African American and Black experiences have been of fundamental importance to the history of Haddonfield and the wider Camden County area. With this guide, we have created a list of materials in HSH’s collections that we think will be helpful to researchers interested in African American and Black history. We note that, as African American and Black history is also American history, the people who appear in these documents will appear in sources outside of this list. We are providing this list as a starting point for further exploration and research.
The web resource that you are reading today is not the final version nor is it intended to be. As we locate more materials in the collection that pertain to African American and Black history in the Borough and in the surrounding area, we will add to this resource. PLAC also actively collects primary sources related to African American and Black history in line with its collection policy. If you are interested in donating material (or if you would be interested in allowing PLAC to scan and return material to you) please contact the Archivist.
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In your research, you may have encountered the term “reparative description.”
The terms that we use to describe archival, library, and museum items are inevitably embedded in their times. Sometimes, these descriptive terms reflect historical (and current) injustices and prejudices—and, often, these descriptive terms continue to be discriminatory and perpetuate historical injustices. In recent years, there has been a movement in galleries, libraries, archives, and museums to review and, where necessary, update the metadata that we use to describe and make collection items more easily findable.
The Historical Society of Haddonfield began collecting in 1914 and sometimes the existing records (and, in other cases, the materials themselves) include or have included language that we now understand to be problematic. Consequently, as we work with collection materials, we are updating the descriptions in the catalog records.
We are working within the National Archives’ guidelines. As we review and revise, we move the old terms from the public description into a non-public part of the record. This retains a record of the historical description—and tells a story of the changing social context of the material. Please note that we are not altering the original documents and, in line with standard practice in reparative description, we continue to use titles assigned by a document’s original creator.
If you find descriptive terms here or in the catalogs that you believe should be changed, please don’t hesitate to contact the Archivist.
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We maintain vertical research files that are readily accessible in the main reading room. These reference files consist, for the most part, of photocopies of newspaper clippings and materials located within the main archival collection, as well as copies of research notes that previous researchers have left behind for us.
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- African Americans
- Churches–Mount Olivet Baptist Church
- Churches–Mount Pisgah African Methodist Episcopal Church
- Lincoln School Playground Team (African American “Y” Baseball Team)
- Martin Luther King Day
- Schools–School No. 4
- Slavery
- Underground Railroad
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- Dansbury, T. Marvel
- Leeman, Attee
- Johnson, Lonnie
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Records, personal and family papers, manuscripts, and other unique collections that can be found in HSH’s archival collections catalog.
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- Branson-Bible Records, BC 56. BC Box 13, Accession # 2011-023.
- Include: Charles Branson baptism record, 1857 (Branson-Sadler Bible records, BC56); Josiah Branson and Rebecca Tucker marriage record, 1853 (Branson-Sadler Bible records, BC56); John Sadler merit certificate from Snow Hill Public School, 1907 (Branson-Sadler Bible records, BC56)
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- 2004-011 (collection)—Bryson Armstead Collection on Mt. Peace Cemetery
- This is a collection of records from Mount Peace Cemetery in Lawnside, NJ. These records were collected by Bryson Armstead in the 2000s as he worked to document the long history of the cemetery. He connected with families who had long associations with Mt. Peace and located the burial register for 1937-1959, select monthly reports of the boards of directors from 1931-1933 and 1935, and more. Historical Society volunteers compiled the burial information from these records into an index available online, here.
- For more about Mount Peace Cemetery, please refer to the Mount Peace Cemetery Association website.
- For other cemetery records in the area, please refer to our External Resources Guide.
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- 1913-001-0499 (small accession) – New Jersey and Eastern Pennsylvania Baptist Anti-Slavery Convention records
- Handwritten minutes and constitution of the New Jersey and Eastern Pennsylvania Baptist Anti-Slavery Convention, four pages. Describes a convention held in the Baptist meeting house of Norristown, PA, on August 1, 1842. Samuel Aaron of Norristown, PA was named as chair and Charles E. Wilson of Haddonfield was appointed secretary.
- 1913-001-0647 (small accession) – New Jersey Society for Promoting the Abolition of Slavery in Gloucester County records
- New Jersey Society for Promoting the Abolition of Slavery in Gloucester County, NJ records, 1798-1803. Includes membership lists and minutes. Unbound. Amos Cooper was the clerk for many years.
- 1989-029-0001 (small accession) – Jermone Holms rent receipts book for 157 Potter Street, Haddonfield
- Jermone Holmes rent receipts book for 157 Potter Street, Haddonfield, 1916-1921. Folder includes a letter from Jerome’s grandson Lonnie Johnson describing the location of 157 Potter St. and its neighbors.
- 2000-025-H. 04 vol. 06 (ledger) – Haddonfield Sewing Society minutes
- H. 04 vol. 6. Haddonfield Sewing Society Minutes, 1895-1903. Members, purchasing, groups they supported are listed. Mention made of work in Snow Hill [Lawnside]. See also vol. 03.
- 2000-025-H. 05 vol. 01 (ledger) – Treasurer’s account of Mothers’ Meeting at Snow Hill [photocopy]
- H. 05 vol. 1. Photocopy of Mothers’ Meeting at Snow Hill, Treasurer’s Account, 1868-1875. Financial records for the organization founded by the Haddonfield Sewing Society for residents of Snow Hill [Lawnside].
- 2000-025-H. 05 vol. 02 (ledger) – Snow Hill Relief Association records
- H. 05 vol. 2. Snow Hill Relief Association, 1869-1871. Organization apparently related to the Haddonfield Sewing Society. List of beneficiaries and records. Includes photocopy and original. [Lawnside]
- 2000-025-H. 05 vol. 03 (ledger) – Snow Hill Mothers’ Meeting Association minutes
- Snow Hill Mothers’ Meeting Association Minutes, 1868-1871. Constitution, By-Laws and minutes of meetings held at a hall in Snow Hill. Haddonfield women taught sewing and provided materials to participants. [Lawnside]
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- 1998-018-0001 (small accession) – Mount Olivet Baptist Church minutes [photocopies]
- Photocopies of Mount Olivet Baptist Church minutes, 1911-1920. Haddonfield. Handwritten, 149 pages. Cover sheet notes that several pages are missing and others are blank.
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- 1913-001-1179 (small accessions) – The Attee Leeman lot
- “The Attee Leeman lot,” by Carrie E. Nicholson Hartel, November 1948. History of the property at Haddon Avenue and Tanner St. from 1781-1919, including how Jacob Cox and his wife Mary sold it to Attee Leeman, a free Black man who was also one of the 32 charter members of the Fire Company. Folder also includes a newspaper clipping, “Where Japanese Cherry Trees Now Grow,” from the newspaper Haddonfield Herald Weekly, dated February 1, 1951 with a history of this same lot.
- 1975-139-0001 (small accession) – Notes on the history of the Haddonfield Sewing Society
- Notes on the history of the Haddonfield Sewing Society, circa 1920s. Handwritten, 10 pages. According to the history, the group grew out of the Friend’s Freedman’s Association, which was founded in 1862-1863. Spans 1915-1935.
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- 1913-001-0480 FF (flat file) – Deed, John and Mary M. Cooper to David Arter
- Deed from John & Mary M. Cooper of Camden to David Arter, of Union Twp., identified as a person of color, Jan. 1, 1852, $15, lot in Union Twp, Cam. Co, 1 acre, formerly Jos. Kaighn, father of Mary Kaighn Cooper. Unrecorded.
- 1913-001-0485 FF (flat file) – Deed, Jacob C. and Elizabeth White to Anthony Bernard
- Deed from Jacob C. and Elizabeth White of Philadelphia to Anthony Bernard of Haddonfield, August 20, 1860, lot #147 on Lundy Street in Free Haven (33’x100′) for $25.00. Orig. land of John B. & Amanda Cresson. Recorded Deed. Lawnside. White was a prominent African American in Philadelphia.
- 1913-001-0681 (small accession) – Lewis Bagwell will
- Lewis Bagwell will, December 23, 1839. Handwritten, 1 page in small bound booklet. Declares that lot and tenement of ground situated in Free Haven, Union Township, Gloucester County, will belong to William Henry Junior at the age of 21 years. Witnessed by Robert C. H. Jones. See 1913-001-0685.
- 1913-001-0683 FF (flat file) – Deed, Ralph Smith and wife Mary B. to Lewis Bagwell
- Deed from Ralph Smith and wife Mary B. to Lewis Bagwell for lot of Ground No. 14 in the Town of Free Haven, May 25, 1840. Zion Street. Ralph Smith was a white abolitionist from Philadelphia who developed Free Haven, now Lawnside.
- 1913-001-0685 (small accession) – Deed, William Henry and wife Harriet Henry to Arthur Boyer
- Deed, William Henry and wife Harriet Henry to Arthur Boyer, for a lot of land in the town of Free Haven, Camden County, August 22, 1846. Witnessed by J. L. Rowand. See 1913-001-0681. [Lawnside]
- 1914-005-0139 FF (flat file) – Deed, Jacob and Mary Cot to Atlee [Attee] Leeman.
- Library Point-Attee Leeman Lot-Deed. Jacob and Mary Cot to Atlee Leeman. March 28, 1807. H 1807
- 1914-005-0140 FF (flat file) – Mortgage, Atlee Leeman to Thomas Redman.
- Library Point-Attee Leeman Lot- Mortgage. Atlee Leeman to Thomas Redman. April 24, 1809.
- 1914-005-0141 FF (flat file) – Mortgage deed, Thomas Redman executor Atlee Leeman to William Brown.
- Library Point-Attee Leeman Lot- Mortgage Deed. Thomas Redman exec Atlee Leeman to William Brown. March 25, 1822.
- 1914-005-0142 FF (flat file) – Bond, William Brown to Thomas Redman.
- Library Point-Attee Leeman Lot- Bond. William Brown to Thomas Redman. March 25, 1822. H envelope with C.E.N Hartel notes re Leeman.
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[Forthcoming.]
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- 2019-002-002 (small accession) Transcript of oral history interview with Alonzo (Lonnie) Johnson
- An interview with Alonzo (Lonnie) Johnson, August 21, 1986. Interview conducted by Tilly Clement. Transcript by Elliot Ryan and Melinda McGough.
- 2015-067-1 (small accession) – Georgianna Dunlap Ransome interview transcript
- Transcript of interview with Mrs. Georgianna Dunlap Ransome, lifelong resident of Douglass Avenue, interviewed by Katherine M. Tassini and Douglas B. Rauschenberger, January 26, 1989. Printout, 26 pages. Discusses her father and mother, going to School #4 on Douglass Avenue, the Lincoln School, and other aspects of life in the Black community in Haddonfield.
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- 2018-040-0001 (small accession) – Alonzo (Lonnie) Johnson Hall of Fame photocopies and notes
- Alonzo (Lonnie) Johnson Hall of Fame photocopies and notes, 1994. Includes photocopies of letters and certificates about honors given to Lonnie Johnson related to his selection for the Haddonfield Memorial High School Athletic Hall of Fame.
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- 2018-002 (collection) – William Blakely Photograph Collection
- This collection includes assorted black and white photographs of the African American community in Haddonfield in the 1930s, as well as reunion photographs circa 1980s. This was originally part of the 2014-001 gift from the Haddonfield Public LIbrary. (Spans 1925 to 1990.)
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While we have updated the descriptions in this list, please note that many of the documents carry titles that include problematic language. These titles were assigned by the documents’ original creators and are written on the documents themselves. In line with reparative description guidelines, we have not altered the titles in the catalog.
- 1913-001-0019 (small accession) – Copies of original papers in possession of the Misses Nicholson, 64 Haddon Ave.
- “Copies of original papers in possession of the Misses Nicholson, 64 Haddon Ave.,” circa 1910-1930. Handwritten, 43 pages. Includes transcription of “A record of manumissions of negroes set at liberty within the compass of Haddonfield Monthly Meeting,” “School House Subscription, 1795,” correspondence and provincial tax records.
- 1913-001-0040 (small accession) – Family records, Curtis, disposal of slaves of Thomas Curtis
- “Family records, Curtis, disposal of slaves of Thomas Curtis,” circa 1915. Handwritten transcription of record concerning the freeing of two enslaved people by the heirs of Thomas Curtis, after Thomas Curtis’s death in 1795.
- 1913-001-0069 (small accession) – Will of Bryan Whitfield
- Will of Bryan Whitfield, 1819. Handwritten, 2 pages. Bill of Writing on back of will locates this in Wayne County [NC], and registers transfer of enslaved people from Alexander Moseley and Joshua Moseley, executors of Bryan Whitfield, to Lem’l Whitfield.
- 1913-001-0070 (small accession) – Deed, Zilphon Wise to Polly Wise
- Deed of Gift of Zilphon Wise to Polly Wise, 1822. Handwritten, 3 pages. Concerning the gift of an enslaved Black man “by the name of Enock of the age of forty years olde” and household property to Zilphon’s sister Polly. Registered with Register’s Office of Wayne County [NC], 1824.
- 1913-001-0089 (small accession) – Transcription of bill of sale for enslaved girl, Tenor, from Isaac Horner to Edward Gibbs
- [Transcription of bill of sale for enslaved girl, Tenor, from Isaac Horner to Edward Gibbs, 1771]. Handwritten, 2 pages. Copied by Mrs. Clement Remington. Describes sale of enslaved, 12-year-old girl, named Tenor, for forty pounds.
- 1913-001-0104 (small accession) – Copy of Sale and Transfer of a Negro Slave Girl; Abstract of a deed
- “Copy of Sale and Transfer of a Negro Slave Girl, August 24, 1771,” copied by Mrs. E. T. Gill circa 1928, handwritten 2 pp. Appears to be copy of 1913-001-089. “Abstract of a Deed: Thomas Curtis to Benjamin Curtis, July 16, 1757,” copied by Mrs. E. T. Gill circa 1928, handwritten, 1 page.
- 1913-001-0138 (small accession) – The story of “Edgewater,” the historic home at Evans Mill Pond
- “The story of ‘Edgewater,’ the historic home at Evans Mill Pond,” by Walter W. Evans, 1918. Handwritten, 5 pages. Describes Thomas Evans and Josiah Evans and the Underground Railroad and how they helped people fleeing enslavement, including Joshua Sadler. Includes two photocopies.
- 1913-001-0499 (small accession) – New Jersey and Eastern Pennsylvania Baptist Anti Slavery Convention records
- Handwritten minutes and constitution of the New Jersey and Eastern Pennsylvania Baptist Anti-Slavery Convention, four pages. Describes a convention held in the Baptist meeting house of Norristown, PA, on August 1, 1842. Samuel Aaron of Norristown, PA was named as chair and Charles E. Wilson of Haddonfield was appointed secretary.
- 1913-001-0647 (small accession) – New Jersey Society for Promoting the Abolition of Slavery in Gloucester County records
- New Jersey Society for Promoting the Abolition of Slavery in Gloucester County, NJ records, 1798-1803. Includes membership lists and minutes. Unbound. Amos Cooper was the clerk for many years.
- 1913-001-1208 (small accession) – “Notes on slaves in Haddonfield and vicinity”
- “Notes on slaves in Haddonfield and vicinity,” by Carrie E. Nicholson Hartel, February and August 1952. Typescript, 8 pages. Digital scan of item also available.
- 1976-039-0001 FF (flat file) – John Estaugh Hopkins member certificate in New Jersey Society for promoting the abolition of slavery
- New Jersey Society for Promoting the Abolition of Slavery member John Estaugh Hopkins. 1st of the 9th month 1800.
- 1980-053-0001 (small accession) – “An account of negroes manumitted within the compass of the Haddonfield Monthly Meeting”
- List of African Americans “manumitted within the compass of Haddonfield Meeting,” undated [circa 1800?]. Handwritten, 1 page. Includes list of enslavers and the enslaved people they freed, as well as “a further account of” free Black people “not on record.” Spans 1790-1810.
- 1999-005 (collection) – Ellis family papers
- Papers of the Ellis, Stafford and other connected families. The collection includes estate documents, marriage certificates, wills, various genealogical files, photographs, and property records. Items of interest include 133 family photographs and a 1771 bill of sale of an enslaved woman named Hannah. The bulk of the material relates to the Ellis family, but other family names represented include Adams, Cattell, Lippencott, Mason, and Stafford.
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African American and Black History
- Pam 974.9 H No. 292 – Higgs, Muneerah and Shamele Jordon (2022) African American Haddonfield History Cards.
Churches
- Pam 974.9 H No. 121c – Photocopy of Mount Pisgah A.M.E. Church anniversary program, 1987
- Pam 974.9 H No. 121c – Mt. Olivet Baptist Church anniversary program, 1953
Saddlertown Rest Cottage
- Pam 974.9 H No. 082 – Saddlertown Rest Cottage annual report, 1913
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Ask the Archives Center’s staff about the following:
- Haddonfield High School/ Haddonfield Memorial High School Yearbooks
- Borough Directories
- PLAC’s collections include directories from the years 1895, 1901, 1908, 1910/11, 1914, 1916/17, and 1921. Along with the residents’ names and addresses, these directories include occupation and state if a resident was a person of color.
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Other Organizations in Camden County:
National
Last updated, 3/6/2024.