This time I had my voice recorder in front of Clem Swagerty. He knew I was coming and had written down his recollections of his Swagerty grandmother for me. If one goes to the Swagerty web site you can hear this story in Clem’s voice.
These are my memories of her. I remember her as a rather small woman with long hair but always wore it in a bun at the back of her head. She wore her dress fairly long down to between her calves and ankles. Over her dress she wore a full apron. She never wore makeup but had a pleasant friendly face. She had a soft voice as a quiet, soft spoken woman and I never heard her raise her voice. She always let the men dominate the conversation. She was always busy doing something: cooking, baking, always baking her own bread. She was a good seamstress and made most of her clothes.
The only time she would sit down would be after dinner after the kitchen had been cleaned up. Even then she could not remain idle. There was always a sock to darn or if that was all done, she would pick up her knitting needles or croquet hook and be busy making something. She did not allow herself to be idle. She had a compulsive work habit. Even in her dying days, she kept her hands busy. I will never forget seeing her just before her death. She was at Aunt Lucy Morris’s house in a crib like bed, curbed up in a fetal position. Her hands were continuing to be busy as if she was croqueting.
After Grandpa Swagerty’s death, she was shuttled back and forth among her children. They were married for over 50 years. She had nine children. I remember when we had her down on the ranch in Milpitas for awhile. She was an easy person to please and was grateful for anything she might receive. She had no money and each member of her family supported her while she was in their care. I remember as a very young child growing up that she was always kind and pleasant to us; even when she was correcting us if we didn’t meet her expectations. I always liked Grandma Swagerty.
In a way she was the typical Western farm wife that you saw in the old western movies. You don’t find that kind any more.
412 words
by Clem Swagerty
2020 transcribed by Donna Swagerty Shreve
Swagerty-Aldrich Family Web Site 