Cassette 2 Side 1
Media
Part of Velma Childers Interview
Identifier
2:1
Title
Cassette 2 Side 1
Type
Interview
Source
Velma Childers Interview, January 4 and 8, 1990
Rights
Description
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.
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.