This document, which is called a "finding aid," describes an archival collection.
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diaries, financial and legal documents, photographs, and sound recordings. Archival materials may also include maps, scientific
data, artifacts, and electronic records such as emails or databases.
Prepared by archival staff, finding aids provide a history of the person or organization that produced the collection, an
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Finding aids are used by researchers to determine whether materials within a collection may be relevant to their research.
While not exhaustive, finding aids help researchers identify the particular boxes or folders that may hold items of interest.
Descriptive Summary
Abstract:
The Smith Atkins family members included in this collection are William Henry Smith (1865-1941), his wife Anna Priscilla McLeish
Smith (1870-1940), her father, James Wilkinson McLeish (1839-1897), and William and Anna's daughter, Maude Henrietta Smith
Atkins (1839-1897).
The bulk of the collection are comprised of materials created or collected by Maude Smith Atkins, as an Avery Normal Institute
student, and as an organist. Smith Atkins co-authored "The Avery Song," in which the Library of Congress copyright certificate
(1925) is included in this collection. Items of note are the union dues booklets of William Smith's affiliation with the United
Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, Local 809, Charleston, South Carolina (1910-1934). Materials from James
W. McLeish hold a minute and financial ledger (1877-1880) from Wesley Methodist Episcopal Church, (Charleston, South Carolina),
and certificate of membership for burial privileges from Unity and Friendship Society (1894). Throughout the collection are
materials relating to Centenary Methodist Episcopal Church (Charleston, South Carolina), in which Anna and Maude Smith Atkins
were members.
Title:
Smith Atkins Family Papers
Call Number:
AMN 1142
Repository:
Avery Research Center
Dates:
1877-1981, and undated
Bulk:
1900-1950
Language of Material:
Material is in
English
Extent:
0.42 linear foot (1 archival box and one oversize folder)
William Henry Smith, the son of Frank and Flora Holmes Smith was born on July 25, 1865 in Charleston, South Carolina. He was
a carpenter and member of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, Local Union 809, Charleston, South
Carolina from 1911-1934. He passed in 1941, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
Anna Priscilla McLeish Smith, the daughter of James Wilkinson and Henrietta Powers, was born in Charleston, South Carolina,
1870. A student at the Avery Normal Institute, (Class of 1889), she eventually became the president of their Parent Teachers'
Association. She married William Henry Smith in 1893 and the couple had four children. She passed in 1940.
James Wilkinson McLeish, (the father of Anna P. McLeish Smith) was born in Charleston, South Carolina in 1839. He was a S.
S. Superintendent with Wesley Methodist Episcopal Church (Charleston). McLeish was married to Henrietta Powers and the couple
had six children. He passed in 1897, in Charleston, South Carolina.
Maude Henrietta Smith Atkins, the daughter of William Henry and Ann McLeish Smith, was born in 1898, Charleston, South Carolina.
After graduating from the Avery Normal Institute (Class of 1915), Smith attended Fisk University, majoring in music education.
She returned to Avery to head its music department, including the Girls Glee Club. Smith composed the music for "The Avery
Song" with Beulah Shecut in 1925. She married Jasper Alston Atkins during the 1920s and had two daughters. Smith Atkins passed
in 1998 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
Sources:
"Atkins-Simkins Family Tree." Web: 16 December 2014. Ancestry.com
Drago, Edmund L.
Charleston's Avery Center. Charleston, South Carolina: The History Press, 2006.
The papers are divided into three series: NOTE: The majority of the original documents are in Fragile Condition and are indicated
as such. Please use photocopies when available.
Series 1: William Henry Smith Family Holds documents pertaining to William Smith, his wife, Anna Priscilla McLeish, and her father, James Wilkinson McLeish. Materials
include dues ledger booklets union documents from William Smith's affiliation with the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and
Joiners of America (1911-1934); and his voting registration certificates from the State of South Carolina (1928, 1931). Anna
Priscilla McLeish Smith's materials includes class assignments (1889) and manuscripts (1915-1918) while she was a student
and later the president of the Parent Teachers' Association of the Avery Normal Institute. Materials from Centenary Methodist
Episcopal Church, (Charleston, South Carolina), includes a manuscript regarding "Reverend" James H. Holloway; and programs
from the Ladies Aid Society. James Wilkinson McLeish's materials pertains to his religious affiliation with Wesley Methodist
Episcopal Church. Included is a certificate of membership from Unity and Friendship Society (1894) for a cemetery plot; and
a minute and financial ledger of the church trustees (1877-1880), indicating McLeish as "S.S. Superintendent."
Series 2: Maude Henrietta Smith Atkins Holds documents relating to the daughter of William Henry and Anna McLeish Smith. Contains personal documents created and
collected by Smith Atkins as a Avery Normal Institute student (Class of 1915), including her commencement speech, "On the
Threhold." Also included are programs from organ performances and "Certificate of Copyright Registration," from the Library
of Congress, Washington, D.C. for "The Avery Song," in which Smith co-wrote with Beulah Shecut (1925). A folder containing
magazine and newspaper articles regarding United States Federal, Judge Julius Waites Waring (1948-1976) is included. The sub-series,
Avery Normal Institute Memorabilia contains various materials, (manuscript, annual catalogs, commencement programs, and photograph)
collected by Smith Atkins during her affiliation with the school. Of note is a handwritten manuscript entitled, "The Early
History of Avery Normal Institute Down to 1900," (circa 1900), which includes "Some of the Avery Graduates," from 1872-1900.
Series 3: Oversize Documents Contains the Avery Normal Institute diplomas of Maude Henrietta Smith (1915) and her brother, Williams McLeish Smith (1924).
Series 1: William Henry Smith Family, 1877-1940, and undated.
Includes documents/materials pertaining to Smith, his wife, Anna Priscilla McLeish, and her father James Wilkinson McLeish.
Also, holds original documents of Smith's affiliation with the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, (1910-1934);
with State of South Carolina Board of Registration Certificates for Municipal Elections (1928, 1931), and brief correspondence;
Avery Normal Institute class assignments written by Anna Smith, and documents written as President of The Parent Teachers'
Association of Avery and her materials from Centenary Methodist Episcopal Church as a member of the Ladies Aid Society. Also
included is a tribute written by Smith regarding "Reverend" James Harrison Holloway. James Wilkinson McLeish materials include
a certificate of membership from Unity and Friendship Society (1894), and Wesley Methodist Episcopal minute and financial
ledger (1877-1880) indicating McLeish as "S.S." Superintendent.
1.1: William Henry Smith, 1910-1940.
Box 1 Folder 1
United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of American: Ritual Booklet, circa 1910
Contains leather bound booklet.
Box 1 Folder 2
United Brother of Carpenters and Joiners of America: Constitution and Laws booklet with Dues Ledgers., 1914-1931
Contains four (4) booklets of Local Union 809 (Charleston, SC), for the years: 1919-1922, 1923-1926, 1927-1930, and 1931-1934.
The "Constitution and Laws" booklet is in "Fragile Condition."
Box 1 Folder 3
State of South Carolina Board of Registration of Charleston County: Certificates for Municipal Elections, 1928, 1931
Contains two certificates for Ward 11, Precinct 1.
Box 1 Folder 4
Correspondence, 1912, 1940
Holds two (2) typed letters sent to William Smith from friend and former business merchant.
1.2: Anna McLeish Smith, 1889-1934, and undated .
Contains documents from the wife of William Henry Smith, an Avery Normal Institute graduate, Class of 1889.
Box 1 Folder 5
Avery Normal Institute: English assignment, circa 1889
Original document of sentence diagraming. Document is in "Fragile Condition."
Box 1 Folder 6
Manuscript regarding Mother's Day, 1915
Original handwritten document by McLeish Smith. Manuscript is in "Fragile Condition."
Box 1 Folder 7
Manuscript entitled "Negro Literature", 1918
Document is in "Fragile Condition."
Box 1 Folder 8
Avery Normal Institute pamphlet: "An Open Letter to Charleston Friends of Negro Education", circa 1918
Written by "(Mrs.) A.P. Smith," as President of The Parent Teachers' Association of Avery Institute-Booklet is in "Fragile
Condition." Please use photocopies of document. Also includes handwritten manuscript by Smith regarding soliciting funds for
Avery.
Box 1 Folder 9
Centenary Methodist Episcopal Church: Manuscript regarding "Reverend" James H. Holloway, circa 1890
Handwritten memorial of Holloway, as "Elected Superintendent" of the church. Document is is "Fragile Condition"-Please use
photocopies of document.
Box 1 Folder 10
Centenary Methodist Episcopal Church: Ladies Aid Society documents, 1922, 1934, and undated
Includes program for "The 56th Anniversary" of the church (1922), featuring "Miss Maude Smith" performing an organ solo; a
souvenir booklet (1924); and handwritten manuscript regarding the history of the Ladies Aid Society -Document is in "Fragile
Condition." Please use photocopies of document.
Sepia image on poster board of overhead image of church interior, with an inset photo of Reverend I.H. Fulton. The image and
poster board is torn in several places.
1.3: James Wilkinson McLeish, 1877-1910.
Contains documents/materials from Anna McLeish Smith's father, mostly pertaining to his religious affiliations with Wesley
Methodist Episcopal Church.
Box 1 Folder 12
Unity and Friendship Society Certificate of Membership, issued 17 December, 1894
Original certificate signed by Arthur L. Macbeth for plot #81, at their cemetery located on Magnolia Avenue, Charleston, South
Carolina. Document is in "Fragile Condition."
Box 1 Folder 13
Minute and financial ledger of the Trustees of Wesley Methodist Episcopal Church, Charleston, South Carolina, 1877-1880
Documents McLeish as "S.S. Superintendent," 20 January 1880. Ledger is in "Fragile Condition."
Series 2: Maude Henrietta Smith Atkins, 1888-1981, and undated.
The daughter of William Henry and Anna McLeish Smith. Holds personal documents created and collected by Smith Atkins as a
Avery Normal Institute student (Class of 1915), programs from her organ performances; and "Certificate of Copyright Registration,"
from the Library of Congress, Washington, D.C for "The Avery Song." (music by Smith). A sub-series contains Avery Normal Institute
memorabilia collected by Smith includes the original manuscript of "The Early History of Avery Normal Institute Down to 1900,"
annual catalogs (1906-1907, 1909-1910), and commencement program (1893).
2.1: Smith Atkins Personal Documents, 1888-1976, and undated.
Box 1 Folder 15
Avery Normal Institute: Composition notebook with Latin class assignments, circa 1890s
Box 1 Folder 16
Avery Normal Institute: Commencement Essay-"On the Threshold," May, 1915
Handwritten manuscript by Smith. Document is in "Fragile Condition." Please use photocopies.
Box 1 Folder 17
Booklet: Constitution of the State of South Carolina, 4, December, 1895
Booklet used in Avery class instruction. This document is in "Fragile Condition."
Box 1 Folder 18
Recital Programs, 1920-1921
Regarding organ recitals by Smith with Eloise C. Uggams, Contralto, at Avery Normal Institute (1920) and Morris Street Baptist
Church (1921). Documents are in "Fragile Condition."
Box 1 Folder 19
Certificates, 1912, 1925
Contains "Certificate of Copyright Registration," from Library of Congress, Washington, D.C., for "The Avery Song," poem by
Beulah Shecut, music by Maude H. Smith, 9 May 1925; and "Membership Ticket," for Smith from Centenary Methodist Episcopal
Church, 30 June 1912.
Box 1 Folder 20
Correspondence, circa 1941
Contains handwritten condolence letter from Jeannette Keeble Cox, on the passing of Smith-Atkins, father, William H. Smith.
Box 1 Folder 21
Centenary Organ Guild:
Gospel Hymns Consolidated booklet, 1888
Booklet is in "Fragile Condition."
Box 1 Folder 22
Centenary Methodist Church: Program booklet- "One Hundredth Anniversary", 1966
Box 1 Folder 23
Magazine and newspaper articles regarding United States Federal Judge Julius Waites Waring, 1948, 1950, 1976, and undated
Includes
Collier's Magazine article, "Lonesomest Man in Town," 29 April 1950, and the article entitled, "Celebration," from
Charleston Magazine.
2.2: Avery Normal Institute Memorabilia, 1893-1981, and undated.
Contains various materials (manuscript, annual catalogs, commencement programs, and photograph) collected by Smith Atkins
during her affiliation with the school.
Box 1 Folder 24
Manuscripts: "The Early History of Avery Normal Institute Down to 1900", circa 1900
Contains original handwritten document from pages one (1) to six (6). Also includes "Some of the Avery Graduates" from 1872-1900.
NOTE: Pages 17 and 18 are missing.
Box 1 Folder 25
Annual Catalogs and Commencement Program, 1893-1910
Contains "Twenty-Eighth Annual Commencement Program, 28 June 1893, and catalog booklets of teachers and pupils, course of
study, names of graduates and general information. All documents are in "Fragile Condition."
Box 1 Folder 26
Avery Institute "Memories" Autograph book and postcard, circa 1945 and 1954
Booklet includes "The Avery Song" lyrics and message signed by John F. Potts, Principal. The postcard features a photograph
of the front facade of Avery Institute.
Box 1 Folder 27
Photograph: Avery Normal Institute's Class of 1926-50th Anniversary Reunion, 1976-1981
Black and White (8 x 10) image of mostly unidentifed "Averyites." Also includes College of Charleston press release for the
"Avery, The Spirit That Would Not Die," exhibit (1981).
The nature of the Avery Research Center's archival holdings means that copyright or other information about restrictions may
be difficult or even impossible to determine despite reasonable efforts. The Avery Research Center claims only physical ownership
of most archival materials.
The materials from our collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. copyright
law. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of
copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used for academic research or otherwise should be
fully credited with the source.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Smith-Atkins Family Papers, Avery Research Center, College of Charleston, Charleston, SC, USA.
Acquisition Note
Papers donated by Anna A. Simkins and Simona Atkins Allen, 26 November 2001.
