Never Hurry or Trade Horses

My great grandfather, Woodson Smith, was a very nice man. He always seemed to have a certain slow pace of movement that never changed.
He and his family farmed for a living. When people would come to the field to talk, he would usually sit with his mule nearby.
Great-grandfather believed in trading anything as long as you were satisfied with it. His brother-in-law lived on the farm as a tenant farmer. He had a bad  habit of trading horses. Most people with horses met in Manchester and traded on Jockey Day. Jockey day was generally on the first court day of Spring.
My mamaw tells that her uncle would trade horses while working in the field. She also tells that she always looked forward to Jockey Day. That was the day she knew she would get to see her father really angry.
Written by: Emily Baker

My Mom’s Family

My granny’s name is Lettie Mae (Minton) Goins. My papaw’s name is Shade Goins. My mom had seven brothers and nine sisters.
My mom went to a one roomed school house for three years. It was called Letch Hacker School.
My Papaw farmed and worked at a coal tipple. My mom was raised on a farm. They raised about twenty-five acres of tobacco for themselves and other people. All the kids helped work in the fields. They also raised most of their own food. They canned their own food also.
My mom and her sisters made dolls out of sacks. They used corn silks for doll hair sometimes. My mom had to walk to school for three years. My mom has lived on Ham Hollow for the past fourteen years.
Written by: Samantha Cody

Last Updated on Wednesday, 24 November 2010 14:28