"This fond attachment to the well known place whence first we started into life's long race, maintains its hold with such unfailing sway, we feel it e'en in age, and at our latest day." by William Cowper
Although these are not my words they do aptly define my sentiments concerning Martins Mill. The house shown in this picture (picture not available) no longer stands by the old Magnolia tree that is still there. The pecan trees are still there reminding me of days spent shelling peas under their shade until my thumbs were sore. The new house in its place is owned by Lucien MITCHELL. Looking at the picture of this old house where my grandparents Annie Ben and Howell LANCASTER lived reminds me of experiences that are now recorded as humorous, character building episodes. Yet, if I am to be completely honest, those experiences for the most part were experienced at the time with feelings approaching what might be described as "torture."
We lived next door to my grandparents and this was convenient for grandpa to watch over us. Many times in the middle of the night he would pound on our door saying, "I see a cloud coming up, get ready to go to the stormhouse." We had to get dressed and go across the road to Mrs. Fannie BURRAGE's storm cellar. She shared her shelter with her neighbors who didn't have one. I was always surprised to see how many people knew there was some danger lurking out there. I thought my grandpa had fun going to the storm cellar because I could never see anything at all on those black, dark nights and certainly not a cloud in the sky.
Now when I count my blessings I do so with great gratitude for the absence of outhouses, slopjars and baths in washtubs. My mother used to draw water from the well, put it in the #2 washtub and let the sun heat it for our bath (my brother and I shared the water.) Then my frugal mother poured the bath water into the garden.
During the early 1940's some of our neighbors were Dick and Verbie MITCHELL, Dealy JOYNER who operated the telephone switchboard in town, Bob, Nancy LORE and their son Richard lived across the road from us and sold us our first bike. Charlie BROCK lived next door to the LORES and was a salesman. He sold us our first refrigerator and mother immediately made homemade ice cream in it. When my grandfather tasted the treat he made a deal with Charlie to trade him a cow for a refrigerator. Arthur PHILLIPS lived just down the road from us and Susie SIDES lived next door to the school in Martins Mill. Susie was a sister to my Uncle Earny Mewbourn, but we all called her "Ma-Susie." She had a daughter who worked for Curtiss Candy Company in Dallas and often gave her boxes of candy. Ma-Susie would bring these candy bars to the school when we were out on the playground and we loved it as she distributed the candy to our squeals of delight.
A child's first teacher in school has a tremendous influence in a lasting way on how one feels about learning. Willie Tom BROCK was my first teacher in school and she was the teacher who is responsible for my love of books. Lois GRANT was the teacher who encouraged us to develop and share our talents. Mrs. RANKIN was only in Martins Mill for a short time but she has always been remembered because she took the time to make me feel special. She also taught us some music skills and appreciation by forming a rhythm band and then performing some productions for our parents.
Attending Martins Mill Baptist Church was one of the most important things that happened in my formative years. I loved the revivals held often and the singing - especially when it was all-day singing. Mrs. Y. O. HALBROOKS was one of my Sunday School teachers and she is still remembered with fondness because she asked if anyone in class knew a song they would like to sing. We were about 7 years old and I loved country ("hillbilly," I think they called it then) music. I volunteered to sing a song and she let me sing every word of the song, "There's A New Moon Over My Shoulder." That's hardly an appropriate musical number for church but Mrs. HALBROOKS was wise enough to know that the loving example she set for me that day would be a living memorial of her true Christian spirit.
James GARRISON owned one of the stores in Martins Mill during my childhood there - Holly LINER owned the other store. Mr. GARRISON told me and my brother Bill that he would give us an ice cream cone if we would collect empty pop bottles along the roadside and bring them into his store. We pulled our little red wagon up and down the road as often as Mother would let us, collecting those bottles. I'm not sure how we discovered that Mr. Holly would give us a double dip ice cream cone, but when we found out about the better deal we took out bottles to Holly's. Many times Holly and Ida gave us the ice cream when there were no bottles and we just happened to stop by and say hello.
Five generations of my family have been laid to rest in Holly Springs Cemetery. I go there as often as I can to pay my respects to those responsible for my heritage. They endured hardships and sacrificed much so that future generations might have a better way of life. I owe a debt of gratitude to many people laid to rest in Tidmore, Liberty and Holly Springs Cemetery for making Martins Mill community a wonderful place to grow up and a place I still think of as home.
Recently when I was at Holly Springs Cemetery, Maefayr MITCHELL was just leaving. She had spent hours with her husband beautifying the cemetery. It was amazing to see the transformation that had occurred because of her loving concern. Others too are responsible for the lovely way the grounds are taken care of and most of them no longer live in the area. It is, however, typical of Martins Mill people - they are family and families take care of each other. "We feel it e'en in age, and at our latest day."
