Grover Jones interview of Ethel Clement and Ethelene Jones

The John Burrison Georgia Folklore Archive recordings contains unedited versions of all interviews. Some material may contain descriptions of violence, offensive language, or negative stereotypes reflecting the culture or language of a particular period or place. There are instances of racist language and description, particularly in regards to African Americans. These items are presented as part of the historical record. This project is a repository for the stories, accounts, and memories of those who chose to share their experiences for educational purposes. The viewpoints expressed in this project do not necessarily represent the viewpoints of the Atlanta History Center or any of its officers, agents, employees, or volunteers. The Atlanta History Center makes no warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of any information contained in the interviews and expressly disclaims any liability therefore. If you believe you are the copyright holder of any of the content published in this collection and do not want it publicly available, please contact the Kenan Research Center at the Atlanta History Center at 404-814-4040 or reference@atlantahistorycenter.com. In this recording, Grover and Ethelene Jones interview Ethelenes aunt, Ethel Clement, about her life in Choestoe, Georgia, where she lived in a house her father built in the 1870s. Ethelene Jones and Clement reminisce on family visits and making homemade candy; Clements fathers store, including sourcing supplies and his inventory; and telling ghost stories. At 8:13, they discuss feather beds, straw mattresses, and bed construction, as well as how they made blankets, bedspreads, quilts, linsey clothes, and rugs. Next at 16:13, Jones and Clement talk about the house Clements father built and his farm, including farm machinery, livestock, hog killing, driving cattle to Augusta, Georgia, and crops. At 24:30, Clement and Jones discuss food preservation through canning, drying, and sausage making. Jones remembers, at 32:27, the Delco System that her grandfather used before electricity. Clement and Jones then discuss womens clothing. At 36:10, all three describe the coverlet Clements mother made in 1868 as well as drying and pickling foods. 43:35: Clement remembers funeral and church services and customs in the early 1900s. At 50:45, she describes her school and local politics, including her fathers involvement and time as a Georgia State Representative. At 57:35, she recalls recreation such as visiting neighbors, singing school, and corn shuckings. At 1:00:28, she describes hair and cosmetic trends. Next at 1:02:59 Clement reminisces on her trip to Gainesville, Georgia, with her father; trips to a singing convention in Blairsville, Georgia; and visitors to the farm, especially during court week. She then remembers how the community treated their preachers and how teachers were trained at nearby Hiawassee Baptist Academy. 1:17:44: Clement describes a lazy-Susan table that her father built along with her parents early married life in Choestoe in 1870. At 1:22:23, she recalls her fathers work at shoe making, blacksmithing, and hunting. At 1:24:13, Clement describes housecleaning, including the tools they used, traditional remedies, making candles, and other family chores. Next at 1:37:15, Clement states that she taught herself how to play musical instruments; she also details the history of some of the furniture in her house as well as methods for tooth pulling, ironing, and cooking. At 1:42:02, Clement remembers her father talking about Native Americans traveling through the area. She also recalls fishing, rural life in the winter, and types of fences. The interview ends at 1:49:12 with Clement recalling books she read growing up. Ethel Collins (1902-1979) was born in Choestoe, Georgia; she later married and took the last name Clement. She was a textile weaver, and John Burrisons Roots of a Region and Shaping Traditions: Folk Arts in a Changing South: a Catalog of the Goizueta Folklife Gallery at the Atlanta History Center contain images of her with her work. Her family donated several of her pieces to the Atlanta History Center. Georgianne Ethelene Dyer (1930-2021) was born in Choestoe, Georgia. She taught in a one room schoolhouse in Choestoe, Georgia, worked as a media specialist in the Fannin County School System, and wrote articles for the News Observer in Blue Ridge, Georgia. After they met at Truett McConnell College, in 1949 she married Rev. Grover Jones (1925-2011). They traveled across Georgia and internationally with his ministry. Together they wrote and compiled local history books. Their children include Rev. Keith (1952-2017) and Cynthia Berenguer. No PDF transcript exists for this recording. Professor John Burrison founded the Atlanta Folklore Archive Project in 1967 at Georgia State University. He trained undergraduates and graduate students enrolled in his folklore curriculum to conduct oral history interviews. Students interviewed men, women, and children of various demographics in Georgia and across the southeast on crafts, storytelling, music, religion, rural life, and traditions. As archivists, we acknowledge our role as stewards of information, which places us inaposition to choose how individuals and organizations are represented and described in our archives. We are not neutral, andbias isreflected in our descriptions, whichmay not convey the racist or offensive aspects of collection materialsaccurately.Archivists make mistakes and might use poor judgment.We often re-use language used by the former owners and creators, which provides context but also includes bias and prejudices of the time it was created.Additionally,our work to use reparative languagewhereLibrary of Congress subject termsareinaccurate and obsolete isongoing. Kenan Research Center welcomes feedback and questions regarding our archival descriptions. If you encounter harmful, offensive, or insensitive terminology or description please let us know by emailingreference@atlantahistorycenter.com. Your comments are essential to our work to create inclusive and thoughtful description.