Historical Breadcrumbs
In the famed fable, “Hansel and Gretel”, breadcrumbs were used to mark the path home. We at Keaton Township Project, hope that our “Historical Breadcrumbs” will lead the descendants of Keaton Township on a mental journey “home” and eventually, a physical journey to the place that gave each of us our life foundations. Each conversation is a glimpse into the lives of our families and friends.
Have a story that you would like to share about Keaton Township? Please message us at info@keatontownshipproject.org or use our contact page!
"Conversations with Elfreda Montgomery-Oates"
Keaton Townships' oldest living resident is an incredible woman named Elfreda Montgomery-Oates. She was born on December 8, 1913. Here are some historical accounts that she shared with Keaton Township Project about life as she remembers.
" I was born and raised here in Keaton Township. I was one of the best horseback riders down here....better than some men. I quit riding when I was pregnant with my first child."
Elfreda Montgomery- Oates was one of eleven children, eight boys and three girls, born to Selah Montgomery and Edith Hancock-Montgomery.
"When we finally got a car, I remember that we were a little scared to drive it across the rickety, creek bridge. Thought the bridge couldn't hold the weight, but we made it across safely. That ( the car) was really something back then."
"I also loved the way our community would get together and help each other get our crops in for the season. If you didn't have a tractor, your neighbor would lend you his......such unity and love. I loved it when we would have our community "get togethers". There would be cake walks and horseshoe tossing. Today everybody is busy tapping on their cell phones.......don't get together like in the old days."(laughing)
"Conversations with Sam Keaton"
The except below is from a Keaton Township resident, Sam Keaton. It is taken from the manuscript, "Born in Slavery: Slaves Narratives from the Federal Writer's Project, 1936 to 1938." This interview can be found Vol.2, Part 4, Jackson-Lynch part of the collection. Sam Keaton vividly illustrates his life in Keaton Township to the interviewer, Irene Robertson. The individuals depicted in the photograph are not the same individuals described in the narrative by Sam Keaton. This manuscript and photograph was taken from the Library of Congress, Manuscript Division.
www.loc.com
