Items

Advanced search

Interview: Childers, Velma

Velma Childers was born on November 6, 1902 in Seneca, SC. She was the daughter of Thomas and Fanny Scott Gideon. She taught school in the local area for 36 years. She died on December 20, 1997. Cassette 1 Side 1 00:09--Velma Childers was born on November 6, 1900 in Seneca, SC. Her parents were Thomas G. and Fanny Scott Gideon. They were both born sometime in the late 1800's. Her father was originally from Georgia, while her mother was from Oconee County, SC. Her grandparents on her mother's side were George and Fanny Jones Scott. They were both from Oconee County. 1:40--Her grandfather Scott was racially mixed. He was born as a result of a relationship between his mother [house slave] and her master. He was twelve years old when slavery was abolished. 6:38--As a child, Mrs. Childers cannot remember the family owning a home. Her father worked with public works, and her grandfather was a sharecropper on a "three-fourths" farm under a man named Asbury Edwards. 9:34--Mrs. Childers mentions that blacks were allowed to worship at the Old Stone Church, though blacks had to sit upstairs during services. 10:16--Whites didn't initially want blacks to worship, but they did in their own way, and would sing songs like Swing Low Sweet Chariot while working in the fields. 11:27--It seems her Grandfather Scott didn't have to work the fields. He was apparently educated by the slave master's wife. 12:36--Mrs. Childers' relatives worked as slaves under the Glen family. There were tensions between the racially mixed Mr. Scott and his natural father, so after Emancipation, he opted not to take the surname Glen. 13:44--Many of the older members of Mrs. Childers' family are buried at St. Paul's. 14:18--When funerals occurred in the black community, everyone stopped work and did what they could to help and conducted themselves very reverently. 15:35--Mrs. Childers' father was a minister, so she was also witness to many wedding ceremonies. 17:00--The Childers family in which she married into is also racially mixed. 19:45--Her grandfather was a Trustee and an early founder of the Seneca Institute. 20:48--In addition to being a minister, her father was a local farmer. Her mother did domestic work and helped local doctors with house calls. 24:50--Mrs. Childers recalls some of her siblings. Her oldest brother George had many responsibilities, as her parent's ministry often kept them from home. She had one sister who taught school in Georgia. 28:07--Some of her family migrated north; her brother George went to Georgia to work on the railroad. 31:40--Audio ends. Cassette 1 Side 2 00:11--Mrs. Childers continues discussing some of her siblings, and their accomplishments. 2:00--Her grandfather had a very large home built on Highway 123. He later sold it to the Clinkscale family. He also owned land in the area known as "Scott-Land." 7:20--When she was a youth, mail was delivered by buggy. There were initially no mailboxes; mail was delivered personally. 9:05--Her Uncle B.F. (mother's brother) worked on the railroad as a mail clerk; he was also a local carpenter who helped built her grandfather Scott's large house on 123. 11:13--Black men usually did common labor work. There were no formal jobs available to black women; they often were involved with domestic help for whites. Young people were allowed to work, but had to give whatever earnings they made to the family. 14:11--Her family did shopping at the community general store in Westminster. Items were essentially bought by barter. Goods they acquired through farming were exchanged for things in the store. Virtually all local stores were owned by whites. Establishments owned by blacks were usually restaurants. Her grandfather Scott owned a restaurant in Seneca that he opened in the 1910s. 18:56--Clothes were handmade. Shoes and overalls could be bought, however. Underwear was made from the cloth of cattle feed. Her mother usually made the cloths and did quilting for friends, family, and local whites. 22:56--Local black families raised their own crops and animals for food. 24:30--Mrs. Childers briefly discusses family furniture. 27:50--Her family was musically inclined. Her sister was a music teacher in Georgia and her father could compose music. Indeed, her father established the "Thomas Gideon Singing Convention" locally. The convention usually met three times a year. 31:42--Audio ends. Cassette 2 Side 1 00:09--The subject of singing conventions continues. Singing conventions remained popular for about twenty years after they were first introduced to the local area. Mrs. Childers cannot remember when they were first introduced, however. The conventions invited all age groups, both male and female to sing. Both church and family affiliated vocal groups attended. The songs were religious in nature; content often involved a better life in Heaven. Slaves composed many spirituals; these songs often contained codes or secret messages as a means of communication between different slave communities. 8:00--The main talents of her family were singing, ministry, needlework, and crafts. 11:15--She can remember the flu epidemic that broke out around the time of World War I. Her family was largely spared, though some families in the community were virtually wiped out. 12:00--Both her brother Fletcher and her husband served in World War I. Fletcher was sent to France, while her husband became disabled while training up north. 14:39--Church--Mrs. Childers's immediate family attended St. Paul's Baptist Church, though her sister attended the local Methodist Church. Her father was a preacher. In preparation for his ministry, he traveled to many conventions and studied carefully, though he never attended a theological school. Baptisms were held either in local creeks or in specially built pools in the churchyards. The local Methodists seemed to have the most camp meetings where singing, preaching, and feasting often lasted two or three days. Members of various church denominations worshipped together. Whites and blacks usually did not attend regular services together, but did attend the same funerals and revivals. 30:20--School--She attended a school in the Oakway community, which was not far from her home. There was one teacher at the school. There were perhaps seven grades, which ages ranging from six to thirteen. Her parents made private tutorship available to the family as well. 31:42--Audio ends. Cassette 2 Side 2 00:07--Mrs. Childers attended school in a one-room wood building in the Oakway community. The school year was divided into short summer and winter terms that lasted a few months each. The school day lasted from 8am-4pm. The teachers usually boarded with local families. Cora Jenkins was one of her favorite early teachers. Her teachers were educated at Benedict, etc. Her grandfather was instrumental in the establishment of the Seneca Institute. The Institute gathered perhaps three to four hundred students from SC and neighboring states. Seneca Institute became Seneca Junior College when a two-year college was added onto the high school. Neither her parents nor her grandparents attended school. All of the girls in her family attended colleges such as Benedict, Spellman, and Morris. Her brother Fletcher attended a trade school at Morris before World War I interrupted his studies. Her parents made sure that books, magazines, and newspapers were available to the family to read. There was not much "black history" taught at her school, other than issues involving the Underground Railroad and Booker T. Washington. She met George Washington Carver when he spoke at the Seneca Institute. 18:30--Mrs. Childers' father was a freemason. He attained the rank of Worshipful Master while attending Blue Ridge Lodge no. 95 in Westminster, SC. Although freemasons were secretive, they made many positive contributions to the community. 20:12--Politics--her father voted, and was quite politically involved. He would often delight in arguments over party affiliations and issues of the day. He would encourage as many as possible to get registered to vote. 27:00--The subject of the treatment of slaves by whites is brought up. Mrs. Childers states that her older relatives rarely talked about their treatment, but one story of cruelty did stick in Mrs. Childers mind. On the weekends--for fun--whites would place a black individual in a barrel, roll it down a hill, and attempt to strike the individual on the face as he rolled by. 30:28--Her family never had any trouble with local law enforcement. 31:41--Audio ends. Cassette 3 Side 1 00:35--Race--mulattos were often treated differently; it was difficult for this community to truly identify themselves as either white or black. There is some Native American blood in her family, and her husband's family was quite racially mixed with whites. 8:50--Her family often went to Anderson in order to attend the County Fair. They traveled by horse and buggy. Mrs. Childers describes events at the Fair. 11:39--Celebrations, holidays, and entertainment in the black community--during Fourth of July festivities people shot fireworks, played baseball, and attended picnics and dances. During Christmas, a friend of the family would dress up as Santa Claus to surprise the children. Local churches would sponsor plays. Birthdays were recognized and celebrated. Black and white children played together. Mrs. Childers names various childhood games, and recites rhymes and songs that were popular. 27:17--Her sister Lulabell was the first black woman in Oconee County to be named a Home Demonstration Agent. She had lived in Washington, DC, and during the Depression was appointed to the position by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. She taught home economics classes and demonstrated ways to preserve food. 29:00--On a follow-up question, Harrell asks the name of the local casket maker. He was Jim Singleton, a local carpenter skilled at building houses, caskets, and baskets. 31:41--Audio ends. Cassette 3 Side 2 00:14--Mrs. Childers describes the process of making homemade butter. 2:05--Her mother's favorite hobbies were cooking and sewing. 2:44--She mentions some of her favorite relatives and her happiest childhood memories. 5:30--She shares her feelings on growing up as a black in the South. She really didn't think much about it until she was around ten years old. It was at this time that she started asking questions why whites had certain advantages such as riding on a bus to school as opposed to walking, etc. 10:14--If she could have changed anything about her life, she would have rather lived in a place where there were better opportunities for blacks. 12:00--Mrs. Childers taught school for 36 years in such schools as Oakway, Westminster, and Fairplay. She retired in 1966. 18:30--She was married in March of 1928. 19:00--She and her husband bought 14 acres of land for $300 and built a house on the property. 26:45--Mrs. Childers gives closing remarks. 28:08--Harrell thanks her for the interview. 28:14--Audio ends.
Interview: Brown, Lucinda Reid and Family

Side 1 **Note** this interview was not originally part of the Black Heritage in the Upper Piedmont Project. This field research conducted by Deas-Moore was added to complement the Black Heritage in the Upper Piedmont Project. 00:07-8:10--Anna Reid gives a brief biographical statement before Mrs. Reid Brown begins to speak. Mrs. Reid Brown discusses her age and gives a short family history. She states that her grandfather was one of John C. Calhoun's slaves. She begins to recount several stories; one involves her first husband's death on the way to Fourth of July picnic. Other recollections include childhood experiences with games, birthdays, picnics, dancing, and listening to music on a victrola. The interviewer is curious about talented family members; Mrs. Reid Brown states that her daughter Lucy Reid Brown McDowell was a very talented tap dancer. 8:13-11:38--Lucy Reid Brown McDowell is now speaking. She gives brief biographical information before detailing when and where she learned to dance. She can remember dancing with a live band, and also being able to do the "Jitterbug." 11:41-20:05--The focus of the interview returns to Mrs. Reid Brown. She first describes family celebrations during the Christmas season before recalling certain aspects of her education. When she was a child, there were no public black schools in the area, so she attendee a school set up by Abel Baptist Church. She goes on top describe special celebrations at Abel such as revival meetings, Easter Sunday, and Watch Night Service (New Year's Eve). 20:08-31:40--Deas-Moore is interested to know what children did during the summer months. Children often worked alongside their parents in the fields on sharecropping farms. She goes on to discuss family reunions that took place on her parent's birthday. Mrs. Reid Brown has traveled extensively, and gives a lengthy story about her travels to Haiti. 31:45--Audio ends. Side 2 00:37-7:10--Mrs. Reid Brown continues to describe her travels throughout the United States before briefly touching upon her involvement with Abel Baptist Church. She then describes activities during Fourth of July and Emancipation celebrations. 7:19-17:12--Mrs. Reid Brown's son Jack begins to speak. He recalls square dances in the 1940's, and states that he was the first black person to be in the Clemson Christmas parade. He goes on to describe his employment with Clemson University, including his time running the ice cream parlor. 17:15--Audio ends.
Interview: Brown, Lucinda Reid

Lucinda Reid Brown was born on March 11, 1890 in the Clemson/Calhoun area. She was the daughter of Alfred B. and Harley Reid. She married Jack Brown in 1910. They had seven children. Mrs. Reid Brown died on March 30, 1990. Cassette 1 Side 1 00:59--Mrs. Reid Brown was born "in the country" between Central and Pendleton on March 11, 1890. Her parents were Butler and Harley Reid. 3:26--Her grandparents were Mimi and Isaac Butler. Isaac actually lived with Mrs. Reid Brown's family when he was an elderly man. He was a former slave of John C. Calhoun. 4:41--Mrs. Reid Brown recalls some of the "older folks" that she knew as a youth. Uncle Vick, Alan Butler, and Aunts Catherine, May Earle, Rena, and Margaret Vance are mentioned. She names the locations of the aforementioned individual's homes. They are all buried at Abel. 10:14--Her older relatives lived through hard times, but took things as they were. 11:00--Slavery--her grandfather shared many stories of his experiences. John C. Calhoun's slave quarters were located near the Clemson College dairy building. When Calhoun would make visits to Fort Hill, his slaves would gather around him and attempt to touch him; expressing some sort of reverence. The slaves were not allowed to go to church, so they would go deep into wooded areas to in order to worship. She states that the old spiritual I Couldn't Hear Nobody Pray was influenced by these type experiences. 13:14--All the older members of her family are buried at Abel. There are no written markers on the graves; only stones were used to mark graves in the old days. 14:33--Marriage during slave days--some slaves had religious masters who would perform formal marriage ceremonies. This was, however, not a widespread practice so slave couples just lived together. Mrs. Reid Brown was married to Jack Brown. His parents were Vennie and Wallace Brown of Pendleton. 16:17--Her parents were sharecroppers. Her brother worked on the Southern Railroad and later went to Alabama to do mining and farm work. 19:15--A few additional jobs open to black men involved cutting wood, farming, and digging ditches. She explains the difficulties blacks faced in regards to earning any significant amounts of money. 20:42--As far as shopping, blacks usually would usually trade for items instead of using cash, simply because they never were allowed to make enough money. Clothes were handmade and it was "...barely enough to get by." An individual might have owned exactly one "Sunday dress" type outfit. The wives of slave master's would often teach the women how to sew. 23:53--Any furniture that was owned was usually handmade. Slave master's often taught the men carpentry skills. In addition, men like her grandfather were skilled in weaving fine baskets out of white oak. 27:08--She can recall the older members of her family's discussions regarding hard times. Even after emancipation, things didn't really improve for some period of time on account that the southern economy was completely ruined. 29:36--Medical issues and sickness--there weren't many doctors available after the Civil War, if for no other reason than many of them had been killed during the conflict. Blacks were forced to rely on home remedies. She can remember the flu epidemic of 1917-18. Many families had to deal with sickness and death. 31:42--Audio ends. Cassette 1 Side 2 00:30--Church--she can remember another Reverend Oglesby who died while preaching at the pulpit. His replacement was a Reverend Williams. Reverend Williams baptized Mrs. Reid Brown. They briefly discuss the only two black churches in the immediate area: "Little Abel" and Abel Baptist Church. 5:10--Mrs. Reid Brown recalls attending singing conventions and some of her favorite songs. 10:00--Mr. Oglesby is interested in knowing if there were ever any occasions on which whites and blacks worshipped together. She understands that "in the old days," the congregation at the Old Stone Church allowed blacks to attend. 11:15--Education--she went to school at Abel Baptist as a youth. When school districts were drawn up, she was no longer allowed to attend Abel. The problem arose, however, that there was no school in her district. A gentleman named Mr. Shaw had an old two-room house that he rented out for use as the new school. The school term consisted of two winter months and three summer months. Mr. Dupree was the first teacher that she can remember. He was one of the only blacks in the area at the time that had an education and also owned land. Mr. Dupree was educated at Benedict. Both Mrs. Reid Brown's parents could read and write, though she is unaware of when or where they were educated. Her sister Pauline was the first individual in the family that attended college (Seneca Junior). Her parents made sure that books were available in the house for the children to read. "Black History" was not taught in schools. 20:57--Voting--to her knowledge blacks didn't vote in the old days; Mrs. Reid Brown's generation were among the first to be allowed. 22:24--There were no pre-Civil War "free blacks" in her family. She can recall an individual called "Free Joe" who fell into this category, however. There was some tension between free and emancipated blacks after the war. "Free Blacks" seemed to look down on the newly emancipated. 24:12--In her experience, whites always looked down on the black community and attempted to hold them back. Blacks always had to be very respectful to whites in social situations. 25:44--Lynching--blacks were intensely fearful of this scenario--blacks were especially afraid to speak to white women. 26:55--Law enforcement and blacks--blacks were always taught to stay out of trouble by "knowing their place." She feels this is ridiculous, because "her place" is everybody else's place. 28:15--Relationships between black women and white men were well known in the old days. Some couples had large families of racially mixed children. Some white men would explain the presence of black mistresses in the house as their "house keepers." 29:52--Mulattos were treated differently by the black community; they thought of themselves socially as "white." They received no additional respect from the whites, however. 31:42--Audio ends. Cassette 2 **Note** Mr. Oglesby states that this interview took place on February 13. This is not a follow-up interview, however. The same questions are asked of Mrs. Reid Brown, and she gives similar answers. Side 1--31:50 of audio. Side 2--15:48 of audio.
Interview: Brown, Clotell

Clotell Brown was born January 14, 1894 in Pendleton, South Carolina. She is a member of Kings Chapel AME Church in Pendleton. Ms. Brown lived in Pendleton most of her life. She died on October 22, 1992. Cassette 1 Side 1 00:25--Brown notes that she was born on January 14, 1890 in Pendleton, SC. Her parents were James and Lucy Hellums Scott. Mr. Scott's father is Monroe Scott; he lived to the age of 108. Mrs. Brown has several siblings and five children. 3:52--Mrs. Brown recalls a few other older family members. F. Watkins and Jim Watkins are her aunt and uncle. 4:51--Her family owned their own home when she was a child. The family worked on a farm until their father had enough money to build them a house. 6:08--Monroe Scott was the last in Mrs. Brown's family to be included in slavery. He was raised in the North Carolina Mountains and had farmland of his own after he was free. 7:23--Mrs. Brown recalls that most of her family members are buried in the Kings Chapel cemetery. The graves are marked. 9:36--Frank Brown is her husband and his mother was Mandy Brown. She and Frank had five children: Joe, Lucy, Frank, Monroe, and Isaac. 11:29--Mrs. Brown's family was farmers; her father owned his own land and her grandfather started out as a sharecropper. They grew or raised everything that they needed. 13:15--She recalls some other relatives in the Pendleton area. George, her brother-in-law lives close by; her son Joe Brown lived in Charlotte. The rest of the family moved up north. 15:45--Jobs available to blacks during the early twentieth century--Mrs. Brown explains that men were farmers, carpenters, or worked on the railroad. The black women would take care of the house, be cooks, midwives, or nurses. Ms. Brown herself was a nurse, a midwife, and picked cotton as a child for $0.35 a day. 18:31--Mrs. Brown's family shopped at Hunter's Store in Pendleton for sugar, coffee, and rice. The other things that were needed were grown or raised. Black families were allowed to buy on credit in white stores. The family made their own clothes and quilts. 24:00--Mrs. Brown's father made a table for the house. A wedding present from her mother was $5.00, two pigs, and a rooster. 26:00--Mrs. Brown does not recall any musicians in the family. The family members were craftsmen's and the ladies did needle work. 27:42--Brown recalls a tornado that went through Pendleton. While Mrs. Brown's mother was in bed with a baby the tornado blew the roof off the house. 29:39--Mrs. Brown recall the flu epidemic. Brown herself was a nurse; she wore a cloth with medicine around her neck so that she would not get sick while helping others. 32:12--Audio ends. Cassette 1 Side 2 00:10--Brown explains her involvement with Kings Chapel AME church. She has been a member since she was fifteen years old. Kings Chapel was the largest black church in the area. Rev. Daniel was the first minister she remembers. The extended family of Mrs. Brown attends Kings Chapel and Mountain Springs. 02:15--Kings Chapel cemetery was located in the north side of Pendleton. The church held camp meetings yearly. Mrs. Brown ran tables, which means she cooked and sold food all day long. She prepared fish, chicken, ice cream, and sandwiches (sold for $0.50 each). The camp meetings were held in the summer and were normally two days long. 5:31--Mrs. Brown recalls singing conventions. She would attend them with her sister. They were held about three times a year, and normally lasted one to two days. She was in the choir at her church and sang soprano. 10:18--Education--She attended Oak Grove School; a one room log house that utilized a stove for heat. Mr. John Coleson was her teacher. She attended school until sixth grade when she stopped and got married at the age of seventeen. The school year was three months long; the day lasted from 9am to 3pm. There was an hour lunch break at 12. A new school was built and it was much nicer. Mandy Crawford was the teacher. Mrs. Brown's mother did not attend school but her father did. 19:36--Mrs. Brown's children were the first to attend college in the family. Her baby sister did complete high school. 21:18--The books and newspapers that were at Ms. Brown's house included the bible and the Anderson Independent. 22:36--Mrs. Brown recalls that the white schools were much nicer, bigger, and had better books. They also went to school for longer semesters during the year. 24:00--When Mrs. Brown's father died, she received 25 acres of land. Mrs. Brown and her husband gave some of it to her uncles. 26:20--Mrs. Brown has taken care of 26 children total, including her children and grandchildren. 26:54--Brown's father was a member of the Masonic Lodge and was also an Art Fellow. Leaders of those groups included Peter Webb, Bob Johnson, and Jim Watkins. 32:11--Audio ends. Cassette 2 Side 1 00:40--Mrs. Brown's mother raised her well; she was taught proper values and how to take care of herself. 1:44--Her father was one of the first individuals in the area to own oxen and horses; he utilized these working animals on local farms. 3:55--Lynching--Mrs. Brown had always heard talk of them, but had never seen one herself. Rather, her grandparents had more intimate knowledge of such events in their own day. They were originally from the mountains, and life there was much harsher than what they found when they moved to the Piedmont. 5:00--Mrs. Brown is unaware of any heavy-handed tactics by local law enforcement against blacks. She personally had no problems. 5:33--Male/female roles in regards to relationships and marriage are briefly discussed. Marital roles between her parents, as well as those of her and her husband, were equal. There was no "boss." Mrs. Brown was married to her husband for 63 years. 8:51--The treatment of mulattos--in general these individuals were treated with respect, but some tried to "pass for white." Mrs. Brown had a number of mulatto family members. 9:30--When she was a youth, the family would go to Anderson, SC twice a year in order to attend the county fair and the movie theater. They would occasionally go to Greenville, SC to see relatives. 11:10--When the subject of jobs and employment is brought up, Mrs. Brown briefly mentions that she worked as a midwife in the Clemson and La France communities for 26 years. 12:45--She can't really say if blacks from different areas such as Seneca and Pendleton had similar or dissimilar experiences, or if any one black community was better off than the other. 13:02--Holidays in the black community--the Fourth of July would bring all of the black community churches together for picnics and fellowship. Christmas involved visits by Santa Claus. The children would leave little sacks in hopes that Santa would fill them on Christmas Eve. On Christmas morning one could usually find sacks filled with fruit, candy, and nuts. Families usually visited each other around New Year's. 16:46--Mrs. Brown didn't attend cakewalks and other such parties; her upbringing frowned on that type behavior. 20:25--Mamie Crawford was an especially admired adult to her. Mrs. Brown can remember eating Sunday dinner with her on many occasions. 21:44--Mrs. Brown's house burned at some point in her life. At the time she was looking after 9 children. Her sisters helped out tremendously. 23:40--Some of her fondest childhood memories are of eating with friends and family on Sunday afternoons. 25:30--Relationships between whites and blacks seemed to be positive. 27:00--Mrs. Brown briefly describes her church conversion as a youth. 29:42--Mrs. Harrell thanks Mrs. Brown for the interview and the audio ends. Cassette 2 Side 2 Blank
Interview: Benson, James

James Benson was born on June 23, 1905 in Central, South Carolina. He was the son of Patrick and Annie Reese Benson. Among other things, he was the cemetery caretaker at Abel Baptist Church in Clemson, South Carolina. He died on November 13, 1992. Cassette 1 Side 1 00:19--Mr. Benson gives his biographical information. He was born on June 23, 1905 at his home in Central, South Carolina. Patrick Benson and Annie Reese Benson were his parents. Isaac and Emily Benson were his father's parents and Jim and Tila Cannon Reese were is his mother's parents. The family owned their own home on three acres. They sharecropped at first to raise the money to build the house. 6:59--The whole Benson family lived in the same area so they spent time with each other often. 7:30--Mr. Benson's grandparents were sharecroppers in their early life; they did not mind because the farm owners were fair towards them. Slavery was not often discussed in his household. 12:18--Meacham asks Mr. Benson to recall weddings. Mr. Benson explains that weddings were either small ceremonies or carried out at the courthouse. He himself was married in 1936 at the courthouse. Mrs. Benson's parents were Frank and Ann Madison. 16:51--Mr. Benson explains that the only family members to leave South Carolina were his uncle and aunt who moved to Cleveland, Ohio. 18:48--Mr. Benson recalls the jobs available to blacks in the early days. Blacks farmed or did manual work and the wives stayed around the house. 20:05--Shopping--the family would go the Hunter's Store locally to purchase staples. They grew potatoes, corn, peas, pumpkins, and carrots at home. 25:04--The family bought their own furniture and the women made quilts. Mr. Benson's wife had quilts and all of the bedding ready to be used before they married. 28:27--Mr. Benson recalls that he joined the church when he was 20 years old and has been a member ever since. 32:29--Audio ends. Cassette 1 Side 2 00:04--Church--church services were long but there were lots of songs performed. He was a member of Abel Baptist Church. 2:57--There were camp meetings in Pendleton where several churches would come together for a weekend full of worship. 6:03--Mr. Benson went to Pickens Country District 7 schools. He finished grammar school and went to school until he was sixteen years old. The children went to school seven out of the twelve months. Mr. Benson's parents did not care much about education, and would rather have had their children helping them in the fields. 12:32--Mr. Benson explains that his three children were the first to attend college in his family. He and his wife had five children. 16:51--Benson recalls that in school they did not study black history nor did they have books regarding the subject. 23:10--Blacks did not talk much about how white people treated them. They simply thought that was the way of the world. 25:30--There was a very bad earthquake in the area when Mr. Benson was young. Local people had real trouble explaining what happened because they did not know what was going on. 28:23--The flu epidemic in 1917 killed a lot of people. There were whole families dying and doctors did not understand why. 30:05--Mr. Benson discusses marriage roles. He believes that most relationships are equal, but the man often considered himself to be the head of the household. 31:06--Audio ends. Cassette 2 Side 1 00:06--Mr. Benson continues to talk about marriage relationships. Families get along better when the couples both have respect for each other. 1:23--Benson explains that there were few black/white romantic relationships that he knew of. The children of interracial couples were picked on more than blacks; he recalls one child that ran away from home. 6:02--Mr. Benson believes that Native Americans in the area were more respected than blacks. 8:42--He recalls that the family would take a trip to Greenville, South Carolina once a year for the circus. 11:48--The community celebrated 4th of July and Thanksgiving. The church would donate food to the poor during these holidays. Christmas was not as a big deal but they would celebrate it. 20:08--Mr. Benson recalls that the happy period in his life was when he had no real responsibilities. 21:43--Meacham asks if being black affected him. Mr. Benson explains that he did not think it was wrong how people sometimes treated him because he did not know any better. 24:29--Benson recalls the construction of Clemson College. The college employed many blacks for free labor during that time period. Mr. Benson wasn't paid much at Clemson University but enjoyed the work. He would work there after harvest. He was paid $1.28 an hour and over time got a raise to $1.50 an hour. 31:59--Mr. Benson would not change anything in his life because God has a path for him. 32:31--Audio ends. Cassette 2 Side 2--Blank
Interview: Alexander, Cornelia

Cornelia Thompson Alexander was born August 11, 1900 in Pendleton, SC. She was the daughter of James and Lilly Grant Thompson. She died on October 3, 1996. Cassette 1 Side 1 00:21--Cornelia Thompson Alexander was born on August 11, 1900 in Pendleton, SC. 00:46--Ms. Harrell asks about her parents James and Lilly Grant Thompson. James Thompson's parents were Reuben and Betty Jackson Thompson. Reuben was a successful carpenter who worked for both whites and blacks. Lilly Grant's parents were Sam and Rosa Grant. 5:15--Rosa Grant was a local midwife; she came to live with the family after Mrs. Alexander's mother died. After a few years she moved to Atlanta, GA. 7:26--Ms. Alexander's siblings are: J.B. (died in 1973), Madeline (never married--died in 1964), Amelia, and Benjamin. 9:27--Alexander explains that they did not own their own home at first; her father was a sharecropper and did carpentry work on the side. Uncle Willie Thompson had no children; he bought the family a two-story house after their mother's death. James then went into carpentry full time. 10:31--There was a gentleman named Uncle Wash who helped her father with sharecropping (he lived with her family); she believes his name was Washington. 11:21--Harrell asks about older family members, and what their lives were like many years ago. Rosa Grant was seven when emancipation came. She and Ruben were slaves. Betty Jackson was also a slave; she worked in the master's house. When the family was free from slavery they stayed in the Pendleton area near Highway 88 and Greenville highway. 15:08--Ms. Alexander's grandparents did not have bad slave stories. They had clothes, food, etc.,--but low pay. Master's would occasionally let their slaves attend church; they had to sit in the gallery. She states that the AME church was founded by Richard Allen of Philadelphia, PA who tried to take communion at a white church. He was not allowed; this led Allen to seek out a means by which blacks could worship freely, without boundaries or segregation. [After consultation with other concerned leaders, a General Convention was called in April 1816 in order to form the AME Church]. AME stands for African Methodist Episcopal. 18:37--Alexander's family members are buried in Pendleton. The graves are marked. 19:06--Alexander dislikes funerals. She went to her mother's funeral as a young child. She did not cry at her funeral but felt very uncomfortable and wanted to leave. Funerals were long; they regularly lasted one to one 1/2 hours. There was much shouting and singing. 22:13--Mrs. Alexander recalls how her mother was sick the night before she died. She had all of her children come to say goodnight and give her a kiss. 23:02--Marriages were carried out in simple church services. 24:32--Alexander has a brother living in Long Island, NY. Willie Mae Thompson lives and Greensboro, NC, and Frieda Thompson lives in Atlanta, GA. 27:39--While Mrs. Alexander's father was a sharecropper, the family house burned in a fire. The family moved to the Old Grove Community until her Uncle Willie bought them a house. James stopped sharecropping when Ms. Alexander was eight years old. 29:59--Her father James had many brothers. They all moved to Birmingham, AL. in order to find better employment opportunities. They eventually returned except for Eddie, whom Ms. Alexander never knew. 31:54--Audio ends. Cassette 1 Side 2 00:11--Mrs. Alexander's brother Ben went to New York after attending Hampton College in Virginia. After graduating he made his home up north, where he worked at a hotel, post office, and retired while in the railroad profession. 1:56--Alexander's uncle worked for the Blue Ridge Railroad until he died. Henry Thompson was a wood passer for the steam train. One night after heavy rains, a trestle broke and the train fell into the water below. Henry stayed in the water all night with a broken leg and was rescued the next morning, but died a few hours later. 5:12--The only jobs that were available to black men were blacksmith, railroad, carpentry, or sharecrop related work. Black women were domestics or homemakers. Young blacks were allowed to wash clothes and baby-sit. 6:43--Mrs. Alexander recalls that there were few stores in Pendleton. The first store was Hunter's, which had food, clothes, and anything else. Cash was accepted in all of the stores. 8:46--Alexander's mother made all of her children's clothing. This includes undergarment, suits, dresses, and every day clothes. 9:59--Mrs. Alexander recalls that the only staples such as coffee, sugar, and flour were purchased at local stores. Most of the other items were raised at home. 11:45--She recalls that her sister went to Morris Brown College in Atlanta. She painted pictures for a schoolbook there. Later on she taught in Chapel Hill and then moved to New York. Teaching did not pay very much. 14:42--Her grandmother told her of bad storms and earthquakes that happened before she was born. 16:28--Mrs. Alexander recalls when she was sick with the flu. She was never able to get out of bed. At one point she thought she was going to die, but became better later that afternoon. Her father would go around to other houses and help those who had the flu; he never became ill. Isaac Brown died from it; the Calhoun's both had it and died in bed together. 20:31--Mrs. Alexander's oldest brother J.B. served in France during WWI. He was a signal-man in the Navy. 23:27--Church--Kings Chapel was the AME church in Pendleton. Ministers in the area held no other jobs. Silver Springs was another important church in the area during that time. The churches had cemeteries, but many were not located on the church grounds. 28:59--Alexander recalls camp meetings that were an annual event held in October. The meeting would start on Friday and go through the weekend until Sunday evening. Mrs. Alexander was a teen when she first attended. 32:17--Audio ends. Cassette 2 Side 1 00:19--Alexander continues to discuss the camp meetings. She attended with friends. There were lectures, singing, food, and good fellowship. 2:20--There was a man in Anderson who directed of a wonderful choir; they attended local camp meetings. 4:05--There were people out of town who would stay with friends or relatives. There were even some who camped out in tents around town. The meetings were held in the Methodist Church in downtown Pendleton until they because too crowded and were moved to a little out of town. 5:15--Mrs. Alexander recalls singing conventions that would take place once a month. She joined a choir when she was in her thirties. They were quite talented; they made appearances on the radio. She sang high soprano. Rebecca Winston Thompson was the choir leader. The musicians were Lorain Goldman, Daphne Williams, and A.R. Moss. 10:35--Harrell asks what other kinds of groups that young people could join. Mrs. Alexander cannot recall very many, but every Sunday they would have Sunday school and AC League in the evenings. The Baptist Club was called BYPU; they met in the evening as well on Sundays. 12:51--Education--Mrs. Alexander describes her school. She attended a two-room schoolhouse until a new one was later built. One room housed a primary school and grades 1, 2, 3, and 4. The other room held grades 5, 6, 7, and 8. After grade 8 there was a formal graduation. The school term was from end of fall to early spring. Then there was a little bit of summer school after planting season. The teachers were black; most attended Allen University in Columbia, SC. 25:20--Ms. Alexander's father was a very successful carpenter. He worked under a white man at first and he taught him everything he knew. James Thompson then went into business for himself. He had one man working for him and they built houses. Sue Reed's house was one of the first ones he built. 29:29--Rosa Grant, the local midwife, and Mrs. Alexander's grandmother could not read or write. Ms. Alexander's parents could, however, read and write. 30:41--Ms. Alexander went to school until 8th grade. The graduation ceremony followed. There were 10-15 teens in her class. Mrs. Alexander went to Hampton University after school for a month. She became sick and had to come home. 32:21--Audio ends. Cassette 2 Side 2 00:31--Mrs. Alexander discusses her sibling's education. Ben graduated from Hampton College and he married but he had no children. Madeline graduated from Mars College; she spoke at her graduation. She was the first in the family to attend college in 1922. She taught briefly at Chapel Hill but felt that the pay was not enough. She lived in New York for a while but eventually moved back to Atlanta. JB was in WWI and he finished his schooling in eighth grade, which was as far as one could go. He is married and has nine children. He is a mechanic. Amelia went to Hampton College, but did not finish. She moved to New York and lived there until her death. 6:56--Books/newspapers--Mrs. Alexander explains that the only thing to read at home besides your school books were the newspapers her father would get. The Grit and the Anderson paper were a few of them. The bible was a very important book in the home as well. 9:49--Differences between white and black schools--whites had newer, nicer schools. They attended longer semesters and had many more teachers. The black schools did not improve until a white Jewish man named Rosenwald helped improve schools for blacks. 11:59--Ms. Alexander explains how there were not any specific organized educational groups per se, but there were many others. The PBA society and the Mason societies were a few. There was also the Art Fellows, which her father was a member of; this was a group of men and women who met on a regular schedule. Most of the groups met once a month at the church, a hall, or another location. 14:50--It was not until the 1940s when blacks were allowed to vote in the area. 16:20--Mrs. Alexander discusses how her ancestors were involved with slavery. Treatment of slaves depended on the master. There was a slave trading post down the street from Alexander's house. The owners would look for healthy teeth, strong bones, and personality. 22:35--Mrs. Alexander explains how black people were treated differently by law enforcement, more so then than now. 23:15--Alexander states how family life is different today than it was a few years ago. People would get married, stay together, be happy, and raise a family. They would not separate. Black and whites mixed in the dating scene in the old days, but it is more likely to happen today. 27:28--Mrs. Alexander's mother and father both had traces of Native American ancestry (Cherokee). Alexander would occasionally run across Native American graves in her father's cotton field when she was younger. 30:10--Alexander did not travel to Greenville until her early twenties; she traveled to Anderson very rarely. She first traveled to Anderson by train in order to attend her school's field day events. 32:07--Mrs. Alexander recalls that her easiest job was in Charleston, South Carolina; she was a chambermaid for a very wealthy couple. She took care of duties in the second story of the house. 32:45--Audio ends. Cassette 3 Side 1 00:07--Mrs. Alexander continues to describe her job in Charleston. She kept the master bed made, and the rooms clean. The family also employed a butler, cook, a washroom lady, and a gardener to help out. Alexander worked there for seven years until the death of the couple. 1:41--Celebrations--Alexander describes how they celebrated Easter Sunday by having fellowship and egg hunts. They also had a school party during Valentines Day where there might be a cakewalk. During the Christmas season there would be a church play and Santa Claus would bring a present for each of the children. Birthdays and anniversaries were not celebrated. 6:02--Mrs. Alexander recalls Rev. Ben Keese and his furniture selling business. He would send out flyers of his upcoming sales. He eventually owned a hotel in town, a café, and in addition would purchase people's houses if they could not afford them any longer. He had two wives, and several children. 13:38--Mrs. Alexander's first husband was James Coleman Hood, whom she married when she was eighteen years old. They were married in Spartanburg and attended school together. He went into the Army and was involved with World War I. After the war he moved away for work and died of a disease before Mrs. Alexander could join him. She had a second husband, John Alexander, who worked at the Clemson University dining hall. They were both in their thirties when they married and stayed so until his death. 18:51--Mrs. Alexander recalls that she had the flu while living in Spartanburg. James Hood's sisters took care of her and prepared her meals. Winston Townes, a cousin, helped Alexander's father take care of the sick during the flu season. 23:30--Mrs. Alexander recalls that her father came up with the name "Queen Street" even before Pendleton named their streets. 26:53--Alexander was fond of Ms. Cora Brown Reed, her mother's good friend. Reed was also her teacher and took care of the family when they were young. 31:40--A happy memory of childhood was her school's field day in Anderson. This was the first time she had been to Anderson and they took a train to get there. The schools played relay races, basketball, and other fun games. There were also hot dogs for sale for five cents. 32:29--Audio Ends. Cassette 3 Side 2 2:42--Alexander never knew for the longest time that blacks where not treated as equals to whites. She has never hated anyone and never got into any physical altercations like some kids did at school. 5:30--Her father and his Art Fellows friends help build the two-story house that Mrs. Alexander grew up in. The children had the upstairs rooms. 10:30--If she could change something about her life, what would it be? Mrs. Alexander's response was her eyesight and the wish that family would move closer to the Pendleton area. Alexander also explains that she would have not gotten married so young. 16:55--Audio ends.
Interview: Abel Baptist Church Cemetery

Abel Baptist is an African American church that was founded in 1868. It is located in Clemson, SC. James Benson works as the church cemetery caretaker and was also the Superintendent of the Sunday School program. The church has three cemeteries. Benson and Megginson identify grave markers, note birth/death dates, and read inscriptions [when present or legible] in these interviews. In addition, Benson provides biographical information regarding interred individuals of whom he is aware. Cassette 1 Side 1 00:25--James Benson was born at home on June 23, 1905 in Central, South Carolina. 1:16--Mr. Benson's parents were Patrick and Annie Reese Benson. They are both from the Central, SC area as well. Patrick Benson's parents were Isaac and Emily Benson. Isaac was a slave from the Spartanburg, SC area. Annie Reese's parents were Jim and Tila Cannon Reese. Mr. Benson cannot recall their occupations. 5:58--Mr. Benson now lives in the town of Clemson, SC, just off of Benson Blvd. 7:00--Abel Baptist Church was founded in 1868. Mr. Benson has been a member since 1925. New Hope (Little Abel), Golden View, and Silver Springs Baptist all were founded by former members of Abel. 8:34--Harrison Haywood was the Clerk of Church at Abel for many years; his daughter Susie Haywood took over his job after his death. Susie put together a four-page paper about Abel's history. Both Harrison and Susie are buried in the church cemetery. 9:50--Mr. Benson talks about the job of Superintendent of Sunday school. He attended many classes for it, including several at Morris College. Mr. Benson also talks about his current job as the cemetery caretaker at Abel Baptist Church. He has been doing it for twenty-five years. 13:37--Mr. Dave Whitt and Mr. Jim Cannon were the caretakers before Benson; there have been only three since the foundation of the church in 1868. 16:01--Mr. Benson informs Megginson that there are three cemeteries and that the church keeps maps and records of whom are buried there. There are very few tombstones or markers in the first and second cemeteries because of their old age. 17:29--In 1868 Dave Whitt was in charge of the first burial. 18:28--Benson talks about where the three cemeteries are located. The first cemetery is the oldest; it is located on the southside of the church grounds. It has the fewest number of tombstones. The second cemetery is in the rear of the church and the third cemetery is the newest and adjacent to the first cemetery. 24:47--Mr. Benson explains how the church does not restrict its cemetery to members of their church or even Christians. Members of other churches in the area are buried at Abel. 25:42--Burials in the area in the old days were different than today because there were no funeral homes. The body stayed at the family's house until the funeral. The funerals were quick; most of the family lived close by. The community acted the same way towards death; family and friends would gather with the family to grieve. 31:21--Benson explains how there was no need to purchase a plot in the cemetery because the plots use to be free, even to non-members. Today non-members pay for a plot in the cemetery. 31:44--Audio ends. Cassette 1 Side 2 00:06--Mr. Benson talks about burial insurance. It was not as much as it is today, about twenty to twenty five dollars. It could be paid in installments that amounted to five to ten cents a week. 3:01--Funeral services were usually no longer than thirty minutes. The family often requested that it be short. 4:15--Mr. Benson remembers his grandparents' deaths and their funerals, but does not recall specifics. 6:40--Benson explains that there were no family plots in the cemetery. People were buried in the order of their death. 8:51--The two men move the interview out into the graveyard. Mr. Megginson describes the scenery around the three cemeteries. 9:41--Mr. Benson and Mr. Megginson go through cemetery one and examine grave makers and describe the scenery. Cemetery one is closest to Abel Street and Highway 93. There are about 500 people buried in the cemetery; very few are marked. 12:17--A few names mentioned are T.H. Thompson (1870-1918), John Singleton (1841-1918), T.W. Williams (1886-1901), John Drayton (1891-1908), Isabelle Collins (1889-1906), and Samuel Green (1853-1923). 18:43--Mr. Megginson notices a family of three buried together. The Foster family includes James Foster (1876-1919), his son (1897-1917), and his wife (died in 1918 at the age of 38). 21:19--Mr. Benson mentions C.E. Washington, who was born in 1813. This is one of the earliest birth dates in the cemetery. 22:28--Megginson points out the most prominent monument in cemetery one. It belongs to the Manager family. Henry Edward Manager (1878-1912) and parents Simon (1785-1884) and Krecia Manager (1808-1894) were all buried next to each other. They were likely a prosperous family judging from the monument's structure and material. 24:08--The two men continue reading names off markers: Hamp Reese (died 1925) and B.B. Reid (1887-1910). 28:24--Mr. Benson discusses The Fruster family. Fannie Fruster is Mr. Benson's great aunt; she is buried in cemetery one. 31:04--Audio ends. Cassette 2 Side 1 00:20--Benson and Megginson continue to walk around and look at the grave markers in cemetery number one. Elias Fruster (1866-1914) was the son of Thomas and Fanny Fruster. 1:03--Mr. Benson describes how Matthew Fruster (1897-1916) was killed while working on the railroad double-track. He was the son of James and Leah Fruster. Another marker close by is that of Reverend Ed Reed (died 1918--aged 53 years). 3:39--Megginson names a few more grave markers (the two men are now in the middle of cemetery number one). Mary Cannon died in 1912 at age sixty. Hal Hill (1899-1913), has a broken stone marker. 5:00--Corinne Miles was 16 years when she died. William Reese (1868-1908) was related to Jim Reese, Mr. Benson's grandfather. Lucinda Whitner (died 1909--aged 77) "Gone But Not Forgotten". Among the Watkins family are: James (1876-1904), Hattie (1878-1901), Rev. William Watkins (died 1912), Warren H. (1879-1895), and Susan H. Watkins (died 1918). 9:15--Benson and Megginson come to the two final graves marked in cemetery one: Birdell S. Williams, daughter of W.C. and Isabella Williams (1892-1909) and Mary Simpson (1841-1905). 10:41--Megginson describes the oak trees around the churchyard as the two men enter near cemeteries two and three. 11:16--They are between Margaret Harris's marker in cemetery two and Donald Austin's marker in cemetery three. 12:54--Mr. Megginson describes cemetery two. It stretches behind the church; most of the sites have markers. The oldest sites are the farthest from the church in proximity. 15:19--Mr. Benson starts in the back corner of cemetery two. Matilda Green was married to Will Green. She had a heart condition and died when she was fifty to sixty years old during a meeting at Abel Baptist. 17:41--Mr. Benson is states that there is plot of small children from the Gantt family who died from the flu. They were all eight to twelve years old. 19:00--The next grave was Mr. Benson's father Patrict Benson. He died in February 1926 around the age of fifty-two years. Mr. Benson's sister Lilly Marie died in June 1926 at the age of twenty-five. Annie Reese Benson, Mr. Benson's mother, also died in June of 1926. 21:34--Megginson continues to read names from the grave markers. E.D. Reed (1868-1926) has elaborate markings on his tombstone. This is the brother of Rev. Ed Reed. 23:00--Mr. Benson briefly describes the qualifications regarding the position of Chairmen of the Deacon's at the church. 23:59--Mr. Megginson continues to identify marked and unmarked gravesites. Matilda Kremmel [Tremmel, Trammel?] died in 1930. John Collins was a South Carolina Private in the 49th Volunteer Infantry (died in 1938). Lucille Williams lived from 1905-1929. Ola B. Williams' marker is deciphered. 30:21--Megginson is at line two of cemetery number two. Luecenie Hamilton (1910-1926) has diamond shaped stone. [?] Haywood, son of J.H. and Lucy Haywood lived from 1897-1930. 32:29--Audio ends. Cassette 2 Side 2 00:07--Benson describes the pictures that are located in his living room. 2:03--Megginson asks about voter registration and if the blacks voted when Mr. Benson was younger. Mr. Benson explains that it was not until the 1940's that blacks started to register to vote. Benson first attempted to vote in 1948 in Central, SC; a few white young men tore up his ballot in front of him. He still continues to vote but does so in Clemson, SC. 9:38--Mr. Benson discusses how few black men where voting at that time [1940's] but now the numbers are increasing. 10:20--Megginson explains that Prince White registered in 1890. He had three sons and also had an important role in the Masonic Lodge. 11:30--Mr. Benson explains that black Masonic Lodge's have different burial rituals than white lodges [he does not go into detail]. 12:01--Megginson is describes the oak trees in the churchyard. 12:25--Megginson dictates a few measurements that he took the day before regarding cemetery one. The cemetery is sixty by ninety yards. He notes that the newest graves are by the road. 12:55--Mr. Benson and Mr. Megginson are located on the third row in cemetery two. There are three unmarked graves. 14:03--Megginson begins naming grave markers with Mr. Benson's help. Rosa Bet Hill [Bethill?] was born in 1903 but the death date is submerged underground. Mamie Simmons (1894-1933) was a member of the PBA [Burial Aids] Society. Rosa Preston (1882-1934) and daughter Berenice P. Jones (died in 1980) are buried next to each other. 17:56--Truman Brown Jones (1895-1983)--US Navy, WWI was Berenice P. Jones's husband. 18:40--Megginson continues to name from grave markers. Aaron Mansion [?] (1858-1939) and his wife raised Mattie Furgason (1913-1939) and her 8 other brothers and sisters after the death of their mother. John Watson (1880-1941) and John H. Dawson (1879-1950) were members of the PBA Society. Dean Nathan Reese died in 1980. Williams L. Earl lived from 1947 to 1985. They come across the marker of Polly Reid. Benson explains that Butler Reid was married twice; he had families with both Leah and Polly Reid. 28:59--Kato Sherman was one of the first clerks of Abel. Ann Elizabeth Jones (1921-1929) was the daughter of Minnie Bell Jones. Julia Reid (1902-1922) was the wife of Robert Reid. 32:34--Audio ends. Cassette 3 Side 1 00:21--[Benson and Megginson are in cemetery two and continue to identify grave markers]. John Collins lived from 1885 to 1930. His grave had the letters FLT (Friendship, Love, and Truth) engraved in it. The engraving is associated with the Odd Fellows Club. 1:33--Mr. Benson explains that the Masonic Lodge Hall is in the center of Calhoun near Golden View Church. 2:19--They continue naming grave markers. Jimmy Fruster lived from 1878 to 1933. 3:49--Rena B. Phillips (born 1865) was the mother to Willie E. Forman (1894-1951). They are buried next to each other. 4:10--Katie Bennett (1938-1980) was not a member of Abel Baptist. Mr. Benson explains that non-members are buried in cemetery two. Cemetery three is saved for members only. 6:04--Edith R. Williams died in 1982. She was also a non member. George Ferguson lived from 1902 to 1987. 7:29--The final person buried in rows four and five is Marcus J. Connelly (1965-1988). 9:35--The Smith plot contains Russell B. (1972-1985). Mr. Benson recalls that Russell was killed in a car accident. He was very involved in high school and was talented in athletics. 11:18--Joseph Earl lived from 1946 to 1985. Sara G. Gallaway lived from 1909 to 1981. 14:25--WWI veteran George O. Smith (1890-1956) was a Private in the SC 1st Company--156 Depot Brigade. Will Hill lived from 1873 to 1946. Marion Patterson died in 1944. 18:00--Hattie Watkins died in 1938. She was the daughter of William Watkins. 19:16--Mr. Benson recalls George Richard Shaw Sr. (1857-1931). Richard was from the lower part of the state but moved to the upstate during the early construction of Clemson College; he was a prison laborer. Afterwards he became very successful and owned a large portion of land. His land that is now close in proximity to the location of the Comfort Inn. 22:58--Harvey Hill lived from 1900-1930. Bonnie Reid (1886-1936) was a member of the PBA Society. Joe S. Payton (1888-1933) was an Odd Fellow. Susie Bird was born in 1865; the death date is submerged in the ground. Ms. Bird (Aunt Sue Bird) worked in the boarding house of Mr. Megginson's grandmother. 27:36--Jannie H. Reese (wife of Hamp Reese) died in 1945 at the age of sixty-five. Alphonso C. Martin (1921-1946) served in the SC Regiment 497th Engineers during World War II. 30:33--Audio ends. Cassette 3 Side 2 00:31--Mr. Benson explains the Ms. Annie Greenlee designed, placed, and paid for her grave marker while she was still living. 1:36--Bill C. Greenlee has no death date but Mr. Benson recalls his wife Annie Reid Greenlee (daughter of Mr. Butler Reid) died before Bill did. They are buried next to each other. 2:35--Chapiohe Williams ("Hun") lived from 1880-1955. Karen Ruth Cannon died in 1982 (age 43). Thriso [pronounced Cicero] Hamilton, Jr. is her first husband. 5:30--Mr. Megginson notices that there is a grave with a bronze army marker. Hubert Martin (1924-1984) was a Private in the US Army. He served in World War II. Alphonso Martin is his brother. 6:58--Brenda E. Freeman (1955-1986) was not a member of Abel Baptist Church. Ezel Abraham lived from 1891-1986. Buried next to this individual is Edna Mae Abraham. Edna died in 1985 (age 64). Adams Mortuary buried the Abraham's. 10:23--Mr. Benson recalls that his youngest sister Polly Austin (1912-1984) had three husbands: Dawson, Jones, and Austin. 11:24--Mr. Benson recalls 104-year-old Ransome Tremmel [?]. 13:41--Sally Jenkins (1876-1935) married a Whitener. Williemena Williams was born in 1920; the death date is under ground. Quilla Woods was a WWII veteran (Private in North Carolina 77 Coast Artillery); he was the son of Mabel Fork. 16:39--Albert B. Chapmen lived from 1933-1982. Deloris Alexander died in 1983; her family used Johnson's Funeral Home. Raymond Reese died in 1983; Adams Mortuary was used for his burial. George Cannon died in 1984. Nathan Cannon lived from 1923-1985. These two are not related. 18:30--John Henry Walker Jr. (1932-1986) was US Army Private in Korea. John Whitt (1888-1937) was a member of PBA. Perry Whitt died in 1939. They were brothers; their father was the first cemetery supervisor for Abel Baptist. Perry Whitt's grave marker stated Calhoun, SC, which was one of the first that Mr. Megginson had seen noted this way. 20:31--Charley Hicks was a SC Private in the 810 Pioneer Infantry during WWI. He died in 1939. 21:40--Mr. Benson recalls Lavonia Butler (1901-1944) who was apparently beaten to death. 22:59--Benson recalls his son David A. Benson. He lived to be two and a half years old. He died in the hospital in 1945 because of a breathing ailment. 24:11--Ellie M. Walker lived from 1906-1948. Benson recalls White Durham (1869-1952) and his wife Nancy J. Childress. 27:00--Mr. Benson explains that Willy Williams did the grave markers that are not very legible; the sand content of the concrete caused many to deteriorate. Sue Reed's grave is not marked. She was the wife of Ed Reed. 29:16--Megginson continues to read names. France S. Hairston died in 1983. Crawford Reese died in 1985, his arrangements where carried out by Superior Funeral Home. The two approach the Galliard family plot. Joivery Benson Galliard is married to Matthew W. Galliard. Sr. (both were still living at the time of this recording). Dorothy G. Brunson lived from 1915-1988. She is Matthew W. Galliard Sr.'s sister. 31:39--Audio ends. Cassette 4 Side 1 00:39--Benson describes two stumps that used to be Oak trees in the west end near the rear of the church; his aunt Caroline Reese is buried between the two stumps. 1:51--Mr. Benson names grave sites starting in the west end of cemetery two, moving toward the east. Ralph Durham died in 1940. He was a cook in the SC 371 Infantry, 93rd Division. Martha Dawson (1883-1940) is the wife of John Dawson. Ms. Dawson was a member of the PBA. 2:58--Megginson states that he has come across a book in Anderson, SC called Black Business Men, and notes that many pages discuss the PBA Society. 3:52--Isaac Brown had a twin sister named Rebecca Brown. Charley Heets [?] died in 1939. He was a WWI veteran (Private in the 810 Pioneer Infantry). 6:01--David Dupree (1880-1940) was the Officer of Deacons at Abel Baptist. He was a PBA member and was related to Alec Dupree. 6:55--A large family plot contains Lula Simpson (1873-1948). Ms. Simpson is buried next to her son James (he predeceased her). 9:12--Sam Orr, husband of Maggie Walker, is buried close by. Laura Banks (1883-1948) was a PBA member and wife to John Banks. Mary Kay lived from 1882-1948. Lavonia Brown lived from 1871-1948. 12:02--Mr. Benson recalls the way John Henry Walker (1906-1959) was murdered by his brother-in-law. Mr. Walker's family still lives in the house where the incident took place. 13:45--Mae Bell Fuller (1909-1951) was the wife of George Fuller (1910-1952). Ms. Fuller was Isaac Butler's daughter. 15:56--Mr. Benson describes a large plot. Helen Williams Reid 1893-1958) was married to Robert M. Reid (died in 1975). Robert Reed's father was Butler Reid. Benson again describes the situation surrounding Butler Reid's two families. Anna Maxwell Reid (1911-1969) is also buried there. She married Toby Maxwell (from Pendleton); they had two children. Benson states that Maxwell's father was a white man [the white man's surname may not have been Maxwell]. 21:09--Rebecca Reid Galliard Ludlow (1909-1980), and Sara Reid B. Kibler's father was Robert Reid. Kibler's husband is buried in Seneca. Rebecca died in a car accident. 24:14--William Cannon (1899-1983) was married to Vennie Cannon (1897-). Mr. Benson states that the Benson, Reese, and Cannon families are soon to hold a family reunion. Andel Elrod (1965-1986) was killed in a car accident. 27:20--Abel Baptist burned in 1928. Thereafter the parish met in a local schoolhouse until Golden View volunteered their church for meetings. Abel had service the second Sunday of every month at Golden View. The new church took nearly three years to rebuild (finished in 1931). 31:30--Mr. Benson recalls the death of William Cannon's daughter (she was around one when she died). 32:43--Audio ends. Cassette 4 Side 2 00:07--The tape begins mid sentence Mr. Benson explains Elsie Jane Watkins' history. She died in 1958. She married Rev. Watkins. After his death she married Jim Poole from Pickens, SC. Mr. Poole apparently killed Mr. Benson's aunt Floride Reese. 4:45--Mr. Benson continues identifying grave markers. Betty Goldman (1867-1949) was a member of the PBA and was married to Jimmy Goldman. He was the first clerk of Abel Church. 6:03--Inez Green (1898-1949) was the wife of Ed Green, who was a Deacon at the church. Mr. Green was married to Mr. Benson's aunt Mary Reese before he wed Inez. Mary Lou Owen (1891-1949) was Ed Green's sister; she married Henry Owen. 8:09--Johnny Earle (1873-1950) was the secretary of the Masonic Lodge for many years. Lizzie E. (Butler) Dupree (1903-1952) was married to Thomas Dupree. Mrs. Dupree's father was Isaac Butler. Mattie Johnston lived from 1900-1953. 14:15--Pat and Carrie (Vance) Benson died in the 1950's. Pat is Mr. Benson's brother; these graves are unmarked. Robbie Freeman's (1924-1982) marker has a bronze military plaque. He was a Major in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. Mary Freeman is his wife and was still living at the time of this interview. 17:36--Ella Richie (1893-1942) was a member of the PBA and was married to Henry Richie. He was a Deacon at Golden View Baptist Church. James (Jim) Mack (1878-1944) was a member of PBA and is buried next to his daughter Maggie Dunn. Maggie Dunn (1909-1944) was married to Carl Dunn and was also a member of the PBA. 20:20--Leah Fruster (1885-1950) was married to Jimmy Fruster. Mrs. Fruster was a Wilson before marriage; her mother was Julie Wilson, Anne Reese's cousin. 22:15--Lillie B. Cannon (1868-1950) was the mother of Alto Singleton; she married Jim Singleton. The Singletons had two children. Annie Whitener died in 1951. She was the niece of Jim Singleton's sister. Annie Whitener was married to John Whitener. John Knowles' grave is unmarked. 25:26--Bessie Reid (1899-1957) was the wife of Erskine Reid (1894-1963) [one of Butler Reid's children by Polly Reid]. Pauline Reid Hicks (1898-1976) was married to Charley Hicks. His father was Simon Hicks. 29:03--Louis T. Williams was a SC Private First Class with the 3302 OM Truck Company in World War II. He lived from 1916-1950. Betty (Webb) Cannon married Jim Cannon; she predeceased him. Her father was Wayne Webb. 32:11--Audio ends. Cassette 5 Side 1 00:32--Jim Cannon has no marker and his death date is unknown, but Benson states that he died before he became the cemetery caretaker. 1:36--John C. Reese (1882-1951) was Mr. Benson's uncle. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge. Janie (Fruster) Reese (1888-1985) was his wife. John F. Fruster was her father; he worked in the mess hall at Clemson University. Mr. Benson lived with him and his family for a few years. James (1893-1953) and Gay Fruster (1895-1955) are Janie's brothers. Both were World War I veterans. 8:16--Rachel (Singleton) Walker died in 1956; she was married to Brady Walker. John Singleton was her father. Kate Haywood Reid (1887-1967) married Ed Reid (his father was Butler Reid). Kate's parents were Harrison and Lucy Haywood. 11:01--Susie Haywood (1899-1979) was longtime clerk of Abel Baptist. Her father Harrison Haywood is also buried at the church; he has no marker. He was a local farmer and the second clerk of the church. Jimmy Goldman and Kato Taylor were among the clerks that held the job previous to Harrison. Lucy E. Haywood was his wife. Their children were Susie and Harry Haywood. Susie became clerk of the church when her father died. She taught school in Central, South Carolina and was known for her beautiful handwriting. Her brother Harry (1892-1982) was in the US Army during World War I. 18:51--John Keasler, Jaddie Holmes (died 1951), and Mattie E. Williams (1912-1952) are buried near each other. 23:34--Isabelle Cannon Garvin lived from 1906 to 1953. Fleta Knowles (1888-1955) was from Atlanta, GA. 25:56--John C. Whitt was the son of Lucy Fruster Whitt. Lucy Whitt's father was John Fruster. The children of John Fruster are: Lucy, Janie, Ellen, Gideon, James, Gay, and John Jr. 29:13--Megginson mentions that they are identifying the next to last row of burials in cemetery two. Larrie Boggs (1893-1953) was a SC Private--Company M in World War I. Willie M. Boggs was his wife; she lived from 1900-1982 and was in the Eastern Star organization. 32:04--Audio ends. Cassette 5 Side 2 1:11--Rev. George Hunter (1883-1956) was a local minister but did not belong to any particular church. 2:07--Janet Chriswell was a local missionary. Next to Chriswell is Mr. Benson's great aunt. She had three brothers: Jim, Hamp, and Wiles Reese. 4:01--Margaret Reese Harris (1895-1979) is Mr. Benson's first cousin on his mother's side. She was married to Melvin Harris. 5:30--Cemetery three is very well organized. There are markers at most of the grave sites; it has been is use for the previous twenty years. 6:39--Donal Lawson died in 1970. He is the first buried in cemetery three; he was married to Jane Lawson. William F. Shaw died in 1973, Pablos Shereann died in 1975. 8:21--Verdale Lamar Reese lived from 1971-1978. Jared D. Williams died in 1981. Michael James Penson (1985-1985) [lived 2 months] is also buried in cemetery three. Jenny Lee's child is buried there as well; she lived only two months. 11:59--Mr. Benson and Mr. Megginson head into the church to look at the records. 12:43--Audio ends.