Mary Pellow interview with Carrie Farley

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. The interview begins with Carrie Farley discussing her experience as a midwife, including medicines and treatments, and describes an experience in which she delivers her first child. At 11:34, Farley talks about working under a doctor named Dr. Joe Dukes and recalls memories of Presidents Theodore Roosevelt and Franklin D. Roosevelt. At 13:55, Farley talks about quilt making and fabric dyeing, as well as learning how to knit and crochet garments. At 16:50 she talks about knitting sweaters and scarves for the American Red Cross during World War I and World War II using patterns provided by the Red Cross. Here she mentions Star Quilt and Bear Foot [Paw] patterns. At 25:49, she recalls hearing the Uncle Remus folklore stories, such as Brer Rabbit and Brer Fox, and an experience seeing Joel Chandler Harris in person. At 28:48, Carrie is asked if she recalls growing up in slavery and she does not, but she does recall her family telling her about Shermans March to the Sea. At 31:04, she confirms her mother was an enslaved Black woman who worked in the kitchens, and her father was white, and that she was raised by her fathers family, who provided her early education. At 35:34 she talks about her marriage and move to North Carolina. At 37:50, Farley discusses her aunt, who started a makeshift school after separation from her husband. At 39:52, she remembers dyeing the back of her quilts and making the dye out of sumac berries, red mud, and copper. At 46:20, Farley talks about working on a farm for white families and picking cotton. She then revisits her career as a midwife, discussing unsanitary conditions, herbal medicine, and registering newborn infants within the Black community. Carrie Farley (1870-1976) was born in Putnam County, Georgia. She married Dan Farley in 1885. Additional biographical information about Carrie Farley has not been determined. A PDF transcript exists for this recording. Please contact an archivist for access. 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 in a position to choose how individuals and organizations are represented and described in our archives. We are not neutral, and bias is reflected in our descriptions, which may not convey the racist or offensive aspects of collection materials accurately. 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 language where Library of Congress subject terms are inaccurate and obsolete is ongoing. 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 emailing reference@atlantahistorycenter.com. Your comments are essential to our work to create inclusive and thoughtful description.