Archives West Finding Aid
Table of Contents
Interview with Constance Pitter Thomas and Edward Pitter, 1971
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Pitter family
- Title
- Interview with Constance Pitter Thomas and Edward Pitter
- Dates
- 1971
- Quantity
- 2 cassettes (120 min. total)
- Collection Number
- 1637 (mss), 1637-001 (accession)
- Summary
- Tape recorded interview of African-American father and daughter where Ms Thomas discusses her political involvement during her childhood and youth and theater. Edward Pitter discusses his early life in Jamaica, his immigration, and settlement in Seattle
- Repository
-
University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu - Access Restrictions
-
Open to all users.
- Languages
Biographical NoteReturn to Top
Edward Alexander Pitter was born in Jamaica in 1892. Besides church membership, Mr. Pitter also joined the Masons. He held jobs with the railroad and an insurance company. Pitter's involvement with politics, especially the Democratic Party and the Colored Democratic Association of Washington, began in the 1920s. He died in 1976. Ms. Thomas, Edward Pitter's daughter, was involved in politics during her childhood and youth which included attending political meetings and talks, meeting President Roosevelt, and participating in the Democratic party.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
Tape-recorded interview conducted by Virginia Gayton, and Richard C. Berner on 4/29, 5/19, 6/2, and 6/16/71.
Ms. Thomas discusses her political involvement during her childhood and youth. She also talks about her work as a census taker, member of the NYA (National Youth Alliance) and repertory theater (Federal Theater). The theater discussion includes information on facism and segregation.
Edward Pitter discusses his early life in Jamaica, his immigration, and settlement in Seattle. He also discusses his various jobs including working for the railroad, an insurance company, and some other things. He also talks about his church affiliations including joining the Masons. Various church activities are mentioned.
Ms. Thomas and her father talk about the places they lived in Seattle and their neighbors. Pitter then talks about his political involvement which began in the 1920s, and he mentions several people who were also involved. There is a section dealing with the Depression which is partly concerned with church but the main topic is the Democratic party and Pitter's involvement in it. Some time is spent on the subject of communism and its development in Seattle.
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Restrictions on Use
Informant's/creator's rights dedicated to the public. May be used for research, instruction, publication or similar purposes.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Acquisition Information
Donated by Edward Pitter.
Related Materials
Edward Pitter papers (MSS Coll 1723) and Oral history interviews with Constance Allen Pitter Thomas (MSS Coll 1583, 1629) .
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Fascism--United States
- Freemasons--Washington (State)--Seattle
- Personal Papers/Corporate Records (University of Washington)
- Political activists--Washington (State)--Seattle
- Segregation--Personal narratives
- Women political activists--Washington (State)--Seattle
Corporate Names
- Federal Theatre Project (U.S.)
- National Youth Alliance (U.S.)
- Washington State Colored Democratic Club
Geographical Names
- Jamaica--Description and travel
Other Creators
-
Personal Names
- Pitter family--Archives (creator)
- Pitter, Edward A. (Edward Alexander), 1892-1976 (creator)
- Thomas, Constance Pitter (creator)
Corporate Names
- Democratic Party (Wash.) (creator)
