The document summarizes interviews conducted by the Works Progress Administration between 1936-1938 with over 2,300 former slaves from southern states. It provides excerpts from several interviews, including Charity Anderson who said she had a happy life before the Civil War and her kind master trusted her. Tempe Herndon Durham, who was 103 years old during her interview, discussed slave wedding and childbearing traditions. The interviews also described slave labor, relationships with owners, and past times.

1. Slave Narratives Victoria Williams and CarlynThometz

3. From 1936-1938

6. “Mammmy Rachel, she knew all the bark and berries to make dies in different colors.” -Tempe

7. A tradition in weddings was to jump over a broom

9. Slaves who had many children were more valuable.

10. “Before the civil war, if we were sick marse an’ mistis looked after ‘em… dey was de same as mammy and pappy.” -Tempe

12. Vacation (Christmas Eve to New Years Day)

14. Playing Music and Dancing

16. Plowing-Planting-Harvesting

17. Corn, Cotton, Barley, Beans, etc

18. Tending To Animals

19. The master’s livestock was the prioity.

21. Cooked Meals

22. Cleaned the House

23. Tended to the master’s Children

24. Served as a midwife and wet nurse

25. Mended Clothes

26. Spun and died the cloth them selves

28. Took care of sick servants

29. Trusted their slaves