Oral History Interview with Felder Hutchinson

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Title:

Oral History Interview with Felder Hutchinson

Date:

1985

Description:

Interview with Felder Hutchinson by Edmund L. Drago and Eugene C. Hunt, July 16, 1985, in the Avery Normal Institute Oral History Project, of the Avery Research Center at the College of Charleston

Collection Title:

Avery Research Center Oral Histories

Contributing Institution:

Avery Research Center at the College of Charleston

Media Type:

Oral Histories

Note:

In this interview, Felder C. Hutchinson (1921 - circa 2009), a native Charlestonian, provides a detailed overview of the history of St. Marks Episcopal Church, referring to its founding on Easter Day in 1865; the composition of its congregation, mainly consisting of free persons of color; and influential leaders such as Anthony Toomer Porter and J. H. M. Pollard. He further mentions the difficulties of St. Marks being accepted in South Carolinas predominantly white Episcopalian convention, as well as St. Marks refusal to join the Reformed Episcopalian movement. Hutchinson refers to controversy surrounding St. Marks supposedly very fair-skinned members, as well as rumors regarding miscegenation. He mentions St. Marks flourishing days from 1890 on with its famous Sunday School until the years of the Great Depression. He hereby also points to the historical development of several other Charleston churches, such as St. Philips, St. Michaels, Calvary and Grace Episcopal Church. Hutchinson later elaborates in depth on race relations in Charleston between whites and blacks, the issue of varying color complexions within the same family generation, and personal discrimination he faced in several instances from both sides being very light-skinned. The interview also discusses the changing terminology and meaning of words such mulatto and black, as well as Congressman Thomas E. Millers efforts to improve the lives of his brethren. Further, the issue of inter-marriage by free persons of color committing race suicide is addressed. The second part of the interview inquires about the founding of the Owls Whist Club in 1914, original membership consisting mainly of barbers, as well as the importance of their annual social ball. Hutchinson further provides a detailed chronology of his grandfather Rufus E. Felders barbershop, which was very successful from its inception on Wentworth Street in 1892 to its closing on King Street in 1941. He also refers to experiences and the relationships with predominantly white customers. The final part of the interview focuses on Mr. Hutchinsons family history and his educational career. Hutchinson, for example, recalls his paternal grandmother being a former slave who came to Charleston unmarried with three mulatto children. After attending Mrs. Susie Dart Butlers kindergarten, Hutchinson went to Avery in 1928 until graduating in 1939. He recalls the head of the teacher training program, Mrs. Birdie Clyde, as a controversial figure and remembers Averys rhetoricals and musical traditions, as well as the chapel meetings. He also mentions being on the staff of Averys only annual publication in 1939. The interview abruptly concludes with a discussion of the state of South Carolina supporting African Americans with scholarships to attend colleges outside the segregated South during the 1940s.

Personal or Corporate Subject:

Avery Normal Institute--Alumni and alumnae, Avery Normal Institute--History, Miller, Thomas E., 1849-1938, American Missionary Association--History, Baskervill, E. L., Bell, Louise DeMar Purvis, Butler, Susan Dart, 1888-1959, Calvary Episcopal Church (Charleston, S.C.)--History, Clyde, Florence A., Felder family, Felder, Rufus E., Grace Episcopal Church (Charleston, S.C.)--History, Hutchinson family, Hutchinson, Felder C., b. 1921, Pollard, John H. M., Porter, Anthony Toomer, 1828-1902, Owls Whist Club, St. Marks Protestant Episcopal Church (Charleston, S.C.)--History, St. Michaels Episcopal Church (Charleston, S.C.)--History, St. Philips Church (Charleston, S.C.)--History

Topical Subject:

Free blacks--South Carolina--Charleston--History, African Americans--South Carolina--Interviews, Segregation in education--South Carolina--History, African American barbers--South Carolina--Charleston, African American teachers--South Carolina--Charleston, Barbers--South Carolina--Charleston, Depressions--1929--United States--South Carolina, Miscegenation--South Carolina--Charleston--History

Geographic Subject:

Charleston (S.C), Charleston (S.C.)--Race relations

S.C. County:

Charleston County (S.C.)

Language:

English

Shelving Locator:

AMN 500.001.023

Date Digital:

2010-12

Digitization Specifications:

Mp3 derivative audio created with Audacity software.

Internet Media Type:

audio/mpeg

Copyright Status Statement:

Digital resource copyright 2010, Avery Research Center at the College of Charleston Libraries. All rights reserved. For more information contact the Avery Research Center, College of Charleston, Charleston, SC 29424.

Admin ID:

220911