Bell Family Papers

Avery Manuscript Number 1001

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

Scope and Content: Approx 30 item. (c.1926--c.1972)

Description: 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 (1926), 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 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.

Inventory

Box#/

Correspondence

Folder#

Materials re College of Charleston's purchase of 2 Green Street including earlier 1949 letters between Louise Purvis Bell and attorney Paul McMillan re purchase price. Also includes a memo [nd] from Margaretta Childs re house marker and newspaper article c. 1972 re history of the house.

1-1

Photocopies of letters and instructions of Louise P. Bell to her sons, Hiram, Jr. and

1-2

James. (Originals are located in Folder 1-3.) Subjects include family history and properties. Bell urges a son to apply to the Medical College of South Carolina [now Medical University of South Carolina] noting e quota for equal number of black and white students. Includes instructions re Hiram Bell Sr.'s health and settlement of accounts, taxes, and bills. Miscellaneous items include grocery list, prescription, payments to the Friendly Union Cemetery, and a 1926 The Roll of Honor printed by Morris Brown A.M.E. church. Also a New Testament Bible.

Originals of photocopies in folder 1-2.

1-3

Certificates and Awards

Hiram L. Bell Jr.'s certificate and membership in Beta Kappa Phi, a National Honor

1-4

Society. 1950 program for 50th Anniversary, Charleston Bricklayers, Masons and Plasterers, Hiram Bell, treasurer. Diploma, program, and photograph of James Bell's 1949 graduation, Hampton Institute. Also includes Emmeline Lucille Mazyck's South Carolina teaching certificate.

Obituaries

Photocopy of 1890 death announcement of Robert Purvis in Philadelphia newspaper

1-5

Four obituary notices for Hiram Bell, Sr., one of which appeared in The Bricklayer, Mason and Plasterer magazine

Oversize Materials

Includes two diplomas, Howard University (1911 and 1913) to Louise Purvis. Shaw Memorial School Certificate (1912) and Avery Normal Institute diploma (1912), of Emmeline Lucille Mazyck. Also letter and certificate insignia of Augustus G. Purvis, 1942.

1-6 Oversize