Narratives of Formerly Enslaved Floridians
These compelling interviews with former slaves were recorded by the Works Progress Administration Federal Writers' Project from 1936-1938. The Library of Congress assembled these documents which they described as including "informant's family education, income, occupation, political views, religion and mores, medical needs, diet and miscellaneous observations." These 40 interviews documented by field workers in the Florida unit, represented one of 17 participating states in a federal initiative that produced a total of over 2,000 interviews. The narratives provide students an opportunity to experience history at a personal level through the words of African Americans who spent their childhood and teenage years as the property of their owner, deprived of personal liberty and familial connection, and often physically abused. The collection is presented with the permission and cooperation of the Florida Historical Society, owner of the original documents.
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Interview, Margrett Nickerson and Rachel A. Austin, Slave Interview, December 5, 1936
Margarett Nickerson, Rachel A. Austin, and Federal Writers' Project of the Work Projects Administration for the State of Florida
Federal Writers' Project interview with Margrett Nickerson, focusing on her years spent as a slave in Leon County, Florida. Interviewed by Rachel A. Austin, field worker.
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Interview, Charles Coates and Viola B. Muse, Slave Interview, December 3, 1936
Charles Coates, Viola B. Muse, and Federal Writers' Project of the Work Projects Administration for the State of Florida
Federal Writers' Project interview with "Father" Charles Coates, who was born into slavery in Virginia and later sold to a plantation in Georgia; Coates lived in Jacksonville, Florida later in life. Interview conducted and summarized by Viola B. Muse, field worker.
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Interview, Acie Thomas and Pearl Randolph, Slave Interview, November 25, 1936
Acie Thomas, Pearl Randolph, and Federal Writers' Project of the Work Projects Administration for the State of Florida
Federal Writers' Project interview with Acie Thomas, focusing on his years spent as a slave in Jefferson County, Florida. Interviewed by Pearl Randolph.
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Interview, Louis Napoleon and James Johnson, Slave Interview, November 17, 1936
Louis Napoleon, James Johnson, and Federal Writers' Project of the Work Projects Administration for the State of Florida
Federal Writers' Project interview with Louis Napoleon focusing on life at a plantation near Tallahassee in the years leading up to the Civil War. Interviewed by J.M. Johnson, field worker.
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Interview, Christine Mitchell and Martin Richardson, Slave Interview, November 10, 1936
Christine Mitchell, Martin Richardson, and Federal Writers' Project of the Work Projects Administration for the State of Florida
Federal Writers' Project interview with Christine Mitchell, focusing on her years as a slave in St. Augustine, Florida. Interviewed by Martin Richardson, field worker.
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Interview, Douglas Parish and Rachel A. Austin, Slave Interview, November 10, 1936
Douglas Parish, Rachel A. Austin, and Federal Writers' Project of the Work Projects Administration for the State of Florida
Federal Writers' Project interview with Douglas Parish, focusing on his years spent as a slave in Monticello, Florida. Interviewed by Rachel A. Austin, field worker.
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Interview, Claude Augusta Wilson and James Johnson, Slave Interview, November 6, 1936
Claude Augusta Wilson, James Johnson, and Federal Writers' Project of the Work Projects Administration for the State of Florida
Federal Writers' Project interview with Claude Augusta Wilson, focusing on his years spent as a slave in Lake City, Florida as well as his life in and near Jacksonville after Emancipation. Interviewed by James Johnson, field worker.
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Interview, Sam Everett, Louisa Everett, and Pearl Randolph, Slave Interview, October 8, 1936
Sam Everett, Louisa Everett, Pearl Randolph, and Federal Writers' Project of the Work Projects Administration for the State of Florida
Federal Writers' Project interview with Sam and Louisa Everett, focusing on their years spent as slaves near Norfolk, Virginia as well as their lives in post-Emancipation Georgia and Florida. Interviewed by Pearl Randolph, field worker.
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Interview, Samson Forrester and Jules A. Frost, Slave Story, September 12, 1936
Samson Forrester, Jules A. Frost, and Federal Writers' Project of the Work Projects Administration for the State of Florida
Federal Writers' Project interview with Samson Forrester, focusing on his years spent as a slave in Tampa and his captivity during the Seminole War. Interview conducted by Jules A. Frost.
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Interview, Bolden Hall and Alfred Farrell, Slave Interview, August 20, 1936
Bolden Hall, Alfred Farrell, and Federal Writers' Project of the Work Projects Administration for the State of Florida
Federal Writers' Project interview with Bolden Hall, focusing on his years as a slave in Walkino, Florida. Interviewed by Alfred Farrell, field worker.
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Interview, Frank Berry and Pearl Randolph, Slave Interview, August 18, 1936
Frank Berry, Pearl Randolph, and Federal Writers' Project of the Work Projects Administration for the State of Florida
Federal Writers' Project interview with Frank Berry, focusing on his years as a slave in Alachua County, Florida. Interviewed by Pearl Randolph, field worker.
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Interview, Charlotte Martin and Alfred Farrell, Slave Interview, August 1936
Charlotte Martin, Alfred Farrell, and Federal Writers' Project of the Work Projects Administration for the State of Florida
Federal Writers' Project interview with Charlotte Martin focusing on her years as a slave on a plantation in Sixteen, Florida, a town near Madison. Interviewed by Alfred Farrell, field worker.
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Interview, Sara Ross and Alfred Farrell, Slave Interview, August 1936
Sarah Ross, Alfred Farrell, and Federal Writers' Project of the Work Projects Administration for the State of Florida
Federal Writers' Project interview with Sarah Ross, focusing on her early life as slave on a plantation in Mississippi and her time in Florida in the early 1900s. Interviewed by Alfred Farrell, field worker.
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Interview, Lucius Lamar Douglas and Lott Allen, Ex-Slave, 84 Years Old, Now Living at Orlando, Florida, May 18, 1936
Lucius Douglass, Lott Allen, and Federal Writers' Project of the Work Projects Administration for the State of Florida
Federal Writers' Project interview with Lucius Douglass, focusing on his years spent as a slave in Jefferson County, Florida. Interview conducted May 18, 1936.
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Interview, Georgia Love, Interview with an Ex-slave who is Reputed to Have the Power to Remove Pains with Her Hands, circa 1936
Georgia Love and Federal Writers' Project of the Work Projects Administration for the State of Florida
Federal Writers' Project interview with Georgia Love of Lakeland, Florida, on her belief in faith healing.
