Kyle Davis and Dawn Fitzgerald interview with Benjamin Franklin “Frank” Reid, Frank Nelms, Lessie “Jane” Nelms, Mr. Jordan, Roy Hamilton Wallace (part two)

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. This is the second of a three part recording. This part starts with Frank Nelms playing folk music on his banjo. He does not include lyrics for any of the songs. At 3:05 he states his name and that he was born in 1910 in White County, Georgia, where has remained the rest of his life. He plays again from 4:05 minutes until 5:50, then explains that he learned the music from other locals. Next he plays 500 Miles From Home until 9:38, followed by Sittin Home with Little Birdie. At 12:15, Nelms says he doesnt remember lyrics or stories from his childhood, then plays on his banjo again. Between about 15 minutes and 19 minutes the Nelms family talks to the interviewee, but the discussion is difficult to decipher. At 21:08, Jane Nelm, Frank Nelms wife, states her name and maiden name, Ferguson. She says they married when she was about 18 or 19, in approximately 1930, and that she was born in 1912 in Habersham County, Georgia. At 22:26 Frank Nelms says he had a tool shop where he built chairs that he sold for $1.50 to make extra money. He then returns to playing folk music, including the songs Black Eyed Susie and Down the Road Far as I can See. There is a break in the music at 30:30 when Nelms and the interviewer discuss his five string banjo. He sometimes makes banjos himself and explains construction materials. At 33 minutes, Nelms plays Maiden Grace. At 35:26, Jane Nelms recalls cooking leather britches (green beans), potatoes (which she sometimes cooks with grease), white beans, and meat. The Nelms confirm that they used to butcher hogs. Frank Nelms states that they dried meat in a side room, and that the meat could stay good for up to a year. Jane Nelms still churns her own butter, a process which she details. At 41:40, Frank Nelms recalls a liquor still and the alcohol he distilled. Then at 44 minutes, he says that he planted corn on a full moon. Nelms states that there werent many doctors because they lived remotely near family. Parents know how to care for their children, and some babies were born at home and some in hospitals. Jane Nelms specifies that a midwife helped with several of her births and doctors helped with others. They had nine children, two who died early. All but two of their children are married. At 49 minutes, the Nelms talk about the design and construction of their barn and house, and mention barn raisins and corn shuckings. Nelms was a cotton farmer who harvested by hand and carried his produce to a local cotton gin. Once again, Frank Nelms plays the banjo at 54 minutes, including the song Comin Around the Mountain. After the interviewer asks Jane Nelms at 58:55 about a quilt, she says that she used to quilt with a frame, fabric scraps, and a sheet for lining. Next, Frank Nelms continues to play the banjo. At the end of the recording Frank Nelms recalls that men wore pants, not overalls, and that they were usually handmade. Frank Reid (1890-1973) was born to Joseph E. (1860-1940) and Mary (1860-1942) Reid in White County, Georgia. In 1916 he married Pearl Clark (1895-1980), and a year later he was drafted into the United States Armed Services. He and Pearl had two children, Lillie Bell Reid (1916-1996) and Albert Reid (1923-1979). Frank Wesley Nelms (1910-1980) was born in White County, Georgia, to Frank Virgil (1877-1946) and Eula (1884-1930) Nelms. He went to school through third grade. In approximately 1930, he married Lessie Jane Ferguson (1912-1980), who was born in Habersham, Georgia. They had nine children, including Curtis, Odis, Virginia Mae, Frank Jr., Dorthy Jean, and Rutheleen. Mr. Jordan was born in Barnesville and married in 1908. Additional biographical information has not been determined. Roy Hamilton Wallace (1904-1980) was born in Lilburn, Georgia, to Mary Wallace (1878-1939) and William Wallace (1881-1924). The family later moved to DeKalb County, Georgia. In 1924 he married Lula Mae Griffith (1906-2001), and they had ten children. Roy Wallace received a 6th grade education, registered for the draft in 1941 during World War II, and worked in a grocery store and later as an electrician. In 1962 he was convicted of the crime of abandonment. There is no transcript 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.