Those Places Thursday: Cremo College, Site of Reconstruction and Freedom in Charleston

Riding around Charleston was always in the plan as we visited family when I was a child.  Walking around the old streets so chock full of history takes me back in time, especially when my mom used to tell me stories of old houses and buildings.  What she didn't tell me was the history of Cremo College, aka The Cigar Factory.


The Cigar Factory first started its life around 1882 as a cotton mill after the Civil War.  The South was in ruins and this five story building had a major impact on the helping the economy during the Reconstruction time after the ravages of war.

Fast forward to the beginning of the 20th century.  In 1903, the American Cigar Company leased the property as the company started production in five locations in the South.  Women, both black and white, were the mainstay of the employees who prepared the tobacco leaves, made the cigars and packed the cigars.  They were unskilled labor, yet this employer was the major private employer in Charleston for a number of years.  Generally, the higher paid positions went to the caucasian males.


The Cigar Factory produced two cigars, the Certified Cremo and Roi-Tan.  According to what is written, the combination of young employees and the large production numbers of the Cremo Cigar gave rise to the nickname "Cremo College."

The Cigar Factory also has another prominent spot in history as it is believed the song "We Shall Overcome" was first sung during a six month strike in 1945 led mostly by the black employees, who were the majority of the employees.

When I was told some ten years ago, that my great grandmother had worked at the cigar factory, I was surprised. When and why?  She was born just before the Civil War and lost her father during the war.  Both sides of her family lost everything, men and farms, in the war.  She married in 1883 and spent the next years raising a family.  I suspect she started work there after the death of her husband in 1922.  I had visions of her being a secretary.  Why did I think that?  Most likely, she was one of the poor working white women who either stripped the leaves, or rolled the cigars or packed them.

The 1920 census tells me she has no job other than being a wife.  The 1930 census tells me she had moved to Grant Homes on Meeting Street where she is still listed as no job.  She was around the age of 70 at that time.  Would she still have had to work?

While I don't know exactly what she did or when, the information I can find on the Cigar Factory tells me she worked long hours for that small paycheck.  I have yet to find any employment records of the Cigar Factory.

Now, when I ride past the newly refurbished Cigar Factory, I picture her with her beloved snuff and her petticoats.  And I wonder.

Ahh, genealogy.  Guess we finally overcame the Cremo College, once and for all.  Now I just want to read the new novel about the factory.


Sources:
http://cigarfactorycharleston.com/about/
http://ldhi.library.cofc.edu/exhibits/show/cigar_factory/historic_background_cigar_fact
http://www.postandcourier.com/article/20121027/PC1002/121029351/
http://www.sciway.net/sc-photos/greenville-county/american-cigar-factory.html
https://www.sc.edu/uscpress/books/2016/7590.html

Friend of Friends Friday: Dwarf Negro and Those Terrible Taxes

While perusing the October 5, 1869, Charleston Daily News on the site Chronicling America,
 several articles caught my attention.  As we all know, the end of War of Northern Aggression made for some really tough times for everyone.

In this short blurb, we see an assault made by a "negro lad".  Just a few years before, the article would have read differently, I am sure.  Interesting the negro dwarf, July, was the one arrested.   Was the lad released to go home? Was there no interest in the attacker or was it the gun that was pulled out by the attackee the bigger issue?

The bigger article to catch my attention was about the high taxation on the planters.  Higher taxes lowered their profits.  The article is a discussion on one way to address the problem--  have those who farm the land for the owner pay a portion of the taxes, or better yet, get rid of "Misrepresentatives" of the "radical officials."

There's more to read in this article......

Ahh, genealogy.  Fair taxation. Gee, what a novel idea.  Hey, wait.  Didn't we stand up for this in the past?  Sounds like the conversation lives on and on- even after the early "misrepresentatives" are long gone.

Sources:

http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84026994/1869-10-05/ed-2/seq-2/

©2016 ASEldredge

Friend of Friends Friday: United States and Negro Stock June 1861--Scary?

Amidst the articles in the Charleston Mercury dated June 1, 1861, the following was found.

Scary United States bonds at 85 cents on the dollar compared to average price of a negro child at $750?

Ahh, genealogy.  Reading the newspapers of the past can be scary as past deeds haunt us still.

Friend of Friends Friday: St James Santee Plantation Parish

Ever tried to find much information in old South Carolina?  It's almost like the feeling I bet the English had when they were trying to track down Francis Marion in the swamp.  Of course, for me, it still is like to trying to find a high spot in Hell Hole Swamp now!

In history, we can locate evidence of the many fires in South Carolina which destroyed records.  We also have other obstacles to overcome.  While some of the records are getting online, and mind you, the available records are so much better now than when I started looking some 16 years ago, it can still be a source of frustration.

One book I have in my possession that I find an interesting read at times is "St James Santee Plantation Parish" by Anne Baker Leland Bridges and Roy Williams III.  While I don't think any of the names pertain to me, the location is really close to where my blood flows.

There are stories, marriages and baptisms to be found for the parish.  While there isn't a slave listing, some names are mentioned from time to time.

One example is found on page 269 where the negro "November" is mentioned as being made the keeper of an old head board that would not fit on the ship.  Apparently, November was to ship the head board at a later time.  November did not send it on.  Today, this head board, which is made of cypress and marked the grave of Jonah Collins is in the Charleston Museum.  The inscription on the head board reads:

Stranger who now are passing by,

As you are now,

So once was I:

As I am now,

So shall you be,

Therefore prepare to follow me.

Ahh genealogy.  Strangers who have gone before us sometimes bring us great joy as we find a trace of our blood.

Source: 

Bridges, Anne Baker Leland and Williams, Roy III. St James Santee Plantation Parish, 1997.

©2016 ASEldredge