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Hazen R.F.D., Green Grove, Arkansas
Age 60 Doesn't know exact age
"I was born about eight miles from Williston, South Carolina. After freedom my mother married Lee Ballinger and
she had six children. He died when I was real small. My mother was named Hester McCrary. Old Master McCrary
bought grandma and my mother in Virginia. One sister my mother never did run across after freedom. She was
older and sold to other people. I think at freedom my mother left and I think grandma did too. My grandpa was half
Indian, but I never did see him to remember what he looked like. Our young master is a doctor. He waited on my
mother before she died. Grandma was blind and she lived with us. Our young master may still be living. Old
mistress was named Sylvania and she sent for my mother to come wait on her when she got sick to die. I think they
had pretty fair treatment there. My mother was to be a house girl and cook. I think grandma was a cook and field
woman both.
"I heard them say the white folks took them to church to learn to pray, then they didn't allow them to pray for
freedom. But I don't think they wanted freedom. After they was set free they died up so scand'lous. Grandma said
they had to work harder. My mother brought a good price because she was real light color and sharp to learn. She
had six children end we was all darker than she was a whole lots. She and grandma was both good on giving advice.
Seem like they could see how things would turn out every time.
"I married a man with a roving nature. We come here. He left me, come back for me to look after before he died. I
married ag'in. I left him. He told me how I could do five washings a week end take care of us both. I didn't aim to
do it. I mighter got some washings but I didn't aim to keep him.
"I get a little commodities along to help out. I'm picking berries now twenty-five cents a gallon for the first picking.
Fifteen and twenty cants is the regular prices.
"I haven't got children and I don't know what they ought to do. I reckon they do the best they can.
"Times is hard on me. It takes me all the time to make a living."
(Pine Bluff District)
Name of Interviewer Martin & Barker
Subject Negro Customs
I was born the 10th of May, 1860. My home was in Charleston, S.C. I was not a slave, but my parents were.
My mother was a seamstress and my father, Edward Barnewill, was butler for their white folks.
I locks the door at sundown, and me and God are all by ourselves, and I am not afraid.
I oame to Sherrill when I was a schoolgirl, and married when I was 14. Lived here after I was married. Taught
school before I was married.
Had seven children by my first husband. My three husbands were Ike Williams, Eli Treadvan, and Calvin Smiley.
When asked about her books standing on her shelves --- namely Golden Gems, arithmetic, and the Bible, also a blue
back speller --- said she just loved her books.
Young folks of today don't love like they did in the olden days. Now it is hot love, minute love, free love.
When my first child was born, I begged the midwife not to out me open to get the baby out. The midwife told me
the same place it went in the same place it will come out.
When my breasts began to grow (adolescence) I didn't want those bumps on me, and tied them down with wide
rags.
This information given by Sarah Smiley (Colored)
Place of Residence Humphrey, Arkensas Age -76
Cures - I uses gasoline and cedar, soak it and rub on a places for rheumatism.
I believe that you must not let your left hand know what hand is doing.
Heaven is a place of rest. If we are faithful to God, death home.
Hell is below --- also here on earth.
Interviewer Miss Irene Robertson"
