Description

Tom Dent interviews George C. Nichols in Canton, Mississippi. Nichols states his family has lived in Madison County since his great-grandparents. His great-great-grandmother lived to be over 100 and told his parents about her experience as a slave. His family used to own property on the East side of town. That side has always been a Black community. Nichols states it was fairly common for Blacks to own land because the Black population was so large. He believes his family came into possession of the land during Reconstruction. They also owned a corner store. His family lost a lot of the property because it was close to White owned land and they were bought off. His father inherited a much diminished piece of land. Eventually his father moved into the south side of Canton where there was a large Black community. They were divided by a railroad track from the White community. Nichols says his father was a laborer for a lumber company. It was the only thing available without a formal education. Nichols says his grandfather went to college for some years but there was no real expectation that he go. His oldest sister went to business school. The brother next in age went to Tennessee State; the next brother did the same but did not do well there. The rest of his siblings got at least an undergraduate degree. He says his parents passed away when he was quite young but they were proud to have so many...

From Collection

Southern Journey Oral History Collection

Record Contributed By

Amistad Research Center