Project 1885-.1	.	~	~
FOLKLORE	~ 		EdIted by: ~
Spartanburg~Dist.4		390158	Elmer TurnagJ~	2
June 15, :1.93?
	J)	STORIES PROM EX-~SLAVES

	ttl was born in the section of Greenwood County called ‘the promised land‘. My parents were Henry and Julis Watkins, I marned Frank Edwards when I was young. Our master, Marshall Jordon, was not so mean. He had lots o‘ slaves and he cive ‘em good quart— ers and plenty to eat. he had big gardens, lots o~ hogs and cattle and a big farm. Iviy master hac. two children.

	“Sometimes dey hunted rabbits, squirrels, ~O8sUrnS and doves.

	~t1~e master had two overseers, but we never worked at night.

We made our own clothes which we done sometiiiies late in evening.

	“We had no school, and didn‘t learn to read and w±ite, not ‘till freedom come when a school started there by a Yankee named Backinstore. Later, our church arid Sunday school was in de yard.

	9We had cotton pickings, cornshucking,s and bi~ suppers. We didn‘t have to work on Christmas. V

	“Crie of de old-time cures was boiling £ever..~grass arid drinking de tea. Pokeberry salad was cooked, too. A cure for rheumatism was to carry a raw potato in the pocket until it dried up.

	“I had il children and 8 grandchildren.

	ttI think Abe Lincoln was a great man. Don‘t know much

about J•fÎ Davis. Booker Washington is all xight.

	“I joined church in Flordia, the Methodist church. I was 50 years old. I joined because they had meetings and my daughter had. already joined. I think all ought to join de church.“


Source:	Mary Edwards (79), Greenwood, S.C. Interviewed by: G.L.-,~Suznrxier, Newberry, S.C. (6/10/37)