Wynn family
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division | Sc MG 839
0.21 linear feet (1 box)
The Wynn family, consisting of the Reverend Robert Daniel Wynn, his wife Rosie D. Wynn, and their daughter, Cora, lived in New York City and Newark, New Jersey. Reverend Wynn was the pastor of the Abyssinian Baptist Church from 1885 until 1902,...
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The Wynn family, consisting of the Reverend Robert Daniel Wynn, his wife Rosie D. Wynn, and their daughter, Cora, lived in New York City and Newark, New Jersey. Reverend Wynn was the pastor of the Abyssinian Baptist Church from 1885 until 1902, during the period the church was located in Greenwich Village, New York City. He later pastored at Bethany Baptist Church in Newark, New Jersey, where he remained until his death in 1921. His daughter, Cora, was a pianist and performed in a number of recitals both before and after her marriage, when she was also known as Cora Wynn Alexander. The Wynn Family collection contains a small amount of material representing two members of this family. Rev. Robert D. Wynn's documents consist of a program celebrating the 90th anniversary of the founding of Abyssinian Baptist Church (1898); lyrics for a song he wrote, "I Would Live Longer"; and a program from Newark's Bethany Baptist Church (1907). Cora Wynn Alexander is represented by a letter written to her by a missionary friend in Cape Town, South Africa (1898), and several programs for music recitals, a few for which she performed. There are fifteen legal documents for property that the family owned in various locations in New Jersey (1919-1927).
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Polk Family
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division | Sc MG 713
0.01 linear feet (1 folder)
The ancestors of the Polk Family, Jim and Amey, their daughter, Judah, and her husband, Kit, along with their children, upon reaching the age of twenty-one), were emancipated in 1840. This occurred one and one-half years after the death of their...
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The ancestors of the Polk Family, Jim and Amey, their daughter, Judah, and her husband, Kit, along with their children, upon reaching the age of twenty-one), were emancipated in 1840. This occurred one and one-half years after the death of their master, plantation owner Thomas Smelly, in Isle of Wight County, Virginia. The newly-freed Smelly family left Virginia that same year, according to the law prohibiting freed slaves to remain in the state more than one year, and migrated to New Jersey. At some point the family changed their name from Smelly to Smiley. In New Jersey, the Smiley family met another freed family from Maryland, the Polks, and the two families intermarried. By 1993, Amey and Jim Smiley had over one hundred descendants. The Smiley-Polk family documents consist of nine holograph 19th-century documents relating to the emancipation of the ancestors of the Smiley-Polk family of New Jersey, and other items concerning the genealogy of this family.
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Shivery family
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division | Sc MG 257
3.46 linear feet (7 boxes)
The Shiverys, Smiths and Blazes were three branches of a southern African-American family. The Shivery Family papers document the life, history and relationships of the three families in the South, from the Reconstruction to the present.
Casey, Mamie
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division | Sc MG 675
.42 linear feet (1 box)
The Mamie Casey letters consist primarily of letters written by William Dye Smith to his cousin, Mamie Casey, during the period he served in the army. The letters principally discuss his romantic relationship with Casey. As there are no letters...
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The Mamie Casey letters consist primarily of letters written by William Dye Smith to his cousin, Mamie Casey, during the period he served in the army. The letters principally discuss his romantic relationship with Casey. As there are no letters from Casey to Smith, it is not clear what her feelings were, although in Smith's letters he sometimes chided her for not writing more often, and being rather cold in her responses. Also, in the letters he indicates that he is married and, by 1914, had four children. At various times his family joined him in the Philippines. Smith's discussions of military life are very limited; however, there is a hand-drawn map of a section of the Philippines where the Battle of Castillejos took place. There is very little information about Casey in the collection.
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Harrison, Richard B.
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division | Sc MG 205
0.67 linear feet (2 boxes)
This collection consists of material pertaining to Harrison's portrayal of "de Lawd" in the play
The Green Pastures, written by Marc Connelly. Material primarily includes news clippings about Harrison and the play;...
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This collection consists of material pertaining to Harrison's portrayal of "de Lawd" in the play
The Green Pastures, written by Marc Connelly. Material primarily includes news clippings about Harrison and the play; Harrison's death in 1935; drafts of lectures given by Harrison; letters to Harrison from family members and others, including Paul Lawrence Dunbar; programs and playbills; and a biography of Harrison entitled "Even Playing 'De Lawd': Some Experiences from the Life of Richard Harrison" written by Olive L. Jeter. Jeter used the materials in this collection and her notes from discussions with Harrison for the biography. Additionally, there are two scrapbooks compiled by Jeter after Harrison's tours with
Green Pastures."
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Davis, John P. (John Preston), 1905-1973
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division | Sc Micro R-5858
Writings and research files, along with personal papers, and corrrespondence documenting Davis' multifaceted career, 1923-1972. Includes material on the AMERICAN NEGRO REFERENCE BOOK, 1966, edited by Davis; papers relating to Frederick Douglass,...
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Writings and research files, along with personal papers, and corrrespondence documenting Davis' multifaceted career, 1923-1972. Includes material on the AMERICAN NEGRO REFERENCE BOOK, 1966, edited by Davis; papers relating to Frederick Douglass, including letters to Douglass from his sons, Lewis and Frederick; historical novel about a frontier family in Louisville, Kentucky; compilation of biographies of black athletes called "Jump High;" short stories and poetry; and manuscript about Liberia entitled "Bitter Canaan," by Charles S. Johnson. Correspondents include Mary M. Bethune, Ralph J. Bunche, and Dwight D. Eisenhower.
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Crummell, Alexander, 1819-1898
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division | Sc Micro R-1004
11 reels
Clergyman, teacher, missionary. Letters addressesd to Crummell discussing personal and religious interests and Crummell's missionary work as an Episcopalian in Liberia in the 1850s through 1860s. Bulk of the collection consists of numerous sermons...
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Clergyman, teacher, missionary. Letters addressesd to Crummell discussing personal and religious interests and Crummell's missionary work as an Episcopalian in Liberia in the 1850s through 1860s. Bulk of the collection consists of numerous sermons preached in Washington, D.C. and other American cities, England, and Liberia. Sermons, in addition to discussing religious matters, concern his work in Liberia, the role of the family, and other subjects.
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Steward, Gustavus Adolphus, 1881-1966
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division | Sc MG 487
1.71 linear feet (5 boxes)
Gustavus Adolphus Steward was an educator, writer, and businessman. The Gustavus Adolphus Steward papers consist of correspondence, writings, financial records, and material from his family members.
Ira Aldridge Society
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division | Sc MG 131
1.88 linear feet (4 boxes)
Interracial organization devoted to the discovery and promotion of talented black artists and educating people on the contributions of black artists to the performing arts. Constitution and bylaws, financial and legal documents, financial reports,...
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Interracial organization devoted to the discovery and promotion of talented black artists and educating people on the contributions of black artists to the performing arts. Constitution and bylaws, financial and legal documents, financial reports, correspondence to private individuals as well as government institutions, news clippings, and other printed material relating to the Society. Also, Aldridge family papers consisting of copies of birth, marriage, and death certificates, and correspondence to and from Ira Aldridge and other family members.
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Riverdale Children's Association (New York, N.Y.)
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division | Sc MG 300
1.5 linear feet (3 boxes)
The Riverdale Children's Association was founded by a group of Quakers in 1836, as the Colored Orphan Asylum in New York City; it was the first institution in the United States dedicated to the care of African American children. The Asylum...
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The Riverdale Children's Association was founded by a group of Quakers in 1836, as the Colored Orphan Asylum in New York City; it was the first institution in the United States dedicated to the care of African American children. The Asylum organized its own school, as there were no public school facilities for orphans, and at age 12, the children were indentured to learn a trade. Members of the Board of Trustees were Protestant. The Asylum's facilities moved several times, and its second home at 42nd Street and Fifth Avenue in Manhattan was burned to the ground during the New York City Draft Riots in 1863. In 1918, children began to be placed in foster homes, and in 1944, the name was changed to Riverdale Children's Association; at this time, the majority of the children were not orphans but were neglected and dependent. White children were also admitted at this time. The home is presently closed and the association now serves as a foster home placement agency. Records of the Riverdale Children's Association consist of registers listing names of children admitted; cause of admission; parents' names; name and address of individual who brought in the child; amount of payment person or city agreed to pay per week for board, tuition and clothing; and contagious diseases and immunization records. Some entries include whether the child was baptized, whether siblings were admitted, and discharge date and name of person taking responsibility for child. Registers cover the years 1889-1916, with discharge dates extending to 1925. Collection also contains admission and discharge registers, which includes information on the disposition of the child, 1900-1914; scrapbooks containing news clippings, 1936-1957; and a centennial edition pamphlet of the history of the asylum, 1936.
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Buckley, Gail Lumet, 1937-
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division | Sc MG 327
2.04 linear feet (4 boxes)
This collection consists of original documents and correspondence related to the Horne family, assembled by Gail Lumet Buckley during the research and writing of her book
The Hornes: An American Family (New York: Alfred...
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This collection consists of original documents and correspondence related to the Horne family, assembled by Gail Lumet Buckley during the research and writing of her book
The Hornes: An American Family (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1986). Included are articles, programs, awards, memorabilia, business correspondence and papers, financial data, and other printed material pertaining to the careers of singer Lena Horne; her uncle, Frank S. Horne, a member of the Roosevelt "Black cabinet" and poet; and other members of the extended family.
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Smith, William Dye, 1881-1951
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division | Sc MG 949
1.46 linear feet (3 boxes plus 1 Oversize box)
Personal papers of William Dye Smith (1880-1951), an African American military sergeant who served in the United States Army Spanish American War.
Winslow, Henry, 1903-1989
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division | Sc MG 879
1.87 linear feet (5 boxes)
This collection consists of personal and professional material related to both William Henry and Sadie Winslow. The material contains biograpical papers, such as resumes, personal correspondence, and obituaries; professional correspondence;...
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This collection consists of personal and professional material related to both William Henry and Sadie Winslow. The material contains biograpical papers, such as resumes, personal correspondence, and obituaries; professional correspondence; documents, including printed matter and research material, related to the couple's involvement in various community and political affiliations; and in the case of Henry Winslow, some writing. The bulk of the collection relates to the couple's community affiliations.
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Berry family
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division | Sc MG 483
0.01 linear feet (1 folder)
The Berry family collection consists of seven pieces of correspondence, apparently written by members of the Berry family, dating from 1863 to 1918, and spanning three states and Europe. There is also one typescript entitled "My Bit in the World...
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The Berry family collection consists of seven pieces of correspondence, apparently written by members of the Berry family, dating from 1863 to 1918, and spanning three states and Europe. There is also one typescript entitled "My Bit in the World War or the Story of 2921486." The correspondence begins with James Tate in West Point Georgia, although his wife and children appear to be in Mobile, Georgia, or Alabama. The other writers appear to be his wife, son, and nephew, although their relationship to Tate is not indicated. The documents cover important periods and topics in African-American history. James Tate's letter, written in 1863, expresses the anguish and difficulties African Americans faced with trying to establish and maintain a family while enslaved. A letter dated June 20, 1868 documents the role of a Black church as "post office;" the writer indicates mail for him and news for other people in town can be sent care of the church pastor. The letter from Olivia Tate dated July 28, 1887 describes her excitement at the possibility of a "Great Colored National Fair" in Georgia to exhibit the "arts, mechanics and productions of colored people throughout the union." Both of the letters written by Henry S. Berry during World War I, in 1918, tell of his experience in the Army's Medical Unit, 331st Labor Bureau. He expresses his pride in being a soldier and tells how the army built character. The autobiographical typescript, "My Bit in the World War, or the Story of 2921486," is twenty-five pages long and follows Berry, a member of the American Expeditionary Forces, from the receipt of the telegram calling him to duty to being one of fifty men chosen for the Army Medical Department, through war torn France. The typescript seems not to have been finished. Throughout this piece as well, is the theme of pride in being a good soldier.
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Thomas family
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division | Sc MG 943
0.63 linear feet (2 boxes)
The Thomas family--Clara and Henry Thomas and their children Alice, Leroy, Mabel, Marguerite, Percival, and Rosa--was a Black family who lived in Western New York then Washington, DC in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. The Thomas...
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The Thomas family--Clara and Henry Thomas and their children Alice, Leroy, Mabel, Marguerite, Percival, and Rosa--was a Black family who lived in Western New York then Washington, DC in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. The Thomas family papers consists of correspondence and ephemera, mostly belonging to Rosa Thomas.
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Jones family
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division | Sc MG 263
0.01 linear feet (1 folder)
The Jones-Sadler family was an African-American family living in Greenville, Mississippi, after the Civil War. The Jones-Sadler Family Papers, 1876-1931 consists of correspondence and other documents relating to Cornelius Jones and to Charles and...
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The Jones-Sadler family was an African-American family living in Greenville, Mississippi, after the Civil War. The Jones-Sadler Family Papers, 1876-1931 consists of correspondence and other documents relating to Cornelius Jones and to Charles and Sarah Sadler and family. The collection includes: transcript from Kansas City General Hospital with a letter offering employment to Callie Patterson; certificate of service and pension request for Charles Sadler; a midwife permit dated 1923 and five documents relating to Sarah Sadler's receipt of her husband's pension; receipt for room, board and tuition for Estelle Walker at Central Tennessee College; a three page obituary, six letters and one flyer advertising Cornelius Jones's Candidacy for the third Congressional District in Mississippi; and two letters to Sarah Sadler Cornelius and Hannah Jones.
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Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division | Sc MG 76
5.13 linear feet (15 boxes)
The Miscellaneous American Letters and Papers (MALP), spanning from 1740-2006, document the personal and professional lives of people of African descent.