Whittenberg Cassette 4 Side 1
Media
Part of Interview: Whittenberg, Ezra W.
Title
Whittenberg Cassette 4 Side 1
Source
Ezra W. Whittenberg Interview
Date
1990-07-09
Description
Cassette 4
Side 1
00:15--Mr. Whittenberg relates some of his experiences while in college [Morris and South Carolina State]. He describes the mail delivery job he had while in college during his early years; his last year he worked as a night watchman. After several years at Morris College, he transferred to South Carolina State and there received a BS in Agriculture.
5:09--Whittenberg lists the educational level of several of his siblings.
8:00--When he was growing up, books, newspapers, and magazines were always available in the house.
8:52--He didn't learn specifics of "black history" until college.
11:08--Organizations and social groups that his family members were a part of included the Odd Fellow's Club, Benevolent Society, and quilting clubs.
12:52--Politics/voting--Whittenberg's father was the first member of the family to vote.
14:52--His parent's related stories to him when he was a youth that reminded him to be careful around whites. He tells a short story as an example: he hasn't worn a hat in public since the age of fifteen. Blacks had to tip their hats to passing whites. Even if a black was busy out in the fields plowing, he had to be on the lookout for any whites that might be passing through the area. If the black failed to see the white passing while doing his job in the field, and subsequently not tip his hat, he was subject to being beaten.
17:29--The threat of lynching incidents cast fear over the black community. He had never heard of any specifically that occurred locally. As far as law enforcement goes, Mr. Whittenberg states that, "...the white man was the law."
18:12--Marriage relationships--just as today, some were equal and some were dominated by one or the other partner.
19:24--Black/white sexual relations occurred, but were not approved of. He relates a short story as an example of a typical situation: he knew of an unmarried powerful white landowner in Abbeville, SC who kept a black mistress for himself. They had many children, and some were sent to South Carolina State to be educated.
22:05--Mulattos--there were many in his local area; he states that there were even churches who accepted only mulatto members into their congregations. Some could "pass for white." His brother had a mulatto friend; Whittenberg recalls a story in which the friend was served at a restaurant, while his brother was asked to leave.
24:00--Mr. Whittenberg states that Native Americans didn't live in his community.
24:20--His family occasionally made shopping trips to Greenville and Anderson.
24:47--Celebrations/holidays--July 4th was an important holiday where family and friends would gather in fellowship. Baseball games were popular during lay-by-time [between growing seasons]. Christmas was celebrated with a visit from Santa Claus, who brought fruits and gifts. Birthdays were recognized, but anniversaries were not. Hot-suppers and church auctions were both popular fundraising events.
28:35--His mother prized quilts and quilt making. He describes her popular sunflower design that was incorporated into her quilts. His father prized the architectural aspects of carpentry.
31:27--Audio ends.
Side 1
00:15--Mr. Whittenberg relates some of his experiences while in college [Morris and South Carolina State]. He describes the mail delivery job he had while in college during his early years; his last year he worked as a night watchman. After several years at Morris College, he transferred to South Carolina State and there received a BS in Agriculture.
5:09--Whittenberg lists the educational level of several of his siblings.
8:00--When he was growing up, books, newspapers, and magazines were always available in the house.
8:52--He didn't learn specifics of "black history" until college.
11:08--Organizations and social groups that his family members were a part of included the Odd Fellow's Club, Benevolent Society, and quilting clubs.
12:52--Politics/voting--Whittenberg's father was the first member of the family to vote.
14:52--His parent's related stories to him when he was a youth that reminded him to be careful around whites. He tells a short story as an example: he hasn't worn a hat in public since the age of fifteen. Blacks had to tip their hats to passing whites. Even if a black was busy out in the fields plowing, he had to be on the lookout for any whites that might be passing through the area. If the black failed to see the white passing while doing his job in the field, and subsequently not tip his hat, he was subject to being beaten.
17:29--The threat of lynching incidents cast fear over the black community. He had never heard of any specifically that occurred locally. As far as law enforcement goes, Mr. Whittenberg states that, "...the white man was the law."
18:12--Marriage relationships--just as today, some were equal and some were dominated by one or the other partner.
19:24--Black/white sexual relations occurred, but were not approved of. He relates a short story as an example of a typical situation: he knew of an unmarried powerful white landowner in Abbeville, SC who kept a black mistress for himself. They had many children, and some were sent to South Carolina State to be educated.
22:05--Mulattos--there were many in his local area; he states that there were even churches who accepted only mulatto members into their congregations. Some could "pass for white." His brother had a mulatto friend; Whittenberg recalls a story in which the friend was served at a restaurant, while his brother was asked to leave.
24:00--Mr. Whittenberg states that Native Americans didn't live in his community.
24:20--His family occasionally made shopping trips to Greenville and Anderson.
24:47--Celebrations/holidays--July 4th was an important holiday where family and friends would gather in fellowship. Baseball games were popular during lay-by-time [between growing seasons]. Christmas was celebrated with a visit from Santa Claus, who brought fruits and gifts. Birthdays were recognized, but anniversaries were not. Hot-suppers and church auctions were both popular fundraising events.
28:35--His mother prized quilts and quilt making. He describes her popular sunflower design that was incorporated into her quilts. His father prized the architectural aspects of carpentry.
31:27--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.