Document text
August 31, 1939
Allen Teavis,(Farmer)
Newton, N. C.
Ethel Deal, Writer
.Dudley W. Crawford, Reviser
Original Names
Allen Pearls
Catawba County
Conoordia College
Conover
Changed Names
Amos Teal
Cook County
Friendship College
Converse
Amos Teal crossed his legs, lit a cigar and with
eyes half closed, spoke softly. "My story is brief.
"I was born in Cook County, reared on the fern; am
sixty eight years old. My father lived alone after I
married and was found dead in the bed. We never knew
whether he got sick and died or if be had been killed.
"After T finished the free school, far as I could
go; I entered Lutheran College at Converse. My intention
was to study for the ministery; lack of funds prevented
this. After two years quit and got married.
"My father gave me a few acres of ground and being
a carpenter by trade, I built a two room house and began
farming. I worked at the carpenter trade during my spare
time. My wife's family were mill people, and she had
worked in the cotton mill before marriage. On the farm she
kept the holism did the 'emery and canned fruit. Often
she went into the fielf.s to help me out those first years.
I have nineteen children, born to us in twenty six years.
I can't make you understand all th-J ups and downs we had.
The babies come so fast there was no time to got one
doctor bill paid and rest up before the next arrived. I've
kept house, done the washing, waited on my wife, besides
working in the field and doing the cooking. We went to
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church on Sunday when we could. I belong to the Lutheran
Church. It's close to my home. I've raised my children
to be ohristians. If they go astray when they get older
it's not my fault.
"As my family grew larger, I added to my home; a
room when I oould. I started on five acres of grounds I
now have sixty. The children are all married but eight.
One girl works in the 000ton mill; there are seven at
home. The oldest child is thirty eight years old, and the
youngest thirteen. I had a tough time raising them. There
was so many of them we sure could turn off work. You put
about twelve in an acre field, they can hoe it out in an
hour. Several of my boys can cook, wash, and iron as nice
as any woman. -I do some truck farming too; then I have a
couple hundred cherry trees. These bring me in quite a
bit of money. The picking of the cherries is a job. I let
folks come and pick them for so much a quart. For our
own use we can about a hundred half gallons. These are
seeded with a seeder. We have our cows, chickens and hogs.
I raise a lot of potatoes and other vegetables. A couple
of the boys work in town. During the winter months I
work in the cotton gin. I've been doing this for a good
many years. What I make at the gin supplies me with money
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to pay doctor bills, taxes and my church dues. We have a
splendid pastor who has the welfare of the people at
heart. I'm a deacon in the church and have taught an adult
class in sunday school for a number of years.
"Death has entered our home twice. A boy, aged twelve
died from Brights disease; another was killed in a car
wreck last spring, he was twent three years old.
"My wife and me both vote a Democrat ticket, the
children vote the same way. I think our president is a
fine man. I hope he can keep us out of this was that seems
to threaten on every side.
"I've never been on relief or had to ask for help.
When things got too hard for me friends come to my aid.
My one regret is- I couldn't send my children through high
school; only two finished. It was impossible for me to get
books, clothing and the means to send them. My *ifs has
been so busy, but her health is good; she's fifty eight
years old. The girls and boys at home do about all the
work and let her take it easy. She belongs to the Ladiell'
Aid, takes part in prayer services, and is a member of
the Home Demonstration Club; she gets a kick out of
making and doing all the things they teach.
wily health is good. I got broke up pretty bad
about three year ago in the cotton gin. I got ()aught in
a belt one mornig; it whirled me around the shaft several
times. I lay in the hospital for weeks. However, I
recovered and feel as good as ever. I intend to take life
easy. I'm out of debt and my family is old enough to
make their own way. I think it will be nice to grow old
among the friends and neighbors I've known and lived with
so long. It nice to feel that you have been useful;
even though you've filled a small and humble place."