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Bell family papers

 Collection
Identifier: AMN 1001

Collection Overview

These papers document properties owned by the family, especially the historic home at 2 Green Street, Charleston, sold to the College of Charleston in 1971. With materials on the history of the Bell, DeReef, and Purvis families; health of Hiram Bell, Sr. and references to Friendly Union Cemetery. Printed materials and certificates from Morris Brown A.M.E. church, Avery Normal Institute, Shaw School and Hampton College; with various printed materials documenting the Bricklayers, Masons and Plasterer's Union, of Charleston and elsewhere.

The collection also contains awards and certificates of Hiram Bell, Jr. and James Bell including photograph of the latter's 1949 graduation from Hampton. It also includes a 1950 program for the 50th anniversary of Charleston Bricklayers, Masons, and Plasterers, Local Chapter. With diplomas of Louise Purvis from Howard University and those of Emmeline Lucille Mazyck, Avery Normal Institute and Shaw Memorial School.

Dates

  • approximately 1890-1972

Creator

Access Restrictions

No restrictions.

Copyright Notice

The nature of the Avery Research Center's archival holdings means that copyright or other information about restrictions may be difficult or even impossible to determine despite reasonable efforts. The Avery Research Center claims only physical ownership of most archival materials.

The materials from our collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. copyright law. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used for academic research or otherwise should be fully credited with the source.

Biographical Note

The African American Bell family of Charleston, South Carolina were descended from Sally (Sarah) Johnson, the matriarch of a free family of color who purchased 2 Green Street, (built circa 1820) in circa 1844. In 1912, the property was willed to Hiram L. Bell (died 1952), a son of Jesse Miles DeReef and Holten L. Bell. Hiram married Louise Purvis. They had two sons, Hiram Lewis Bell, Jr., called Lewisand James A. Bell called Jim.

Extent

0.25 linear feet (1 archival box)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

The African American Bell family of Charleston, South Carolina were descended from Sally (Sarah) Johnson, the matriarch of a free family of color who purchased 2 Green Street, circa 1844. In 1912, the property was willed to Hiram L. Bell (died 1952), a son of Jesse Miles DeReef and Holten L. Bell.

These papers document properties owned by the family, especially the historic home at 2 Green Street, Charleston, sold to the College of Charleston in 1971. With materials on the history of the Bell, DeReef, and Purvis families; health of Hiram Bell, Sr. and references to Friendly Union Cemetery. Printed materials and certificates from Morris Brown A.M.E. church, Avery Normal Institute, Shaw School and Hampton College; with various printed materials documenting the Bricklayers, Masons and Plasterer's Union, of Charleston and elsewhere. The collection also contains awards and certificates of Hiram Bell, Jr. and James Bell. It also includes a program for the 50th anniversary of Charleston Bricklayers, Masons, and Plasterers, Local Chapter.

Collection Arrangement

1. Correspondence

2. Certificates and Awards

3. Obituaries

4. Oversize Materials

Processing Information

Processed by Felice Knight, 2005

Encoded by Melissa Bronheim, July 2010

Edited by Amanda Ross, January 2010

Funding from the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelly Foundation supported the processing and encoding of this finding aid.

Funding from the Council on Library and Information Resources supported the encoding of this finding aid.

Title
Inventory of the Bell Family Papers, circa 1926 - 1972 AMN 1001
Status
Completed
Author
Finding aid prepared by Processed by: Staff; machine-readable finding aid created by: Melissa Bronheim
Description rules
Dacs
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Description is in English
Sponsor
Funding from the Council on Library and Information Resources supported the collection processing and encoding of this finding aid.

Repository Details

Part of the Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture Repository

Contact:
125 Bull Street
Charleston South Carolina 29424 United States
843-953-7608