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

"Slave Narratives: A Folk History of Slavery in the United States from Interviews with Former Slaves" is a historical account produced by the Federal Writers' Project during the late 1930s. This work consists of personal testimonies and stories shared by former slaves, reflecting their experiences before and after emancipation, thereby providing valuable insights into the realities of slavery in America. The narratives reveal the voices of individuals who lived through this dark chapter in history, offering firsthand accounts of their lives, struggles, and resilience. The opening of this collective work presents a series of interviews featuring various informants, including Frances Batson and Julia Casey, who recount their lives under slavery in Tennessee. Each account is filled with vivid memories of their childhood, family dynamics, interactions with their enslavers, and the hardships they endured. Through their stories, themes of survival, the longing for freedom, and the complexities of life before and after the Civil War emerge, creating a compelling depiction of the human spirit amidst adversity. The narratives serve not only as historical documentation but also as a reminder of the profound impact slavery has left on generations of African Americans. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

The Works Progress Administration was an American New Deal agency that employed millions of jobseekers to carry out public works projects, including the construction of public buildings and roads. It was set up on May 6, 1935, by presidential order, as a key part of the Second New Deal.