Mary Ridgeway is a lifelong resident of Tompkinsville, a location situated between Newburg and Rock Point. She is the daughter of Emma M. Jackson and Sankston Walter Jackson, and she grew up in a family of six children, with three brothers and two sisters. Her father was a farmer and a skilled carpenter who also worked the river, while her mother was a homemaker. Ridgeway graduated from high school at the age of sixteen and soon after began working at an oyster house at Rock Point, which was established by Mr. Coulby. Her work at the oyster house involved office duties, and she found the work enjoyable. Ridgeway has a strong connection to her hometown and has lived there all her life.

Scope and Content Note
This interview with Mary Ridgeway provides a glimpse into her life and work at an oyster house in Rock Point. The conversation covers her family background, including her parents' occupations and her siblings. Ridgeway discusses her work at the oyster house, which she began after graduating from high school at sixteen. She describes her first day on the job and the nature of her work, which involved office duties. The interview also touches on the operations of the oyster house, including the weekly payment system for the pickers and shuckers. Ridgeway discusses the transportation of oysters and crabs to Baltimore and other locations, and the handling of special orders. The interview also includes a discussion about the equipment used in the oyster house, such as the oyster steamer, and the process of sterilization. However, Ridgeway does not recall the specifics of the crab steamer or what happened to the shells after use. Overall, the interview provides valuable insights into the operations of an oyster house in the mid-20th century and the life of a woman who worked there.

Keywords: Fishery processing plants--Maryland, Southern; Oyster fisheries--Maryland, Southern; Maryland, Southern--History