Posted on July 23, 2014 by Jenny ONeill

John Swartz was interviewed by Mary Giles on September 19, 1976. He spoke about the Village Commons and his farm.   I was born in Dartmouth, just across the road from Westport at 79 Division Road.   Both of my parents were born in St. Johns, Azores. They weren’t married there; they were married here. […]

Posted on July 23, 2014 by Jenny ONeill

Mary A. W. Sowle was interviewed by Mary Giles on December 4, 1975. She spoke about her life in Westport. Interview with Mary A. W. Sowle, one of Westport’s Mayflower descendants.   I was born on Cornell Road, and when I left there I was 22 months old. I went to live with my grandmother […]

Posted on July 23, 2014 by Jenny ONeill

Julius T. Smith was interviewed by Mary Giles on December 3, 1975. He spoke about his farm and his bird watching. I’m talking with Julius T. Smith, well known in Westport for his farming, newspaper columns and his leadership in the Paskamansett Bird Club.   At one time, Westport farmers were specializing particularly in chicken […]

Posted on July 23, 2014 by Jenny ONeill

Eleanor Simmons was interviewed by Mary Giles on November 29, 1976. She spoke about the late Oscar Palmer, who had died earlier that same year. Oscar Palmer started to school at Macomber’s Corner.   There was a school there then, about one-quarter mile, right here, yes. He started in the first grade there and walked up […]

Posted on July 23, 2014 by Jenny ONeill

Jones Shannon was interviewed by Mary Giles on December 2, 1976. He spoke about his work within the Episcopal Church.   Joe, I know a few things about your life here in Westport, and because you have contributed so much to our community, the Westport Bicentennial Committee is eager to have you tell us more […]

Posted on July 23, 2014 by Jenny ONeill

Norman Sasseville was interviewed by Mary Giles in 1976. He spoke about the Conservation Commission. (Norman Sasseville, Chairman of Westport Conservation Commission)   Mr. Sasseville, can you tell me briefly what you consider the chief aims of the Conservation Commission to be, it is a Commission appointed by the town government. How and why did […]

Posted on July 23, 2014 by Jenny ONeill

Henry Sampson was interviewed by Mary Giles on January 24, 1976. He spoke at length about his potato farm. (The following interview is with Henry Sampson, potato farmer, 222 Old Bedford Road, North Westport)   Today, (January 24, 1976), we’ve been starting to grade our potatoes. After we finished digging, we took a few days […]

Posted on July 23, 2014 by Jenny ONeill

David and Rita Rozinha were interviewed by Anne Kennison on May 14, 1976. They spoke about their childhoods and Westport’s fishing and farming industries. https://wpthistory.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Rozinha_david_rita_1976_01.mp3   You’ve lived in Westport a long time?   David – I was born here and have lived here all my life, 61 years (1976). It’s changed a lot, of […]

Posted on July 23, 2014 by Jenny ONeill

Marion Reed was interviewed by Mary Giles on November 11, 1976. She spoke of her experiences with Fall River’s Native Americans, her childhood, and her time teaching.   I’m eager to learn all I can about Marion Reed’s life here in North Westport, about her work as a teacher, and about her travels.   I […]

Posted on July 23, 2014 by Jenny ONeill

George Raposa was interviewed by Mary Giles on May 14, 1976. He spoke of his family, his farm, and his childhood. My grandfather came from Portugal in about 1873, with the idea of the ‘New World,’ but it was hard for his wife to get used to it, so he returned to Portugal. A few […]