Ray Albritton, a fourth generation settler of Chicora in southwest Polk County, reminisces of his coming of age in Recollections Of Time Gone By.
In an often humorous, story telling-style, he relives the day-to-day life of the Crackers of Chicora, and, in so doing,
that of our pioneer settlers.Albritton, gifted with a keen ear and memory, commences with a brief history of Chicora, which was synonymous with Bethlehem Baptist Church, and then explores a wide range of topics.
Of historical significance is his account of the 1920 cutting of a phosphate company's fence by Chicora farmers to gain access to Paynes Creek to water their cattle, which resulted in the deaths of three farmers, all relatives of Albritton. It was from this misfortune that his branch of the family became known as the Fence Cutting Albrittons.
We are introduced to the Cracker life style, characterized by hard work, fishing, hunting, and good country cooking, the latter of which he provides many step-by-step preparations from the cooking of that Cracker mainstay, swamp cabbage, to home brewing.
Not overlooked are once common items of our heritage, such as dirt roads, gophers, huckleberries, Model T Fords, pond scoggins, sand spurs, and Spanish moss.
Timely glossaries define many words, which to the uninitiated are as a foreign language, e. g., chittlings, cracklins, haslet, lights, souse, all by--roducts of hogs. Those whose appetites are whetted will find a recipe for backbones and rice.
A brief history of Bethlehem Baptist Church, founded in 1871, is featured. The church, a Primitive Baptist, or "Hardshell Church," is known for its fellowship, total immersion baptism, foot washing, and Sacred Harp sings.
Amidst life, there is death, and Albritton shares with us the customs of pioneer funerals, including the preparing of the body and burial.
Folklore ranges over such diverse subjects as superstitions, medical remedies, old-time words and phrases, and water witching .
Childhood topics mentioned include chores, Christmas memories, and toys and games.
This book will appeal to all who are interested in the every day life of Florida past.
Recollections Of Time Gone By is a 235-page 8 1/2"X11" spiral bound paperback. It was compiled and edited by Freddie and Hugh Wright, with an introduction by Leland Hawes, and illustrations by Marty Zimmerman.
It can be obtained for $16.50 from the Polk County Historical Association, P. O. Box 2749, Bartow, FL 33831-2749.
This review was published in The Herald-Advocate (Wauchula, Fla.) of November 13, 1997.
January 11, 2001 & October 17, 2001