Reminiscing: The Legacy of Madame Phoebia Sullivan by Pauline Gordon Corn

This is an excerpt from the oral history interview we conducted with Pauline Gordon Corn in 2014, but only recently released to the public. We felt this snippet was worthy of standing on its own merit mainly due to the interest in the history of Madame Phoebia Sullivan (1855-1956). Born to former slaves in South Carolina, Phoebia was a healer, herb doctor, mystic, prophet, and leader in Saluda’s black community. She arrived in Saluda in the late 1920s after the death of her husband, bringing with her 16 children and it is said she adopted at least 20 more. In this interview, Pauline speaks of the good relationship her family had with Phoebia and her family. Pauline's parents operated Gordon's General Merchandise in the 1930s and 40s, where they sold groceries, hardware, dry goods, feed and fertilizer. In this excerpt, Pauline reminisces about: • Phoebia preparing for big Christmas Eve dinners by placing large orders with the store. • The cafe that once stood near Sullivan's Temple operated by Ruth, Phoebia's daughter. They had the best hamburgers and thick pound cake she has ever had! • Most important are the recollections of the musical celebrations held at Pheobia's house. Pauline singles out a time she and her parents got to experience a performance by a gospel quartet on Phoebia's front porch, who sang a song about trains as they put their hands on each other's shoulders and acted out the motions of a train. The collection of oral histories is a project of the Historic Saluda Committee. Interview arranged by Charlene Pace. Interview conducted by Cindy Stephenson Tuttle and Charlene Pace. Filmed and produced by Cindy Stephenson Tuttle. Website: www.historicsaluda.org Email: historicsaluda.gmail.com