Reese Library Special Collections: The African American Community in Augusta: Manuscript materials

 

The following is a list of manuscript collections held by Reese Library Special Collections, which are related to the history of the Augusta African American community. These unpublished collections include many primary source materials. Primary sources are generally original documents created at the time being studied, whereas secondary sources (like books), were written later, and reflect upon a given time period or event.                                                                                                                                                                                              

 

MSS 004: Richmond County slave records, 1819-1847

link to the collection             

This collection includes the records of individuals of individuals owning enslaved persons.  Many records note the names of the enslaved persons.

 

MSS 006: Miscellaneous legal papers, 1732-1922

link to the collection             

Collection includes: slave bills of sale, Georgia land deeds; including Cherokee,  Wilkes, Richmond, Columbia, Greene, Wilkinson, Jefferson, Burke, Screven, Washington, and Early Counties, and cities Augusta and Savannah, South Carolina land deeds; including Edgefield, Granville, Effingham, Barnwell, and Aiken Counties and Beech Island and Newberry District, Georgia Legal Papers, South Carolina Legal Papers, and Confederate and Military Papers.

Many of these documents have been digitized and are available to view online by clicking the above links to the collection.

 

MSS 169: Pilgrim Health and Life Insurance records,  1956

link to the collection             

 

MSS 209: Pilgrim Health and Life Insurance 40th Anniversary materials,  1938

link to the collection             

 

MSS 231: African American teachers oral histories, 1930-1955

link to the collection              

These interviews were conducted as part of the dissertation requirements of Georgia Southern while Dr. Fulcher was a degree candidate.  Dr. Fulcher received her doctorate in May, 1999 and was among the first students to complete Georgia Southern’s Ed. D in Curriculum Studies.  Her dissertation is titled Dreams Do Come True: How Rural One- and Two-Room Schools Influenced the Lives of African Americans in Burke County, Georgia, 1930-1955.

 

MSS 289: Shiloh Orphanage records, 1917-1991

link to the collection             

Shiloh Orphanage was run from 1905 to 1970 as a residence primarily for African-American children who had been orphaned, abandoned or placed in temporary custody. After it closed in 1970 it reopened in 1977 as the Shiloh Comprehensive Community Center, providing a space to serve the needs of the community youth. 

This collection is comprised of the records of the Shiloh Orphanage, including meeting minutes, financial records, Department of Education/Department of Health, Education, and Welfare records, correspondence, and photographs.

 

MSS 342: Slave bills of sale and inventory, 1834-1840

link to the collection                

This collection is comprised of two documents relating to the sale of slaves in Richmond County, Georgia. One document, dated Augusta, Apri 26 1834, records a payment of two thousand two hundred and fifty dollars for 5 slaves; Richard - 15 years old,Tabby and her three children, a boy [?roy] - seven years, a girl Laura - five years, and a boy [suckling] James, from L.B. [Morrisore] to B.B. Miller. The other document, dated 1840, no location.  [Leaving] to S.A. [  ] Memorandum of Negro [  ] for 1840.  A list of names and prices are given.

 

MSS 375: Burdishaw and Symns postcards, ca. 1890- ca. 1970

link to collection            

This collection is comprised of postcards that document historic Augusta buildings from ca. 1890-ca. 1970.