Wayne County, NC - House Family History ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ MY FAMILY HISTORY By GLORIA ELIZABETH HOUSE Howard University Washington, D. C. Circa 1950s TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. Location and Extent in Time and Space 2. Characteristics of Members of the Family 3. Economic Aspects of Family Life 4. Family Traditions, Rituals and Ceremonies 5. Family Organization and Control 6. The Family and the Community 1. Location and Extent in Time and Space [Gloria was born in 1936 to Edward Apollo House and Cleo Peoples and died on 1972. I found this writng of hers as she wrote it while attending Howard University in 1950s.] My family history can be traced on my mother's side through 3 generations. Beginning with my great grandfather, Joseph Morrisey, a Methodist minister and my great grandmother, Frances Morrisey, a practical nurse. My great grandfather died when my grandmother was a tiny girl. His wife continued to do practical nursing in the community. She frequently gathered her large family around the fireside after a hard day's work, and told them of the many wonderful experiences her husband had as he served as minister. Robeson County, with its numerous clans of people scattered here and there was the birthplace of my great grand parents. Sad, but understandable, when the history of the Negro and Indians are considered, my great grand parents knew little or nothing at all about their parents. My great grandmother was unable to tell her children about them for she didn't remember them. She only recounted to them incidents told to her by her guardians. Great grandmother Frances was very sincere in her undertakings. She was a conscientious worker, and a devout Christian who read the Bible to her family and prayed with them daily. She provided for them by nursing throughout the county. Her greatest desire was to help her family become self-supporting, highly respected and above all, Christians. Her children, my grandmother, great uncles and aunts were as follows: Asberry Morrisey, a Methodist minister and teacher; Mary Morrisey Greene, housekeeper; Charles Morrisey, musician and banker; Fannie Morrisey McClain, dietician; Ida Mae Morrisey Peoples, teacher and musician; Elizabeth "Lizzie" Morrisey McPhatter, housekeeper and minister (mother of Clyde McPhatter?); and Carrie Morrisey Bridgeford, housekeeper. My (maternal) grandmother, Ida Mae Peoples, was married to Charles Peoples of Goldsboro, NC, when only 17 years of age. She later gave birth to 6 children, 5 boys and 1 girl. They are: Charles, Earl, Theodore, Leroy, James Edward and Cleopatra Peoples House. My mother, Cleopatra Peoples House and my uncle, Rev. Theodore Peoples are twins. There is a great deal of emphasis upon and pride in our ancestry. Throughout my youth, I can recall the numerous occasions on which we have been reminded of the attainments achieved of my great grand parents with limited opportunities in self-development. Their struggle, with meager earnings, to maintain respectful, useful, and challenging lives constantly reminds us that through perseverance, "It can be done". True of most families, standards set by ancestors are not adhered to 100%. Reference is made to members of my grandmother's family who seemingly wasted much of their time in idle practices and whose lives were not to be emulated. On the other hand, special emphasis is placed on the attainments of the majority of the family. They had displayed special abilities in nursing, teaching and in music. They had been the community leaders, public speakers, and outstanding church workers. My great uncle, Charles Morrisey of Lumberton, NC, was a bass soloist whose gift of singing was acclaimed throughout Robeson (re: Paul Robeson) and surrounding counties. His was a natural ability, well spent in spreading happiness to countless communities. My (maternal) grandmother, with a simple high school education began her career as teacher in Wayne County. She acquired new methods of teaching here and there during the summer sessions of Shaw University and Fayetteville Normal School. She took extension courses offered by Shaw University, also. She taught in the county schools when terms were 6 months and saw them increase to 9 months. She is a retired school teacher now. During the 30 or more years of her teaching career, she inspired many pupils to become worthwhile homemakers, ministers, teachers, musicians, professional workers, church leaders and many other workers. She is active in civic organizations, church clubs, a member of the Household of Ruth, United Organization and Sabbath School Teacher. It is her alertness to civic responsibilities, love of God, and desire to continue rendering service regardless of age, that inspires our family to carry on "til the end'. She sacrificed her time and earnings to prepare my mother and uncles to be self-supporting, trained and worthwhile citizens. Her husband was not trained for leadership but did his utmost to help his children reach their goals. On meager salaries, my mother and father were able to provide my mother and uncles with a beautiful home, necessary clothing, food and a high school education for 3 of the children and college training for 3. The family has remained in its original environment until recent years. It had its origin in Robeson County and spread to Wayne County. When my (maternal) great grandmother became aged and ill, she moved to Goldsboro, NC to live with her children. She remained their until she died. Her family was separated then for some of them remained in Robeson County, while others made their permanent homes in Goldsboro, NC. My grandmother's baby sister Carrie lived in Goldsboro until 1938. She was the mother of 4 children. Her life was, at first, an inspiration to all but she drifted into commplaceness because of the influence of an untrained husband and left no later deeds of which we are proud. Her children haven't accomplished anything because of the environment in which they lived. Three of the children are her working as laborers on low salaries and a daughter resides in New York City. My grandmother's sister Lizzie left Goldsboro, NC to live in Lumberton. There she was active in civic and community projects; a church leader and became the mother of 6 children. These were given high school training and are now married and scattered throughout the states of Maryland, Virginia, Missouri and California. In her later years, she wishes to be a missionary leader. She now resides with a son who is a Presbyterian minister in Kansas City, MO. My (maternal) grandmother's brother Charles was the father of 2 children. He lived in Lumberton, NC until his death. He was a successful banker and singer. His children moved to Greensboro, NC where Eunice Morrisey Cotton became a public school teacher and her brother Charles Morrisey, Jr., directed an orchestra and practiced tailoring. He lives in Virginia with his wfie and continues his trade. Eunice died last November after a short illness. My grandmother's oldest sister, Fannie McClain remained in Robeson County, Lumberton, NC until her death. She was the mother of 4 chldren, 2 of which are now teaching in the public schools of Robeson County. Two are laborers. Maggie is especially gifted in music. She is employed as a music instructor for all grades in her school. The sisters who teach, still live in the old home place in Lumberson, NC. A younger sister moved to New York City. The only brother is deceased. There remains one more sister, Mary Morrisey Greene who moved after marriage to Bennettesville, SC. She married Thomas Greene. He was a Methodist minister and she a school teacher. They owned 4 children: Charlie Green, school teacher; Anna Greene Kolloch, teacher at Tuskegee University, Laura Green Herbert, a graduate nurse instructor in St. Albans, L.I.; James Greene, a Methodist minister in Orangeburg, SC. The immediate family was spread from Goldsboro, N.C. to the northern cities. My mother still lives in Goldsboro, N.C., while my uncles have moved to New York City and Woodbury, New Jersey. The oldest uncle died in 1938 after living in New York City. He was a pianist. The next oldest uncle, Earl G. Peoples, resides in New York City. He is the father of seven children and is employed as a presser. He, too, is a pianist. Leroy Peoples, another uncle, resides in New York City, owns a grocery store and market. He owns no children. He was a student at Hampton Institute, VA, completing two years there. Rev. Theodore Peoples resides in Woodbury, New Jersey where he is beginning a new pastorate. He is a graduate of Virginia Seminary, Lynchburg, VA and has been preaching in the states of North Carolina and Rhode Island for the past twelve years. He served in the Mt. Olivet Baptist Church in Rhode Island for nine years. He, too, is a pianist. James Peoples, another uncle, resides in New York City. He owns his home in the Bronx, is the father of two children and works as a delivery man for a cleaning establishment. He served in World War II and is very proud of his overseas experiences. Cleopatra Peoples House, my mother, resides in Goldsboro, N.C. in the old home place. She is a public school teacher having taught in Wayne and adjoining counties since 1931. She now teaches the sixth grade class of School Street School, Goldsboro, N.C. She received her training at Hampton Institute, VA., continued her study at Fayetteville State Teachers' College, Shaw University, Bennette College and is now studying for the Master's degree at the University of Connecticut. She received the B. S. degree from Hampton University in 1943. She is church director of music and civic leader. She is a splendid housewife, also. My mother was married to Edward Apollo House of Asheville, N.C. in 1932. He was an only child in the family born to Fred House, Pullman Porter Supervisor for the Atlantic Coast Line Railway Company. Fannie Elizabeth House, his wife, was a school teacher. He is a graduate of Johnson C. Smith University, Charlotte, N.C. and is studying now at the University of Connecticut. He has studied at A & T College during the summer. He and my mother began teaching at Kenansville High School in Duplin County in 1931. He served not only as a teacher of high school subjects but coach of basketball, tennis and other sports. My mother was a teacher in the same school, of the fifth and sixth grades. It is with much enthusiasm and pride that I browse through the college albums of my father while he was a student at J. C. Smith. He was a member of the honorary societies, editor-in-chief of the school newspaper, star football and basketball player and an excellent dramatic player. He graduated with high honors and was considered the most popular member of his class. He was a member of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity. My father is a master teacher. The subjects he enjoys most are French, Algebra, Geometry and General Mathematics. He is fond of Science, also. Although he prefers these subjects, he has taught many others because of the need to teach them. He was principal of the Dudley High School in Wayne County for ten years. There, he developed county-wide Declamatory contests. There were community and church projects in which the entire school participated. The experience my family received there will never be forgotten. My family kept my family quite active in local and state projects. His desire was to have the Best School and the Best Community. He was a great church worker serving as deacon of the congregational church while my mother worked with him as deaconess. He came to Goldsboro, N. C. in 1944 to serve in the public school as high school instructor, coach and assistant principal. He still maintains this position. During this stay in Goldsboro, athletics have taken on new meaning in our city. The teams own many loving cups but above all admire the experience with my father as coach. They respect his ability to train his pupils to play the game correctly, fairly, to be good sports and above all to respect authority. His method of training has gained for him the love and admiration of the old and young. He is interested in current events, sports news, hunting, fishing, reading daily for intellectual improvement, and taking a part with family recreational activities. He appears sound temperamentally and manages to come forth with the right answer at the right time. He has a keen sense of humor. He knows how to get along with people and is admired by all classes of people. He enjoys the company of both professional and non-professionals and particularly enjoys many non-professional people when hunting and fishing and they like to have him with them. He strives to make everyone feel that he is worthwhile and can be of some service. He seldom explodes because of anger and even his seldom explosion is so mild that it is soon forgotten. He seems to know where he is going in life and just how he plans to get there. My father's philosophy of life is this: "To live life to the fullest each day; To serve all mankind in such a way that one's life may radiate in the hearts of men long after his death." He believes that age must respect youth and take time to guide them in proper channels; that with sufficient recreation for youth to engage in, many delinquent problems can be alleviated. He teaches all that diligent study always pays bountiful dividends. "Character" he says, "sells the individual". My family has been the value of good character. My father often tells us that though the road be rough we trod, we can make it with character, determination and faith in almighty God. My father is a Mason, a Shriner and an active member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. He serves as secretary of the State Athletic Association, is a member of the Pilot's Club, a professional men teachers' club, a member of the C.I.L. (Citizen's Improvement League), the National Education Association (NEA) and the National Advancement for Colored People (NAACP). He is a member of the Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, a trustee and teacher for the Men's Bible School Class. He firmly believes that successful living springs from following the teachings of Jesus. He insists that we participate in the Sabbath School activities, Bible School, and other church activities. It is a must that we attend church service at least once a Sunday. I have not discovered any negative traits of my father. He doesn't have an inferiority complex, is not an ego centric, psychopathic and is stable at all times. My mother possesses many desirable qualities worthy of emulating. As a child, I can remember her organizing and participating in school programs, local and state, giving demonstrations in music and dancing. She taught me in the fifth grade at Dudley school. She stressed accuracy of work and being satisfied only when one's best has been done. I went to school with her each day. My mother, father, brothers and classmates all played together. She organized a toy orchestra, a clog dance group and calisthenics group. My mother was a major in Physical Education and English while a student at Hampton Institute. The training she received while there has dominated her school activities as well as community activities. When only six years old, I conducted a toy orchestra for the North Carolina Teachers' Association held in Goldsboro. Later, I attended this same association on six other different occasions to give dance and calisthenics demonstrations. Our group consisted of ten elementary school girls. Later, the number increased to thirty two. She taught the steps and then accompanied her group at the piano. My mother taught me to play the piano. At first I didn't like it but as time passed, I began to find real joy in playing for the church junior choir and different other rural churches. At the age of eight, I was able to accompany my mother on a church program at the piano. The number I played was Silent Night. My mother is very fond of music, dancing and dramatics and home making. In my opinion, she possesses many desirable qualities. She knows how to associate with people and has an adorable personality. She likes to work with adults as well as children. Her work inclues: Girl Scout Director, Music director for many churches, rector of school parent plays, Sunday School teacher and public school teacher. She has served as chairman of Community Chest Dirves and Red Cross Drives. My mother is a member of the Eastern Star Lodge, the U.C., the Women's Civic Club, the Boosterettes Club (supporting high school athletics), the Q-Ettes (Omega Psi Phi Fraternity wives' club), the Do What I Can Club (church club) and the Hampton Alumni Club. She is a devout believer in Christianity; a member of the Mt. Calvary Baptist Church. Her motto is "God first!" Her church activities include service each first, second and third Sunday as director of two church choirs. She directs special programs as Children's Day, Christmas and Easter programs. (to being appreciated). She sometimes feels that her work is not appreciated enough. She manages to keep on working despite obstructions for she feels that satisfaction comes from within. "A job well done, is a job to be proud of. My mother is very particular about maintaining a good character. She was taught that a good name is rather to be chosen than great riches and has striven to preserve a good name. She is well known in our city and throughout the state as a sweet, hard working individual. She feels at home with all types of people. She knows how to fit in. I admire her ability to maintain poise, and feminine appeal at all times. She dresses becomingly and inspires others to do likewise. If she promises to do something for you, you may rely on that. I recall a number of instances when I was compelled to attend special affairs. They meant improvement in my social behavior. Here, I would see just what and how it should be done. My mother, unlike my father, is never too busy to take time out for recreation for the family. Her philosophy is: prepare for service, for a life well lived is a life of service to one's fellow man. She believes that beauty is as beauty does; that young people need much tender care, and training of youth pays future dividends that the world can note. My brothers, Hugh Apollo, Charles Edward and James Earl are typical brothers. They like sports and place them first. They like to read, visit the movies, attend school, and like the Sunday School. They attend all the school games. Hugh is especially interested in being an A student now that he has reach the senior class. He wishes to be a doctor. He likes to do public speaking, build model planes, boats and make other gadgets. He won a medal for a winning declamation when a six grader and ninth grader. He blows a claronet in the school band. He likes … Charles likes public speaking. He has won two medals for winning declamations. He plays the French baritone horn in the school band. He strives to maintain a high scholastic record. He would like to be a dentist. He is beginning to build model ships, planes and automobiles, also. He is working after school in a smart men's apparel store. James Earl, the baby, is the scholar. He has made only As in subject matter but receives a B in conduct. He is friendly, conscientious worker, entertainer and devoted to his instrument. He is a beginner in the elementary school band. He has selected a coronet. He hasn't decided what he will choose as his life's vocation. Hugh, age seventeen, Charles, age fourteen, James Earl, age twelve and Gloria (writer of this history) are eighteen. III. Economic Aspects of Family Life My family's income is derived from teaching salaries. My mother and father are employed by the state of North Carolina to teach in the Goldsboro School System. All monies come from this source. My brother, Charles, has a part time job in the Edward's Young Men's Shop for which he receives a small salary. The other members of my family work at home. We have no inheritances or other sources for family income. My mother and father are trained to do other jobs but thus far have continued in the teaching profession. My father is director of health and physical education in all of the city schools. He has a class in health and physical education during the first period each day at the high school. He divides the remainder of the day between three elementary schools. At these schools, he directs the activities, suggests programs to be followed by each grade, provides playground equipment and develops baseball, basketball and tennis teams. He provides each school with health assistants from the local and state departments. He also serves as assistant to the high school principal. My mother is teaching the sixth grade class of the School Street School. She is chairman of the physical education and health committee in the school. She also is in charge of a dance group[ and is music director for the grammar grades. All expenses are met by my father and mother. They combine their monies to take care of the family needs. The little money earned by the children is used by us with proper spending guidance given by our parents. Thus far we haven't faced a serious crisis but we have been taught the value of sticking together in event of a crisis. We know that some pleasures have to be denied us when there are special projects to be carried out in the home. My oldest brother, who has suffered two hip operations during the past three years, cannot work strenuously, nor can he stand or sit too long; therefore, he hasn't done any outside work. The working brother, Charles, shares his money with him since he must carry on his part of the work at home. About the most outstanding sacrifices I can recall was made during this past Christmas holidays. My brother, Charles, had a small savings account for Christmas to buy gifts for his friends. My mother had suggested to him to keep all of his weekly salary for a four week period. My father had suffered a heart attack prior to the close of school. He was told to remain in bed at least three weeks. We knew as a family that we should not expect our usual gifts at Christmas but economize as much as possible so, we agreed that gifts were not necessary. Even the baby agreed. No one expected any visit from Saint Nick. How wrong we were! On Christmas morning each of us found a useful gift on the tree. Charles had brouight unexpected happiness to all. We were so happy and I thought my father and mother would never finish thanking him. They were proud to know they owned such a thoughtful boy. IV. Family Traditions, Ritual and Ceremonies Church worship is a tradition in our family. As far back as we can trace, our family believed staunchly in church worship. "Our parents tried it and were successful, so you must do likewise". It is traditional also in selection of church denomination. "Our parents were Baptist, you will have to be Baptist." My (maternal) grandparents strayed from their traditional denomination (Methodist) and joined the Baptist Church. My reason for being a Baptist could only be that my parents are Baptist and I have followed in their footsteps. I know of no rituals and ceremonies that are traditional in our family. We do believe somewhat in shaping our lives according to the social culture in which we live. It is traditional to like music, to engage in public speaking, to teach school, to work hard at all tasks assigned us, to engage in solo and group singing. The following activities are traditional: singing, piano playing, preaching, teaching, church going, serving in community projects, engaging in family prayer before breakfast. There definite tabus but no secret or skeletons as I know of. My family is so well known and has lived so long in one community that its history is well known by the entire community. It is tabu to be seen out late at night unchaperoned, to attend Sunday movies, ball games to attend picalo joints, to ride in cars unchaperoned before seventeen, and to drink publicly. The entire family as frequently as possible engages in celebrations at Christmas time. We have a family dinner with a huge log fire in the dining room. The immediate family gives birthday presents to each member of the family and birthday greetings. Weddings are festive occasions but I haven't attended any weddings that I can remember. My uncles were married in New York City. I have no aunts as my mother was the only girl in her family. Funerals are the only events that gather our family together as a unit. Sad to say, but true, a funeral of one of my family is the only time we manage to get together as a unit. Distance presents no disadvantage at a time like this. The body is held until all can gather. After the burial, the sad occasion becomes one of joyful reunion. This is the time to tell of past experiences in the family. Christenings were first held in my immediate family. My parents were members of the Congregational Church as they were teaching in Dudley community and this was the church of their choice. I was the first child to be christened. My mother spared no pains to have it according to custom. My grandmother, godmother and other members of the family were present. Since I was christened, two of my brothers were christened in similar manner in the same church. My baby brother was not christened for my parents changed their membership when their jobs were changed to the city schools. He was dedicated to the church as is the custom in our present church. The family attends church each Sunday but there are special Sundays that they dare not miss because of certain traditions. These Sundays are: Christmas, New Year's Eve Watch Night Meeting, Easter Sunday and Mother's Day. The family practices singing Christmas Carols on Christmas Eve. This is the time to sing to all shut-ins and to leave packages of fruit. They are a part of a large church group. We refrain from laundering bed linen if possible between Christmas and what is said to be Old Christmas (January 6) as this is an omen of bad luck. We broke this custom during the past Christmas holidays because of the illness of my father. My parents are members of all the civic organizations. They are members of the tennis club and seek time to play a game now and then. They are members of the Teachers' Local Unit, the U.C., the NAACP and many other church clubs. I am proud to be a member of my family for many reasons but most of all my father's recent illness was a show down as far as the amount of respect the people of my community have for my family. I knew that he was well thought of but I never dreaded that so much could be done for one individual by both races. I was thrilled to arrange his get well cards, Christmas greetings for he family, fruit for my father and help him keep a record of the many donations he received from teachers, ministers, lodge brothers, sports leagues, Sunday School class and church. This made my family feel thankful to God and more determined to share out times and energies with our community. I was convinced that a life of service is the life to choose. My father had the opportunity, while convalescing to really appreciate the well wishes of his many friends. All my life, I have been inspired by the remarks the people of our community and other communities make about my family. The teachers speak well of my brothers; the neighbors, also. This makes me feel proud of them. My one desire is to so conduct myself that people may see in my life something worthy of emulation. I want to feel proud in a meek and humble way of my accomplishments. I have enjoyed making this study for I have learned much more about my family history. Now, as the root of our family tree has developed into many strong branches and other limbs are sprouting new branches, I pray that the branches my brothers and I shall form may be strong and securely fastened to the tree and as our offsprings trace their family history, they will not be ashamed of our records. They will be proud only as we strive daily to do our best, to love life, friends, to serve all mankind regardless of race, color or creed. ///end/// ___________________________________________________________________ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Joseph Evans ___________________________________________________________________