University of North Carolina at Asheville
D. Hiden Ramsey Library
Special Collections/University Archives

Oral History Register
for

Bonnell Roberts Honeycutt, 1905-

OH-VOA H66 Bo

Voices of Asheville Oral History Collection
D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNCA

Title

Creator

Dorothy Joynes for Voices of Asheville Oral History Collection

Subject

LCSH:
Honeycutt, Mary Bonnell Roberts, 1905-
Buncombe County (N.C.) -- History
Asheville Normal and Teachers College (N. C.)
Education -- North Carolina -- Asheville -- History
Presbyterian Church in the U. S. A. -- Missions

Subject

Keyword: Dula Springs Hotel ; Brittain's Cove Presbyterian Church ; Frances Goodrich ; Julia Goodrich ; Asheville Normal School ; Presbyterian missions ; William Brittain

Description

Abstract:  Honeycutt discusses her family history, particularly in relation to William Brittain, an early ancestor who once dined with George Washington. Other anecdotes concerning her parents' childhood are provided. She contrasts rural and urban life during her youth.   She describes the Dula Springs Hotel and her visits with children of the hotel guests. She describes her household responsibilities, boarding school, selling produce in town, and the Depression. She was an organist for her church for sixty years, and she discusses what this and other aspects of her church involvement have meant to her.

Publisher

D. H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, University of North Carolina at Asheville, NC, 28804

Contributor

Date

Electronic Record Issued: 2002-05-09

Type

Sound ; Text ; Image

Format

Physical Description: 6-page abstract ; 1 90-minute audiocassette and 1 copy ; 5 color photographs ; newspaper articles and brochures

Identifier

Source

OH-VOA H66 Bo

Language

English

Relation

References: VOA Harold and Sue Sluder Oral History ; VOA Gerald McMillan Oral History

Coverage

Acquisition

Donor number: 146 ;  Date of acquisition: 1998

Processed By

Dorothy Joynes, Ruth Beard and staff

Interview Date

Interview Location

Biography

Side 1:

Introduction - She was honored at her church’s 100 anniversary 7/19/92 (see newspaper enclosed). [Bill Buchanan]

[10] She was born in a log cabin, since torn down, and moved to the present house - the first frame house in the cove - built by her Grandfather when she was 3.

[24] Dula Springs Hotel drew Florida vacationers in summer. She talked with children as they passed going to springs. [Charlie Chambers]

[34] Her mother and Aunt had gone to Mission school. (Mission Hospital on grounds now) and after going to local one-room school house she went to the Pease House and the Home Industrial School run by the Mission in Asheville. [Rev. Louis M. Pease]

[55] She took piano lessons and played Moonlight Sonata at recital. [Abelia Duncan, Mrs. McElroy, Miss Wilson]

[70] She graduated from Normal School - (went to church at Oakland Heights) and spent winter months in Asheville as a boarder. Classes were held in the Newton School.

[105] Her father gave her a pump organ (see Xerox of write up p.27 10/19/85 in Brittain Cove Presbyterian Church Centennial Celebration enclosed.)

[115] Her sister attended school in Weaverville but she boarded in Asheville until she graduated. At 18 she went to the Immanuel School on Patton and took a business course. [Ethel Sluder]

[142] Her mother took in boarders - the teachers from the country school and student preachers.

[161] Northern church members supported orphaned children in the south.

[185] Her father was an elder of the church. Cut logs and set fire for church the next day. She rang the bell.

[203] Missionaries from the north taught children (see p9 of Brittain’s Cove Presbyterian Church Centennial Celebration enclosed.) [Julia and Frances Goodrich]

[223] Her grandfather gave land for missionaries to build houses. Three Brittain brothers came from England. Her mother was great granddaughter of William Brittain (see p27 of above enclosure), captain in Revolutionary War. [James A. Whitted (photo of grave), William Brittain (photo of grave), Harriet Brittain]

[265] Goodrich sisters went to Laurel and set up weaving industry. [Brittain family, James Whitted, Goodrich]

[285] Her mother took care of her parents and inherited the house.

[312] Tells the story her mother told her about rich northerners sending clothes. The people did not know the top hats and tails were for evening so gave up wearing overalls to church and wore evening clothes instead.

[323] Missionaries from North sent a Baldwin piano to the church. A parishioner appropriated it for her home until she pointed out the community displeasure! For 20 years of her 60 years of playing she used that piano. The piano is now in the church basement. [Miss Johns]

[387] For ceremony (see enclosure) she chose to play "Faith of our Fathers" and plays it on tape and reads the inscription on the piano which was given to her by the church in 1985 when she retired.

[426] The church basement was used as a school during the week.

[458] The house she lives in has been remodeled with the new heating system - two fireplaces were removed.

[480] Her grandfather’s father was hard on his slaves and did not push education. Her mother, on her grandmother’s death at 48, took care of her aunt (then 3) and the seven living in the house. She and her sister attended the Normal School (photo Xerox enclosed). Her mother encouraged Bonnell and her sister Ethel to get an education. (Ethel was 10 years older - misunderstanding on tape. She died shortly before the interview) [Ethel Sluder]

[580] She tells a story her mother told her about the Civil War. The regiment had measles but, because the enemy was coming, had to wade across a creek. They all developed meningitis and died. (500 men)

Side 2:

[2/1] Grandfather told stories of Civil War and slaves buried around William Brittain's grave (see photo). Her great-grandfather knew important people and ate with Washington. [William Brittain, James A. Whitted, William Brittain, George Washington, Governor Vance, W. A. Ashe]

[2/68] DAR came to grave of Brittain (photo). [William Brittain]

[2/92] She learned to drive a flivver and would take her mother to Asheville which took an hour. They previously used the trolley, which came into Weaverville.

[2/122] When she was about 7 she used to help her father fill a wagon with produce and peddle in Asheville as far as the Grove Park Area. She describes her trips to town as a child.

[2/207] Boarding School activities, jobs and classes described.

[2/247] Family life and responsibilities as a child.

[2/285] She compares home life with school life. The contrast between city and country living took adjustment.

[2/363] She worked at the Wachovia Bank after graduation from business school and met her husband who was a telegrapher at the railroad. Two boys were born (one died age 10) and her husband died when Gerald was 9. Twelve years later she married again. [Baldrey McMillan, Gerald B. McMillan, Cleve L. Honeycutt]

[2/395] Her husband was a policeman in Weaverville and was tricked by robbers who tied him up and held up the First Union Bank (see Xerox).

[2/477] Depression years discussed. She still plants vegetable gardens beside the house.

[2/515] Her deep Christian faith has been the center and strength of her life and said, "The dearest time in my life was when I found Jesus Christ."

Also note - Rev. and Mrs. Lewis McKedrick Pease of NY - Funds from Presbyterian Church and Home Mission Board started church and school.

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