their marriage in which they eloped on October 12, 1941. Reverend Collins preformed the ceremony. World War II soon broke out, and her husband joined the military and was stationed initially at Camp Killman, New Jersey. He was never sent overseas; rather, he worked with the Medical Corps domestically.
6:50-16:40--During the war years, Mrs. Reid lived in a Jewish neighborhood in The Bronx, NY with her sister-in-law Sara Kibler. While there, she worked for General Electric at the Emerson Radio defense plant. She describes the plant as multiracial and integrated; with whites the large majority but having large contingents of blacks and Hispanics as well. Most of the workers were women. Many southern blacks moved north to find employment in the war industry. She describes her first experiences working in an integrated environment. She made $50 a month at this job. She then moves on to educational aspects regarding the black community as she experienced them growing up. There were differences in black and white schools, such as having to walk to school versus white children who rode the bus. She then goes on to describe black social life in New York City during World War II, including nights at the "Savoy" being entertained by such stars as Cab Calloway and Leena Horne; a local South Carolina entertainer known as "Cootie" Williams played the northern night circuit as well. It took her a while to adjust to big city life, because small town rural life was all that she knew. She did have some exposure to popular entertainment acts of the day previously through visits to the Little John Grill in Central, SC.
16:48-28:40--After the end of the war, Mr. and Mrs. Reid returned to Clemson, SC. A local lady named Bernice Holt, who was influential in civil rights, encouraged Mrs. Reid to apply for a job at the local Five & Dime. She was the first black sales clerk hired at the white owned business. The black community was shocked and surprised, and her presence at the store generally intrigued the public. Soon other blacks applied for employment at the store. In 1966, she was approached in regards to a Federal job with the USDA. She was hired with the USDA's Market Quality Research lab, which tested the chemical make-up of cotton. Her husband Lawrence was influential in establishing the Interoffice Mail system at Clemson University and later worked at the Clemson University Post Office.
28:45--Audio ends.
Cassette 1
Side 2
00:28-10:55--Mrs. Reid continues to recall aspects of her employment with the USDA. She was the only black in the department for many years. In addition, she discusses her appointment as the first black person to the Board of Visitor's at Clemson. Mrs. Reid knew Harvey Gantt personally; he was an acquaintance of her daughter. On weekends he would stay at Mrs. Reid's home in order to study and escape from the media. They often learned of his whereabouts, however, and would call Mrs. Reid's home in search of him. He was reluctant to give interviews on account of concern that reporters wouldn't quote him accurately. He later met his future wife Lucinda through Mrs. Reid's daughter. Mrs. Reid recalls a humorous story in which Harvey broke the chandelier in her living room while dancing the "Jitterbug" with Lucinda. Their families continue to be close.
11:00-21:30--Mrs. Reid has been quite active in the community since she retired from the USDA in 1983. She details many of her weekly activities and responsibilities. The interview turns toward stories of slavery experiences that her older relatives passed down; such as slaves not being able to congregate in public without a white man present or the fact that there was a social order among slaves that gave greater prestige to house slaves as opposed to field slaves. Literacy among her parent's generation is touched upon.
21:37-28:40--Stories from the days of slavery continue to be discussed. Some stories referred to whippings and general brutality. Others, such as the story of a slave cook named William Hawthorn who would slip leftover food out from the master's house in order to feed other slaves is also recounted. Tales of sexual exploitation of female slaves by their owners is discussed. Mrs. Reid states that several of her family members could "pass for white." Her father-in-law had blue eyes and red hair, for example.
28:45--Audio ends.
Cassette 2
Side 1
00:07-10:30--Mrs. Reid describes picking cotton after school and accompanying her father to the local cotton gin. She acknowledges that the film Places of the Heart gives a fair representation of cotton agriculture. Her father grew his own tobacco and owned his own syrup mill, neither of which he had to share with the landlord. She explains that most clothes in the household were handmade; the cloth was purchased from a Jewish storeowner in Westminster. Mrs. Reid goes on to describe the house that she grew up in; noting that rocking chairs, irons, milk churns, pots, and quilts have been passed down to her.
10:33-23:46--Mrs. Reid was born at home with the help of a midwife named Louis Earle (Aunt Lou). She describes many of the responsibilities that midwives undertook during births. She goes on to name her siblings and their migration to the north for employment opportunities. Her siblings are: William, J.T., H.L. (Henry), Roy, Robert, Janelle, and Brooks. Three cousins also lived for a time with the family: Virginia, George, and Leonard, Jr.
23:54-30:30--Mrs. Reid recalls that her family worked for a young landlord named Jule Merritt. She goes on to explain how cotton was weighed before it was taken to the market, which in this case was located in Westminster, SC. Educational issues begin to be discussed; the normal length of each day and lunch periods are recalled. A few of her teachers' last names were: Childress, Sizemore, and Floyd. Reverend and Mrs. Morton were also educators. On the way to and from school, whites would often attempt to force blacks off the sidewalk, which led to conflict. The school district had to stagger the times in which the two groups got out of school in order that problems might be avoided. Mrs. Reid learned black history in school, and greatly admired Mary McCloud Bethune.
30:37--Audio ends.
Cassette 2
Side 2
**NOTE** the first 1:12 of audio should be ignored. A duplicating error led to unrelated audio being present [Molierè?].
1:14-12:02--Educational aspects continue to be discussed. White schools provided more grades than black ones, and the textbooks were actually handed down from white schools. Despite this, Mrs. Reid didn't feel white schools were necessarily better, because the teachers at the black schools were well educated and accomplished. Walking to and from school provided opportunity for whites to harass the black children; a particular bus driver would actually slow down in order to gives the whites on his bus the opportunity to throw things at them. Despite this, Mrs. Reid had many white friends and playmates. The Holland's, Creamer's, and Barrett's were all white families who were particularly close. The Barrett's, for example, began walking home with the blacks in order that the harassment from the busses might be stopped. The bus never would slow down if the Barrett's were present. Behavior in black schools was no different than whites in regards to teasing, etc. Mulattos were often targets of fun making by blacks, but it wasn't serious in her estimation.
12:06-23:27--The two engage in a discussion of the film The Color Purple, and certain aspects of the movie were accurate to her experiences before highlighting common discriminations that blacks endured. Having to wait in line behind whites at cash registers, sitting upstairs at the theater, and not being able to try on dress cloths were just a few. Mrs. Reid points out that there was never any such discrimination at the Jewish owned business in Westminster. Common play activities such as making wagons out of orange crates are touched upon, before dating practices such as "cruising" are recalled.
23:27-31:35--Church, wedding, and funeral practices are recalled. She attended Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, and many family members are buried there. Her church was part of the Seneca River Baptist Association. Sunday school started at 10:00am, with services ending around 1:00pm. She usually went to a different church each Sunday, because preaching at her church only took place once a month. Weddings were often simple affairs, with ceremonies taking place in homes. Funeral practices included wakes, where the dead are placed on "cooling boards" in the home before being buried the following day.
31:42--Audio ends.
Cassette 3
Side 1
00:07--Mrs. Reid talks about her experiences with baptism before describing the differences between camp meetings and revivals. Bethel Grove was where the largest camp meetings were held; there was often a festival-like atmosphere at these events. Other local black church denominations besides the Baptist included the Methodists, Fire Baptized Holiness, AME, and Presbyterians. The type of songs commonly sung in her church where she grew up were usually hymns and spirituals, rather than gospel songs. Megginson turns the conversation towards what utilities were available in her home as a child. Electricity was not provided to her family's house until she was between twelve and thirteen years old. They never had indoor plumbing until she was grown and had already moved. There was no telephone, but they had a radio and would listen to Joe Louis fights in the evening.
12:14-20:10--Other celebrated blacks that the family followed with interest was Rosetta Thorpe and Billie Holiday. She can remember the family listening to the old style record players. A few of her 9th and10th grade experiences at Seneca Junior College are recalled, as well as remembrances of her time at Friendship College in Rock Hill, SC.
20:14-31:10--Mrs. Reid discusses "hot suppers," discrimination while riding local trains, chores that children commonly did for money, and the puzzlement white and black children often felt as to why they could play together, but not attend the same school.
31:15--Audio ends.
Cassette 3
Side 2
00:36--Mrs. Reid recalls a couple of lynching incidents that occurred during her childhood, specifically that of Allen Green of Walhalla, SC and Willie Earle. She can recall seeing an ice truck spattered with blood; it turns out that this vehicle had been used to drag the body of Mr. Green through the streets after he had been killed. The conversation turns toward black/white romantic relationships and the story of a white cadet from Clemson who became involved with a beautiful local black girl.
11:12--The Pittsburgh Courier was the only black run newspaper that Mrs. Reid can recall reading when she was younger. It came out once a week on Saturdays. Megginson is interested to know more about her husband, Lawrence Reid. His parents were Robert and Helen Williams Reid. His grandfather was the influential and successful Butler Reid (Butler Reid was the son of Easter Reid and a white man). Megginson and Reid discuss theories as to who it may be, since the identity of the individual has been lost over time. Butler Reid was a very successful businessman who owned large portions of land. Mrs. Reid talks briefly about "Aunt Polly," and her family connections.
28:05--Audio ends.
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Bessie Reese was born in 1898 in Central, SC. She was the daughter of William and Martha Singleton Garvin. Although she doesn't provide first names in the interview, she states that her first husband was from the Gantt family; her most recent marriage brought her into the Reese family.
Cassette 1
Side 1
00:40-9:35--Mrs. Reese gives a brief family history before describing the ownership status of her family's farm in regards to the sharecropping agreement along with the crops that were most commonly raised. She mentions a few of her relatives from her first a second husbands (Mr. Gantt and Mr. Reese respectively). Mrs. Reese's great-grandfather was the local gentleman everyone knew as "Free" Joe. She can recall the older members talking about slavery experiences that were harsh, but can no longer remember any specific stories.
9:41-16:40--Mrs. Reese recalls common jobs that were available to black men, women, and young people when she was growing up. She goes on to describe where her family shopped, including what items were commonly purchased as well as her family's use of the credit system during the planting season. She briefly makes comment on educational issues in the black community.
16:44-31:35--Many family possessions from her childhood such as quilts, etc. were destroyed in a house fire. Aspects surrounding the flu epidemic of 1917-1918 are discussed; her husband became ill and neighbors were afraid to visit her home during this time. She briefly mentions the employment of a few family members before turning the discussion towards local church life and her membership with Abel Baptist Church. Reverend Williams is the first minister she can remember.
31:45--Audio ends.
Cassette 1
Side 2
00:07-9:24--Camp meetings in Oconee, Pendleton, and Central are recalled. She states that they were usually held in October. She goes on to describe the activities of singing conventions and local church groups. She cannot recall white people ever worshipping alongside blacks. She briefly discusses her 15-year employment with the Clemson Laundry before mentioning a few local doctors.
9:30-17:26--Regarding education, Mrs. Reese describes where she attended, the grades she completed, the length of the school day and year, and the fact that her parents could read. She was married after the 5th grade at the age of seventeen.
17:30-31:36--Mrs. Reese first describes the books, newspapers, and magazines that were commonly available in her home as a child before making comment on the differences between white and black schools as well as the voting practices of blacks.
31:40--Audio ends.
Cassette 2
Side 1
00:07--Mrs. Reese is discussing a lynching incident mid-sentence. She shares what little she knew of an incident that occurred in Walhalla, SC. In addition, she briefly touches on aspects of how law enforcement treated blacks when she was younger.
3:43--Black marriage relationships were not unlike those of any other local community; some were good, some were bad. She points out that women didn't take up for themselves in those days. Mrs. Reese herself gives the impression that she was always a strong willed woman who never put up with disrespect from men. She notes that both her husbands were good men.
5:56--Mrs. Reese recalls the story of how she met her first husband Mr. Gantt. Both their families worked on the same farm. They didn't have a wedding; rather the preacher just came to the house to perform the ceremony.
11:05--Mrs. Reese discuses black/white relationships, and how things have changed over the years. Even though the two races have reconciled many differences and now generally strive to work together, she doesn't agree with whites and blacks getting married and having families. She has seen too many situations in which neither community accepted mulatto children. There is old friction between the black and mulatto communities, because many mulattos "acted white," and strove to attain a higher social status than what blacks were allowed. Her family does have partial Native American ancestry, through her great-grandfather "Free" Joe.
18:07--Mrs. Reese never went to Anderson or Greenville when she was younger.
21:37--Celebrations such as Christmas and July 4th are recalled. Birthdays and anniversaries were not celebrated.
24:25--She really admired her father because her mother died very young and left him to care for the family.
27:14--She wishes that opportunity and advancement had been given to blacks sooner, when she would have been young enough to take advantage of them.
29:44--In her estimation the Civil Rights Act has been extremely helpful, but fears that the younger generation may fail to take full advantage of the opportunities afforded them. She admits that it took many blacks a considerable amount of time to have faith in many of the progressive movements of white politicians on account of the fear of disappointment, which had occurred so many times before.
31:40--Audio ends.
Cassette 2
Side 2
00:05--Mrs. Reese briefly discusses some of the achievements of Martin Luther King before giving her opinion of Jesse Jackson. She recalls meeting her second husband; she was nine years his elder. He had died circa 1985. She then points out to the interviewer a few people depicted in photographs that she owns.
10:50--Audio ends.
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Runette Ponder was born in Abbeville County, SC on August 15, 1906. She was the wife of William Ponder. Though she spent much time living in Pendleton, SC, her employment with the Civil Service and domestic work took her to Washington, D.C. and New York City. She died on May 25, 1999 in Hampton, SC.
Side 1
00:07-8:50--Mrs. Ponder gives a brief family history before making comment on her job in Washington, D.C. with the General Accounting Office. She then gives reflections of her childhood in regards to her father's farm, her early education, and popular holidays such as Christmas and Easter. Mrs. Ponder had two sisters and six brothers.
8:56-17:05--Her parents attended the local African Methodist Episcopal Church; she herself was a Catholic. She joined the Catholic Church while she was doing domestic work for a doctor's family in New York City. She describes the ways in which funeral practices and wedding ceremonies were different when she was young. She states that her grandfather was a white man from Abbeville, SC.
17:10-31:22--Mrs. Ponder makes comment on the differences between white and black schools before giving her opinion that Clemson University was a good place for the employment of blacks before desegregation, and afterwards was a good place for education of the black community. She goes on to describe camp meetings, singing conventions, homemade quilting and sewing, as well as a tornado that her family experienced.
31:25--Audio ends.
Side 2
00:24--Mrs. Ponder discusses prejudicial behavior against blacks that she experienced as a child in the South. Blacks had to sit at the back of the bus, pay higher prices than whites for common household staples, were not allowed in many restaurants, and had to endure racial slurs.
4:57--Audio ends.