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The Rhode Island Historical Society: SPECIAL EDITION Your past is our future Going to Work Twentieth Century Settlers in the Blackstone Valley Museum of Work & Culture, Woonsocket, Rhode Island A Family Affair: From South Carolina to the Blackstone Valley acial prejudice sometimes opportunities Rmade it difficult for Employmentmotivated African-Americans to find groups of people already living in the States to jobs and suitable housing. But migrate to other parts of the country. While Henrietta’s family found a Henrietta “Jackie” Spearman’s there have been landlord who would rent them High School senior photo, 1965, from The Woonsocket High people of African an apartment on River Street. In School yearbook, the “Quiver” descent living in fact, most African-American the Blackstone families lived on River Street, Valley since the as well as on Front and th 18 century, Sayles Streets. Her children, in 1940 a new Jackie and Eddie, attended group of African- Herbert and Henrietta Spearman Johnson, c. 1942, Woonsocket High School, courtesy of Jackie Dandy Americans settled and Jackie was among the first in Woonsocket African-American students to Woonsocket High School Senior Prom, 1965, from the Woonsocket to work at places like Jacob Finkelstein and Sons, a graduate from the school. High School yearbook, the “Quiver” clothing manufacturer on Singleton Street. Originally residents of Newberry County, South Carolina, these African-American settlers encouraged friends and Churches Cradle family to join them. They were participating in one of the largest movements of Americans in history: the Communities Great Migration. ike ethnic social clubs, churches provided social, Lcultural and religious activities for new residents enrietta (Spearman) Johnson moved to in the Valley. Although HWoonsocket there was a Baptist church because her sister Daisy in Woonsocket, the Greene had come to the traditions at that largely city a few years earlier. white parish differed Eventually, five Spearman from Baptist churches siblings moved there. the Spearmans and other St. James Baptist Church and founders, Daisy helped Henrietta African-American settlers 1980, from The Woonsocket Call find a job at U.S. Rubber Choir members of St. James Baptist Church, had attended in the Company in Woonsocket. 1999, from The Woonsocket Call American South. Later, Henrietta worked Southern African- for Miller Electric, manufacturers of electric cords, American Baptists from which she ultimately retired. Her husband, organized St. James Herbert Johnson, worked for a time at Kornstein’s Church because on Main Street in Woonsocket and then in the mills. they wanted a When local mills closed, Herbert worked at a mill in place for their own St. James Baptist Church choir, 1999, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, doing iron and metal cultural traditions. from The Woonsocket Call casting..

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