Slave Narratives: A Folk History of Slavery in the United States from Interviews with Former Slaves, Volume III, Florida Narratives

This collection brings together the spoken memories of dozens of Floridians who lived through slavery, recorded in the late‑1930s as part of a nationwide effort to preserve their voices. The interviews are presented exactly as they were told, preserving the rhythm, dialect, and individuality of each storyteller. Names like Josephine Anderson, Rev. Eli Boyd, and “Banana” Williams anchor the narratives in real lives and places across the state.

Listeners will hear vivid accounts of everyday work—spinning cotton, tending livestock, and hauling turpentine barrels—alongside personal milestones such as weddings, births, and the rituals that marked them. The narratives also reveal a rich layer of folk belief, from tales of protective brooms to children who claimed to see spirits, offering a glimpse into the cultural world that sustained families amid hardship. These stories blend the harsh realities of labor with moments of community, humor, and resilience.

By hearing these firsthand testimonies, you gain an intimate portrait of a bygone era, hearing history not from textbooks but from the people who lived it. The voices invite reflection on the enduring human spirit and the complex legacy of slavery in the American South.