Slave Narratives: A Folk History of Slavery in the United States from Interviews with Former Slaves, Volume XVI, Texas Narratives, Part 2

"Slave Narratives: A Folk History of Slavery in the United States" is a historical account compiled by the Federal Writers' Project during the late 1930s. This work provides firsthand accounts and interviews with former enslaved people, offering a unique insight into their experiences and the complexities of the institution of slavery in America. The narratives document the diverse backgrounds of the narrators and capture the cultural, social, and economic aspects of their lives before and after emancipation. The beginning of the book introduces the reader to various former slaves from Texas, sharing snippets of their lives through personal stories. One narrator, Willis Easter, recounts his early memories as a child slave and includes details about his family's cooking skills and beliefs in folklore, such as conjuring. Other accounts include Anderson and Minerva Edwards, who reflect on their experiences and the impact of the Civil War on their lives. These stories not only convey the hardships faced during their enslavement but also illustrate moments of resilience, community, and cultural traditions, setting a poignant tone for the narratives within the book. (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.