T. Harry Williams Center for Oral History Collection

ABSTRACT

INTERVIEWEE: Emma Dell Peters

COLLECTION: 4700.0283

IDENTIFICATION: [1924- ] Lifelong resident of Four Corners; great-granddaughter of slaves; raised on Sterling Plantation; worked as cook in school system for twenty-six years

INTERVIEWER: Adrienne LaCour, graduate student in landscape architecture, LSU

PROJECT: Four Corners Community Center landscape design project.

DATE: 12 February 1993

FOCUS DATES: 1935-1950

ABSTRACT:

Tape 392 B

Account of uncle thought dead who was shrouded and put on a "cooling board" only to get up during the wake; account of great-grandfather and great-grandmother's purchase as slaves; general treatment of slaves; account of female slaves forced to bear children for white owners; singing of spirituals taught by grandparents and mother; account of early jobs; poverty of youth; strictness of mother; Sunday traditions of family prayer continued today; routine of household with eight children; food crops grown by parents; recipe for sweet-potato bread; account of wedding; impact of Civil Rights legislation.

TAPE: 392B

TOTAL PLAYING TIME: 45 min.

INDEX: 6 pages

RESTRICTIONS: None