Williams, Mamie T., June 30, 2009
Scope and Contents
The Avery Research Center Sea Islands oral histories collection contains 50 individual oral history interviews arranged according to the sea island discussed in each oral history. Most of the oral histories were conducted by Avery Research Center employees with people who are from the Sea Islands or lived and worked in the Sea Islands while adults. The audio recordings and/or transcripts of some oral histories are missing.
A wide range of topics are discussed in these oral histories including specific aspects of life in the different Sea Islands such as foodways, children's games, education, religious life, labor and its relationship to the land and participants' family history. Other oral histories focus more institutions operating in the sea islands including the Penn Center, York W. Bailey Museum, St. James United Presbyterian Church, Bowens Island Restaurant, and Sea Island Comprehensive Health Care Corporation. There are also two audio recordings of New Jerusalem African Methodist Episcopal church services and portrait photographs of people from Wadmalaw and James Islands.
Series 1. Wadmalaw Island
Series 2. Saint Helena Island Oral Histories
Series 3. Edisto Island Oral Histories
Series 4. Johns Island Oral Histories
Series 5. Bowens Island Oral Histories
Series 6. Sol Legare Island Oral Histories
Series 7. Yonges Island Oral Histories
Series 8. Sapelo Island Oral Histories
Series 9. James Island Oral Histories
Dates
- Creation: June 30, 2009
Access Restrictions
Some oral histories are restricted according to participant's interview agreements. More information about restrictions can be found at the file level of each oral history or by contacting the Avery Research Center.
A cassette player will be made available to researchers in the Avery Research Center's Reading Room to listen to the audiocassettes.
Full Extent
From the Collection: .417 linear feet (1 document box, 19 audiocassettes, 8 DVDs, and 1 gigabyte)
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Abstract
Mamie Taylor Williams discusses her family history, growing up on Wadmalaw Island, and heirs property. She also discusses her religious life as a parishioner at Wester and Jerusalem AME and when she joined her first church as a child and the seeking process. She continues by talking about her husband and his family's grocery store, Ed Williams Store, the prevalence of Black businesses on Wadmalaw, the difference between living in Charleston and Wadmalaw for her, and her children.
The oral history is conducted by Leila Potts Campbell.
Repository Details
Part of the Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture Repository
125 Bull Street
Charleston South Carolina 29424 United States
843-953-7608
averyresearchcenter@cofc.edu