The Journal of Negro History, Volume 7, 1922Various
History
The Journal of Negro History, Volume 7, 1922
Various
African Americans -- Periodicals
Katie Bowen also teaches Waugh, Ala.
Benjamin Jones Waugh, Ala.
Nelson Judkins Cecil, Ala.
Gomine Judkins Cecil, Ala.
Wm. Plato, also black smith Waugh, Ala.
James Pinckett, carpenter Waugh, Ala.
Ossie Williams Waugh, Ala.
James Garrison Waugh, Ala.
Nelson Garrison Waugh, Ala.
John Mitchell also painter Waugh, Ala.
*Wallace Campbell blacksmith Fitzpatrick, Ala.
*R. T. Phillips blacksmith
This is a letter from a Negro farmer in the south:
ISAAC P. MARTIN--
Merryweather Co--near Stenson
Father belonged to Peter Martin near about 3 miles from where he
was born--never did own any land. Went to work planting at
9--Worked 9 to 25--Had six or eight months schooling--Went one
month in a year. School lasted about three months. Used Blue Back
Speller got as high as Baker; Got as far as subtraction--Did not
know anything outside of reading--Did not know what a newspaper
was.
Father taught us to work corn, cotton sweet potatoes--He was a
---- farmer--Had eleven children all worked--about 1880 they
began to grow up and leave the farm--go on some other
plantation--all married.
My older brother and all the younger children got more schooling
Brother next younger--Payne's Institute Ga.--finished preaching
in Americus Georgia. I had a cousin to come here--He wanted to
buy ---- here--He was interested in machine shop--He was down in
Opelika. He met more boys on their way here, inquiring around to
get down this far and get in.
I had saved up $200 in the bank. I was going to buy land. Went
into day school a Preparatory about 800 or 900 students. The
first work was in harness & shoe shop--Lewis Adams was in
charge--I came there walking. I wanted to get away from the farm.
Going around town I saw that everyone looked better than on the
farm--I wanted to be something. Went in twice a year. We had
plenty country churches. Rabbits, squirrels, ducks,
possums--Geography, reading, Wentworth's Arithmetic. Miss Hunt
and Miss Logan were one of my teachers. I read lots about
Hiawatha. There was a number of little boys in the shop--they
used to call me "Pop." They were ahead of me. Went to Blacksmith
Shop. Worked about four months. Then went to work in
Wheelwright. I learn a good deal about blacksmith and wood work.
I find both these trade very handy.
I was here three weeks before I could eat in the dining room--had
to go to restaurant--I was ashamed.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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