Sleeping Giant Wake Up

Ex-Slave Aunt Harriet Smith describes what everyday life was like on a sugar cane plantation during the time of the Civil War. Listen as she recalls her experience from molasses making to black soldiers marching to fight for freedom.   Interview with Aunt Harriet Smith, Hempstead, Texas, 1941 John Henry Faulk: I remember a long time ago you told me about during the big break up, the soldiers came by and uh, riding horseback. And you all were sitting on the fence, you children. Can you remember that? Harriet Smith: Yeah. John Henry Faulk:Lean this way just a little bit and tell about it. Harriet Smith: Yes, I remember, that's, the, the, just, sit there, sat all day and look at them. They play the prettiest, prettiest music you ever heard in your life. And the soldiers would, you know. And them horses, they'd sing, you know. And them horses dart and follow the music just like that. John Henry Faulk:Well I'll declare. Had them trained. Harriet Smith: Yeah, had them tr

Aunt Harriet Smith says 's, she was just 13 years old during the Civil War. Listen to her story as she gives her account of what it was like to be a slave in those days. In this 1941 interview by the Library of Congress, Aunt Harriet recounts her days on the plantation picking cotton as a young child and witnessed first-hand black soldiers marching into battle during the Civil War. Transcripts can be found below Interview with Aunt Harriet Smith, Hempstead, Texas Harriet Smith:And you ask me any words you want to ask me about a slave, you know, back, and uh, I can remember. John Henry Faulk:Well Aunt Harriet about how old are you? Harriet Smith:Well I don't know Mr. Faulk. I really don't know my age, only by the, the children telling me, of course. My ma died, and she, and she didn't know nothing about our age. But the children traced back from the ex-slave up to now. John Henry Faulk:Well how old were you when you were [Harriet Smith interrupts] Harriet Sm

The oldest recorded person to ever live in the United States was ex-slave Charlie Smith; who was reported to have died in the year 1979 at the age of 137. Though there was great debate about his actual age, in this 1975 recorded interview he states that he was "144 years old". That would make him 148 years old at the time he died. Listen as he gives his account of what it was like to be kidnapped from Liberia, Africa and made a slave in the United States, and of his life as a U.S. citizen afterward. Interview with Charlie Smith, Bartow, Florida, March 17, 1975 Elmer Sparks: Ready? The following is an interview between Elmer Sparks, Texas ranchman and historian, and, with Charlie Smith, old-time slave of Bartow, Florida. Uh, [voices in the background, background noise will remain throughout the interview] we've already got on the introduction on it. Charlie Smith: O.K. Elmer Sparks: Is it turning? Charlie Smith: Yes. Elmer Sparks: Uh, Mr. Smith, what is your full

Fountain Hughes was born a slave in Charlottesville, Virginia in 1848. He gained freedom at age 17 after the Civil War in 1865. Hughes was 101 years of age at the time of this recording; which was done by U.S. Library of Congress in 1949.  Listen as he gives us his wisdom, financial advise, and a vivid description of what slavery was like for him. The transcript of this recording can be found below. Transcription: Fountain Hughes: Talk to who? Hermond Norwood: Well, just tell me what your name is. Fountain Hughes: My name is Fountain Hughes. I was born in Charlottesville, Virginia. My grandfather belong to Thomas Jefferson. My grandfather was a hundred and fifteen years old when he died. And now I am one hundred and, and one year old. That's enough. [recording stops and starts again]. She used to work, but what she made I don't know. I never ask her. Hermond Norwood: You just go ahead and talk away there. You don't mind, do you, Uncle Fountain? Fount