"They paid the shuckers and the employees with scrip. Of course, the only place they could spend the scrip was in the store."

Stephen Norris Jr. was born on September 10, 1941. He was raised in Cobb Island, a small community known for its farming and water businesses. His father, Stephen Norris Sr., was born and raised in Rock Point and worked for Hill and Lloyd Oyster Company. In the mid-1940s, Stephen Sr. bought out Mr. Hill and later Mr. Lloyd, becoming the sole owner of the company. He ran the company until 1958 when it burned down. From a young age, Stephen Jr. was involved in the family business. He would accompany his father on deliveries of crabs and oysters when he wasn't in school. After high school, he worked on the water for a year or two before joining the United States Post Office. He then served in the Marine Corps for four years. Upon leaving the Marine Corps, Stephen Jr. entered the seafood business, buying and selling seafood. He has been in this line of work ever since. Despite the ups and downs of the seafood business, Stephen Jr. has remained committed to it, even though he acknowledges that it has never been as challenging as it is now.

Scope and Content Note
The interview with Stephen Norris Jr. provides a detailed account of his life and experiences growing up in a small community on Cobb Island, and his involvement in the family seafood business. Norris discusses the intricacies of the seafood industry, including the process of sanitizing equipment and the hard work and dedication required to succeed in the business. He also shares stories about the workers in the seafood industry, many of whom came from Deal's Island and lived in small houses or shacks provided by the company during the oyster shucking season. Norris provides insight into the living conditions of these workers and their families, as well as the social and economic dynamics of the community during that time. The interview also touches on Norris's family life, including his parents and siblings, and the living conditions they experienced. He discusses the changes in his family home over the years, reflecting the broader social and economic changes in the community. Furthermore, Norris discusses the local education system, including the segregation of schools and the impact of school consolidation on the community. He provides a unique perspective on the racial dynamics of the time and the changes that occurred in the mid-20th century. Overall, the interview provides a rich and detailed account of Norris's life and experiences, offering valuable insights into the social, economic, and cultural history of Cobb Island and the seafood industry.