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Black Heritage in the Upper Piedmont of South Carolina

Reid Cassette 1 Side 2

Media

Part of Interview: Reid, Anna

Title

Reid Cassette 1 Side 2

Source

Anna Reid Interview

Date

1991-07-30

Description

Cassette 1

Side 2

00:00--Mrs. Reid continues to recall aspects of her employment with the USDA. She was the only black in the department for many years. In addition, she discusses her appointment as the first black person to the Board of Visitor's at Clemson. Mrs. Reid knew Harvey Gantt personally; he was an acquaintance of her daughter. On weekends he would stay at Mrs. Reid's home in order to study and escape from the media. They often learned of his whereabouts, however, and would call Mrs. Reid's home in search of him. He was reluctant to give interviews on account of concern that reporters wouldn't quote him accurately. He later met his future wife Lucinda through Mrs. Reid's daughter. Mrs. Reid recalls a humorous story in which Harvey broke the chandelier in her living room while dancing the "Jitterbug" with Lucinda. Their families continue to be close.

10:40--Mrs. Reid has been quite active in the community since she retired from the USDA in 1983. She details many of her weekly activities and responsibilities. The interview turns toward stories of slavery experiences that her older relatives passed down; such as slaves not being able to congregate in public without a white man present or the fact that there was a social order among slaves that gave greater prestige to house slaves as opposed to field slaves. Literacy among her parent's generation is touched upon.

21:03--Stories from the days of slavery continue to be discussed. Some stories referred to whippings and general brutality. Others, such as the story of a slave cook named William Hawthorn who would slip leftover food out from the master's house in order to feed other slaves is also recounted. Tales of sexual exploitation of female slaves by their owners is discussed. Mrs. Reid states that several of her family members could "pass for white." Her father-in-law had blue eyes and red hair, for example.

30:48--Audio ends.

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.