“Hardest time I ever had was when I got grown and had to take care of my mother and sister. Worked in the field.
“I was married out from behind a plow. Never farmed no more.
“My fust husband was a railroad man. I tried to keep up with him but he went too fast; I couldn’t keep up. He got so bad they finally black-balled him from the road.
“I tell you nobody knows what it is till you go through with it. I’ve had my bitters with the sweet.
“Been married four times and I’ve buried two husbands. I just raised one chile and now she’s dead. But I got great-grandchillun—third generation—in Houston, Texas, but I never hear from ’em.
“I get along all right. The Welfare helps me and I try to live right.”
Interviewer: Mrs. Bernice Bowden
Person interviewed: Nely Gray
821 E. 18th Avenue, Pine Bluff, Arkansas
Age: 84
Occupation: Does a little quilting
“Yes ma’m, I was sold from Richmond, Virginia. Dr. Jenkins bought my mother when I was a little girl walkin’ and talkin’. Put me up on the block and sold me too. I was bout three years old.
“Dr. Jenkins was mighty good to his hands. Say he was goin’ to raise his little darkies up back of his chair. He thought lots of his colored folks.