Interviewee: Leroy Williams
Interviewer: Helena Henry
Relationship: Grandpa
Date: October 22, 2002

Living on the farm was hard but fair.
What you raised or grew was your meal


What is your full name?

Leroy Carter Williams

What is your nationality?

African American

What is your date of birth?

August 9, 1936

Where were you born?

Statesberg. Georgia. I was a midwife baby, I was not born in the hospital. It’s very hard for me without my birth certificate.

When did you (move to the U.S./move from somewhere else in the U.S.) to Philadelphia?

Not sure of the date.

Why did you leave your country/State/former place of residence?

For a better life.

What did you like/dislike about your home/country?

I loved my home because I was raised there, and was brought up on farm life so when I did move to Philly it was very hard for me to adapt.

Why did you choose Philadelphia/U.S?

'Cause I heard about it through friends so me and my brother and sister decided to try to see what all the commotion about.

How did you travel here?/What type of transportation did you use/take to travel here? How would you change that?

I traveled on a Greyhound bus. It was OK, I would not want to change that.

How did you find a place to live in Philly?

Around this time you get a taxi and tell them to take you to a colored neighborhood.  He took us to a hotel that was reasonable and I don't know how but we started talking to this lady and she said she had two rooms that she can rent to us for an reasonable price.

With whom did you travel? [Who did you travel with?]

I traveled with my oldest sister Lily May and my oldest brother Alexander Jr.

Give 1 thing you remember most about your home town and why?

Picking cotton, breaking corn, digging potatoes, getting up early feeding the hogs, milking the cows, and putting our cotton in storage until the price go up so we can sell it.

How did your life change when you moved and what were the differences between the two places?

I was a farm boy, I did not know anything about city life, it intimidated me but I had to get a job so my sister can pay the rent.

What did you expect about the US/Philly?

It was not what I expected, They said you might be able to get rich here. That never happened for me.

What did you come here to accomplish and what else do you feel you still need to do?

I accomplished a good family, loved ones and a fair paying job. Thanks to my lovely deceased wife, Victoria Henry.

What is the differences between when you came here and now?

The people and the prices of things; people became crueler and prices became higher.

What did you sacrifice/leave behind when you left?

A pregnant girl and my family, I told her when I got to Philly I’ll send out for her but that never did happen. Money wasn’t right. I regret doing it but I can’t turn back the hands of time.

What problems did you encounter coming to the US/Philly?

Trying to find a good paying job back then did not require a education like now, so I did get one that paid good and it was construction working.

How much money did you have and where did you get it when you came to Philly/US?

My brother and I put the money together that we got from working on the farm that we saved and gave it to my sister then we came to Philly.

How did you adapt to your new environment?

I learned to do things like others and to be an city boy.

Why do you think it was worth all your changes?

‘Cause I would have not found my lovely wife.

What education did you have before/after you arrived?

Before I arrived I had no education then my wife taught me how to read.

Do you [ever] regret moving? Why or why not?

I did regret moving when I first arrived here cause everything was new to me but I adapted.

What reason would/could make you go back to where you came from?

If there’s an reunion or death in the family.

Describe your first job here. If you didn't have one, how did you get money?

Washing dishes in a restaurant.

Is there anything you would like to add?

I would like to add that I remember when I was coming up that I use to always go trough the woods to see the truck that rode past. The truck sold candy so my sister would always send me to the woods to buy candy. So one day on my trip I decided I wanted some candy and I had no money so I knew when I got home she wouldn't give me any. I set down on a piece of wood and decided I’ll eat just one piece of candy. While doing this I grew full, started my way back to the house. When I got there I passed my sister the bag, and ran to my mom. I knew she will protect me from her. So she grew angry and came after me, I ran right behind my life saver and she told her, "You better leave him alone. You should not have sent him," She could have went herself; so she signaled to me that she will get me latter, the love of my life spoke again, she said’’And if you hit him I’m gonna hit you and I won't stop." She never, ever, sent me back to get anything, she went herself or sent my brothers.


12/9/1999