Myrtle Gordonier

Location of Interview
Collection Name

New Jersey’s Delaware Bayshore

Description

The Bayshore Center at Bivalve’s Oral History program is dedicated to preserving the oral history and culture of New Jersey’s Bayshore region by saving for posterity the oral histories and material culture connected with the Bayshore region, by creating a repository of recordings and data that can be used for research, by preserving, treasuring and celebrating the environment, history and culture of the Bayshore region and by sharing the heritage of the Bayshore region today and with future generations through program related activities serving visitors, students and scholars.

Interviewer
Date of Interview
03-12-2004
Transcribers

National Capital Contracting 

Audio
Biographical Sketch

Myrtle Gordonier is the widow of Charlie Johnson, Jr., the son of the one-time owner (Charles Johnson, Sr.) of the oyster schooner Cashier. She has deep historical ties to the Cashier, a significant boat, and the local oyster industry. She was married to the son of the owner of the Cashier, which places her at the heart of the oyster harvesting operations central to the area's economy. Myrtle's life story is interwoven with the maritime culture of Bivalve, Maryland, where she has witnessed and participated in the evolution of the oyster industry. Her narrative includes personal anecdotes from her marriage and family life, providing a human element to the historical account of the region's economic activities. Myrtle's experiences during the Depression, including the government assistance her family received and the grocery store where they shopped for supplies, offer a glimpse into the survival strategies of families during that era. She also shares insights into her family dynamics, mentioning her daughter and other relatives, and reflects on the societal changes she has observed over the years, such as transformations in transportation and the oyster market.

Scope and Content Note:
The interview with Myrtle Gordonier offers a comprehensive overview of the history and operations of the Cashier, a boat integral to the oyster industry in Bivalive, Maryland. Myrtle provides a first-hand account of the boat's significance, detailing its history and the daily life associated with its operations. She delves into the broader context of the area's history, touching upon the hay industry, the presence of speakeasies, and the social fabric of the community, including her personal experiences with movies and social events. Myrtle's narrative spans the practical aspects of oyster shucking, the gathering and selling of oysters, and the impact of these activities on her family life. She recounts her family's deep involvement in the oyster industry, particularly her husband's role as the owner of an oyster harvesting boat. The interview also captures Myrtle's reflections on her multiple marriages, the deaths of her husbands, and her perspectives on modern technology, expressing a distaste for computers while enjoying television. Through her stories, Myrtle Gordonier paints a vivid picture of the changes that have occurred in the oyster industry and the local community, providing valuable insights into the historical and cultural landscape of Bivalve.


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