Interview with Gretchen Robinson - OH 185

Interviewee

• Gretchen Robinson

Interviewer

Ron Chepesiuk

Files

Abstract

In this interview, Ronald Chepesiuk speaks with Gretchen Robinson about the Emily Liles Harris Journals and Robinson’s role in bringing the journals to the Louise Pettus Archives. Emily Liles Harris (1827–1899) kept the journals at the request of her husband, David Golightly Harris (1821–1875), while he was away serving with the South Carolina 5th State Troops during the Civil War. Robinson discusses the purpose of the journals, explaining that David originally wanted a record of the weather and crop conditions on their farm near Spartanburg, South Carolina, while he was away. During his absence, Emily continued the journals and documented the daily challenges of managing the farm and caring for their children and enslaved workers.

Robinson describes the journals as providing insight into the experiences of women managing farms and households during the Civil War. Topics discussed include weather and its effect on farming and travel, crop conditions, prices, the war, community activities, farm life, clothing and textile production, childrearing, and Emily’s responsibilities for managing a 100-acre farm and household. Robinson also discusses Emily’s reflections on the difficulties of managing the farm and caring for her family during her husband’s absence, including her repeated concerns about whether he would return. Robinson notes the historical value of Emily’s perspective because women’s roles in managing farms and households during the Civil War are often less visible in historical records.

Robinson also recounts how she learned about the journals and obtained them from Mrs. Harris Ford, who had possession of the materials and was preparing to send them to a family member. Robinson discusses another copy of one of the journals held by an institution in North Carolina and describes her efforts to identify descendants of Emily and David Harris. She identifies John E. Foster of Spartanburg as a descendant of the Harris family who possessed additional family papers, letters, photographs, furniture, and other materials documenting the family’s history. The interview provides background on the provenance of the Emily Liles Harris Journals and the circumstances surrounding their acquisition by the Louise Pettus Archives.

The Emily Liles Harris Journals – Accession 586 consists of six journals concerning the Harris family, along with photocopies of correspondence and Bible records relating to the family’s history.

Publication Date

5-11-1984

Unique Identifier

OH 185

Format

1 Cassette; MP3; WAV;

Length

00:05:46

Restrictions

Open under the rules and regulations of the Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections at Winthrop University

Disciplines

Oral History

Keywords

Emily Liles Harris's Journal

Recommended Citation

Robinson, Gretchen, "Interview with Gretchen Robinson - OH 185" (1984). Winthrop University Oral History Program. OH 185.
https://digitalcommons.winthrop.edu/oralhistoryprogram/204