Spencer Cassette 1 Side 1
Media
Part of Interview: Spencer, Cato
Title
Spencer Cassette 1 Side 1
Source
Cato Spencer Interview
Date
1990-08-24
Description
Side 1
00:20--Biographical Information. Mr. Spencer talks briefly about several subjects; namely that of the possible origins of the Spencer surname, funerals he experienced as a child, families related to him by marriage, and his parent's occupations. His father was a farmer who for 18 years worked the land of a gentleman named Clay Doyle. His mother did domestic work.
11:43--Spencer begins recalling family members who worked with the local railroad. He had two older stepbrothers (Jim and Horace) who worked with the railroad laying track and crossties. Jobs that were commonly available to black men included work in blacksmith shops or agriculture. His family shopped at Hunter's Store in Pendleton, SC. There one could find just about anything from food and fresh produce, to clothes and shoes. Cash and credit were both utilized from time to time. In Mr. Spencer's case, his family never had to buy much accept staples because they grew most of their food products at home. Clothes were handmade, as were quilts and some furniture as well. Harrell reads a few names from a prepared Spencer family tree.
21:15--The flu epidemic struck his family during around the 1917-1918 period. Virtually the entire family became ill, though only his brother Pat died. Spencer goes on to discuss his family's church affiliation with Bethel Grove Methodist Church, along with a few recollections of camp meetings and singing conventions. The local black community named a slavery era church that preceded Bethel Grove "Brush Harbor."
32:14--Audio ends.
00:20--Biographical Information. Mr. Spencer talks briefly about several subjects; namely that of the possible origins of the Spencer surname, funerals he experienced as a child, families related to him by marriage, and his parent's occupations. His father was a farmer who for 18 years worked the land of a gentleman named Clay Doyle. His mother did domestic work.
11:43--Spencer begins recalling family members who worked with the local railroad. He had two older stepbrothers (Jim and Horace) who worked with the railroad laying track and crossties. Jobs that were commonly available to black men included work in blacksmith shops or agriculture. His family shopped at Hunter's Store in Pendleton, SC. There one could find just about anything from food and fresh produce, to clothes and shoes. Cash and credit were both utilized from time to time. In Mr. Spencer's case, his family never had to buy much accept staples because they grew most of their food products at home. Clothes were handmade, as were quilts and some furniture as well. Harrell reads a few names from a prepared Spencer family tree.
21:15--The flu epidemic struck his family during around the 1917-1918 period. Virtually the entire family became ill, though only his brother Pat died. Spencer goes on to discuss his family's church affiliation with Bethel Grove Methodist Church, along with a few recollections of camp meetings and singing conventions. The local black community named a slavery era church that preceded Bethel Grove "Brush Harbor."
32:14--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.