Crenshaw County AlArchives Biographies.....Roper, Martha J. (Sims) 1841 - 1929
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Joyce English jenglis000@centurytel.net July 13, 2009, 12:45 pm

Author: herself

I was 73 years old the 5th of last October.  I am now living in one mile from
where I was born and raised.  I have always lived in Crenshaw. But it use to be
Butler until Crenshaw county was made.

I was married at the age of 17 to P. W.Roper, my maiden name was Sims, to our union
was born 7 children, 6 living, 1 died in infancy.

My husband died in 1877, I had a hard struggle to support my children but the
Lord was with me and we got along some way. All my children are married but one
and he and I live alone.  All my other children live almost in sight.  Not many are
blest to have their children so near.

I joined the Primitive church at Cool Springs at the age of 22 and have always
held my membership there.

I well remember when we had to spin & weave and have made yards and yards of
cloth myself.  My husband went to the war leaving me with one child three weeks
old.  I well remember the hard war times then. Some complain now,  but they don't
know what hard times are,  such things as eat, sugar, coffee, and flour was scarce,
months and months would pass and scarcely any of these could be obtained. I have
heard my mother speak of wild animals, but I never recollect anything about any.
I also can remember that Montgomery was our trading place my father would go and
get several months supplies at a time. A Calico dress those days was prized as
much then as a silk one in now. We did all our sewing with our hands, I can
remember when machines first came about here. I have made many suit of men's
clothes with my fingers helped to support my children with my needle. I think I
know what hard times are.

The Lord has blessed me & in my old days, I have all I need and I am able to
keep my house and cook and milk.  Can sew a little yet. With best wishes to you and
all the readers of your paper, I will close,

Mrs. M. J. Roper. May 6, 1915

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