Archives and Videos Record
Metadata
Object ID |
FSTC-V0019 |
Object Name |
Video, Digital |
Description |
Video interview dated September 27, 1994 with Ariel Smith Dudley and Verna Smith Johnson. Interviewed by Flo Coleman Schneider and Ruth E. Rockwell as part of the Fairhope, Alabama centennial. Ariel Smith Dudley is the granddaughter of early settlers, Benjamin "Snap" Smith and Mary "Mollie" Smith who came to the Tatumville area after the Civil War. Mrs. Dudley was married to Rev. Benjamin F. Dudley, pastor of Friendship Baptist Church and taught school in Mobile for 32 years. Her niece, Verna Smith Johnson, a Chicago native and Fairhope resident, is the daughter of Mrs. Dudley's brother Lee Dora Smith, Jr. Ariel Smith Dudley discusses her parents, Lee Dora Smith and Mary Elizabeth Johnson Smith and life on their farm on 88 acres on Volanta Avenue, a portion of which is now the site of Fairhope Municipal Park. Her father worked in the turpentine industry and then as a commercial fisherman. The Smiths raised eight children, 6 boys and 2 girls. Their sons and youngest daughter moved to Chicago for job opportunities. Mrs. Dudley talks about her youth and the efforts of her parents to provide her with a good education. Verna Smith Johnson was raised in Chicago but she visited Fairhope yearly along with many of her family members to celebrate her grandmother Mary's birthday. She discusses her connection to Fairhope and the difference between country life in Fairhope and the big city of Chicago during her youth. 34 minutes. From the Fairhope Single Tax Corporation Archives. |
Date |
1994/09/27 |
PDF link |
|
People |
Bonner, Clara Dudley, Ariel Smith (1913-2008) Dudley, Benjamin Franklin, Rev. Hill, Sally Johnson, Verna Smith (1940-2019) Mitchell, Marga Pearson, Warren Schneider, Joseph J. Smith, Adam Smith, Andrew Smith, Benjamin "Snap" Smith, Calvin Smith, Herschel Smith, Kermit Smith, Lee Dora (1880-1968) Smith, Lee Dora, Jr. Smith, Mary Elizabeth Johnson (1893-1987) Smith, Mary "Mollie" Kendall Smith, Monroe Smith, Octavia Williams, Ruth Smith |
Search Terms |
Animals Videos Anna T. Jeanes School Baldwin County Training School Bay Queen Black Education Black History Black Community Blacks, education of Blacks, Job Opportunities Black Settlers Blue Light Bridges Buggies Chickens City Limits Colonial Inn Country Life Dunbar High School Emerson Institute Fairhope Municipal Park Farm Fishing Fish River School Fly Creek Hurricanes Midwives Mobile Bay Mobile, Alabama Picnic Post Office Public Schools School Picnic Sea Cliff Bay Boats Sunday School Religion Teacher Trees Turpentine Volanta Avenue African-American |
Title |
Interview: Ariel Smith Dudley and Verna Smith Johnson |