Interview: Thompson, Robert H.
Item
Identifier
Mss-0282, Tape 82-84
Title
Interview: Thompson, Robert H.
Type
Sound
Format
.mp3
Language
English
Source
Black Heritage in the Upper Piedmont of South Carolina Collection
Rights
Interviews may only be reproduced with permission from Clemson University Libraries Special Collections and Archives. All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the Clemson University Libraries Special Collections and Archives.
Date
1989-04-19, 1990-02-07, 1990-02-09
Description
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.
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.
Subject
African Americans -- History. -- South Carolina -- Anderson County
Interviewer
Deas-Moore, Vennie; Harrell, Yolanda
Interviewee
Thompson, Robert H.; Thompson, Elsie
Spatial Coverage
Pendleton, Anderson County, South Carolina, United States, 34.64916, -82.78135, SC, 7172313, [34.64916, -82.78135] [id:7172313]
Publisher
Clemson University Libraries Special Collections and Archives Repository
