Robert Belarmine Gant

Interviewed on November 11, 1996, Robert Gant was president of Knights of St. Jerome where he established a political connection with George Aud. He speaks at length about his position and experience at St. Jerome, especially the executive board election process. He talks about the '60s and the time of the Civil Rights movement, he says this time was the best in St. Mary’s County for Blacks until Regan got into office. He talks about race relations and other indications of racism within the older population. His grandson attended St. Michael’s Catholic School which led to a conversation discussing stereotyping and racism. Mr. Gant talks about Baltimore vs. St. Mary’s County and why Black men got more respect in the '60s. He remembers watching Martin Luther King’s March on Washington on TV, thinking about what was needed was divine intervention. He discusses KKK activities and influences on racism in St. Mary’s County, the lack of progress by Blacks, and the last school board election. Mr. Gant concludes the interview reflecting upon his community involvement and its lasting impact along with acknowledging that his involvement made it easier for his children to get jobs.

Elmer J. Brown

Interviewed on February 19, 2000, Elmer Brown was born on September 16, 1932, in Drayden on Cherryfield Rd where his parents owned the property. His mother was a housewife and his father worked for a doctor (farming). Mr. Brown talks about his mother dying in a car accident when he was a child and the stepmother who then entered the family. He talks about school, early memories, church, and marriage at 18. He was in an auto accident at a Safety Zone, studied aircraft mechanics, and noticed that the curriculum was geared more toward whites than blacks. Mr. Brown talks about racial experiences and their impact on his work experience specifically in the military. He speaks at length about his various work industry experiences, and family life, specifically childhood, community, Naval Base, and the UCAC. Mr. Brown concludes by providing advice for young individuals and the McDonald’s Creed of making sure each child knows what the golden arches mean.

William Greene

William Greene was interviewed on November 21, 2020, for the UCAC. Mr. Greene grew up in Drayden, Maryland. Mr. Greene was the youngest of a large catholic family with 12 children. His mother died when he was very young, so he was raised by his stepmother, Ms. Blanche Greene, and his father, Mr. George Greene. His father worked three jobs to keep his family afloat while his stepmother watched all 12 children at home. Before attending Cardinal Gibbons Institute, Mr. Greene attended Saint Peter Claver’s Elementary School. He would be one of the first Black graduates of Wheeling University. Throughout his schooling and his experience in the Catholic church, Mr. Greene faced the effects of racial segregation. At the end of his interview, he describes his happy marriage to Delores Greene, with whom he has three children. 

Agnes Geneva Chase Blackwell

Interviewed on November 4, 1996, Miss. Blackwell talks at length about her family and the complex relationships she had with each family member. She talks about schooling and aspirations as a young adult being restricted through marriage. Miss. Blackwell discusses married life, children and the importance of religion in their lives. She mentions the influence of Naval Base on family life and her efforts to support the community. Miss. Blackwell speaks about life in St. Mary’s County and segregation throughout the community which she provides a detailed description. She speaks at length about valuable possessions in her house and the death of her husband, she also mentions changes in the county, newspapers, transportation, clothing and health. Miss. Blackwell reflects upon fond memories of her father while concluding with what St. Mary’s County used to be and what it’s like in 1996. 

Grace Cecilia Lawrence Blackwell

Interviewed on April 21, 1997, Miss. Blackwell provides a detailed introduction to the different residences where she lived growing up. She talks about her parents and their occupations along with church, travel, and community involvement through projects such as mattress making. Miss. Blackwell discusses the importance of family, health issues, and remedies among the family, specifically her mother. She talks about how there were no radios or newspapers thus she learned about the news from visiting family and friends. She talks about games, matters of discipline, school, employment, and aspirations to become a teacher. Only the first third of this interview has been transcribed, the audio is in full. 

Alice Rebecca Biscoe Bennett

Interviewed on September 5, 1996, Ms. Bennett describes each of her family members and their dynamics throughout her childhood, specifically about diet. They lived on a farm near the waterfront, called St. Jerome's Neck on St. Jerome's Creek. Ms. Bennett discusses financial and social changes in the county while growing up and mentions "Run-Ins" which is a get-together/fundraiser for St. Peter Claver Church. Ms. Bennett talks at length about her personal life and childhood, specifically about activities, schooling, marriage, and life in St. Mary's County. She talks about contributions to the community such as carrying people to the doctor and helping out at St. Peter Claver Church. Ms. Bennett responds to questions that voice perspectives regarding societal topics such as the care of senior citizens, race relations, and the influence of the Naval Base.

James Alexander Forrest Sr.

Interviewed on February 25, 2003, James Forrest was born 15 miles below St. Mary’s City and 10 miles north of Point Lookout. He was raised partially by his grandmother, a former slave freed at Point Lookout during the Civil War. He speaks at length about his great-grandparents and the many stories told of slavery. He talks about chores and raising food such as chickens and hogs along with food staples which include fish, cornbread, beans, molasses, etc… He mentions a teacher named Cecilia Briscoe and terms he learned from her about doctors. He talks at length about discipline and how the era was more peaceful, less tense, and stressful than now. Mr. Forrest talks about his half-brother, religion, travels, and formal schooling. He attended St. Peter Claver and then went to Cardinal Gibbons Institute, after school, he went to work for four years at St. Mary’s College in 1933. He lived in Detroit for about a year in the 1920s, he mentions differences between racial attitudes in Detroit and St. Mary’s County. He talks about liking History in school and attending meetings to discuss issues openly and honestly. Mr. Forrest worked on the Charlotte Hall Project Committee, hospital, and school board. He was appointed to the school board by Governor Mandel, Mr. Forrest frequently mentions Lettie Marshall Dent. He speaks at length about his children, segregation, meeting his wife, and community activities with the NAACP. He talks about life in St. Marys County and growth in the county, he mentions the value of health and family. Mr. Forrest concludes the interview by reflecting upon his awards/recognitions, the elderly, receiving a Doctorate, childhood stories, The Depression, Jim Crow Laws, and results from these aggravations.

Elvare Smith Gaskin

Interviewed on January 28, 1997, Mrs. Gaskin begins the interview by speaking at length about what times were like for her as a child, she recounts old childhood memories. She talks about her family and the food they would grow, especially the meals her grandparents would make. She mentions Point Lookout Hotel and the small community, and she then talks about economic needs during that time for both large and small families in the community. Mrs. Gaskin recounts her earliest memory and relationship with her siblings, she attended Methodist and Catholic Church. Her family would travel to Baltimore, Anne Arundel County, and Washington D.C. to visit relatives. She details the home remedies used when ill or injured, she then talks about her childhood activities and relationship with her parents. Mrs. Gaskin speaks at length about school such as favorite subjects, teachers, and future studies in becoming a teacher. She graduated from Bowie in 1939 and she later taught in a one-room school in Oraville. She answers questions about what teaching meant to her, income, and marriage, she also talks about the quality of life in the area. Mrs. Gaskin speaks at length about problems with integration and how the schools are desegregated along with segregation in the county. She answers questions about how teenagers are different now in St. Mary’s County, race relations, and parent involvement. Mrs. Gaskin discusses community involvement, receiving awards, and changes and she concludes the interview by talking about how black folks got news/information growing up. 

Leon M. Briscoe

Interviewed on August 3, 2005, Leon Briscoe lives in St. Inigoes and has been a bricklayer for 52 years working for Gordon and Regan. He talks about his teachers and the practice of discipline taught at school, specifically etiquette. He used to live in Calvert County, one mile from school and he would often hang around old men, he picked up jobs from the old men and was able to make some money. Mr. Briscoe speaks at length about St. Inigoes School and stories of teachers meeting students at the door to check them over for appearance. He discusses the quality of the school and how he never got into any trouble. He went to Jarboesville for grades 7 through 12 but quit school at age 16 and worked on water for Captain George Duncan. Mr. Briscoe concludes by discussing marriage and working for Gordon and Regan.