Collections in Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division

409 Edgecombe Avenue, also known as Colonial Parkway Apartments, is a residential apartment building in the Sugar Hill section of Harlem that was home to many of the city's Black elite during the 1920s–1950s. The 409 Edgecombe collection consists of the personal effects of building residents, typically including correspondence, bills, receipts, and other ephemera. The collection is made up of the contents of trunks found in a storage room of the building by the 409 Edgecombe Avenue Tenant Association. less

The Archambeau family, consisting of John Nicholas Archambeau and his two children, Lester and Sybil, immigrated to the United States from Jamaica in 1908 and 1919, respectively. John Nicholas attended Howard University, became a dentist, and married Julia Hood of Virginia. His daughter, Sybil, graduated from Teachers Training School in New Jersey in 1927, and in 1938, married Clyde Ewart St. Hill, Jr., originally from Barbados. Lester Archambeau married Thelma Woodward and had two children, Jason and Rita Louise Archambeau. The Archambeaus owned and operated the Old Ladies Home in Hackensack, New Jersey. The Archambeau and St. Hill family collection consists of papers pertaining to family members before and after they immigrated to the United States from Jamaica and Barbados. Documents for the Archambeau family include copies of the marriage certificates for John and Elizabeth Jane Archambeau, John Nicholas Archambeau's parents, who were married in Jamaica in 1869; and Emile Archambeau, a member of the family who owned members of John Archambeau's family during slavery. Other documents for the Archambeau family include several copies of nineteenth-century baptismal certificates; Elizabeth Jane Archambeau's passport and immigration documents for her grandchildren, Lester and Sybil; and deeds and other legal documents regarding the foreclosure of the family house in Hackensack, New Jersey (1932-1933). less

The Beach-Thomas family originated in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad. Beatrice Beach, born in 1889 to James and Caroline Nurse, immigrated to New York City in 1924. She had one sister, Catherine, and a brother Randolph Thomas through her mother. Beatrice's husband, Edward, was a former Corporal in the Trinidad Police Force who became a seafarer in the years immediately before his family emigrated to New York. Eric Thomas, Beatrice's nephew, also immigrated to New York in 1924 and was raised by his aunt and uncle. Later, he served in the United States military during World War II. Except for a trip to Trinidad in the 1950s, Beatrice Beach remained in New York where she died in October 1982. The Beach-Thomas Family Papers span the years 1888-1973. The papers contain letters and property records that reveal various aspects of the Beach and Thomas's lives as homeowners in Trinidad and immigrants in the United States. The letters cover a wide-range of subjects such as immigration, employment, financial hardships, family relationships and support, social customs in Trinidad and the lives of black servicemen in the United States military. The property records consist largely of property assessments and tax receipts for the house on 11 Irving Lane in Port-of-Spain but also include some related correspondence. less

Harry Belafonte is a Jamaican-American musician, actor, and activist best known for popularizing calypso music with international audiences, and his involvement in the American Civil Rights movement. His collection contains project files, correspondence, scrapbooks, press materials, scores, lyrics, and scripts that chronicle his career as a singer, songwriter, actor, public speaker, and advocate for political and humanitarian causes. Belafonte's papers reveal the business aspects of his performance projects, source material for his acting and singing career, and organizing efforts associated with the political causes he championed. less

Records of the Bermuda Benevolent Association, an immigrant organization founded in New York City in 1898 and incorporated in 1920. The B.B.A., which is still active, once had its headquarters at 402 West 146th Street (off St. Nicholas Avenue). It is now located at the Grace Congregational Church at 310 West 139th Street. The records consist of minutes, correspondence, financial records, and printed material. Included are the files of the Rosebud Juvenile, a juvenile branch of the B.B.A. founded in 1932. less

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. less

The Llewellyn L. Berry Collection consists of personal papers including certificates and passport; a sermon and list of text and subjects preached by Rev. Berry from 1921 until 1936; and A.M.E. Church reports (1933-1947). There are also news clippings and articles about Rev. Berry, funeral programs, tributes, and printed matter. less

Moorish Science Temple of America, is an U.S. religious movement founded in Newark, N.J., in 1913 by Timothy Drew (1886–1929), known to followers as Noble Drew Ali and also as the Prophet. Drew Ali taught that all Blacks were of Moorish origins but had their Muslim identity taken away from them through slavery and racial segregation. He advocated that they should "return" to the Islam of their Moorish forefathers, redeeming themselves from racial oppression by reclaiming their historical spiritual heritage. He also encouraged use of the term "Moor" rather than "Black" in self-identification. Many of the group's formal practices were derived from Muslim observances. This collection consists of materials collected by Allen Ahmed Bey for his research on the Moorish Science Temple in the United States. Included in the collection are legal briefs on the status of Moorish Nation Nationals (citizens) which contain a public declaration of national constitutional immunity. Also included are a number of documents on the history of the Moorish Nation and instructional manuals (lessons) for members. less

Max Bissainthe, born December 11, 1911, was an historian and archivist of Haitian literature. Bissainthe served as Haiti's Director of Libraries during the 1940s and early 1950s. In 1951, he published the Dictionnaire de bibliographie Haitienne, the first bibliography of Haitian literature. Four years later, Bissainthe was forced out of his position, and subsequently out of Haiti, by Francois "Papa Doc" Duvalier. He immigrated to the United States in 1965. He died in Bellerose, New York, in April 1978. The Max Bissainthe research collection consists of indices of the names of Haitian and Dominican Republic journalists and authors, articles, and book titles used to create the Dictionnaire de bibliographie Haitienne. The collection also includes an alphabetical index of titles, subjects, and materials, and a partial bibliographic subject list ranging from the 1800s to the 1950s. less

Aubrey Howard Bowser was a writer, editor, and educator. Bowser was born in La Mott, Pennsylvania, a town founded by African American Civil War veterans that were led by his grandfather. He was a 1907 graduate of Harvard College, and later worked at the New York Age where he met and subsequently married Jessie Fortune, the daughter of T. Thomas Fortune, editor of the Age. Bowser's writings included book reviews and literary criticism for the New York Amsterdam News; poetry; and an unpublished novel entitled "Black Pilgrim: A Novel of Harlem's Early Life". Bowser also taught in the New York City public schools, including at New York Vocational High School, eventually becoming dean of that school. He died in 1979. The Aubrey Howard Bowser papers consist primarily of writings, academic and school related papers, and letters. Bower's writings include a manuscript for "Black Pilgrim: A Novel of Harlem's Early Life"; a short story, "Maryelle Rose"; poetry; book reviews; and critiques. There are also two full runs of The Rainbow, a weekly literary magazine that he edited, 1919-1920. Academic papers consist of a Harvard College notebook; course lecture notes; papers written for courses taken for his Master's degree and to qualify for a New York City high school teacher's license, 1943; and the publication, "Harvard College Class of 1907 Twenty-Fifth Anniversary Report" (1935) in which his picture appears. Included are T. Thomas Fortune's book of poetry, Dreams of Life (1905). less

Papers include letters written to Bruce from black politicians, journalists, intellectuals, and activists including John Wesley Cromwell, Alexander Crummell, Richard T. Greener, T. Thomas Fortune, and Arthur A. Schomburg, as well as manuscript and printed copies of Bruce's articles, editorials, short stories, poems, addresses, and other writings concerning national and local politics, race relations, historical black figures, Haiti, Prince Hall Masons, the Ku Klux Klan, and the Universal Negro Improvement Association, among other topics. less

This collection consists of one folder of papers relating to the personal and professional life of John Edward Bruce. Included is a drawing of an invention of a metal binder clasp by Bruce; an 1888 letter from Bruce to M. L. Robinson of the National Leader accepting the position of associate editor; a printed poem ("Song of the Night Child") with a picture of Bruce; an essay entitled "Great Thoughts by Great Negroes" (authorship is unclear); a copy of the "Congressional Record" (1918) in which Bruce's pamphlet, "A Tribute for the Negro Soldier", was included; and invitations such as a one for a testimonial dinner for Bruce (1905). Also included is correspondence between Bruce and friends such as Arthur A. Schomburg, J. E. Aggrey, W. M. Trotter, Rufus L. Perry, and Emmett J. Scott; and a letter of condolence to the relatives of author Frances E. W. Harper, including her obituary from the Theban Literary Circle (1911), of which Bruce was president and Arthur A. Schomburg was a member. less

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. less

Henry C. Bunton's papers consist of personal papers, writings, chaplaincy records, Christian Methodist Episcopal Church records, and correspondence. These papers principally document Bunton's role as a bishop with the C.M.E. Church. Church records consist of copies of sermons, office files, correspondence, denominational records, pamphlets and related material from his years in the ministry. Denominational records include correspondence with other bishops from the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church such as J. Claude Allen, Norris S. Curry, Chester Kirkendoll, Elisha P. Murchison, P. Randolph Shy, and P. Julian Smith regarding plans for meetings, annual conferences, expansion of the church and other church activities. There is also correspondence with individual pastors, and officers from the many member churches in Bunton's district regarding requests for assignments and transfers, securing property and other church business, as well as financial reports. Among the churches represented are Israel Metropolitan Church in Greenville, South Carolina; Mount Olive Cathedral in Memphis, Tennessee; and Russell Memorial Church in Durham, North Carolina. less

The Butler family papers relate to two Pennsylvania families: the Butlers of Washington County, specifically, William N. Butler, a graduate of Geneva College and a practicing lawyer, and his son William F. Butler, a graduate of Geneva College and Howard University Law School; and the Carters of Beaver County. The elder Butler worked as recording secretary of the Civilian Defense Department, and he was a probation officer for the Beaver County courts. In 1964 and 1969, he was appointed to the Probation and Parole Board and was designated its acting chairman in 1974. Butler died in 1977. The Butler family papers include letters written by William N. Butler to his son, William F., while the latter was a student at Howard Law School, 1930-1931. Many of these Depression-era letters discuss the loss of jobs and bank closures in the family's hometown of Washington, Pennsylvania, as well as his own financial difficulties; Butler, Sr., gives advice to his son as well as relates family news. A file containing letters to William F. Butler signed "Aunty" speak of family matters. Additionally, the collection contains a notebook of a clergyman named Peters from Uniontown, Pennsylvania, with notes taken from the Bible, 1847. Printed material includes ephemera (1917-1920) and news clippings (1954-1996) related to the Butler and Carter families. less

The Luxembourg and Victor Cauvin (Haiti) collection pertains mostly to François Luxembourg Cauvin's career as an influential lawyer and Haitian statesman, and to Haitian politics in general in the ten-year period preceding the 1915 United States occupation of Haiti. Included are: Cauvin's Consolidation file; a May-September 1912 file of incoming letters to General Annulysse André, dealing for the most part with an armed upheaval in the town of Côte-de-Fer, near Jacmel, and the military campaign against it, in the early days of General Cincinnatus Leconte's presidency; and a small group of letters from the 1911-1915 period of coups and counter-coups, including two autographed letters from Presidents Leconte and Davilmar Théodore. less

The Andrew J. Chambers papers consist primarily of letters Chambers received that provide an account of his activities on behalf of the Richard Allen Monument, his attempt to secure congressional passage of a bill to establish a commission to study African-American life, and related efforts. Additionally, there is a scrapbook containing letters regarding the construction of the Allen Monument, pledges of support, and acceptances to attend the unveiling, 1874- 1876. There are also testimonials from several prominent African Americans, including Fredrick Douglass and Henry Highland Garnett, and a petition signed by Mifflin W. Gibbs, Garnett, Robert Brown Elliott, John Mercer Langston, William Grant Still, Henry McNeal Turner, and James T. Rapier on behalf of the Allen Monument. Also included are a drawing of the monument and a map of the park. The second part of the scrapbook contains letters in support of the Colored Commission bill from President Chester A. Arthur, congressmen and other officials, 1877-1881. less

Born in 1901 in Blackstone, Virginia, Reverend John Milton Coleman became the first African American appointed to the New York City Board of Education. In 1933, Coleman succeeded Reverend C. Peterson Boyd as the rector of St. Philip's Episcopal Church in Brooklyn, New York. A decade later, he became the first African American appointed to the Executive Board of the National Council of St. Andrew of the Episcopal Church. In 1958, New York City Mayor O'Dwyer appointed Coleman to the New York City Board of Education and he was subsequently reappointed to the board by Mayor Wagner, but had to resign after three years due to ill health. He died in 1961. There are nine unbound scrapbooks documenting Coleman's achievements throughout his career. The scrapbooks contain minutes, newspaper clippings, letters, certificates, speeches, reports, press releases, and newsletters primarily related to his work outsite of his pastorate with St. Philip's Episcopal Church. Of special interest are scrapbooks four and nine. Scrapbook four contains letters to Coleman as a member of the Police Brutality Investigation Committee. Scrapbook nine contains a report by the New York City Board of Education Commission on Integration. The report contains a list of members, a questionnaire, and a resolution for action. There are also subcommission reports on zoning, teachers' assignments, personnel, and community relations. less

Colored School No. 1 in the Fort Greene Section of Brooklyn, New York, founded in 1827, was preceded by the African Free School. Following the establishment of the public school system in Brooklyn in 1850, the African Free School was incorporated into the system and renamed Colored School No. 1. In 1887, following the end of segregated schools in Brooklyn, the Colored Schools were renamed, and Colored School No. 1 became Public School 67. This collection consists of three ledgers from Colored School No. 1. The Admissions book, (1882-1897) contains the names of the students, their ages, addresses, grades, and parents' names. The Discharge book (1882-1897) lists the students' names, class number, reason for leaving, and remarks. The Visitors' book includes registrations for visitors entering the building (1893-1911); it includes such individuals as T. McCants Stewart, a Black attorney and member of the New York City Board of Education, and Booker T. Washington, a friend of Stewart's. Additionally, there is a scrapbook compiled between 1976 and 1977 by David Samuel, a former principal of P.S. 67, the successor to Colored School No. 1. The scrapbook includes photocopies of photographs of the original building and prominent people associated with the school; a brief history of the school and faculty; information about other colored schools in Brooklyn; and material on Blacks and education during the late 19th century. less

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. less

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. less

Reverend Henry Beard Delaney was born into slavery in Georgia. He would go on to become head of St. Augustine's School in Raleigh, North Carolina and a consecrated Bishop Suffragan of the Episcopal Church. Rev. Delaney was the father of Judge Hubert Delaney and the Delaney sisters, Dr. A. Elizabeth (Bessie) and Sarah (Sadie), along with 7 other children. The Reverend Henry Beard Delaney scrapbook, 1881-1908, contains newspapers and magazine clippings on or by the black clergy as well as Delaney; report cards for Delaney during his time as a student at St. Augustine; the Reverend's membership card to the Excelsior Lodge and miscellaneous letters to Delaney from various sources. less

Edward Demby was the first black Bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Church, his wife Antoinette M. Demby was a member of the first graduating class of nurses from Howard University's Freedmen's Hospital. Bishop Demby's collection, 1893-1957, consists of an autobiographical sketch, correspondence, 1930s-1950s sermons and scrapbooks of printed material including a golden anniversary scrapbook. Mrs. Demby's collection consists of a journal, 1901-1955, personal papers and several notebooks kept by her while a nursing student. less