On Friday, a McDowell County woman who endured slavery and lived to tell about it will be honored with a special program during Black History Month.
The McDowell County Public Library's Local History Club will present the program "Sarah Gudger: A Story of Resilience," on Friday from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. The free program will be held in the lower-level meeting room of the library in Marion.
Candice Workman will present the program. She is the local historian and manager of the Abe Simmons Genealogy and Local History Room at the Marion library.
Sarah Gudger, a formerly enslaved woman, was born in Old Fort and lived to an estimated 121. The family who enslaved Gudger were the Hemphills, of Old Fort. Andrew Hemphill, who enslaved both Sarah and her mother, was the son of Capt. Thomas Hemphill, who was considered a Revolutionary War hero, according to Workman.
People are also reading... As McDowell County investigates social services, child protective services supervisor resigns Work to start on McDowell County apartments for those rebuilding lives after addiction, incarceration McDowell deputies investigating shooting in Dysartsville. No charges yet. After shooting her 4 kids, Wyoming mom called 911 Man arrested in Old Fort's first murder in more than a decade, police chief says McDowell County social services director, child protective services manager placed on administrative leave Mission Hospital McDowell labor and delivery nurse honored for patient care McDowell County man killed in shooting at Dollar General near Old Fort McDowell High girls basketball earn conference title, hold 23-0 record before final regular game After Hurricane Helene flooded her antique booth, she opened a store in Marion Stolen truck leads to arrest and drug possession charge for Marion woman Temporary bridge on U.S. Highway 221 in northern McDowell County now open Need something to do? See events scheduled for McDowell County this week McDowell County Courthouse reopen after bomb threat; 2nd this month Did this NC police chief secretly record man about 33-year-old murder? SBI looking into claim
Gudger and her mother were relocated to Swannanoa and then separated. During different times, both resided in Reems Creek in northern Buncombe County, according to Workman.
"Sarah's life offers a unique perspective on slavery in Appalachia," she said. "Being born in 1816, her life also provides context for the lives of those enslaved once they were free."
After the Civil War, Gudger eventually moved back to Swannanoa, where she lived with her father, and then later Asheville. It was there she became a local celebrity due to her old age and was known as "Aunt Sarah," according to Workman.
In May 1937, she was interviewed by a representative of the Federal Writer's Project of the Work Projects Administration during President Roosevelt's New Deal, according to Workman. The project sought to interview former enslaved people. Gudger died in October 1938 and is buried in Swannanoa, according to Workman.
Workman said Gudger did not have children, but her siblings did. Some descendants live in the West Marion community, she said.
Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0
Stay up-to-date on what's happening
Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly!
Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Mike Conley
Staff Writer
Author email Follow Mike Conley Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification.
{{description}}
Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today