Oral History--Early African American memories

Rose Ruffin, age 96, talks a little about her father and mother. She discusses living on a farm, tending garden, and how she used to fish with a net with her father.

This oral history is part of an ongoing research dealing with the Brick Mill Cemetery preservation project. Brick Mill is the largest all African American community cemetery in Onslow County, North Carolina.

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[SarahClairee]

Hi, this is a great video about Rosie, shes a really great story teller! I am studing African American history in college and was wondering could you tell me what part of America Rosie was living in during her time on the farm she speaks about in this video? Thanks!

[Historian1812]

@SarahClairee Hello Sarah, Nice to hear from you. Ms. Rose will be celebrated her 96th birthday about three weeks ago. She is spending a great deal of time telling her Great & Great Great grandchildren about their Ancestors.

Ms Rose was born and raised just miles from where she lives now--in a rural part of Onslow County, southeastern North Carolina. She is the Grandaughter of Danial & Martha Fisher--who were Former Slaves from the same area of town where Ms. Rose was raised. Thanks you

[mbradley111]

what an interesting dialect

[Historian1812]

@mbradley111 Thank you for your kind words. Ms. Rose often talks about her life, expecially her early years when her Grandma & Former Slave Martha Fisher, told her stories of how the "Yankees" came to the plantation. Ms. Rose, now heading to 96 yrs. young, is doing well.

[Angelscnbsexi2]

My mother is originally from Waycross Georgia! She moved to New York in the late 50's. She never lost her dialect! Most people could not understand her. She would often be confused as West Indian! Now that I am an adult, I am interested in knowing exactly was a Geechee is and what the culture is! My mom has told the same story as Ms Ruffin

[Historian1812]

@Angelscnbsexi2 Thank you for such kind words and sharing them. I should be visiting Ms. Rose this week and I will relay you comments to her. Rose is doing well, age 95, and is taking a great deal of time holding and sharing her family stories to her newest G-g-g grandson.

[emgeta]

Yes the slave trade begin in Africa but the treatment of slaves is the horrifying and sadistic part. Slavery happened through out the world, the reason it's remembered in America was because of it's cruelty. Black people were treated worse than animals, it's estimated that over 2 million people died in the middle passage. That's genocide.

Slavery in America was centered around labor but also presenting black people as less than human and teaching the public to believe the same.

[emgeta]

Do you really think white slaves were treated as bad? raped? tortured? There was no dehumanization with white slaves, it was about the work. It was 'known' that black people were less than whites and that is why they could be treated in such ways.

[SarahClairee]

@Historian1812 Thanks very much for that Jack. Wow! 96 is a great age! Best wishes to both you and Rose. Thanks again!

[MUSICandMICHAEL]

thank you..and all the best for the lady

[mialma999]

GOD BLESS HER. SHE LOOKS SO SWEET! SHE MAKES ME SMILE :)