Interview: Vance, Lucille
Item
Identifier
Mss-0282, Tape 86-88
Title
Interview: Vance, Lucille
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
1990-07-02, 1990-07-04
Description
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
Blank
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
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
Blank
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
Subject
African Americans -- History. -- South Carolina -- Anderson County
Interviewer
Harrell, Yolanda
Interviewee
Vance, Lucille
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
