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school but sometimes we had to go to de white folks church and set 5~n the gallery. We didn‘t learn to read and write. The mistress learnt some of de nigger chaps to read arid write e. little.

	“We had Saturday afternoons off to wash up and clean up. When Christmas come the doctor would give us good things to eat. ~hen we was sick he give us medicine, but some of de old. folks ~u1d mkke hot teas from root herbs.

	~	“We had old time cornshuckiiigs before and after freedom. We made sure enough corn den and lots of it — had four cribs full. V~hen freedom come, the old man had fallen

off a block and was hurt, so one of de overseers told us was we
free and couidgo if/wanted to. Some of dem stayed on azid some

got in the big road and never stopped walking. Thenwe worked for 1/3 share of the crops; had our little patch to work, too.

“I was 31 years old when I married first

time. Was living in Mollohon. Her name was Leana and she belonged to Madison Brooks‘s family, as waiting girl. I was married twice, but had 13 children all by my first wife. I have 14 grandchildren,
	-	great-V	~
and so many/grandchildren I cantt count them.

	~	“When de Ku Kluxwas in dat country I lived wid a man who was one of them. Thé first I knew about it was when I went down to ile mill, de mule throwed me and de meal, . and down de road I went to running and met a Ku Klwc. It was him.

“I think Abe I4ncoln and Jeff De.~j~ good men,


but don‘t know much about dem.

“I join de church when I wa~ 68 years old

t cause God 8ent me to do it • I bel leve all ~ ou$ht to join church.“ ~. SOURCE : Joe Rutherford (92), Newberry, S • C • ; Interviewer : G. Lei and
	.~ .	Sworner, NeiYberry, S.C.