Tallahassee Black Families Collection

Item set

Title

Description

Tallahassee was founded in 1825 and selected as the capital because of its location, which was the halfway point between Pensacola and St. Augustine. The city depended on a plantation economy, which was fueled by slave labor; as a result, by 1860, the Black population grew to three times the size of the White population. The descendants would create a rich and unique history in Tallahassee, which this collection has recorded and preserved. The collection contains the Mr. & Mrs. Levi Simmons Papers, Martin Family Papers, Pasty Miller Papers, Benjamin J. Baker Papers, Robert Meacham, Jack Jefferson Papers, Davis and Pemberton Family Reunion Program, Katherine Nickelson Spieghts Collection, Martha Brown Collection, Dr. Alpha Omega Campbell, Lewis Washington Taylor, Cherrye L. Turner Spencer, The Gardner Family History, The Hall family of Leon County, Rev. Bernyce H. Clausell History, and Charles Henry Rollins History.

Physical Location

Tallahassee Black Families Collection, John G. Riley House Archives, Tallahassee Community College Library, Tallahassee, Florida.

Items

Advanced search

Davis-Pemberton Family materials

A collection of papers containing family trees, musical compositions, and family histories compiled for the 1996 Davis and Pemberton Family Reunion. It also includes several personal correspondences that mention the aforementioned reunion. Other items include a dust jacket for This Is My Song! by Vy Higginsen, a photograph of "Mose Hustin", a collection of photographs of the members of the Davis-Pemberton family including ones taken at the 1996 reunion, as well as two ribbons commemorating the reunion.
Cummings-Clarke-Garvin Family History

A letter from Gylbert Coker to Althemese Barnes discussing an upcoming exhibition being held at the Riley House and Museum. Ms. Coker includes a written history of her family which she traces back to the early 1700s. Her writing details her ancestors and their role in settling early Florida. The account follows several family lines including the Cummings, Clarke, and Garvin lineages.
Crooms Family materials

Several documents about the Crooms family, including two funeral programs for Sister Florida Crooms Feacher, as well as her brother, Rev. Joe Crooms. Also includes the grant application and event program for an event hosted by the John G. Riley House and Museum and the Goodwood Museum - the event celebrated the community's history and Black History Month. Other documents include an excerpt from an article published in the Orlando Sentinel that discusses the Crooms Academy, as well as an Affidavit of Heirship regarding the Crooms Family that was signed by one "J. G. Riley".
Crawford Family materials

Several pages from the 1983 Crawford Family Reunion booklet, include a photo of the Crawford family taken in 1949. It also includes an invitation to the wedding of Geraldine McKinnon and John Twine, Jr., as well as correspondence from Dr. Carl M. Crawford to Mrs. Althemese Barnes, thanking her for her work at the Riley House.
Coffield-Murray 1986 family reunion family tree

A family tree made for the Coffield-Murray 1986 family reunion that lists the descendants of Albert and Mary Cofield.
Rev. Bernyce H. Clausell tribute booklet

A tribute booklet dedicated to Rev. Bernyce H. Clausell celebrating her 80th birthday, her 18th pastoral anniversary, and her pastoral retirement. This booklet includes words of congratulations and praise from members of the Calvary Baptist Church, where she acted as pastor; members of the community; and family members. The booklet also contains a brief autobiography written by Rev. Clausell, as well as photos of her engaging with friends, family, and community members at various events.
Dr. Alpha Omega Campbell article

An article that was featured in the Tallahassee Democrat as well as HealthQuest: The Publication of Black Wellness details the life of Dr. Alpha Omega Campbell, who was a distinguished black doctor in Tallahassee in the first half of the 20th century. The article follows his rise to prominence and his sudden fall from grace when it was alleged by members of the community that he was performing illegal abortions.
Bryant-Dickey Family Reunion booklet

A copy of a booklet made for the 1999 Bryant & Dickey Family Reunion that details the history of each family, dating back from the late 1700s to the mid-1900s. This booklet also includes several images of women bearing the Dickey family name, as well as a brief biography of former Florida governor, Richard Keith Call. The author, listing extensive research, notes the possibility that the plantation that Call owned may have enslaved several ancestors of the Dickey family.
Martha Brown materials

Documents and notes kept by Martha Brown. These documents include several copies of war ration stamps dated to the early 1940s, a coupon book containing coupons issued by the Middle Florida Ice Company, a hospital statement from the Florida Agricultural & Mechanical College dated 1935, several checks written to various individuals, a motor vehicle certificate of title dated 1926, and handwritten notes.
Lee Bisbee materials

A certificate was awarded to Lee Bisbee by the City of Tallahassee for his completion of a radio communication course. It also includes a 1975 yearbook for the Spartan Youth Football Club, a club that the Bisbee Family took part in. Mr. Bisbee acted as club president, Mrs. Bisbee was on the board of directors, and several Bisbee children were involved as players or mascots.