Interview: Boggs, Rosamond L.
Item
Identifier
Mss-0279, Cassette 3-4
Title
Interview: Boggs, Rosamond L.
Type
Sound
Format
.mp3
Language
English
Source
Town of Calhoun, South Carolina Oral History 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
1988
Description
Rosamond L. Boggs was born on October 7, 1902 in Washington, D.C. She was the daughter of Albert Cummins and Evelyn Meacham Lynn. She was a member of St. Michael's Episcopal Church in Easley, SC. Mrs. Boggs was a volunteer at Cannon Memorial in Pickens, SC for 44 years. She was a member of the Colonial Dames, DAR, United daughters of the Confederacy, Pickens County Historical Society, and the American Legion Auxiliary. There were two living children at the time of her death: Jerre and Rosalynn. She died on August 30, 1995.
Cassette 1
Side 1
00:25: Mrs. Boggs is aged 86 at the time of the interview. She Married Aaron Jeremiah Boggs in 1919.
1:20: One of the early residents of the Calhoun area was A.J. Boggs grandfather, Aaron Boggs. He was known to be very industrious and driven. He owned a great deal of the land in the area. He originally owned the land that would eventually be developed into "Church Hill."
4:15: Megginson wishes to learn more about the old Aaron Boggs home. It was a one story white, spacious home with two porches (front and back). The kitchen had been built as a separate building from the house in order to protect it from fire. The back porch was "delightful", which provided a nice breeze and the opportunity to relax in rocking chairs and swings. It was furnished beautifully and had fine antiques. As far as location, the cemetery was situated on the right side of the house, while the railroad ran in-between the house and the cemetery. Mrs. Rosamond Boggs explains that she inherited a few antiques from the house; the two leave the proximity of the recorder for a few moments because the piece is located in another room--the conversation cannot be heard for perhaps a minute until they return. The family employed two black servants.
10:50: Aaron Boggs was apparently an overseer at Fort Hill, and had a good relationship with Thomas Green Clemson.
12:55: Mr. Boggs wife Elvira lived into her nineties. Rosamond recalls that she had an "attractive personality," and was marvelous to talk to. She was a real "lady of culture." Rosamond cannot recall ever hearing her talk of her experiences during the Civil War. Both Mr. and Mrs. Boggs were "religious," though he never formally joined any particular denomination. She was Episcopalian.
15:48: Aaron Boggs owned much of the land that would later become the town of Calhoun.
16:16: The conversation now moves to Rosamond's father-in-law, Aaron John Boggs (he went by the name of John). His wife was Sally Luper Boggs.
16:55: Politics initially brought John into the area when he was elected clerk of court. Megginson enquires about what political alliances he might have belonged to. Rosamond names no particular party; she describes him simply as a man of the people who would invite any individual into his home.
19:00 – The conversation turns to A.J. Boggs general merchandise store. Rosamond is unaware of neither how old the store is nor its original builder; she simply doesn't know about its original establishment. Very nice things could be bought there. Just about any product from clothes to groceries and fresh produce could be purchased there.
27:34: Megginson is interested in children and the issues of medical care and that of the mid-wife. Mr. John Boggs always made certain that in the event of a pregnancy, both a medical doctor and a mid-wife be present. The doctor's residence was in Central, so he had to be contacted by telegraph and arrive by train. Rosamond believes that a lady named Jane Prince may have been a mid-wife for the family. A gentleman whose last name is Stevens also would help.
29:21: Mr. John Boggs attended Piedmont Academy; there he met his future wife Sally. The children were all home schooled.
30:06: Audio ends.
Cassette 1
Side 2
00:07: Their children were well educated. Dr. Shirley's sister-in-law was one of the home school teachers. She was associated with Central Wesleyan College.
1:14: Megginson wishes to know Rosamond's impression of the Central Wesleyan Church. The building seemed as if it was a schoolhouse; Megginson confirms this assessment. The structure was wooden, and very simple in appearance.
4:15: Mention is made of her mother-in-law's boarding house style establishment. Nineteen rooms were added onto the original structure.
7:12: The first automobiles--Rosamond cannot recall who had the first. Her husband eventually owned a Franklin, but she cannot recall the year.
8:00: Megginson is interested in Rosamond's impressions of Calhoun. She states that it was "heavenly," with wonderful and friendly people. The town itself was small, but spread out. Calhoun consisted of a few stores and the post office. The area was nicely kept up, and had beautiful, large homes.
9:45: Poor sections--Rosamond recalls that there really weren't any "poor" sections of town, and that if anyone fell on hard times, the whole community would help.
11:21: Megginson encourages Rosamond to talk about some of her favorite people in the community. She immediately mentions Louise Smith (Megginson's grandmother). She apparently had a very bubbly and joyful personality. Mrs. Jane Prince was a favorite as well.
13:04: Clemson College sponsored activities: concerts, glee club events, lectures, and parties seemed to always be going on.
14:15: When her husband was young, there was no electricity or indoor plumbing. The roads were not paved. Rosamond gives the impression that Calhoun's facilities modernized fairly easily, but gives no specific dates.
18:00: Concerts at Clemson College were held in a large auditorium at Tillman Hall. There was usually no charge. Rosamond cannot remember ever seeing women perform.
21:08: Brief mention is made of the landscape of Calhoun, and its old trees. The conversation turns to the fire at Fort Hill, making the date of this interview around 1988. Megginson assures her that the damage was not severe.
26:00: Megginson is interested to know anything of the black community. She believes the local black community was called "Abel." In her estimation, relations between whites and blacks were "very good." They were not economically better off than any other black community, yet the relationships seemed "close."
29:00: White churches--Rosamond attended most of the churches in Calhoun, especially the Methodist and Episcopalian. She can remember that Clemson College cadets had to attend. Services lasted "longer than they do now."
31:38: Audio ends.
Cassette 2
Side 1
00:07: Megginson produces a map of the area; followed is a short conversation regarding the Dillard family.
1:40: The original Payne house burned, so the Payne house that Rosamond was familiar with was relatively new. This sparks a conversation about Mrs. Payne's business sense. Rosamond tells a story in which Mrs. Payne stacked cotton bales that hadn't sold a previous year nearly to the roof; there was much talk in the town for it was an eyesore. Mrs. Payne's decision was soon rewarded however, because the government (not clear whether state or federal) bought the cotton and she made a nice profit off of it. She was a very good businesswoman.
3:50: Myra Payne married a cousin: Reuben Boggs. His parents were from the Charlotte area
6:15: Rosamond remembers the Keowee plantation with its marble floors and grand pillars. Megginson states that the house and land are now underwater.
7:46: Megginson encourages Rosamond to talk about some of her favorite memories of Calhoun. Quilting--Rosamond can remember quilting parties at local houses where participants could take part in eating huge prepared lunches and get the latest gossip. The quilt would be placed in a special frame as four people per side worked on it. Calhoun was a small town, so there were few secrets. Overall they had a good time and had lots of laughs.
14:00: The Pickens Sentinel, along with the Greenville and Atlanta papers seemed to be the most popular newspapers in the old days.
15:05: Audio ends.
Cassette 2
Side 2
Blank
Cassette 1
Side 1
00:25: Mrs. Boggs is aged 86 at the time of the interview. She Married Aaron Jeremiah Boggs in 1919.
1:20: One of the early residents of the Calhoun area was A.J. Boggs grandfather, Aaron Boggs. He was known to be very industrious and driven. He owned a great deal of the land in the area. He originally owned the land that would eventually be developed into "Church Hill."
4:15: Megginson wishes to learn more about the old Aaron Boggs home. It was a one story white, spacious home with two porches (front and back). The kitchen had been built as a separate building from the house in order to protect it from fire. The back porch was "delightful", which provided a nice breeze and the opportunity to relax in rocking chairs and swings. It was furnished beautifully and had fine antiques. As far as location, the cemetery was situated on the right side of the house, while the railroad ran in-between the house and the cemetery. Mrs. Rosamond Boggs explains that she inherited a few antiques from the house; the two leave the proximity of the recorder for a few moments because the piece is located in another room--the conversation cannot be heard for perhaps a minute until they return. The family employed two black servants.
10:50: Aaron Boggs was apparently an overseer at Fort Hill, and had a good relationship with Thomas Green Clemson.
12:55: Mr. Boggs wife Elvira lived into her nineties. Rosamond recalls that she had an "attractive personality," and was marvelous to talk to. She was a real "lady of culture." Rosamond cannot recall ever hearing her talk of her experiences during the Civil War. Both Mr. and Mrs. Boggs were "religious," though he never formally joined any particular denomination. She was Episcopalian.
15:48: Aaron Boggs owned much of the land that would later become the town of Calhoun.
16:16: The conversation now moves to Rosamond's father-in-law, Aaron John Boggs (he went by the name of John). His wife was Sally Luper Boggs.
16:55: Politics initially brought John into the area when he was elected clerk of court. Megginson enquires about what political alliances he might have belonged to. Rosamond names no particular party; she describes him simply as a man of the people who would invite any individual into his home.
19:00 – The conversation turns to A.J. Boggs general merchandise store. Rosamond is unaware of neither how old the store is nor its original builder; she simply doesn't know about its original establishment. Very nice things could be bought there. Just about any product from clothes to groceries and fresh produce could be purchased there.
27:34: Megginson is interested in children and the issues of medical care and that of the mid-wife. Mr. John Boggs always made certain that in the event of a pregnancy, both a medical doctor and a mid-wife be present. The doctor's residence was in Central, so he had to be contacted by telegraph and arrive by train. Rosamond believes that a lady named Jane Prince may have been a mid-wife for the family. A gentleman whose last name is Stevens also would help.
29:21: Mr. John Boggs attended Piedmont Academy; there he met his future wife Sally. The children were all home schooled.
30:06: Audio ends.
Cassette 1
Side 2
00:07: Their children were well educated. Dr. Shirley's sister-in-law was one of the home school teachers. She was associated with Central Wesleyan College.
1:14: Megginson wishes to know Rosamond's impression of the Central Wesleyan Church. The building seemed as if it was a schoolhouse; Megginson confirms this assessment. The structure was wooden, and very simple in appearance.
4:15: Mention is made of her mother-in-law's boarding house style establishment. Nineteen rooms were added onto the original structure.
7:12: The first automobiles--Rosamond cannot recall who had the first. Her husband eventually owned a Franklin, but she cannot recall the year.
8:00: Megginson is interested in Rosamond's impressions of Calhoun. She states that it was "heavenly," with wonderful and friendly people. The town itself was small, but spread out. Calhoun consisted of a few stores and the post office. The area was nicely kept up, and had beautiful, large homes.
9:45: Poor sections--Rosamond recalls that there really weren't any "poor" sections of town, and that if anyone fell on hard times, the whole community would help.
11:21: Megginson encourages Rosamond to talk about some of her favorite people in the community. She immediately mentions Louise Smith (Megginson's grandmother). She apparently had a very bubbly and joyful personality. Mrs. Jane Prince was a favorite as well.
13:04: Clemson College sponsored activities: concerts, glee club events, lectures, and parties seemed to always be going on.
14:15: When her husband was young, there was no electricity or indoor plumbing. The roads were not paved. Rosamond gives the impression that Calhoun's facilities modernized fairly easily, but gives no specific dates.
18:00: Concerts at Clemson College were held in a large auditorium at Tillman Hall. There was usually no charge. Rosamond cannot remember ever seeing women perform.
21:08: Brief mention is made of the landscape of Calhoun, and its old trees. The conversation turns to the fire at Fort Hill, making the date of this interview around 1988. Megginson assures her that the damage was not severe.
26:00: Megginson is interested to know anything of the black community. She believes the local black community was called "Abel." In her estimation, relations between whites and blacks were "very good." They were not economically better off than any other black community, yet the relationships seemed "close."
29:00: White churches--Rosamond attended most of the churches in Calhoun, especially the Methodist and Episcopalian. She can remember that Clemson College cadets had to attend. Services lasted "longer than they do now."
31:38: Audio ends.
Cassette 2
Side 1
00:07: Megginson produces a map of the area; followed is a short conversation regarding the Dillard family.
1:40: The original Payne house burned, so the Payne house that Rosamond was familiar with was relatively new. This sparks a conversation about Mrs. Payne's business sense. Rosamond tells a story in which Mrs. Payne stacked cotton bales that hadn't sold a previous year nearly to the roof; there was much talk in the town for it was an eyesore. Mrs. Payne's decision was soon rewarded however, because the government (not clear whether state or federal) bought the cotton and she made a nice profit off of it. She was a very good businesswoman.
3:50: Myra Payne married a cousin: Reuben Boggs. His parents were from the Charlotte area
6:15: Rosamond remembers the Keowee plantation with its marble floors and grand pillars. Megginson states that the house and land are now underwater.
7:46: Megginson encourages Rosamond to talk about some of her favorite memories of Calhoun. Quilting--Rosamond can remember quilting parties at local houses where participants could take part in eating huge prepared lunches and get the latest gossip. The quilt would be placed in a special frame as four people per side worked on it. Calhoun was a small town, so there were few secrets. Overall they had a good time and had lots of laughs.
14:00: The Pickens Sentinel, along with the Greenville and Atlanta papers seemed to be the most popular newspapers in the old days.
15:05: Audio ends.
Cassette 2
Side 2
Blank
Subject
South Carolina -- Pickens County
Interviewer
Megginson, W. J.
Interviewee
Boggs, Rosamond L.
Publisher
Clemson University Libraries Special Collections and Archives Repository
