Spence, Mary E. (Mary Elizabeth), 1865-1962,. Spence family collection, 1812-1961.
Title:
Spence family collection, 1812-1961.
The Genealogy series consists of charts and data regarding the immediate Spence family and that of extended family clans. This series contains biographical information developed and retained by the family members themselves; incorporates data on the Spence family migrating to America from Scotland; and extended family data on the Chase, Mackie, Ross, Bennett, and McDonald families. The Correspondence series contains twenty subseries: Adam K. Spence (Surgeon); Elizabeth Ross-Spence; Thomas Spence; Mrs. Thomas Spence; Elizabeth Spence; Adam K. Spence; Catherine Spence; Mary Elizabeth Spence; James Spence; Georgia Spence; Edwin Spence; Julia Spence; Frederick Chase; Mabel Chase; Stanley Chase; Cleveland Chase; The Mackie Family; The Ross Family; Fisk Related; and Unidentified. The Fisk Related subseries applies to correspondence that clearly was centered on Fisk University endeavors. The Unidentified subseries reflects obvious correspondence, but is not identifiable by name. Topics include inter-family communication, racial attitudes centered on the Civil War years from Union and Confederate perspectives, the social fabric of post-reconstruction America, the work of the American Missionary Association and its correlation with the Congregational Church, the establishment of freedom schools in such towns as Murfreesboro, Tenn., and attitudes towards missionary zeal that helped African-Americans educate themselves in towns like Trenton, Tenn. Further topics include extensive national and international missionary travel and missionary work, including that of Rev. A.P. Miller, a former slave and Fisk student and missionary in Sierra Leone, West Africa; and Henrietta Matson, whose assignments took her to Africa, Europe, and the Caribbean Islands; early Jubilee songs and its lyrics and musical scores; conditions that existed on the Fisk University campus, including: leadership development, student enrollment, opinions of trustees, campus facilities, appointments and difficulties of presidents, the significance of the Fisk alumni fund, and exchange among faculty members. The Writings series consist of addresses, essays, notes, poems, and speeches of various Spence family members and is organized into eight subseries: Elizabeth Ross-Spence; Adam K. Spence; Catherine Spence; Edwin Spence; Julia Spence; Mary Spence; George McDonald; and Family. The majority of writings are from Adam K. Spence and his daughter Mary E. Spence. including poems and essays, and twenty-two biographical profiles that appear to be a project she was compiling. Other items include classroom materials in the early classics of English, French, and Latin. The Miscellaneous Family Materials, Documents and Important Papers series contains such documents as naturalization papers, a minister's license, and family records including condolences, funeral arrangements, and wills. The Financial Records series contain various local and out-of-state business records, including land deeds. The Family Memorabilia series includes holiday and birthday information and currency and stamps from the Civil War era. The Photographs series consist of two subseries; immediate family and extended family, respectively. The Fisk Related Materials series is abundant in clippings and data on most notably the Jubilee Singers, including leaflets, programs, and translations of critiques from their 1877 Berlin, Germany, experience. Information pertaining to W.E.B. DuBois, Charles S. Johnson, and John Wesley Work II is included along with data on the administration, alumni, faculty and staff, and students. Photographs of respective groupings appear at the end of the series. The Collection series consists of eight subseries: Art Prints; Books; Brochures, Leaflets and Pamphlets; Clippings; Free Papers, Maps, Newspapers, Obituaries and Periodicals; Photographs: Miscellaneous and Unidentified; Printed Matter, Programs and Sheet Music; and Writings/Notes by Others. This series consists of mostly loose items collected and maintained by Mary E. Spence. It also includes a copy of freedom papers in the case of Regan vs. Mahan (Jan. 1860), and important writings on the establishment of public education and free schools in the South.
ArchivalResource:
50 linear ft. (100 boxes).
http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/71059479 View
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