Albertine Thomas Lancaster

Interviewed on May 22, 2000, Albertine Lancaster moved to St. Mary’s County in November 1971 and married John Lancaster at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York. Her biggest obstacle was learning how to drive when she moved to the county; she worked as a supervisor for the Department of Social Services in Leonardtown for 13 years before she retired. She speaks at length about traveling with her husband and growing up with both parents and sisters. She graduated from Hunter College in 1949 and wanted to be a history teacher or lawyer but decided to become a social worker. She was on the State Board of Education from 1976 through 1986 and, a member of AAW, Margaret Brent Professional Women’s, League of Women Voters, Tri-County Home for Boys, Library Advertisement Board, and Community College Board. She attended Immaculate Heart of Mary Church and received an award for Margaret Brent Woman of the Year award. She speaks at length about changes in St. Mary’s County and her experience with racism in the county. Mrs. Lancaster enjoys the county and the community, she received her news from Enterprise, Washington Post, Black Enterprise, Ebony, Essence, Prince George, and Virginia newspapers. Mrs. Lancaster then concludes the interview by answering a question about she has done everything in life she wanted to do.

Everlyn Louise Swales Holland

Interviewed on May 30, 1997, Everlyn Holland begins the interview by talking about WWII and what was happening in the county at that time. She mentions moving to Washington, D.C. after the war began and how her husband served on a ship and was stationed at Patuxent Naval Base during the Korean War. She talks about the Vietnam War and how there were no local protests of the war, and she mentions Martin Luther King, Jr. She then speaks at length about politics and democracy, especially at the time of Dr. King's assassination, she’s asked which leaders stand out the most in the civil rights movement. She mentions the NAACP and names specific leaders in the 1960s, such as Louise Barnes, Louise Kelly, Louise Fenwick, Carrie Glascoe, and Bertina Stevens. Mrs. Holland talks about how the community was goal-oriented and that information was reported in the Baltimore Afro-American Newspaper. She is asked a question about any gains or changes in the county and if there will ever be a color-blind society. She speaks at length about people in society, specifically those with money, and what would help to make change. Mrs. Holland talks about welfare and the White Citizens Council, having friendships with white women, and the different struggles between genders during the civil rights movement and segregation to desegregation. She speaks at length about the kind of music she grew up with as a child and her family attending church. Mrs. Holland concludes the interview by discussing racism and how people don’t want to draw attention to themselves because they want to be perceived as religious and upright.

Philip H. Scriber Sr.
Interviewed on October 28, 1996, Philip Scriber was born on a farm on what was formerly the Sotterley Plantation, a house over 90 years old. He currently lives in a bungalow dwelling in Hollywood, the house was built in 1990. He speaks at length about his family, early memories, and trips, his family attended St. John’s in Hollywood and they did not participate in community activities. Mr. Scriber answers questions about the treatment of senior citizens, news sources, and what he thinks about life being better than they are now. He speaks at length about his childhood and the relationship between his parents, he then talks about formal schooling and his favorite teachers. He speaks at length about segregation, and racism, working on the Patuxent Navy Base, and meeting his wife. Mr. Scriber talks about the role of religion in his life, and community activities such as the Big Foot Hunt Club, Jolly Gents Club, and Treasure for Lott. He answers questions about the quality of life, differences in teenagers, finances, living in the county, Navy Base, and personal contributions to the county. Mr. Scriber concludes the interview by discussing the most valuable thing he’s ever had, achieving personal goals, reflecting upon life, and what life was like for him.

Joseph "Spencer" Scriber
Interviewed on July 30, 2004, Joseph Scriber begins the interview by talking about the home he was raised in and his family life. He talks about where the family shopped, family discipline, and the Sotterley Wharf, he speaks at length about church, school, and teachers. Mr. Scriber attended Banneker High School, where he discussed integration/segregation. He had employment in Base, oystering, and farming, he wanted to be a priest or engineer. After high school, he served in the military from 1951-1953 in the Korean War where he served as a welder. He talks about dealing with segregation and hypocrisy at church then moves on to discuss illness, doctors, and Christmas in July. Mr. Scriber concludes the interview talking about the African American Monument, advice to today’s generation, and the importance of education and voting. 

John Graham Lancaster

Interviewed on December 10, 1996, John Lancaster was born in Prince Edward County Virginia in 1918, he went to college in 1934 and stayed in the county until 1955. He lived on a 125-acre farm in Prince Edward County, he recalls an early memory of looking out the window and watching siblings light firecrackers at Christmas time. He attended First Baptist in Farmville and only took trips around the county, his father was involved at church deacon board, NAACP, and the Beneficial Society. Mr. Lancaster talks about how there were separate medical offices for white and black patients, the news came from county newspapers and blacks made up approximately 66% of the county's population right after the Civil War.  He speaks at length about childhood activities such as games, and chores, and his parents treating him well, he went to Oak Hill Elementary and Robert R. Morton High School in Prince Edward County. He talks about meeting his wife at Hampton College, attending First Baptist Missionary in Lexington Park, working with other churches, and talks about all the different possibilities in St. Mary’s County. Mr. Lancaster talks about the changes from the 1950s to 1996, specifically the increase in population, race relations, and city vs. county. He mentions the 15 to 20 community service awards he received and the 4-H Club integrating the Boys Club; he also mentions becoming chairman of the housing authority in 1978. Mr. Lancaster concludes the interview by talking more about policy during his term as commissioner, running for public office, and accomplishments. 

Mary Marguerite Barnes Langley

Interviewed on December 18, 1996, Mary Langley was born in Philadelphia, PA and she currently lives in Lexington Park. She talks about her childhood and her parent's occupations, her family attended St. Peter’s Catholic Church. Her family would participate in community activities and she speaks at length about health, senior citizens, and how black folks got news/information. She describes her relationship with her siblings and many fond childhood memories, she talks about her education and living on her own. Mrs. Langley met her husband and got married in 1941, she worked in civil service for a while and details a health incident that her husband endured. She speaks at length about St. Mary’s County including teenagers, race relations, segregation, “outsiders” and personal feelings about the Navy Base. She’s asked questions about the direction of the county, valuable lessons she’s learned, and what life is like now. Mrs. Langley concludes the interview by speaking at length about the “Mix”.

Theodore Newkirk

Theodore Newkirk’s interviews, which took place in 2003 and 2007. St. Mary's County was completely segregated when Mr. Newkirk and his wife first moved in 1954. He raised his family in Carver Heights, which he described as a tight-knit community. Newkirk discusses his choice to send his children into the integrated school system to help them understand the racial climate of the time. He talks about how this was a difficult decision, but one he thought was necessary for his children to succeed. Newkirk talks about his time as President of the NAACP for the local chapter and his fight against discrimination on the Naval base. He remembers being called a “troublemaker” after pushing for change.

Laurice M. White

Interviewed on March 8, 2001, Laurice White was born in Lexington Park, MD, and is the oldest of 11 children, she lived on family land currently owned by Hampton Inn and Extended Stay. She grew up on a farm and raised animals, tobacco, corn, and vegetables, she moved to Washington DC with her aunt during the 6th grade. Ms. White speaks at length about early childhood memories, traveling and her siblings, she attended St. Peters in Ridge for elementary school then left to go to school in Washington, DC in 1952. Her father served in the Navy for three years and she aspired to become a nurse for older people, she left the county for educational opportunities. She mentions the public reaction to the first black librarian in Lexington Park and how she has been divorced for 22 years, raising her children by herself. Ms. White concludes the interview by talking about race relations, racism, and joining the NAACP in 1958 in Washington, DC.

Clarence Leo Young

Interviewed on April 6, 2004, Clarence Young is originally from Budd’s Creek, MD, he has lived in Lexington Park and Charles County. He grew up on a farm which he describes as tough work done by hand, he also worked as an equipment operator and landlord. He speaks at length about integration, specifically how he became a fighter for the integration of the schools because he always faced discrimination in the military no matter where he went in the service. Mr. Young was on the school board in 1955 and was the only black person to be appointed to the Board of Education at the time. He mentions the Groves children and the first children to integrate the white schools, Robert Young was his grandfather and Steven R.L. Young started the NAACP in St. Mary’s. He talks about board meetings, Mr. Mattingly, and the biggest change in the county in 1955. Mr. Young concludes the interview by discussing his landscaping license, religion, and his children. 

James Gorman Thomas

James Gorman Thomas was interviewed on August 17, 2011, for the UCAC. Mr. Thomas grew up with seven other siblings. His father worked as a sharecropper at the Susquehanna Farm and also participated in other side jobs, like mail-carrying and oystering. Mr. Thomas’s entire family participated in aspects of farming to help their father. His mother would work to care for the house, ensuring that the family was fed and the father was comfortable. Mr. Thomas would attend Jarboesville for school until 7th grade. He would eventually be drafted into the army during World War II. Afterward, he returned home and worked for Amtrak before returning to farming with his father. His father would buy his farm towards the end of his life, which would later be sold. Mr. Thomas has raised three children.