Page 51 - From the Outhouse 4 -21

51 | P A T R I C I A R A E M E R R I T T W H A T L E Y

outhouse was not very comfortable for me. I hated it, day or night, because I was always scared! The outhouse sat only a few
feet from the alleyway, and anyone could peep in. I could always hear people talking as they walked that alleyway. Lawdy, Lawdy,

I would be terrified! Certainly, for me, going out there during the night hours was really not an option ... no, sir! The only time

I ever considered it was when the white pail was in use, and I really needed some serious elimination.

Our historic 1909 historic shotgun home still sits on the sidewalk to this day. The original owners—the Albert Gambling

Family—were one of the first African-American barbers. Later, my grandmother Daisy Brown purchased the property and
transferred it to my parents, Charles and Julia Merritt. Yes, my grandmother was truly generous to her family and to mankind.

I was born in Sanford, Florida, when it was a small town. Everyone knew everyone else, and teachers were respected members of the

societal hierarchy. My family enjoyed the security of knowing neighbors, and other friends helped in my rearing. This situation
served to help develop my trusting nature and my ability to appreciate positive role models. They taught me that an honorable lady

was honest, trustworthy, hard-working, compassionate, and tolerant. These are some of the same qualities that contribute to the

success of a good teacher, as you will read in the chapters about my teaching career.
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References:
1. John Biggers, a renowned African-American artist, discusses the symbolism of the Shotgun House in Exploring Cultures: A

Conversation with John Biggers.
2. Engines of Our Ingenuity: Shotgun Homes and Porches by John H. Lienhard, M.D. Anderson, Professor of Mechanical

Engineering and History at the University of Houston.

3. Statement for Patricia’s Teacher of the Year packet prepared by Dr. Annye L. Refoe, 1992.