Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for WILLIAMSON CO returned 6 results.
NO MATTER HOW MUCH WATERMELON A CHILD EATS HE CAN ALWAYS
EAT SOME MORE IF HE RUNS AROUND THE HOUSE THREE TIMES.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; WILLIAMSON COUNTY
James Callow Keyword(s): APPETITE ; CAPACITY
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple BELIEF -- Measure of time Eating For menu, see N222. |
Date learned: 00-00-1918
IF A SCREECH OWL OR A WHIP-POOR-WILL CRIES NEAR THE HOUSE,
YOU WILL HAVE BAD LUCK UNLESS YOU TURN YOUR COAT WRONG SIDE OUT
AND HANG IT ON THE DOOR KNOB. IN THE WINTER, YOU CAN STICK
THE SHOVEL IN THE FIRE UNTIL THE OWL IS QUIET.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; WILLIAMSON COUNTY
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bird BELIEF -- Measure of time Winter BELIEF -- Bad luck Clothing (dress, hat, shoes, suit, etc.) BELIEF -- Bad luck Animals BELIEF -- Conversions Animals |
IF YOU LAUGH BEFORE BREAKFAST YOU WILL CRY BEFORE SUPPER.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; WILLIAMSON COUNTY
| Subject headings: | Observation PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 00001928 CA.
MY UNCLE JOHN USED TO SAY THAT TO KEEP WITCHES AWAY ON
HALLOWEEN YOU SHOULD LOAD YOUR SHOTGUN WITH STOCK PEAS
AND ROCK SALT AND GO OUT AND FIRE IT AT THE MOON EVERY
HALF HOUR BETWEEN SUNDOWN AND MIDNIGHT.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; WILLIAMSON COUNTY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- October 31 Halloween BELIEF -- Witch Shaman BELIEF -- Moon |
Date learned: 00001920 CA.
PUT BROOMS IN FRONT OF ALL THE DOORS AND WICHES CANNOT
COME INSIDE. BE SURE TO PUT THE BROOM ACROSS THE DOOR
AND THE WITCH WILL TRIP OVER IT. IF YOU PUT THE BROOM
LONGWAYS, THE WITCHES CAN JUST SLIDE IN.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; WILLIAMSON COUNTY
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Witch Shaman BELIEF -- Use of Object Domestic object, wax, needle, dishware |
Date learned: 00001920 CA.
THE DISEASE THAT WAS MOST DREADED BY MOTHERS WAS
SCARLET FEVER. I ONCE OVERHEARD MY MOTHER AND MY AUNT
TALKING ABOUT A FAMILY THAT HAD LOST FIVE CHILDREN
DURING ONE EPIDEMIC. THERE WERE ALL KINDS OF IDEAS ABOUT
HOW IT WAS SPREAD. MY AUNT TOLD MY MOTHER A STORY
ABOUT A MAN WHO HAD GONE TO NEW ORLEANS BEFORE THE
WAR AND BROUGHT BACK A FINE FRENCH DOLL FOR HIS LITTLE
GIRL. IT WAS HER FAVORITE THING IN ALL THE WORLD.
ABOUT A YEAR AFTER THAT SHE CAUGHT SCARLET FEVER AND
DIED. THE DOCTOR TOLD HER DADDY TO BURN EVERYTHING
THAT SHE HAD USED OR PLAYED WITH WHILE SHE WAS SICK
BUT HE COULD NOT BEAR TO BURN THE BEAUTIFUL DOLL THAT
SHE HAD LOVED SO MUCH. SO HE TOOK IT AND PUT IT IN A
ROSEWOOD CASKET AND PUT ROSE LEAVES ALL AROUND IT AND
PUT IT BACK IN THE FAR CORNER OF THE ATTIC. HE DIED
SOON AFTERWARD AND EVERYONE FORGOT ABOUT THE BEAUTIFUL
DOLL. ONE DAY HIS GRANDDAUGHTER-IN-LAW WAS RUMMAGING
IN THE ATTIC AND FOUND THE DOLL. NOBODY KNEW WHO HAD
PUT IT THERE. SHE TOOK THE DOLL AND GAVE IT TO HER
LITTLE GIRL. THE LITTLE GIRL BREATHED THE GERMS
THAT STILL CLUNG TO THE DOLL AND TOOK SCARLET FEVER
AND DIED. THEN AN OLD COUSIN REMEMBERED WHERE THE
DOLL HAD COME FROM AND SO THEY BURIED IT WITH THE
LITTLE GIRL SO THAT NOBODY ELSE WOULD CATCH THE
FEVER FROM IT.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; WILLIAMSON CO
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 00001920 CA