 |
|
 |
This is a report that Sara wrote for Mrs. Kinsel's World Civilization Class
by Sara Martin
World War II was a very hard and depressing time for many of the now elders, but it was especially hard for one woman. Georgia Martin was married at the age of 15 and had 8 children, 5 in which were children ages 3-10 during the war. She was 20 years old and lived in Corbin, Kentucky with her husband Woodrow Martin. Every now and then, she would work for .25 cents an hour washing clothes or cleaning someone's house. On the other hand, Woodrow made $25 per week working temporarily at a war factory in Louisville, Kentucky and doing odd jobs to support their family of 7. It was hard enough during this period of time to get the food and clothing you need but with what little money they had left, she would buy material for .25 cents a yard and would make dresses and pants so the children could go to school. Georgia and Woodrow did not want the kids to know they were going through hard times, so they pretended to be happy and fine and played with the children.
Supplies such as food and money were low, so you had to have coupons to get most of the groceries you needed. If you had many children in your family, then the parents would get more coupons to pay for the children's food. With some of the coupons that the family had, they would give their poor neighbors and elders coffee coupons just out of generosity. A lot of the time she would save the extra food that was not eaten and can it so they could have more food for another meal. As you can see, it was very hard to live during this time of crisis. It was also hard to see a doctor considering the money shortage they faced.
Georgia Martin had 8 siblings, but only one older brother who was eligible to be drafted. Her husband was also not drafted because he had too many children to support. Benny Wilder, her older brother, died of a lung disease caused by a defective gas mask that he had worn during training. It allowed the deadly gas to seep through the mask and enter his lungs. Clinton Martin, her brother-in-law, was 19 years old when he worked as a stretch barrier in the war. He stepped on a land mine causing very severe injuries. J.B. Martin, another brother-in-law and her nephew, Cecil Martin, were drafted along with her other nephew F.S. Wilder, and nephew Paul Hinkle volunteered at the age of 17. Uncle Fonzie Wilder, who had an American Legion Post in Corbin named after him for being the first man from Corbin to be killed in the war. It was extremely hard on the parents considering the young ages of the men who were chosen to fight in this war but it was an honor to be able to stand up for your country. The only source of news to follow up on the war was a radio.
Life during this tragic war was not easy, but it was tremendously hard to live through, with only small amounts of money and food, especially when you are very young trying to help support a large family. This is the reason I feel that everyone should respect their elders because they have gone through a lot of hard times. They have especially led a very hard and depressing life. We also need to appreciate and take in consideration to what we have and don't have. Many were lost during the war and I think our duties as young and old Americans is to honor their lives. This was a great experience to learn about the hardships that people went through and it makes me want to be more thankful for the freedom and peace we have in America today.
Benny Wilder, USN
F. S. Wilder,
USN
Cora Bamm Parman Wilder
The following is a letter from Cora Wilder, who has just moved to Bluefield, Virgina to daughter Georgia in Corbin, a few days after Christmas 1940. Cora's sons had moved to Virgina in search of mining jobs. It was Granny's first Christmas away from home. Granny and her family were going to go but didn't.
This letter brings back alot of emotion for Granny. She can vividly remember that day like it was yesterday.
Cora Wilder and Dollie{Martin}Wilder
Cora and daughter Henrietta {Wilder}Stevens
Home
Page
CHC Happenings
Family Gossip
Meet the Family
Family Recipes
Anecdotes
Reunion
Martin Family Photos
Wilder Family Photos
Family Trees
Family History
Kentucky Scenery
Other Links
Sports
Dolly and Benny
Wilde
Joel was the son of Sampson Wilder II and Elizabeth Cricillis Wilder, born in Whitley County, Kentucky. He married Mary Patrick, daughter of Father Patrick, 1st ordained Baptist preacher in Whitley County. Mary Patrick first married to a Mr. Campbell at the age of 13, but he died and she remarried to Joel Wilder. Her 2 children by Campbell were Susan and Mahala. Children of Joel and Mary Patrick Wilder were:
Sampson Wilder, who married Cora Parman
Edward Wilder
Martha Wilder, who married Jake Sams
Elizabeth
Lucy
Laura who married Brent Adams
Fonzie was killed in France in World War I, was the first Corbin man to die in battle, American Legion Post #88 in Corbin named in his honor
Andy
Jenny Wilder
This is Sampson Wilder's mother{Granny's Granny}, Mary Patrick Wilder and Granny's baby Walt. Granny recognized this photo after enlargement.She said Walt had alot of dark hair when he was a newborn. Here is her story of this photo to the best of Granny's recollection. While living on 18th Street, her child became ill with thrash{not thrush,but thrash-I asked twice} and she was told that Grandma Wilder could cure it.They walked all the way to and across the tracks to Woodbine for treatment. We guessed this photo was taken in 1937.
The following is an excerpt from the Kentucky Explorer, Volume 9, No. 6-Nov.,1994. p.83
Dr. John J. Dickey Diary
Interview with Sampson Wilder II
May 9,1898-Clay Co.,KY
Sampson Wilder II: I was born in Whitley County, Kentucky, Feb. 21, 1843. My father was Jesse Wilder. He was born either in Virginia or Kentucky. It was in 1805 and about the time my grandfather Simpson Wilder emigrated from Virginia to Kentucky. My grandfather had children as follows: Solomon, Jesse, Sampson, John, and Joseph. My grandfather removed to Alabama and took his three sons, Sampson, John, and Joseph with him. He died in Mississippi. Sampson was living in Texas the last I heard. Joseph died in Alabama and John went to Missouri. We have not heard from him since the Civil War. Solomon and Jesse lived and died in Whitley County. There are Wilders in Whitley County but I do not know whence they sprang. I know they are not from my grandfather. My grandfather had a brother, William, who once lived in Whitley Co. but his family was not with him. I do not know what became of him.My father had sisters who had children without being married. Several were boys and of course bore her{their}name. One of them came to Corbin a few years ago, is a descendant of one. Ed Wilder of Louisville, the patent medicine man, resembles the Wilders of our family, and no doubt is kin. My grandfather came to Whitley and owned a farm and kept house by himself. His dog lived with him and when the old man died the dog which was shut in the house with him barked till someone came to the scene.
The Wilders are a small people. I do not know what nationality we are. My father Jesse had children as follows: George Washington, Elijah, Sampson, William, Jesse, Solomon, Joel, Mary{Prewitt}, Susanna{Jones}, Sarah{Judge Harrison}, Elizabeth{William Kidd}, Anne{Haginbottom}.
These all lived in Whitley. Some are dead. My father lived seven miles below Williamsburg on Jellico Creek. His house was a preaching place for the Methodists. He was a religious man. My mother was Sarah Prewitt. She was the daughter of Elijah Prewitt. He had a brother John Prewitt, they were early settlers and raised large families.
My grandfather, Elijah Prewitt was a class leader in the Methodist Church. His brother , John, was a strict member of the Methodist Church. They were all good people. In Whitley County much of the first settlements were made on the poorest land. The people were afraid to get near the large streams on account of the sickness. They kept away from the Cumberland and got on to the high table land and ridges. My ancestors were religious, that is, those of their home.
My paternal grandmother was an Adams. My maternal grandmother's sister married John Prewitt. My maternal grandmother was a Moss. Dr. Moss of Williamsburg is a different stock, I think. His father was Henry Moss who came from Manchester to clerk for Barton Potter. He died of drink. Potter had a store in Williamsburg.
Lewis Renfro who lived at the ford of the Cumberland was a Baptist preacher. The Campbells,Perkins, Whites, Finleys, Silers, Tyes, Mackeys, Boyds, Davises,Stephenses,Gillses,Chaigs,Kings, Gatliffs, Snyders{Dutch} all lived there. The first Methodists preachers I remember were Wilton Pyles, Jesse Locke, John L. Gregg, Hubbard Kavanaugh, Ely, John Burnett, these were before the war. After the war, Demsy Perkins organized the M.E. Church and her preachers have served ever since. I moved to Laurel County after the war and the first preacher was Rev. William Wyatt. He served two years. He was a strong preacher. Others have been. McDaniel, Travis, Judd, Bullock, Ingram, John Godbey, a one armed man{________}, and Anthony.
The person giving this interview is Granny's Great
Grandfather.
