Strange Family Folklore

My great grandfather, Jessee Strange, was born a slave and freed in his 20s. His 12 children were born free, and referred to as "The First Freeborn Generation." In this podcast series, I interview Jessee Strange's descendents in order to document our stories.

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Strange Family Folklore

Strange Holiday Cooking

December 25, 2024 • Teresa Roberson

As part of my end-of-year holiday vacation, I had the pleasure of visiting with one of my cousins, Georgia Mulholland. Georgia’s mother, Marion Wheeler, was the daughter of Jessie Strange the Younger, son of Jesse Strange the Elder. Georgia’s father was George Hairston. During our conversation, I asked Cousin Georgia about growing up in Cascade, VA and her cooking traditions.

My great grandfather, Jesse Strange, was born a slave and freed in his 20s. His 12 children were born free, and referred to as "The First Freeborn Generation." In this podcast series, I interview Jesse Strange's descendants in order to document our stories. This is Strange Family Folklore.

Georgia

Growing up in Cascade, I had a wonderful life. My family took good care of me when my mother was up in DC.

Teresa Roberson

Who's your mom?

Georgia

My mother was Marion Wheeler. My Aunt Catherine and Cille, and all of all of them looked after me, and I went to school down there.

Lucille AKA “Cille” was also Georgia’s aunt.

Teresa Roberson

Did you go to school with my mother?

Georgia

I wasn't in that category. No, I was behind Jean and Velma. They got me five years.

My mother is Velma and Barbara Jean is Georgia’s aunt.

Right now, I'm 80, so they got me five years.

Teresa Roberson

So, what you're saying? You're the youngest of the trio.

Georgia

I'm the youngest of the tree. Only mother I known for a long time was Cat, well they called her "Cat," and Pleas, and Aunt Cille and all of them.

Catherine, Lucille, Marion and Barbara Jean were sisters. Cat was married to Pleas Wilson.

And so, I just went from house to house, but they treated me nice. I was OK. I was raised OK. And then after I got about, maybe 10 years old, my mother came back and got me. I went to school in Cascade in a one-room school. Or was it two rooms? Mrs. Purvis was my teacher.

Mrs. Purvis taught many generations of Strange descendants. I recognized her name because she has featured in other relatives’ stories although she was never one of my teachers.

We had to walk to school. I was right up the road from Cascade, and then I came up here to DC. I went to school here. I graduated from Roosevelt High School in the 60s.

Teresa Roberson

How long were you in Cascade?

Georgia

All my life. Until I was about 10, 10 years old.

Teresa Roberson

So, you were in Cascade since you were a toddler?

Georgia

Since I was born. When I was born, Jean dropped me. She said, that's why I kind of got a little loose screw. She's a liar, though.

Teresa Roberson

You know she's gonna hear this, right?

Georgia

I really don't care. She's OK. So, I'm going over and help her Christmas cooking, because my auntie, she cooks, but she really don't know how to cook since she done got younger.

Teresa Roberson

Cousin Jean?

Georgia

Cousin Jean.

Teresa Roberson

Well, your aunt, my cousin.

Georgia

Yeah, my auntie. She want me to come over for Christmas and help her cook. So, I'm going over and help her cook. But you know what? I might put her out of her own kitchen.

Teresa Roberson

Why is that?

Georgia

Because I don't need her to help me. I know the rope. I know how to cook.

Teresa Roberson

So, what do you like cooking for Christmas?

Georgia

Everything.

Teresa Roberson

Are there some family recipes that...

Georgia

I'm not a baker. I can't bake. That's Jean's job, but I know how to cook. Meat, and veggies and stuff like that. But as far as, baking, I don't know how. That's her job.

Teresa Roberson

Any traditional savory dishes you'd like to do this time of year?

Georgia

Well, whatever a person wants to eat, but right now, people is not eating everything. I try to cook what they want on the menu. Like a ham, turkey, which we fed up with turkey, but it's good. Chicken if they want it, and whatever dish they want. Veggies, like greens. Most Black people like collard greens. Renee does.

Renee, one of my older sisters who lives near Georgia, was present during the interview.

You just don't cook it with this or that, but cook it where everybody will eat it.

Teresa Roberson

What's your favorite way?

Georgia

I just put the broth in it and put a little seasoning in it.

Teresa Roberson

Which broth?

Georgia

I put chicken broth. Or either, the one without the animal fat. Vegetable broth. I use a little canola oil, a vegetable oil, you know, to season it a little bit.

Teresa Roberson

Now, growing up, how did you fix it?

Georgia

Oh, we fixed it all with ham hocks. You name it. That's the way they had it. That's how we fixed it in the country. They still do it down there. I look at it this way, to each his own. If that's the way you like it, then, in your own home, you cook the way you want to, but in my home, I cook the way I want to. If I have someone coming that don't indulge in a certain way you cook, you cook accordingly to that person that's coming. Like, if I know I got someone coming that's vegetarian, I'll fix stuff for them that way and fix something the other way for other folks. That's the way I would do it.

Teresa Roberson

But for your Aunt Jean...

Georgia

Oh, for my Aunt Jean, she'll eat anything. She's OK, but I tell you, what about Aunt Jean: she's a health nut. She's very that guy. She likes to cook healthy now, but we don't cook with a lot of grease and stuff like that. We kind of get it together. It's good. Like if my Cousin Renee come, we know what to cook.

Teresa Roberson

Yeah, my sister is a pescetarian. You ever do seafood for her?

Georgia

When she comes, I do. Jean told me I was a holy roller.

Teresa Roberson

How so?

Georgia

Because my faith is holiness. I'm affiliated with Bible Way. We branches off like that. It's a big organization.

Teresa Roberson

Have you started your holiday cooking?

Georgia

No, because I'm going over to my aunt's. I'm going over there Sunday. My grandson is here from California, and he's gonna take me over there. He gonna come back and get me today. I'm gonna stay there today after Christmas and help her out a little bit, and then I'm coming home. New Year's, I'm having my stuff here. I'm gonna have smoked turkey and fresh veggies. You gonna be in town, Renee? New Years? If you're going to be in town and I'll fix seafood. I'll buy youa salmon and stuff like that, but you got to let me know. I'm not having nobody here. Like a gang of folks.

Teresa Roberson

But she can bring her family, right?

Georgia

If she wants to.

Teresa Roberson

Or she could just escape?

Georgia

But, I don't know how to cook for the rest of your family.

Teresa Roberson

Well, if you have several vegan dishes.

Georgia

I don't know nothing about a vegan, so she would have to bring it for me. I don't know anything about vegan, honey.

Teresa Roberson

Is there a traditional meal that you fix for New Year's?

Georgia

I like black eyed peas.

Renee

Whoo, so do I!

Georgia

If you come, then I won't put no meat in it. Then, I know you're coming. I like cornbread. One of your children don't like eggs, right?

One of Renee’s children, Maya, follows a vegan diet.

Renee

It's eggs and dairy.

Georgia

So, I wouldn't know how to make the cornbread like that.

Renee

Oh, you don't have to. She's fine.

Georgia

Oh, she's fine? They eat potato salad, but they don't eat mayo?

Teresa Roberson

There is vegan mayo. I know because my mother makes vegan.

Renee

She spoons out some for Maya. She don't put eggs in hers.

Georgia

I don't know how to do that.

Renee

You make it up just like you would do all your other, except for when it comes to the mayonnaise and eggs, you take hers out and just do it. But you don't have to worry about her.

Georgia

She eats shrimp and stuff like that?

Teresa Roberson

No, she'll bring her own. I'm noticing your wine glass says, "Not a day over fabulous." Did you get that for your 80th birthday?

Georgia

I don't remember.

Teresa Roberson

So much wine.

Georgia

No. That glass probably come from my neighbor across the street.

Teresa Roberson

When was the last time did you go to our Strange Family Reunion?

Georgia

I haven't been. It's my fault. I haven't even paid my dues. It's not because I don't have the money. It's just that getting up off and making the check out, filling it out and sending it all.

Teresa Roberson

When Mark Wilkerson hears this interview...

Georgia

What he's gonna have a tizzy?

Teresa Roberson

I think so.

Cousin Mark Wilkerson is the president of the Strange Family Association.

Georgia

Well, let him have it. Let him have it. He knows my number. Call me.

Teresa Roberson

Okay. I'll keep this part in so he can hear it.

Georgia

Let him call me. We OK.

Teresa Roberson

I appreciate you sharing your stories with me.

Georgia

You're more than welcome.