Sarah Smiley
From:
Arkansas
Pine Bluff District
FOLKLORE SUBJECTS
Name of Interviewer: Martin & Barker
Subject: Negro Customs
This information given by: Sarah Smiley (Colored)
Place of Residence: Humphrey, Arkansas
Age: 76
[TR: Information moved from bottom of first page.]
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 looks the door at sundown, and me and God are all by ourselves, and I
am not afraid.
I came 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 cut 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.
Cures--I uses gasoline and cedar, soak it and rub on affected places for
rheumatism.
I believe that you must not let your left hand know what your right hand
is doing.
Heaven is a place of rest. If we are faithful to God, you can ride death
home.
Hell is below--also here on earth.
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Andrew Smith
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Arzella Smallwood
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