Women's History Research Sources Individuals
Individuals Barton Scrapbook
(1919) This collection consists of one scrapbook from Barton
Academy which belonged to Lillian Crowley containing news clippings, ephemera, and notes
from classmates. (See also Olson Scrapbook) Elizabeth Whitfield Croom Bellamy was born April 17, 1837, in Quincy, Florida. As a daughter of a wealthy family, Elizabeth attended Reverend Thomas Bog Slade's school for girls in Columbus, Georgia, and later studied at Spingler Institute, a female academy, in New York. In 1858, she married a cousin, Dr. Charles Edward Bellamy who joined the Confederate Army in July 1862. Her husband and two young children died during the war. Following these deaths, Elizabeth returned to live with her parents in Eutaw, Alabama, where she taught at the Mesopotamia Female Seminary. In 1867, Bellamy became a nationally known author when her first novel, Four Oaks was published under the pseudonym, Kamba Thorpe. Her novels and short stories appeared in book form and were published in national magazines such as Appleton's, The Cycle, Atlantic Monthly, Youth's Companion, Black Cat, Lippincott's and Ladies Home Journal. Between 1868 and 1877, Bellamy taught in Gainesville, Alabama and then moved to Mobile to live with her brother, Stephens Croom, and his family. She continued to write and teach until her death on April 13, 1900. The papers in this collection include school essays, correspondence, lectures, published and unpublished writings. They also contain her financial records, receipts, contracts, and royalty accounts. Also see the disseration written by Dorothy M. MacInerny in the other sources list. Frances
Baugh Beverly (1923-1947) Frances Beverly was born in 1865 to a prominent literary family. A former correspondent for the Louisville Courier Journal, Beveraly wrote essays, poems, and stories on Mobile's past for the Works Progress Administration. Using those writings, in 1947, at the age of eighty-two, she set out to write "The Story of Old Mobile." She apparently self-published at least part of her work before her death on September 4, 1954, in Mobile. Divided into subject files, this collection consists of those typed and handwritten manuscripts. The original Beverly Collection was microfilmed in the early 1990s by the Historic Mobile Development Commission. That microfilm is also available. Beverly's journals, which contain handwritten versions of most of her typed manuscripts, also makes up a part of the collection. Katharine Crampton Cochrane
(1902-1965) Katharine Cochrane was a lifelong resident of Mobile as well as a community leader and arts patron. She was also a charter member of the Clara Schumann Club and performed for the club. Katharine was the second wife of John Taylor Cochrane and step-sister of Guy Chester Crampton. The collection contains notices and reviews of Katharine's performances as well as correspondence with her step-brother and John Cochrane Sr., before and after marriage. Additionally, the collection contains newsclippings, scrapbooks, diplomas, pencil drawings, and family history. Mary McNeill Fenollosa (ca. 1963) Fenollosa was a Mobile writer during the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. She lived in Kagoshima, Japan for a brief time. These materials are part of the Caldwell Delaney Papers and include Delaney's correspondence with the Fenollosa Society of Japan, his 1963 published work on Mary Fenollosa, and excerpts from her diary, as well as articles and poetry that she wrote. Virginia Greer
(1942-1997 [Bulk 1960-1968]) Another writer from Mobile, Greer was also a journalist
with the local newspaper. Her collection consists of short stories, newspaper articles,
manuscripts, and correspondence. The collection
also contains subject files on events and on various other local authors, as well as
research notes and photographs. In addition, the
papers are comprised of miscellaneous printed materials relating to Mobile General
Hospital and the United States Department of State. Interviews of people who worked alongside or knew John LeFlore well. The following women are interviewees in this project: Janet LeFlore (Tapes LF-10 through LF-18) is John LeFlore's daughter-in-law and assisted him in Non Partisan Voters League activities; Geraldine Clark (Tapes LF-29 through LF-31) worked for the Mobile Beacon and Alabama Citizen, was a secretary for John LeFlore in the 1960s, and participated in the "test-ins" which the NPVL initiated to press for desegregation of public facilities; Lancie Thomas (Tapes LF-32 through LF-34) is the owner
and editor emeritus of the Mobile Beacon and Alabama Citizen, an African-American
newspaper. She and her husband, Frank Thomas, started the paper in 1943 and later moved it
to Mobile. Her interview reflects her work and knowledge about the NPVL, of which her
husband was a leading member. See also, vertical file: "Johnson, Marietta, and her Organic School" and "Johnson, Marietta, School of Organic Education, 'Trouble in Educational Paradise'" listed below. Jacqueline
Anderson Matte (1811-2006) Jacqueline Anderson Matte compiled, over a number of years, information for several publications. This collection consists of that research material. The works were: They Say the Wind is Red, about the MOWA band of Choctaw Indians; The History of Washington County, Alabama, and Seeing Historic Alabama. Myrt Jones
(1976-2005) Myrt Jones was President of Mobile Bay Audubon Society from 1976 to 2001. Her papers contain articles about Jones and her participation in MBAS, an article by Jones entitled "Planning Paradise," and a manuscript by her entitled, "A Gadfly's Memoirs." Information about Jones can also be found in the Mobile Bay Audubon Society Records (55 cu. ft., Accession 91-08-236), which has a cross-referenced index. May Jordan (diary, 1912-1914) May Jordan lived with her seven siblings and parents on a farm in Washington County, Alabama. Her father was a fur trader, and May accompanied him on his fur trips during two hunting seasons. Her diary records details of their travels and about life on the frontier in Alabama. The collection contains photographs, negatives, and Jordan's original diary. See also, Where the Wild Animals is Plentiful, listed in the book section. Virginia Lott
(1955-1986) Contains news clippings, articles, documents and photographs collected by Lott during her tenure with the Mobile County Commission. The materials relate to both the third and fourth Mobile County courthouses, as well as to local forts and historic buildings. Documents related to the courthouses include a history prepared by Elizabeth Gould, deeds and acts pertaining to the accession of land for the building of the original courthouse, renovation plans, and photographs. Also included are photographs of county commissioner Coy Smith and of various county commission functions from the 1970's. Jeanette K. Maygarden Oral History Interviews (1994) Maygarden was the Woman's Editor at the Mobile Press Register for seven years and at the paper's General Editorial desk for two years. The interviewees include two women: Emily Staples Hearin and Paulette Horton. Emily Staples Hearin, a writer, volunteer, speaker, and columnist, was honored by the City of Mobile and the state of Alabama for her many civic contributions. She has written several books about Mardi Gras. (Interview: March 3, 1994) Paulette Horton is the author of The Avenue and several other local history books. (Interviews: August 3 and 9, 1994) Martha Mercer Oral History interviews (1992-1993) Martha Mercer interviewed eight women as part of her Master's thesis research. The collection includes photos and transcripts of the interviews which are on three audio tapes. Edna Evelyn Olson (scrapbook,
1922-1923) Dating to 1923, this scrapbook contains memorabilia Ms. Olson collected the year she graduated from Barton Academy. Included are classmate autographs, graduation programs, calling cards, photographs, ticket stubs, and brief compiled lists of meetings for the "Better Speech" club. (See also Barton Scrapbook) Frances Eugenie Bowers Toulmin (ca. 1850) A collection of poems written by Frances Toulmin,
wife of Edmund Pendelton Toulmin, about her children and the death of loved ones. This scrapbook belonged to Mrs. Hattie Trousdale, a member of St. Francis Street United Methodist Church. The scrapbook contains news clippings, postcards, correspondence. Most of the materials relate to Christianity, church activities, and the Women's Society of Christian Service. Alice A. Williams (1902-1903,
1924-1951, correspondence) This guide was prepared by Delene Case, 2005. |
