Document text
Project P•1655
ClIalmere S. Nurray
Edisto Island,. :1. O.
lanT X= OF LAGNOLIA Ful4LA
AJJ STORY.
EverythinL was quiet when I drove up. A few Ne6roes were
m -vin listlessly about the cotton arbor, and a mangy mouse.
colored hound lay like dead an the ground by the whitewashed barn.
I took my eyes from the dog lying there 'in the dust and looked in.
steae at the tall pines, the treat laurel tree and the grove of
live oaks. Then my eyes refreshed, wandered in a semi..cirele and
rested an the plantation dwelling a large two and a half story
structure, painted battle ship grey, rising Sheerly from the bleak
dirt of the front yard.
The breeze died to a whisper. It 1011121 too tired even to rumtle
the pine needles. The September sun was hot an my cheeks, and I
walked toward the dwelling already picturing myself seated in one
of the perch *lairs in the deep shade.
Eight black forms were dra--ing themselves along the path
leading to the cotton arbor where the staple would soon be weighed
and later put out in the sun to dry. The figures sere bearinG burs.
lap sacks, stuffed with cotton, on their heads. No wards escaped
from their thick liia. The last figure in the procession a
copper colored boy of about ten, was followed by a little blia
do, X looked closely at the dog as it nassed as. It seemed to
have purple e7es.
The boy walked wit,.in a few feet of the spot where the hound was
Project ilm1656
Chalmers S. Murray
Rdiato Island, S. C.
MISTREsS OF
IA HA
LIPS HISTORY.
Page is 2 4.
lying and the little black dog trailed along. Slowly the
hound raised up an its spindly legs and yawned. The black dog
charged. In a twitikling the oatibatants were obscured by a
cloud of dust. Their yowls out shanty throue the still air
and the boy added his voice to the racket. He kept yellingt
slOo get um, Lion. Chew um up.'
Suddenly a window in the big house was thrown open and the
angry voice of a woman was heard above the hubbubs 'What's going
an down there? Stop that noise, stop it immediately.'
The boy answered nothing. All of his attention was *entered
on the fight.
Again the woman's voice rang out* "You know full well I
don't allow dogs in my yard. Dogs can't pick *ottan. Got thus
both out of here or X1i tell the magistrate.'
The window was slammed shut.
walked up the long stairway and rapped at the porch door,
Mn, James Devereus, a little woman with four score years plainly
written an her face, admitted me. She made birdmlike motions
with her hands as if she was ready to take flight. I waited in enm
barrassments coarsely knowing if I were weloome. The might of a
half smile relieved my nervousness. She was saying1
"Come on injwonit you, Chalmers? I declare I at all worn out.
Project 0.1666
Chalmers 8* nurray
Edisto Island, C.
ih=r,TRL:.•
CP LACVOL
0100••••••••-....••••sw,.*.a.minranoo.
LIVE PIIiiToia.
?ago
T always get this way during the cotton picking season* Alit
donft seem to have any energy* All of this business "Os waved
her hand in the direction of the cotton arbor and the heat
you know, and getting the children ready for college* So many
dressee to rake*"
She led mk across the porch into the sitting room and motion..
ad me to a *hair by a front window* It was a large room even for
an old plantation dwelling, with high ceiling and wide baseboard**
?Latta.** of saints, done on wood, and an oil protrait of a hand.
some woman with jet black hair and plump arms, relieved the white.
nese of the plastered walls* There was a horeelhair sofe in en*
corner end a varied aesortment of *hairs and small tables* I
noticed three colonial pieces 4. a chaise longue and twc mahogany
chairs and a nathiber of things belonging to the late Victorian
period* The bias* marble fireplace of exquisite lines was the
dominating feature of the room* On the mantlepieett were two
ornate vases, a gift from the LaPayette family of Prance.
Mrs* Levereux set on the edge of a straight Ishtar* Again
she seemed poised for flight* Her eyes roved to the dining room
and then to the window on the parish side* She addressed met
"I hear you are looking for histories and old stories for
the government* 147 attic is rattjammed full of old books and
Project #.4685
Chalme:.8 ;Aurray
Edlito Island, 64 C•
a.,-ITRLZ;SF ACHI T41A HALL*
Page 4
letters and papers of all sorts. I think I have a set of McCrady
and Ramsey 4. I am not Fur* and m letter from Daniel Webster. My
paternal grandfather /rept open house in ehiladelphiap you know, and
entertained many celebrated people. Webster, Clay and Jerome
Bonaparte were among them. I hardly know that's in the attic my*
self. The children are always rumaging around.'
I told her I was interested in any history mentiantng Ettwan
and its people, but that I also wanted to talk with her about her
life story. 'Your experiences should maks interesting ausoirsill I
said.
*My memory is still good, Chalmers9 ospeeially about the things
that happened in my childhood," she said. The words poured out in
a steady stream,
"The first thing I remember? Yes, it stands out very clearly.
We were refugeeing in Abbeville near the close of the Civil War.
The sea islands wore not considered safe and we had moved bag and
baggage to the Up country. I was sitting an the porehpplaying with
a dish9 pretending that it was a hat trying it ans taking it off
again. My little spinning wheel, the delight of my life* was near
by. They said that the Yankees were cawing. I had hoard them talk*
ine about the Yankees before, it seemed, I did not know exactly what
Yankees were, but I did know they were some kind of beast -animals
certainly,'
Project 461SSF,
LIFE HISTOR.
Chalmers r. Murray
Edisto Island, V,. C. Page 5
MISTRESnOFVAGRoT,IA nue
Mrs. Devereux wiled for breath, cot up and walked to the
window, then sat down again. She resume her narratives
"T had never seen a Yankee in a goo. but I always thought
that I would Goma across one or them there. I was convinced that
they were animals with horns. Today, I tell every Yankee I meet
about my Childhood fancies thinking they were animals* with horns.
/t seems to amuse them."
The :tuet, sentence was spoken through her nose. She chuckled.
"That's the wa>- my relatives in Philadelphia talk," she said.
The Ymkees were marebintr through," she continued, was
mush surprised to learn that they were not easts. One of them
gave me a dime and I wrs delichted, my ideas Changed quick as a
flash, After that I thoucht the Yankees were fine. I wondered
why my parents thought they were awful.
'I can se?, that olC place today. Years afterwards I visited
Abbeville but I eo,ld not locate the house. T was very sorry for
I would have dearly loved to Imre seen the old kr-me where the
Yankees gave me that dime. I treasured a dirm more than the
children treasure a five do7lar bill. Children theme days don't
have any idea of the value of meneY•ff
I broke in with a ques'ion here for I knew she would wander
further and further fairly from the enbleet, and I would have a hard
time bringinc her back.
Project #0116S8
Chalmers C. Lnrray
hdiato island, Co
Pao', w 6 w
MI7I1J=•
"PlerLse tell no about the time your nother was christened.
and the ball 0.ven in honor of General LaPayette. Mow did the
fanoun
nChman happen to visit Haman anyhowl°
"ADo4o often ask me why my grandfather asked General Law
Pa7ntte to ttwin," Mrs. Devereux said, wiping the beads of.pero.
spitation from her forehead, "Tell, he thought it would be a good
to ask the General over so he could meet the people here.
That wwi in 1626. randfather had sent his own steaMboat to
Charleston for him. In the ret7:Lrn trip the boat landed in the
Creek right behind the house. Graadfather had prepared a ball in
the treat Prenchmanls honor and had invitoa all of the people of
the islund. Fe owned la' Le 1-imber of slaves and they were busy
for er,ys etting everything rsady. Befcre the boat landed, grandw
fatLer had handscrie carpet laV fral the wharf to the house, a
distance of sev-oral h7Adred :lards."
Lr,Payette se 9. ash 're and was warnly ereeted by z!,rand-
fat;:eT the Island cuess. ALout five hundred pelAe were pre-
sent. '7fr:rone ha l a tlAe. Champagne flowed like water."
"After the ball, TAFayetto asked for my grandmother
are was told that she was nostairs with her three weeks old in-
tent. /Conld you no'5:lav the child brought down hero?' Lafayette
wanted to know, II would like to see hero/ Grandfather said that
Project #6.1855
Chalmers S. Murray
Beiisto Island, S. C.
WIATREs8 OF MAGN041A HAlat
41■Mmusmo.•••ftwom..
LIFE HISTOKX.
Page 7
it Gould be arranged. LaPayette then suggested that sine. a
clergyman was present, the Child be christened the same evening.
.7 want the privilege of naming hers' he elide
'The belly was brought into the roam and ray grandfather asked
the General what name he had ahosen for the child. will name
her, if you will allows after the state and meat Carolina Lit+
Payette,' he answered. And this is hew my nether got her name.
row if you will oxen.e me for a minute or twe I will go upstairs
and finish off a little job I promised to do for one of my grand+
daughters."
While Mrs, Devereux was out of the roan I tried to recall
what I knew about her life history. She was born on Etisan
Inland in this same house, eighty-two years egos the daughter of
a Philadelphian and the girl wham LaPayette named. Her mother had
inherited Magnolia TTall plantations and after ahe and her husband
returned from an extensive tour of Europe, they settled an litiwans
The man from Mhiladelphia knew nothing about the culture of sea
inland cottons but be was willing to learns and with the assistance
o at experieneed overseers he soon become a planter in hiw own
rights In a couple or years he could "talk sea island cotton" with
the best of them,
1))'cject -1055
Murray
1-isto 1d, C.
,akv
LTIT, flITTORY.
Page 0. a
laird tiaes followed the Civil 1;ar and t'lLe family's income
was shariay reduced. Urs. Devereuxfs education was out short
anal trip; to Europe discontinued. But hop father WU
wae to borrow nosey aa the streugth of his reputation as a
cotton 21tor and by de6rees recouped his fortune. Upon the
death f her :xtrento„ Mrs. Devereux was lift Magnolia Hall and
a tidy s-= beside.
in !c. thirties she ,:41.1.ried Jairms Levereux of Wand() Island.
FollowiuL her mwthzIrs f7xample she insisted that he calike his head..
cnartere at :-A6aolia Hull and plant sea island cotton. James
Devereux, his neighbors said, loved the soil and the feeling of
lonL: stale ..1.ber between iel'in6ers. he Could sake two pounds
;row where anly one pound 6rew before. An authority an the sUbia•
Jett of cotton culture, he was sent with a commission to the
narbacoes to study lest 4ndlan methods of production, near the
turn of earithry•
Le ,lad nejjj for detaila. kris. Levereux managed the
busineaa cad oi tc plancatIon. She kept tete books, made tne pup.
chases a3C. drew Le eheC.Ks. Jae would 1-tave divan away every*.
thir4.;ho owned IACL it nnt for hia wtfe, he island peop141
declared.
a latter years Ile w%s often ill for months at a time
ad. orced to imdergo an operation that cost hia around throo
Projoot
Chalmare 2, Murray
Edisto islmd„ 7,, C.
.01; vmobIA
thousand dollars at John Hopkins. He died about twenty.five roars
ago, leaving his wife and two daughters.
Mrs, rovereux enntinued to live at Magnolia Hall. Importing
a younz relatio frb..m anc:o;her island, she made him her agent and
the laanting of sea island cotton was resumed on the place.. The
you nano Gerard Fearborosfell in love with her eldest daughter
ard narried her. Then the youngest daughter married !ea ton
Scarboro and moved to the next plantation. The eldest daughter
Rnd h. husband were given an apartment in the Magnolia Hall dwell*.
inc. Of the union two girls were born. Almost in hailing distance,
across slat creek, lives the other daughter, her husband and two
girls. A private telephone line connects the places. Thus the old
lady can Veep in close thouch with every member of her immediate
family.
A few years before the World Wars Mrs. Devereuxis sons.iinAlkw
joined forces and began planting cotton together. The two plantations,
Magnolia all and Cidar Island, with a total of 645 acres, were thrown
into one. Mrs. Devereux approores of the arrangement. She says that
it reduces the operating cost and puts farming on a sounder business
basis.
Magnolia Hall is a gathering place for the clan. NePhews,
nieees, aunts, uncles and cousins, pay extended visits, and some,"
tines every T.'ed in the house is ocoupltedo Mrs. Devereux wc)eomes
Project ISTORY.
Chalmers f3. Murray
Edisto Tsland, S. C. Page 10
Ail.Gau4,4A
them all. She says the lei the lively air that the presence of
half a dozen quests '!ends her horte•
She in a great traveler. After a few nonths at Magnolia Hall
she b000men rentlese and her daughters know what to expects She
complains about being out nf contact with the world and sags that
she longs for her friends in i'hIladelphia and New Yorks She
tells her fanily that :She 1$ homesick for the theatres, the art
galleries. mumtas, and the lichts of the big city, Finally her
daughters outlaw** They pack their mother's bags* warn hoe about
Iler heart and kiss her gnod*bYwip
n fer hfltrs aho iv an Street in Chawaloston, making the
7IL,TAls of! inr fw,rorito shop. T.he nezt week• the poodle at home
will zet a lotto:, that lc 13 havina gloulons time in New
1:or, Toromma or Miami* 'L11 S11L and sayy
own -r you can74- do a '.!71,avain all by 1,ertlelf
at ettpty—';:ro yrith venk !-et%rt. .1J7 Way, nhol.Ad fal: ill an
the trsefm or bus?'
'1'01/Y %how Watt plo-lohow "VI.= always mna,Los to reach her
destination safely in spite of her advaneed ago and her weak heart.
Mrs. Deverem never a,) e.ii :.0 -0 worried over her health.
Speakine of illness she semi "If you have an objective in life
and keep -.11.4y, you won't have much time to ',otf, these
yelaf ;pei).:,lo nee forever getting sick. It seemte c. ,fley
ChalmersP jest #4656
S. Marra,'
Baste Islands S. C.
IRMARMEK•
Page 11
ILISTRESS OP NAGFOLIA_461A,.
fly to doctors every week, who put them in hospitals, or send
then to the dentist to have their teeth straightened* or maybe
to a surgeon to out something out of than. I tell my doctors,
PS* use to find anything wrong with me because I just watt put
my feet in a smelly hospital I hate the things.#*
In recent years Devereux has paid enormous dental and
hospital bills for her thildren and grandehildrsn. She says she
dee* net believe in handicapping young people with debts; that
hior. money is there for them to use as they think best. Nene of
her ehildren or grandchildren have strong constitutions. When a
change of climate seems necessary she lends theme:Ivey am long trips,
to Canada in the summer, to Florida in the winter. *There in nothing
like a trip to pick you ups* she remarks.
4004,41.41..*•••••.4powesopeooti000llip0411
The door opened and in walked Sallie, one of the grand..
daughters. She regarded me with round, owl eyes behind horn -rimmed
glasses an intelligent looking girl of about twenty. Sallie is now
completing her senior year n a state college, and *vests to teach
sehool ext season.
"I heard Granny tell you about old letters and diaries while
I was in the dining room." the said, running her words together like
so many of the islanders do. "I have rummaged through the attic many
Sttgs#4.1636
S. Murrey
Basta Island, S. C.
,111J7 KIEITZI•
Page .0 12
sTRESs OF Mepoka, RAU%
times, but found nothing like that. I am quite sure mr Ohele John
took the letters bask north with him long ago."
"That's a pity," told her. "They woad have been valuable
to historians and collectors no doubt* But right now I am trying
to get something more about your grandmother's life* I wonder if
you oould induce her to write her memoirs* If she could write the
way she talks her story should make a best seller ei that is if the
book could be illustrated with moving pletures so as to catch her
gestures."
"The girl smiled* "I am afraid she would never write anything*
She likes talking so mueh better. You couldult make her sit still
long enough to write*"
The old left rei.entered the roam* She had a worried proee.
eupled look on her face.
"I an sorry to have kept you waiting so long," she said, "but
you know how these young people are es never able to find anything
for themselven. Only a week before oollege opens and dresses to
finish and trunks to peek. Clothes, elothes, clothes. Their heeds
are full of everything but their studibee."
Uri* Devereux tea told her friends that she is anxious for all
of her grandchildren to win college diplomas* Years agog realizing
that the expense was too heavy for their parents to bear without
Project 661638
Chlmmrs Murray
Edisto Island, S. C.
OF MAGNOLIA HALL.
pY1 HISTORY.
Page 13
borrowing the money, she set aside a eertain rum for the grand.
daughter's edueation.
Mrs. Devereux spends a oonsiderable part of her income an
charity, and is a strong supporter of the Malan braneh of the
King's Daughters Soeiety and the Presbyterian chord' an the
island. I remember her remarking onset 'We must support the
church whether we like the minister or not. Its our ohurohj not
his. The King's Daughters stand for praetieal Christianity.
That is why I like to give What I son to the society...riot the
churoh must go on. Old associations, old friends, you knew.
We can't afford to give up the old things.'
Sho has befriended many a Negro on Stiwan, espeeially those
living on her plantation. Her gifts are generally practieal ones
food, clothing, medicine.
Before Mrs. Devereux could start an the subject of the
younger Generation again, I asked her to tell me something about
her experhenees during the hurricanes of 1893 and 1911.
'I suppose you know that there has been no hurricane an the
island sines 1911,' she said. 'Oh yes, minor blows -itentlfi
lit is bromism* that knocked over a few pine trees several summers
ago, but nothing that could hold a candle to the 1911 Storm or
the famous one of 1993.
Project #-1655
Chalmers Si Murray
Edisto Island, S. C.
MISTRESS OF taasoLIA mu.
LIFE HISTORY.
Page 4. 14
"How well I can recall the storm of 18931 The instrument
for measuring the speed of the wind im I have forgotten what they
call it was torn to pieces, so they really did not know how
hard it was blowing.'
"We were living on the Point then. Our house stood on
palmetto posts, six feet from the ground, and the pilings were
sunk three or four feet below the surface. It made the house
very steady.
"The blow came in August. The wind was behind the tide and
it came ruahing in tearing in. The water was soon lapping under
the house and pounding away at the sills. I believe it was a
sort of tidal wave. The water rose suddenly as if it had been
thrown from a big bucket, Naturally we were nervous. WOO wouldn't
be with part of the Atlantic ocean under them,
11/ remember that the horses were stabled under the house
at that tine. It was pitiful to hear them whinnying when the waves
knocked them off their feet. But they managed to keep from drown..
Ingo the Lori only knows how. We pould hear them moving about all
night, trying to keep their footing.
"The next morning we found a huge piece of timer in our front
*card. It must have come from a wrecked ship. It it had stem* the
house during the word* of the storm there is not te1.inj what would
(Igilts#6116"
S. Mtrray
Nieto Island, S. C.
MISTRESS OF UAGNOLIA PALL.
iLIFR JusToRr.
PAGE 15
have happened. MereifUlly the timber was caught by the palmetto
trees and cane no further.
"During the night there was a lull, You could hoar a pin
drops We held our breath, knowing that the storm wasn't over,
no sir it wasn't. The wind had been blowing from the east and
southeast for hours and hours. Before you could count ten it
came gnashing in from the west, this time and blew even harder
than it had done before. When the storm finally died, the tail
end of it was coming from due west. That's the way hurricanes be
have."
While Mrs. Devereux was finishing her story, her son.inislaw
came tramping into the room. Gerard and Weston Scarboro are
*auxins. Gerard is short and thickset and moves with quick enerft
gotta strides, while Weston in tall and lanky and walks with a
decided slouch. 'loth have black:hair and olive complexions.
naps of cotton were clinging to the men's shirts and trousers.
Planters of Etiwan scorn overalls.
Gerard held out his hand and greeted me cordially, but Weston
merely grunted out, "how you", and sank into an easy chair. He
mopped his forehead vivrously with his handkerehief. I could
see that he was eXhauoted.
Mrs Devereux asked "Did you get through, Gerard?"
Project 4.18Ss
Chalners •t4urray
Edisto Island, 3. C.
M 3TRES,S OP i.,,ON2LIA
LIFE TJTSTORYt
Page 18 e,
"Yes, we picked in the ,saviest blow, but there are still
two fields to finish. Start an them tomorrow, I suppose, if the
weather holds goody" he answered. With a twinkle in his eyes he
Said: "I believe you have been telling Chalmers one of your tall
stories."
"I was telling him about the storm of 1893, and you were too
yon 4; to remember it so you Gantt check up an me," his motherwln-lum
replied in a tart tone. "Talkinz about storms you had better hurry
an get that cotton in. The hurricane season is right at hand.'
"Don't St too nervous, Old Lady. I will have it under shelter
by the end of the week*"
"1 can't help being nervous," Gerard. She was speaking in a
serious voice now. "Pertenber *hat the 1911 Storm did for us? No
factor to borrow from these days." Turning to me she saidt "Chalmers,
those wore the 600d old days* Sea island cotton bringing from forty
to a dollar a pound. If a storm came yap could always borrow enough
money to start over again. V,1) didn't have all of these comforts
and c-hveniences then, ,47ut we were just as happy and it seemed that
we could save more*"
"Go on, Old Lady," said Gerard grinning. We were always in debt
to the factor if T. remember right. an glad that the factor system
died out."
"Ars. Devereux suddenly changed the subject* sLo
relatin6 a story about the Reconstruction period* Gerard broke
Project #46155
Chalmers S. Murray
Edisto Island, S. C.
MISTRESS OF MAGNOLIA HALL.
LIFE HISTORY,
Page 17
int "Can't you let me say a few words?" This time he winked
broadly at me.
"Everybody in this house thinks I talk tie much, "Mrs.
Devereux remarked. *Well, God gave ms a tongue and I expect to
use it."
She was interrupted by Groans and squeaks from the radio.
She put her hands to her ears and said, "That plagued thing.
Nobody oan talk against it. Gerard I wish you would speak to
Mary," Mary is the youngest grandchild. She was standink, before
the rudio making experimental turns with the dial knob.
"Here, Mary, stop that," Gerard yelled.
At this juncture Mrs. Gerard Scarboro burst into the room.
She has sharp but pleasing features, and email bright brawn eyes
like her mothers. Her blue -black hair was coiled in a sort of
pompadour and pulled back from her ears, She said *hello" to me
and passed in a flash. Soon I heard her arguring with iiary in the
hall. Mary was trying to talk back but not succeeding very well.
"Look here," I said turning to the men, "the government is
publishing a series of stories about how the people in the South
live, I want to take a typical Itiwan plantation like years and
desowibe conditions before the boll weevil put an end to sea
island *ottani Then I would like to know how things are with you
Project #4865
Chalmers Se Murray
Edisto Island, S. C.
VSTRESS OF MAGNCT4A HALL.
LanHISTORY,
Page a. 18
now, since yo”, have bean planting short staple ootton and truck."
"All right," said Weston suppressing a yawn, "Go ahead. Got
a list nf rliestions"? He seemed to be gradually coming to life.
I was clad of that becalm* T was sure that he had a 1r,t of interest".
ing information at his finger tips.
"Ytts, I made out a list of queattons before I left home," I
told him.
"You can say that we are not living merely exiating,"
marked Gerard. The twinkle was still in his eyes.
"If you -len are going to talk business I will lea -s you alone.
I have a little work to do upstairs anyhow," said Mrs. Deveroux.
We all urged her to stay, hut she picked up her hand bac and
left us. I settled down to what I hoped would be a lork; uninterrupt..
ed conversation with Gerard and reston0
mnlo is goinc to tell all of this?" invired Gerard.
"I will put the questions to you first," I answered. You were
here before Weston."
"Shoot. I may 1,ave to lnave soon to see WhAt Olc 1enry is
doing to the cotton house, but I won't be gone over fifteen twenty
minutes."
"Well, if you would tell as about the prises, average yields,
method* of working the crop, how the Negro tenants 11.ved *,hon, how
the:- livo n -w
Pro *et #1.1655
s So Aurray
Edisto Island. S. C.
pFE FIST( y,
Pace 19
YTSTRF.s6 OF MAGIMLIA 1A7,74.
"Hold one That's enough lor a start."
Gerard began talking. I took notes as fast as I could.
"About the price, as far as I can figure out, the grade of
sea island cotton we planted brought between 40 and 48 vents a
pound.on the average. The cotton eoat about 20 cents to produce,
so we generally ;-,ade a net profit at 25 eents an the pound.
"Thl.ngs were different then, No automobile to keep you
strapped. The horses and mules made their own feed. No gasoline
to buys no radios, no plumbinu fixtures.
"No, I don't think mudh of the factor system. As 1 said a
few minutes ago we generally stayed in debt to the factor. Of
course, When a storm ruined the crop we could make a borrow, As
lorl RR yov ha e a plantation and knew how to make entton you could
get a loan.
"About 60 percent f the crop was worked btday labor" or what
you might call 'contract hands., e:ou lot a family have a house
and he use of six acres of lard tn exihane for two days vvrik out
of each week. If they wanted more land you let them have it on
the basis of five aeries for one day. The tenants started civing
days the first of Fleolr-Ar7and worker tIhro4h NoveMber.
"When the first of February rolled around, the heads of the
families who wanted to stay on the place, wovl4 oorli up an sign
writtsr onrtrinnts before two witnesses. Most o them had to sign
Project #-1656
Chalmers C. Murray
Edisto Island, S. C.
MISTRESS_ OF MAGNMIA HA L.
LIFE HISTORY.
Page 20
by their nark. We held them strictly to the contract and they
hardly ever 4ade a fuss over it. Some of the planters on the
island had trouble gettint., work out of theg_r hands9 but some
how lr the other we got along all right with our Negroes.
"'Lou know that this thing of giving days was started on
Eliwan 1); old Mr. V, He drew up the first contract, oh, sixty
or so years ago, It was his idea. I dorlt believe the s: -stern
ever :spread any further them iltiwan and several neljaboring
islands.
"When I talk about workinc i-ys X don't mean that the Negroes
hae te wor from sun to sun. You see re tasked tl,em orf,
task reir-Arqsents re fourth of an acre. We gave the women thliee
tasks for a day's wrrk hoeinc or hauling cotton. Haulinc means
to haul dirt un on the d tan to conserve the moisture and
kill the zrasso
If a man plort,d four acres of tiround (two furrows)
that vas his day's pork. Six furrows vran sourted as ore acre.
another day's work. Al also taskee L110 ..en wl-lon they dug ditelles.
Often a hand would finish he day's work !7- ter or cloven in the
mornincs provided he Itrecl by .a7
Gerard cot up suddenly. "Excuse me, I have to weigh eotton
now. ,ack in a 1!:.ttl,.-3. wh _ols" he said,
*You were asking about how the Negroes lived then," Weston
said. "T think I can tell you something abo-it '‘;haten
Project T1E -.1STORY,
Chslnere 6. MUrl“y
RdIrto Island, f* C. PaL,e 40 21 0.
10TI-(L, oF MA(?oTrA HALT.
"Pleare do," I ureed.
"I can tell .;:reu that they cot alone much better then and were
healthier* Their needs were simple no claretLes, no coffee, ez*
cept rnce in a coon's as.. The. NOinerl knew nothric at...out hair
straiehtnels, and rouse and 3. ii stick* The men didn't spend all of
their aparo money or, 01e, broken down automobiles or installment
plan fvrnitilre*
"This was before burial .Jolicles came into style* When a Negro
died, smiebody Dandy with tmols made the coffins The plaata%ion
owner furnished, the bo;.irds* ie will cive 'diem the boards now, but
they don't !rant laAWA. The old timk; funerals cost only a few dollars;
now they AL- -un us 4Agil at -Oro hurdred* %Walesa didn't cost there
mu& either* There was a resident doctor on tie island tiler* Yofl.
didn't have to LA) twenty miles to leant one, or worse still ride
forty's:Lye miles Lo Charlcsti)n in case you cozadnit 171:11d. the doctor
at home in t,ieeett or dans 1:1.1n*
"The ,ter.oes on the dlace 'used straw mattresoce. The chIldrer
slept in QA) loft of the ca:_ins on Lays We 14..d i.1t€ a few double
amuses then* Tiley id At„, eZilakaos in. the i'dddle with two rooms on
eadh side* Two fami7ien nanaved to crowd into these houses. They
had .are fantll.es too ftcn as i3any aL seven children*
Project #-1C85
Chalmers 8. Rurray
Edisto Island, C.
.;41,::`,Z,
111,5TORY,
Page 20
"I said before that the Neeroes wer4 much ilealtaier then.
Syphilis was seldom heard of. I don't exactly know why, but supm
pose it was because the :legroes traveled around very little, and
didn't come in contact with other people much.
"Then, their eatin3 habits were better. Instead of drinking
a cup of coffee ant eatIzT a alioe of bread for breakfast, working
all day an nothing thd then goring themselves on all kind of junk
at ni3ht as they do now, the man of the house wolad go to the
field early and his wife and children would meet him at a heading
row around ten o'clock with a tin bucket fuli of hominy, bread,
fish and thin em of t'.1at kind. They wonld eat together leisurely
and tnen z.;o back to rork. When they knocked off they vent home
to a hearty meal. They seemed to thrive on this schedule.
"Take the Jeeroos on this pltultation tods4. They haven't
half the enduranoe of the oDd time ones, and they contract almost
any disease that aaries alone. Pow can they help it, eatine tdat
way?
"The whole troublb seems to be, Chalmers, that their standard
of living is higher now and the crop primps and the wages haven't
risen in proportion. IP sea island cotton days, our tenants miss
as weli as 1 can estimate about 170600 a year in cash. They don't
make a cent ilore now. rhey hardly ever bother with planting for
project /;166,5
Chalmers Aurray
Ldisto island, f). G.
.11•••
itit3TOIC4:4,
Pe 23
eheLiecives, We Gantt afford to day then more than sixty oents a
day, and can't keep them eteadily employe; at that."
"What did they Let sea ialanti cotton ties?"
"riomen forty exi fifty.n
"'IAA yo tL ean't think of it altogether in terns of what the
white AA= .daid for labor. 1n sea Island 'cotton was 'being grown,
the lisaids worked only a amall part of the tint at oath jobs
arouad the place, nom= were hired for fifty cents a day and
61von a house and two aures ot lama free. Wnen we droped seed or
scatteree fertilisers, the women were paid forty cents a day. All
of the rest of the fork wan doe by urs,tract hands Who were paying
their rent by L.,ivil-L• days. We Lad contract plowmen too, but some
were hired aff the place,
"vou -111,94; re:marl-ler thattn those tines all of the tenants
jlarted teir ,Iwn crops or see !Eilan cotton. That Ifies _ow they
their ioiey, .The Feoioes coul0 Let advances from
the factors just like tLe dlantatim Ortifbr6. The fRctors advaneed
Vier: seed, staple fooes like ,icat, Lytts; i-me 9. 1-5.ti,1 cash at
u tpud stiff rata of interest.
"They woul J1nt l'aar or five acre., maybe more. 10 garden
for Lhem except a few rows or okra and lima beLms. They were right
independent• The ones who Lied good Grope and paid up the faetor
at ;;he cad of the year didn't pare to work for Itm arter they had
Projeot 04.81515
Chalmers bo Warred'
Sdisto Islands C.
MICTREnS OF MAGN0LTA RAIL.
;IPT VISTOHY.
Page 24 40
oarried out their days* The only tenants Who would do outside
jobee were the ones in debt to the factor and who couldn't get
any more advances*
*You sees twentyudive or thirty years ago, the white
planters °midmost of the good cotton land en the island* The
NoGross were anxious to plant long staple ootton so they were
quite willing to sign up oontracts with the White men* We found
out after a while that this plan had holes in it. Just as I
have said it vats hard to aot the contract hands to do more than
they had agreed to do* They were simply not interested in each
jobs* Wanted to use the spare time to work their own crops* 30
we started to encourage the Negroes to buy land* We helped them
to cot hold of it, We even went so far ast to build houses for
them on their own property*"
"11 don't understand why you did that?.
*We did it because we wanted hard working Negroes to
settle around us so we could get labor when we needed its We
preferred to wurk independent Negroes, those who were not under
Obligation to any white planter* Sipes they didn't have to give
days they would work for us the first part of the wiibriad 'teed
their own orope the last part*"
"And you do really think they vire happier then wore
eontentedi.
Project 0465$
Chalmers S. Murray
.Edisto Island. 3. C.
11.13Tia S op .&GNo;xA 'TALL.
iiroFE jilsVal•
Page as 00
do. That was before the big migration to the North
before the island war connected to the mainland by bridge. We
had our own world here. The only connection with the outside
wasiby river steamer. It was a trip not taken *ovary *Muir
The Negroes felt that they were more or less permanently settled
on the plantatien. They were not tempted to move about.
*Was there a stronger tie between the plantation owner and
the tenants then than nowt"
III believe there was. You can't take muoh interest in
transialt04 Many of our tenants had, been on the pleas for years
several families a generation or two. I reckon we understood
each other better twentrkfive years age.
"At that time we had as many as twenty families in 'the
street. Now we only have nine. Ives nine is considered a good
number on Etiman these days. I don't know of but ono other plow.
tation that has more than nine.*
"save you ever had mush trouble with your tenants stealing,*
"Yes." Weston laughed dryly. *we have always expestod thorn
to do some stealing. One island planter used to say that he
wanted on lost% twenty...five percent of his srsipbr stealings
think that percentage is too high. Still we have war *hare
of it. We just aceept stealing and let it go at that unless its
done on too big a sealed'
Project ;:g.3.655
Challimors 8. iftv•req
Mieto island. S. C.
)(41•3;e106414 ui? oi&UNO,104 WILL*
ài 41,10140BX*
Pagit 11. SS 40.6
"Didn't the Negroes get a lot of free stuff?*
nes. and they do now* The tweak and the omen is dose at
hand and its not mush trouble to Pia a Peek or 610 of orator* ow
*lens, and there is fish in season and plenty of crabs and Ihrtlioe
The sea food helpearith their diota great deal* We let the /Wade
have all at the eabbago they want and eenetimee give t6is sweet
potatoessand other Vogetabhes* They 'lover have to buy fireweed*
Thory san help themsolwos to all they want EA dry or green**
me screen door slammed shut and Gerard same in. *Lord it
sure is hot outside** he said between pants* *Nothing is half as
hot as ootton* Got iz all weighod op though m a 11100 blew we Ask.
ell in today**
We pialsod?* inquired Weston.
Gerard ignored the question.
"Got all of the information you want?" he asked. turning be
me.
*Not all I want, but I have filled several pagos of xi note
b ,dics Mat was interestinG stuff Weston told me. Sow suPPooe pro
giro me an idea about prosiest eanditiens the piles Short Wain is
Winging* at yea make on its how smell you plants and your ens,
perionos with tau* *reps**
*Ths year our kind of eetten is bringing nine oents a pound
Projeot #.4886
Chalmers 8* Murray
Xdisto Island, be CO
WI HISTORY.
Ng. 27
MISTHES3 OP MAGNOLIA HALL.
on the average* We make a profit of about two and three quarter
cents a pound, or say, fifteen dollars an mare* The average yield
was 400 pounds of lint cotton pilr acre*"
"And you plant how much?"
"Thirtriseven acres of cotton, 86 gores of truck, 36 acres of
corn and six or seven acres of sweet potatoes* We plant a garden of
course* Generally, we have a good one**
"How does the present day income compare with that of sea
land cotton days?"
"That's a hard question to answer. I would be inclined at say
off hand that it compares favorably* Certainly we handlp more Wee
But it is harder to get along now. Sur expenses are hiGherb and we
Gantt save like we did in the old days*"
"It was a secure kind of life* There's no security about truck
planting Its a gamble* Sometimes we strike it luoky* pay up all
our debts, have money in the bank; then again we may lose for two
or three years hand running* You know pretty well what to expect
when you went in for sea island cotton* You could always sell it 4.
maybe for not as mush as the year before but the bottom never
droved out of the market like it does with Irish potatoes, or
eabbage or cuoumbers*
"It gave the Negroes a sense of security too* They had the
Projoet #411116
ars.re Away
Mist, Island. S. C
igaZIMALSUFAXAMit•
jp/I 191TORX,
WASS Se
white planter to tall beak on it they tailed. Making sea island
cotton was a ten month's job. Plowing started in February. The
last of the setter& was pinked around Christman. Is edaid ilsOP
the Negroes busy ter ten months out of the year at lout,
*We had no troible in signing up eontraot hands as lens as
sea island cotton was grown. All of the hawses gore full. They
were glad to give days ter the use of land. New, land dome"
seen um& to them. They ain't afford to plant it It they sr anted tec
As an indmeement we now rural& a hawse and two sores of land tree
of charge to the families an the plans, but it doesn't seem to in.
tweet than no good reason why it should emeept tor prevision
crops. Planting earns peas and gulden tonna deem t appeal to the
average Negro just booms there is no divest oath easing in.
A lot or white people are like that too.
*Per the Met time sins* 1 San remember. 550 &ores on these
two plantations axe lying idae. That doesn't leek like pronoorit*.
And just meat the Mean plantations under mortgage. that's net
a good sign either. No, I wouldn't say that we were just as well
off new as we were treentrative years ago not by a long elghtoll
Mrs. Dever's= was beak in the seem. Mho was sayings
*These Minarets, these young people. I Molar. I isn't know
what Is to bosom of them. All they think *bout is playing the
Patsi..t #4R
5. *array
Mato Island. Bo Co
KEZRAMSL.421ALLIAtio
Mn EIj7.
Piga HO 41
radio, sfting mowing ;daturas in Charloston and riding &mind in
automobiles. Xt was tilifieszent In my day. We MVO tend of books
and goad oonvereation. When I go North X hear grand Wpm and ewe
Ma best plays on Broadway. Imo broutAt will be ePleroOlato suek
thine***
%tiro you been to New York loftily? tasked*
*Vast roar. Isla going again this winter. Warty wintor will
never eafth as on Stamen. Xta too dead has. Item to travel and
soo something new to broaden my mind. sr great grandfather. Joe**
Hopkinson designed the Ameriessi flogs you know. Betsy Hess (snort)
was only a seamatiess following direotions. X inherit my anoestorts
taste for the arts. I love to visit art galleries!)5 spout hours
reaming around in this. Wheals* up North I stay with friends.
Ri hotel top ass think Viso WO do the toms up brow.° Mks :imbed
at ay then added. *X an very fond of Manhattan m14106'112. They
kaovr emastly hew to make them in New York. Cke pleas* moues as.
I forgot. Rave you finished your business with Westin and award?'
°Jut about finished," I seamy**. 'X will our over again if
I want to sok any store questions. ay the ways you were talking
wails ago about the yoveg peoples totems' for riding in ears. X
get tired of thorn sometimes di
*Dontt talk te me about autosiobilos. Chalmers." she said. net
oPromigeja SS
#41
Sor NOrrey
Idiots lelend, S* 0*
JIMISPIL9LMEStailialt.
iipalstwoo
Piss 30
allowing mo to finish* *We Southerners are a feel nee of people
working to support automobiles faoleries* Automobiles sensed the
depression* Iwidi we hod our horses aid buggies bask* We had
nee to be sosiable then* Now we get into these ears and rush
armed like we are waxy* we never spend a day with a friend
anaars JstPitY a Pep sail and sash hens again ft? what'.
*You ride in autesibiles seestinest* I asked pretending
inneessee.
*Of eourees* she replied in an aggeayseed tea's* its have to
ride in then or I would never get off et Ibtems•.
Rer daughters have often asked hereby she is willing to for.*
sake her soft bed aid he socked meals for the Waft, of travel
bribe* or twain* At agnolia Nall She has everyWAS to mks hie
easfertlibift lidera plumbing has bees Installed In resent years,
and the house is adoiquately heated by fireplaoes and oil stoves,
and the postbag are cereemed against nesquiteee* the hee large
roan to herself fined with souvenirs sad Ober treasures* Pres
her window the eau see the broad reoehee of the Mean River,
glittering in the sue, the bottles/grew marshes: the woodlands and
fields of her own domain*
Nris* DOMPOIS snows her daughter's *Oan't you understand,
must sleep ant mos in a, while or I'll get rusty*"
Project #.1685
Chalmers B. **may
Bdiste S. C.
1(1:STRESS OF MONOLIA RAU,.
;IF HISTORY.
Page 31
After ship had aired her opinion about automatise,
asked her how she liked the new roads that they were building
an Etiwan,
"Don't like them at all," she said. "Pretty soon there
will be nothing to the island but roads I never saw such a
thing* The world has gone insane an the subplot of road build.
Ingo Of course, Etiwan has to follow the fashion. (She was talk.
ing through her nose wine Moeda never bring in a desirable
class of people. I can't see what is to be gained by paving the
roads. Mare autopailee, more smashes, more pecele killed
just for speed's sake."
"Chalmers, we used to have a quiets peaceful island, Where
is it today?"
The quesilon seemed to be a rhetorical one and I did not
answer it. Besides there was hardly any use making a try.
Mary WM in the room, pulling at her grandmother's skirt, telling
her something in a loud whisper* The radio was going fall blast.
From the next room came the sound of Mrs, Gerard Searborols voice.
She wftstalkinEwith her sister who had driven up a few minutes
ago* Talk eddied and flowed around me.
Project #4.685
Chalmers S. Murray
Edisto Islands 3, C.
ittliaRB33 OF IANOL1A Huai.
RISTORY.
Page 32
was bidding Mrs. Devereux goodbye. "X hope I can have
another interview with you before longs" I said1 my toot an the
top step.
PussI always enjoy talking *bout old times," the replied,
extending her hand. 'Mary, let me alone a second won't you......
aut you had better make it soon. I may leave the island next
week. I have a very urgent invitation from a relative in
Philadelphia."
I walked down the steps into the yule* The breeze had died
completely during my absence* and the silence was as heavy as be...
fore. No sounds cams from the cotton arbor. The eight bleak
tires had left and with than the black dog with the sightless
purple open. In the dust lay the mangy mmusei.colored hounds fast
asleep.