Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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GHOST LEGEND
JUST ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF SOMERVILLE, NEW JERSEY LIES
THE ESTATE OF THE OIL HEIRESS DORIS DUKE. THE ESTATE
IS DIVIDED BY A SMALL WINDING PUBLIC ROAD, LINED WITH
HUGE TREES WHOSE TOPS COMPLETELY ENGULF THE ROAD.
THE ROAD ORIGINATES AT A SMALL CASTLE-LIKE STRUCTURE
AND A ONE-LANE BRIDGE OVER A NARROW CANAL. THE ROAD
PRESENTS A PERFECT STOP FOR YOUNG LOVERS. IT IS SAID
THAT WHEN A CAR STOPS TO PARK, THE GHOSTS OF THE DUKE
FAMILY WOULD SURROUND THE CAR. THE DRIVER, USUALLY
TERRIFIED, WOULD TRY TO GET OUT OF THERE AS FAST AS HE
COULD AND SUCCEED IN CRASHING UP THE CAR INTO ONE OF THE
TREES WHILE FAILING TO MAKE ONE OF THE ROAD'S MANY CURVES.
Submitter comment:
BOTH THE INFORMANT AND THE COLLECTOR HAVE ACTUALLY SEEN
THE MANY SCARS THAT EXIST ON THE TREES AROUND THE DURVES.
LOVERS PARKED ON LOVERS LANE ON DORIS DUKE ESTATE IN SOMERVILLE,
NEW JERSEY ARE FRIGHTENED BY DUKE FAMILY GHOSTS, DRIVE OFF AND CRASH
CARS INTO TREES WHICH STILL BEAR SCARS.
Where learned: NEW JERSEY ; SOMERVILLE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 00-00-1969
GHOST LEGEND
JUST ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF SOMERVILLE, NEW JERSEY LIES
THE ESTATE OF THE OIL HEIRESS DORIS DUKE. THE ESTATE
IS DIVIDED BY A SMALL WINDING PUBLIC ROAD, LINED WITH
HUGE TREES WHOSE TOPS COMPLETELY ENGULF THE ROAD.
THE ROAD ORIGINATES AT A SMALL CASTLE-LIKE STRUCTURE
AND A ONE-LANE BRIDGE OVER A NARROW CANAL. THE ROAD
PRESENTS A PERFECT STOP FOR YOUNG LOVERS. IT IS SAID
THAT WHEN A CAR STOPS TO PARK, THE GHOSTS OF THE DUKE
FAMILY WOULD SURROUND THE CAR. THE DRIVER, USUALLY
TERRIFIED, WOULD TRY TO GET OUT OF THERE AS FAST AS HE
COULD AND SUCCEED IN CRASHING UP THE CAR INTO ONE OF THE
TREES WHILE FAILING TO MAKE ONE OF THE ROAD'S MANY CURVES.
Submitter comment:
BOTH THE INFORMANT AND THE COLLECTOR HAVE ACTUALLY SEEN
THE MANY SCARS THAT EXIST ON THE TREES AROUND THE DURVES.
LOVERS PARKED ON LOVERS LANE ON DORIS DUKE ESTATE IN SOMERVILLE,
NEW JERSEY ARE FRIGHTENED BY DUKE FAMILY GHOSTS, DRIVE OFF AND CRASH
CARS INTO TREES WHICH STILL BEAR SCARS.
Where learned: NEW JERSEY ; SOMERVILLE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 00-00-1969
JUMP-ROPE RHYME
DOWN BY THE RIVER, DOWN BY THE SEA
THERE SAT (JUMPERS NAME) AS PRETTY AS CAN BE
ALONG CAME (JUMPERS SWEETHEART) AND KISSED HER ON THE CHEEK
HOW MANY KISSES DID SHE RECEIVE?
10 , 20, 30, 40....UNTIL JUMPER QUITS OR MISSES.
Where learned: NEW JERSEY ; TOMS RIVER
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 00001970S
ENTERTAINMENT BELIEF
IT IS A STAGE CUSTOM THAT BEFORE THE PRESENTATION
THE CAST PICKS A WORD, AT RANDOM, OUT OF THE
DICTIONARY. EACH CAST MEMBER, NO MATTER HOW SMALL
A PART, MUST FIT THAT WORD INTO THEIR DIALOG. IF
THIS IS ACHIEVED, GOOD LUCK WILL FOLLOW THE CAST AND
THE PRESENTATION WILL BE SUCCESSFUL.
Where learned: NEW JERSEY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: 00-00-1968
WHEN SOMEONE GETS EXCITED OVER SOMETHING YOU CAN
CALM HIM DOWN BY SAYING, "EASY GREASY, THERE'S A FUNGUS
AMONG US."
Where learned: NEW JERSEY
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 00-00-1961
THE MAN AND THE COAT
THE MAN AND THE COAT. THERE WAS A MAN WHO WAS VERY TIMID. HE WAS
IN LOVE WITH THE SCHOOLTEACHER. ANOTHER MAN LOVED HER TOO, THOUGH.
THIS OTHER MAN WAS VERY MEAN AND DECIDED TO PLAY A TRICK ON THE FIRST
MAN TO RID HIMSELF OF THE COMPETITION. KNOWING THAT THE FIRST MAN
WAS TIMID, THE SECOND MAN MADE A BET WITH HIM IN FRONT OF THE WOMAN
AND EVERY ONE ELSE. THERE WAS A VERY SPOOKY CEMETARY IN THE
MIDDLI OF TOWN WHICH NO ONE LIKED TO ENTER AT NIGHT ESPECIALLY
THE FIRST MAN. THE SECOND MAN TEASED THE FIRST ABOUT HIS TIMIDITY
AND TOLD HIM THAT IF HE WERE REALLY BRAVE HE WOULD WALK THROUGH THE
CEMETARY THAT NIGHT ON HIS WAY HOME. THE FIRST DID NOT WANT TO
BE OUTDONE SO HE AGREED THOUGH HE WAS VERY SCARED. THAT NIGHT
THE TOWN GATHERED TO SEND THE MAN OFF ON HIS JOURNEY. THE MAN
BEGAN WALKING. HE HEARD MANY STRANGE NOISES WHICH REALLY FIGHTENED
HIM AND HE BEGAN TO RUN. SUDDENLY HE TRIPPED RIGHT IN FRONT OF
A TOMBSTONE AND FELL DOWN. AS HE TRIED TO GET UP HE FELT SOMETHING
TUG ON HIS COAT. HE DID NOT REALIZE THAT IT WAS CAUGHT ON A TWIG.
HE PULLED AND TUGGED AND SCREAMED AND SCREAMED BUT COULD NOT GET
LOOSE. HE BEGAN TO GET SO SCARED THINKING THAT A GHOST HAD GRABBED
HIM THAT HE HAD A HEART ATTACK AND DIED. THE NEXT MORNING SOMEONE
FOUND HIM WITH A HORRIBLE LOOK OF FRIGHT ON HIS FACE. HE WAS
PALE AS A GHOST, LOOKED AS IF HE HAD BEEN SCARED TO DEATH.
Submitter comment:
THIS STORY IS LIKE THE ONE ABOUT ICHABOD CRANE AND IN FACT I
BELIEVEVE THE MANS NAME WAS THE SAME BUT I CANT BE SURE NOW.
Where learned: NEW JERSEY ; TOMS RIVER
James Callow Keyword(s): FEAR TEST
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Magic |
Date learned: 00001970S
Lighting candles for Blessed Lady and other Saints
My mother used to have statues of the Blessed Mother, Joseph,
Anthony, the Madonna, etc, that were about six or seven feet tall.
They were the same size statues as one would find in a Church. We
used to light a candle in front of the Saints and then say a
prayer to that patron Saint in order to help us. We usually
prayed for the health of our family, grades in school, the
happiness of our family, etc. The only two things my mother
always told me to remember were that the prayers would only work
if we prayed for family members, and that we must have a whole-
hearted belief in our faith or the prayers could not work.
Where learned: NEW JERSEY ; Carlstadt
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Religious hero BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 00-00-1924
She Dog
Whenever it was learned that a man was having an affair, the statement made by friends and neighbors was, "She dog gives; he dog takes."
Submitter comment: The informant told me that this would be the same as saying something like, "Why buy the cow, when the milk is free?" He was told the she dog statement, upon learning his father had left his family for another woman.
Where learned: NEW JERSEY
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 00001940S
Fisherman's Luck
When the wind is from the east, fish bite least.
When the wind is from the west, fish bite best.
When the wind is from the north, fish come forth.
When the wind is from the south, bait blows into fish's
mouth.
James Callow comment:
See Puckett, Ohio, nos. 24602-24610; Hand, North Carolina,
nos. 7755-7766.
Where learned: NEW JERSEY ; from Grandfather
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Fish BELIEF -- Wind Whirlwind Hurricane Cyclone Tornado |
Date learned: 00001960S
WHEN I LIVED IN NEW JERSEY, I BELONGED TO A GANG OF TEN
YEAR OLDS. INITIATION INTO THIS GANG CONSISTED OF
MEETING ON TOP OF A FACTORY AND JUMPING TO THE RAILROAD
TRACKS. YOU CLIMBED A FENCE, GOT ON THE FACTORY ROOF,
HANG ON THE GUTTER, THEN JUMP ACROSS FOUR FEET. BUT THE
GANG WAS NO GOOD.
Where learned: NEW JERSEY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 03-11-1970
Teetotaler
A teetotaler totaling tees,
Was bothered much by little fleas.
Submitter comment:
The informant thinks he heard his wife saying this one day, but
is not sure.
Where learned: NEW JERSEY ; from a friend
| Subject headings: | 730 Lyrical Verse SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 00001970S
GERMAN CUSTOM
FOR NEW YEAR'S DINNER, THE GERMAN PEOPLE EAT ONLY PORK
AND VEGETABLES THAT GROW IN THE GROUND. THEY CLAIM
THAT THE PORK COMES FROM PIGS THAT GET A LOT OF THEIR
FOOD FROM THE GROUND. DOING THIS WILL ASSURE A GOOD CROP
FOR THE FOLLOWING YEAR.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT WAS TOLD THIS AS A CHILD; SHE FOLLOWED IT THEN,
BUT DOESN'T ANY MORE.
Where learned: NEW JERSEY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals |
Date learned: 00-00-1972
RUSSIAN CUSTOM
THE RUSSIANS BELIEVE THAT A DARK HAIRED MAN SHOULD ENTER
ONE'S HOME FIRST ON NEW YEAR'S MORNING. A WOMAN OR A
LIGHT HAIRED MAN ENTERING FIRST WILL BRING BAD LUCK FOR
THE YEAR AHEAD.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT TOLD THIS AS A CHILD, BUT RELIES VERY LITTLE
ON IT.
Where learned: NEW JERSEY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's BELIEF -- Bad luck BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 00-00-1972
IT IS A RUSSIAN CUSTOM THAT ON CHRISTMAS EVE NO MEAT OR MEAT PRODUCTS
WILL BE EATEN. ALSO, NO MILK SINCE MILK COMES FROM A COW (MEAT)
OR NO CHEESE OR GOATS MILK. THE MEAL CONSISTS OF FISH, A VARIETY
OF VEGETABLES (INCLUDING VARIOUS STYLES OF MUSHROOMS) AND BREAD
MADE ONLY OF WATER AND FLOUR.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT AND HIS FAMILY STILL FOLLOW THIS CUSTOM FOR
RUSSIAN CHRISTMAS (USUALLY JANUARY 7).
Where learned: NEW JERSEY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 7 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Menus |
Date learned: 00001950S
ON CHRISTMAS EVE, THE RUSSIANS EAT RAW GARLIC DIPPED IN HONEY.
THE GARLIC IS TO CHASE AWAY THE BAD HEALTH AND THE HONEY IS
TO BRING ON THE GOOD HEALTH.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT AND HIS FAMILY STILL FOLLOW THIS CUSTOM FOR
RUSSIAN CHRISTMAS (USUALLY JANUARY 7).
Where learned: NEW JERSEY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 7 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Single dishes |
Date learned: 00001950S
ON NEW YEAR'S DAY, MY MOTHER BOILS FIVE DOLLARS WORTH OF
DIMES TO BE PUT IN THE COOKED CABBAGE WHICH WILL BE SERVED
FOR DINNER. THIS IS DONE FOR FINANCIAL GOOD LUCK.
Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM MOTHER'S FRIEND.
Where learned: NEW JERSEY ; MOORESTOWN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
MT[ VERSE WITHOUT MUSIC
I KNOW A GIRL ALL DRESSED IN RED,
SHE'S GOT A PARKING METER BY HER BED.
Submitter comment: SOME OF THESE ITEMS ARE FRATERNAL ORGANIZATION FOLKLORE
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; NEW JERSEY ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; ELIZABETH ; CAMPUS
James Callow Keyword(s): ALLUSION TO PROSTITUTION
| Subject headings: | 730 Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: 12-00-1973
CUSTOM
ON VALENTINE'S DAY, IT IS A TRADITION OF MY FAMILY TO SEND YOUR GIRL
OR SWEETHEART, A CARD. HOWEVER, THE SENDER MUST NOT SIGN HIS NAME TO
THE CARD. IF THIS IS FOLLOWED THROUGH, TRUE LOVE WILL PREVAIL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; NEW JERSEY ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; ELIZABETH ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- February 14 Valentine's Day CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 SPEECH -- To Be Seen |
Date learned: 11-00-1973
CUSTOM
PUT A MONEY STEALER IN YOUR POCKET,
AND IT WILL STEAL YOUR CHANGE.
(A MONEY STEALER IS A TYPE OF POLLEN FLYING THROUGH THE AIR)
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; NEW JERSEY ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; ELIZABETH ; CAMPUS
James Callow Keyword(s): PLANT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 11-00-1973
CUSTOM
WHENEVER YOU GIVE SOMEONE A WALLET OR POCKET-BOOK FOR A GIFT, IT IS
PROPER TO ALWAYS PUT SOME FORM OF MONEY IN IT. IF THIS IS DONE, THEN
THE WALLET OR POCKET-BOOK WILL ALWAYS HAVE MONEY IN IT, AND THE
RECEIVER WILL NEVER GO BROKE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; NEW JERSEY ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; ELIZABETH ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 10-00-1973