Douglas E. Harbin Interview
Item
Identifier
Box 1:34
Title
Douglas E. Harbin Interview
Type
Interview
Language
Source
Black Heritage in the Upper Piedmont of South Carolina Collection
Rights
Date
November 27, 1989
Description
Speakers-Douglas E. Harbin, Yolanda Harrell
Audio Quality-Good
Location-Seneca, SC
Side 1
1:20--Harbin's maternal grandfather was a cotton farmer. He didn't know his maternal grandmother because she had died while he was young. They were originally from Ergo, SC before moving to the Clinkscales division in Seneca, SC. His paternal grandparents were also farmers.
3:30--Uncles and aunts that are recalled on his father's side are John, who lived in Atlanta, and Lula, who also made her home in Atlanta.
4:34--Harbin's family owned their own home. It was on Sheila Ferry Road in the Oakway Community.
7:40--His family is buried at St. Paul's Baptist Church at Earl's Grove, SC. Most graves are marked.
8:10--Nothing has really changed in regards to the ways in which funerals have been conducted over the years. The biggest changes Harbin can see is that in the old days, people rode around in buggies and wagons.
9:25--Mr. Harbin left for Florida to find work in 1926. His father had left the previous year for Florida in order to find work clearing land. He had two uncles who he believes worked on the railroad.
10:55--Some jobs that were open to black men other than farming work could be found at Orr Mills. Women did mostly domestic work.
12:25--The family did their shopping in Westminster and Seneca. Most often whites owned the stores, though Harbin can remember a black individual named Bennie Ware who ran his own store.
13:10--Clothes were both bought and handmade. The nicest clothes were only worn to church. Men wore over-alls.
14:11--The family raised their own fruits, vegetables, and livestock. Working the crops was tough, especially for child, because they just wanted to play and have fun. The only food products that had to be bought from the store were coffee and sugar.
15:51--Most furniture in his parent's house had been bought at local stores.
16:49--Special talents that the family was known for included blacksmith work.
17:30--Though his family never really discussed it, Mr. Harbin got the impression that times were hard in the old days.
18:30--A relative on his father's side and an uncle on his mother's side served in World War I. Harbin doesn't believe they left the country.
19:10--The family belonged to the Baptist denomination. They attended St. Paul's Church in Fairplay, SC. Harbin can recall Reverend Galloway, who preached there Harbin was young. Mr. Galloway farmed in addition to preaching.
21:39--Camp meetings were held locally in the fall at Bethel Grove. Services lasted around a week and were multi-denominational in nature.
23:30--Singing conventions were held annually at different churches in the Seneca area. An uncle of Harbin's named Tom Gideon was president of the local convention. Most of Mr. Harbin's family usually attended the conventions.
26:08--Education--Harbin attended a one-room school in the South Union community. He had to walk 2 1/2 miles to and from school everyday. The school semester lasted from September through March, with an additional short period in July and August. The typical school day lasted from 9am-4pm. Several of the teachers that he can recall are Cora Benson, Betty, Ollie, and Essie Glenn, and Cadelia and Finley Scott. Several of these were siblings. All received training at the Seneca Institute; they were essentially teaching as student teachers at Harbin's school. Harbin's parents were educated, but he doesn't know where.
31:43---Audio ends.
Side 2
00:50--Harbin got eight years of schooling; he farmed thereafter. His sister Eunetta attended Seneca Junior College. She did domestic work in Greenville, SC.
3:30--Newspapers and books were provided to the household by Harbin's parents, but he cannot recall any specifics.
4:42--Harbin cannot recall being taught black history.
10:02--The only lynching he can remember is the incident involving Mr. Green of Walhalla.
11:23--Within his family, men were considered the head of the household.
12:17--He occasionally heard his parents talk about black/white relationships and mixed children.
13:30--His maternal grandmother was part Native American.
14:00--The family rarely went to Greenville or Anderson in the old days. There were likely more opportunities there in his estimation largely due to population.
15:28--Celebrations--during July 4th celebrations, families would gather to have picnics, and the men would play baseball games. Santa Claus brought gifts and fruits at Christmastime. In the old days, most people didn't celebrate birthdays or anniversaries.
19:45--Adults in those days were strict disciplinarians; they were firm with their children.
21:56--Mr. Harbin has always accepted being black; he has been well pleased with his life.
24:02--Audio ends.
Douglas E. Harbin was born in 1909, the son of Seaborn and Lillie Scott Harbin. He was married to the former Leola Harris. He died in April 1998.
Audio Quality-Good
Location-Seneca, SC
Side 1
1:20--Harbin's maternal grandfather was a cotton farmer. He didn't know his maternal grandmother because she had died while he was young. They were originally from Ergo, SC before moving to the Clinkscales division in Seneca, SC. His paternal grandparents were also farmers.
3:30--Uncles and aunts that are recalled on his father's side are John, who lived in Atlanta, and Lula, who also made her home in Atlanta.
4:34--Harbin's family owned their own home. It was on Sheila Ferry Road in the Oakway Community.
7:40--His family is buried at St. Paul's Baptist Church at Earl's Grove, SC. Most graves are marked.
8:10--Nothing has really changed in regards to the ways in which funerals have been conducted over the years. The biggest changes Harbin can see is that in the old days, people rode around in buggies and wagons.
9:25--Mr. Harbin left for Florida to find work in 1926. His father had left the previous year for Florida in order to find work clearing land. He had two uncles who he believes worked on the railroad.
10:55--Some jobs that were open to black men other than farming work could be found at Orr Mills. Women did mostly domestic work.
12:25--The family did their shopping in Westminster and Seneca. Most often whites owned the stores, though Harbin can remember a black individual named Bennie Ware who ran his own store.
13:10--Clothes were both bought and handmade. The nicest clothes were only worn to church. Men wore over-alls.
14:11--The family raised their own fruits, vegetables, and livestock. Working the crops was tough, especially for child, because they just wanted to play and have fun. The only food products that had to be bought from the store were coffee and sugar.
15:51--Most furniture in his parent's house had been bought at local stores.
16:49--Special talents that the family was known for included blacksmith work.
17:30--Though his family never really discussed it, Mr. Harbin got the impression that times were hard in the old days.
18:30--A relative on his father's side and an uncle on his mother's side served in World War I. Harbin doesn't believe they left the country.
19:10--The family belonged to the Baptist denomination. They attended St. Paul's Church in Fairplay, SC. Harbin can recall Reverend Galloway, who preached there Harbin was young. Mr. Galloway farmed in addition to preaching.
21:39--Camp meetings were held locally in the fall at Bethel Grove. Services lasted around a week and were multi-denominational in nature.
23:30--Singing conventions were held annually at different churches in the Seneca area. An uncle of Harbin's named Tom Gideon was president of the local convention. Most of Mr. Harbin's family usually attended the conventions.
26:08--Education--Harbin attended a one-room school in the South Union community. He had to walk 2 1/2 miles to and from school everyday. The school semester lasted from September through March, with an additional short period in July and August. The typical school day lasted from 9am-4pm. Several of the teachers that he can recall are Cora Benson, Betty, Ollie, and Essie Glenn, and Cadelia and Finley Scott. Several of these were siblings. All received training at the Seneca Institute; they were essentially teaching as student teachers at Harbin's school. Harbin's parents were educated, but he doesn't know where.
31:43---Audio ends.
Side 2
00:50--Harbin got eight years of schooling; he farmed thereafter. His sister Eunetta attended Seneca Junior College. She did domestic work in Greenville, SC.
3:30--Newspapers and books were provided to the household by Harbin's parents, but he cannot recall any specifics.
4:42--Harbin cannot recall being taught black history.
10:02--The only lynching he can remember is the incident involving Mr. Green of Walhalla.
11:23--Within his family, men were considered the head of the household.
12:17--He occasionally heard his parents talk about black/white relationships and mixed children.
13:30--His maternal grandmother was part Native American.
14:00--The family rarely went to Greenville or Anderson in the old days. There were likely more opportunities there in his estimation largely due to population.
15:28--Celebrations--during July 4th celebrations, families would gather to have picnics, and the men would play baseball games. Santa Claus brought gifts and fruits at Christmastime. In the old days, most people didn't celebrate birthdays or anniversaries.
19:45--Adults in those days were strict disciplinarians; they were firm with their children.
21:56--Mr. Harbin has always accepted being black; he has been well pleased with his life.
24:02--Audio ends.
Douglas E. Harbin was born in 1909, the son of Seaborn and Lillie Scott Harbin. He was married to the former Leola Harris. He died in April 1998.
Publisher
Clemson University Libraries Special Collections and Archives Repository