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MARY GILCHRIST POWELL
(Alabama)
Tom's note:
The perpetuation of privilege - real or perceived - in hard times.
This seems to show the desire to retain position when the vocation of the
subject was at the pleasure of the federal government.
Mary Gilchrist Powell - WPA Supervisor,
Welfare Worker, Teacher, Writer, Musician, was born 27 years ago at
Lowndesboro, Alabama. The home in which she passed the earliest years of
her childhood was one of much educational interest and importance in the
small village and throughout the county. The Douglass home was one of the
foremost that was built when the blue blooded settlers pioneered from the
Palmetto States.
They brought with them the cultured and educational influence and when
this home was built the traditional one-room school house was built on the
lawn nearby. Under this shelter Civil war veterans were taught on the
knees of these teachers who were among the first educators in the Black
Belt.
As time passed another generation and still another generation were taught
their A, B, C's under this "one-room school" roof on College Street. A
little story has been passed down the years as to the unique punishment
the ante-bellum teacher who instructed the three generations gave her
naughty pupils. The story goes that when the rules were broken she would
get the small mischief makers in line and wash their mouths out with
quinine, and when the offense required more punishment they were tied with
strings to certain benches prepared for that purpose.
The historic home with the little school house adjacent passed into the
hands of the parents of the little golden haired girl - Mary Gilchrist -
and "history repeated itself" as it was destined to continue to be an
educational center. It was here the present WPA worker Mary Gilchrist
Powell was taught her letters and begun her education.
Mrs. Powell, her mother, brushed out the ante-bellum school room and
opened up a kindergarten school for the smaller children of the town. The
little ones were taught using the Atlanta Georgia (Kindergarten) method
and under Mrs. Powell who had a superior training and experience in her
vocation. Mary Gilchrist made marvelous progress as a beginner. She
received three years training in this school which enabled her to enter
Jr. High School at Lowndesboro one year ahead of her age.
Miss Powell is the daughter of Lindsay James and Lucille (Skinner) Powell
of Lowndesboro, Alabama. She is descended from a well known and
distinguished line of ancestors on both sides of the family. She is the
great granddaughter of Archibald Gilchrist who was a pioneer in Lowndes
County, and on the Powell side is a direct descendant of the Powell family
who "crossed the waters" and were early settlers in New York City and who
did much toward its early settlement and development.
The famous block in the great Metropolis on which the widely known Singer
Sewing Machine people and Woolworth Store was situated, was at the time of
settlement and until a few decades ago owned by that family. There was a
100 years lease on it and at its expiration it was sold for a division. An
amusing story was told of the Powell Heir Reunion that was held in that
great city at the time of the sale and settlement. Each presenting a claim
in the fortune and making attempts to establish their claim. At the time
Powells from all over the U.S. were very much in evidence.
Miss Powell has also a line of distinguished ancestors of the maternal
side who were prominently identified with early developments of Marengo
County, and who have through the years, been outstanding there in social,
education and political circles Her great grandfather, James B. Woolf, was
Probate Judge of that county for many years and made himself outstanding
in the hearts of the people there during the stormy critical
reconstruction period.
He served in that capacity till the
county was overrun with Carpet-baggers. The Woolf name was changed as to
the spelling, as the original family who immigrated here from the old
world spelled it Wolfe - Major General Wolfe, the Hero of Quebec, was a
close relative. History in the family and out is a Hobby with Miss Powell
and as a small girl instead of wanting a bedtime story she scrambled up
into her grandmother's lap and begged for a historical story. The names of
the family tree all their own held a charm for her.
"Oh! tell me again Mammam about my uncle who won the battle of Quebec long
long time ago. And again the story was repeated, but never lost its luster
to the girl. She was told that Major General Wolfe was related, but many
generations removed, nearing 200 years ago.
In that far away time (1759) Canada was the desired object of the struggle
and campaign. The great expediation under this worthy and historical young
officer left Louisberg to capture Quebec which was considered the
Gibralter of America. He made attempts to storm the heights in front of
the City, but it was strongly defended by an army under the command of
Montcalm, and his efforts were futile. But from a point farther up the
river he embarked his army by night and silently descending the stream, he
placed his troops at the rear of the City on the Plains of Abraham.
During the terrific battle which took place the next morning both gallant
commanders were mortally wounded. Wolfe lived only long enough to hear of
the victory he had won and upon the reassurance of the outcome, he
exclaimed "Thank God!" I can die happy knowing I won the battle of
Quebec."
The French General Montcalm passed the next day and expressed himself as
preferring death to seeing his side surrender the City to the enemy.As
Wolfe floated silently down stream the night previous to the great battle
he repeated to the officers about him Grays "Elegy In A Country Church
Yard" which was written but a short time before, and when he repeated the
words, THE PATHS OF GLORY LEAD BUT TO THE GRAVE." Gentlemen: he said, "I
would rather have written those lines than capture Quebec." None were
there to tell him "The Hero Is greater than the Poet." The city he
captured surrendered five days later. The story of EVANGELINE which
Longfellow celebrated in the poem by that name was founded on the cruel
incidents of that period.
The small girl begged for that story too as she scented the fragrance of a
love story, but "Mamman" her grandmother, refused on the plea that neither
of the lovers in the poem were on the family tree, so she was contented
till next time.
The next time she was told the story of Levicy Cook and Thomas Jefferson
Woolf who were her great great grandparents and who were the F.F.V's
(First Families in Virginia) and were pioneers from Petersburg to this
section and made the journey to Jefferson County, La. near the old
aristocratic Natchez. It was most interesting to hear the long perilous
route made on horse back. The couple making the trip on two horses. A most
romantic part of the recital was the attack on the beautiful young maiden
Levicy and her sister by the hostile Indians. Back at her home in the
primitive days the two girls went to the near by spring in the woodland
adjoining their hut. They were attacked by the Indians and in answer to
their outcries the gallant young man came to their assistance and rescued
her from the Savages.
The two young people continued their meetings from time to time at the
"Block House" and he claimed her hand in marriage as a payment for saving
her life. They were married and took their honeymoon on horse back to the
fertile lands of the Delta.
"But Mammam" what is a Block House? I want to know what kind of place my
great great "courted" in. You said they met there in the sweetheart days
and got married. Some day I will grow up to be a big girls and may have a
sweetheart too." Well dear, replied the grandparent, a Block House is made
for protection and not for social affairs, but they met there really for
safety, but she said love happens when one least expects. Well, the
country was new and uncivilized. It was peopled by fierce Indians. There
were also white people coming in and both wanted to own the land. Fights
occurred often and the white men built large high houses and placed many
holes around in it to shoot out of. The house was surrounded by a strong
high wall built stockade fashion.
In times of danger the whites for miles around assembled in these
strong-holds, and the men stationed themselves at the holes and watched
for the approaching of the Indians. Tom Jefferson Woolf and the beautiful
bride did not tarry in the rich delta bottoms so long but made another
pioneer trip each on horse back but this time a baby boy was added to the
pioneer travelers which blessed the union of this young couple. Again the
long journey through the perilous country till they reached what is now
Dayton, Marengo County, Alabama and decided to pitch their tent there. The
wee son was carried there "papoose fashion" and was transferred from the
arms of one parent to another in order to rest their tired arms.
The father "blazed" (a term used then to express making a clearing) a way
toward a location for building a home and cut suitable trees to be used in
its construction. A lone one-room hut was the result and while its
preparation was going on the young couple camped out in the wilds.
Levicy was to again contact the dangerous Red Skins because they were as
dangerous and antagonistic in her environments as they had been in her
former home. Her husband had to return to the home he had just left to
bring possessions that he could not bring the first time, as it was an
obvious fact that very little could be conveyed on horse back. He could
not carry his wife and baby with him after the possessions for they were a
"horse back full", so they were left in the lone log hut in the wildwood.
The hardships and terrors of the brave woman could not be described.
Through the long cold days and nights she could not have a fire and had to
eat cold food because a smoke from the chimney would attract the Indians.
The log cabin was the beginning of Dayton which is and has been through
the century, outstanding on account of wealth, culture and educational
influence. The town today stands on the location that Thomas Jefferson
Woolf blazed through the wild forests back in that far and distant day. A
large handsome home on the Vermont, New England type was an old landmark
in that town which took the place of the pioneer hut and was the home in
later years of the man who founded the town. The son, James B. Woolf, who
was for many years Probate Judge, and who helped to shape the destiny of
the county his father had founded, was the little baby boy the parents
brought there on horse back." "Now tell me what the little Mary Gilchrist
said about the kin on Daddy's side and the big College. Oh! yes, replied
the mother, you want to hear about the Davidsons.
That family is on the main limb of your tree but the one is six
generations older than you are, but the line is direct and has been
carefully traced. Gen. William Lee Davidson is the one you want to hear
about. He gave the land on which Davidson College, N.C. is built and in
appreciation of it the College when founded was named in his honor.
He was a member of one of the oldest and most exclusive organizations in
the U.S. "The Society of Cincinnati. To be eligible to its membership, one
had to be most distinguished in some way, that is to be so on account
personal act or deed. Gen. Davidson distinguished himself for heroic
service in Rev. War during in which he lost his life. His family down and
through the years were noted for their brilliant mental attainments, and
many of them became prominent educators in different sections of the
southern states. In the flourishing years of the 1850's his neice, Mrs.
Mary Davidson, was among the brilliant array of teachers on the faculty of
the Lowndesboro Female Institute.
Her lovely character, gentle and cultured manner lives today in the
memories of some surviving pupils. In the passing years the little Mary
Gilchrist grew away from the Kindergarted school and entered the village
school. She was so well prepared that she entered a class ahead of her age
and in the years to come she was so studious, she remained ahead.
As a child she was a splendid student and applied herself to her school
work and the study of music (piano). In and out of the home she was sweet,
pleasant and affable, fond of her school duties, her Sundat School work
and her pets. One of her characteristics was her consideration and
kindness to older people and the "under-dog". As a small girl she visited
the sick and when the other children of the village were indulging in
camps and gaities, she and her young brother could be seen carrying some
dainty bite to a "shut-in" or going to scatter some of the charm of their
younger lives where was gray and drab.
In the school room she was always ready to work a hard "sum" for the
little mate that would play instead of "getting" her lessons. There was
always around some where a small girl or boy who were not able to have the
nice clothes and good things of life and were picked upon and "Kicked
about" by the fortunates. These were always befriended by her and her
small brother. There lunches were shared with those who could not bring
any and often the day after the imposition, Mary Gilchrist would bring a
bundle to the little shabby child who wanted to learn in spite of the
shabbiness and taunts and in it would be a worn coat, a neat little dress
or some things she was willing to divide. At an early age she was
quarantined at home with diphtheria and her entertainment was the care of
a small kitten which the almost kitten like mother refused to accept
responsibility and deserted.
She nursed and cherished the little pet and named her "Weet." She was so
small and soft that the little girl would slip her in the bed and conceal
her between the bedding. "Weet" was so pleased with her home and petting
and received such good attention that she lived to arrive at the age of
16.
"Pudding", was the name given to Mary Gilchrist by the house hold due to
the fact of her sweet, kind and affectionate disposition. "It never
sounded sweeter to me than it did the day my father called me and told me
I had made the highest mark of any one in my class when we stood the test
for the Senior High School entrance." Having completed the required grades
at Junior High every student in every school in the county were compelled
to stand and pass an examination in order to enter Senior High at
Haynesville. Papers were made out at state educational office and were
corrected at Superintendent's office. Mary Gilchrist made highest mark.
When her father received the message, he approached the house "saying
Pudding Powell, you come out ahead." From the home town schools and
Haynesville High she continued her education at the Agnes Scott, Decatur,
Ga. She was an outstanding pupil there in her collegiate course, as well
as in music and was graduated from there with honors.
Her ambition was to teach and soon after graduation she accepted a
position as teacher in a large school in the county where she taught three
years. However, the confinement of the school room did not agree with her,
and she was urged to enter the welfare work. For this she attended the
University of Alabama also University of Mississippi, taking course in
welfare work at each place. She did welfare work at Birmingham, Alabama
also in the Mill Village District at Lanette, Georgia. In May, 1938, Miss
Powell was appointed case reader and incestigator on the WPA at
Montgomery, Alabama with offices at 200 Commerce Street.
Mary Gilchrist Powell is a young woman of unusual ability. At an early age
she displayed a talent for writing and has written several short stories
and poems which have been published in some of the popular magazines. She
is a member of the Presbyterian Church and in her school days was organist
for the Sunday School.
She does not "go in" for young peoples frivolities but enjoys good
wholesome sports. She is a good horse woman - enjoys tennis and croquet.
She is a handsome blonde with fair hair and complexion and has bright and
beautiful blue eyes. She is tall and stately and in evening attire she
makes a magnificent appearance. Recently Miss Powell has been promoted to
supervisor in one of the larger counties of Alabama with 1500 to look
after. In her district the extermination of the Pink Worm (& crop
destroyer worse than the boll weavil) is one of the large projects.
Her home environments at Lowndesboro are most attractive. Marengo, the
home on Main Street is an ante-bellum structure. Its setting is charming
with lovely shrubs and flowers and the interior is more charming with its
handsome and antique furnishings. She says this home is the "core of my
heart" no matter where my business leads me. The parents and one brother,
Lindsay James Powell, Jr. constitutes the family. He is a student at
Vanderbilt and is the represnetative that that University has selected to
compete for the scholarship to be awarded for European training at an
early date.
3/20/39
MS
Life of Mary Gilchrist Powell, WPA Supervisor
(ex) Welfare Worker - Teacher - Writer-Musician.
Lowndesboro, Alabama
Marie Reese, Lowndes County, Ala.
Text from: Library of
Congress, Manuscript Division, WPA Federal Writers' Project Collection
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