A letter from Mary Wilkinson Memminger to "Stanner" - Anna Bella Wilkinson, her sister. She tries to clear up some confusion brought about by letters from their mother and Virginia. She says she does not have much news, and talks about Ellen (her daughter).
A letter from Mary Wilkinson Memminger to "Stanner" - Anna Bella Wilkinson, her sister. She writes from Greenville, and reports that they will soon start home, although her husband will first go to Flat Rock, N.for a railroad convention. She also tells stories about her daughter Alice.
A letter from Mary Wilkinson Memminger to "Stanner" - Anna Bella Wilkinson, her sister. She writes from Greenville, reporting that the weather has been very stormy and rainy. She talks about her children, and plans for their stay at Mamma's house in Charleston.
A letter from Mary Wilkinson Memminger to "Stanner" - Anna Bella Wilkinson, her sister. She writes from Greenville, thanking Anna for writing, as hers was the first letter from home she had received. She talks of visiting neighbors, and talks about her children.
Letter from Virginia Wilkinson Belin to her mother. She talks of taking her daughters, Hess and Ginger (Jinny), to their cousin Johnny's birthday party, where there was iced cream and cake.
A letter from Mary Wilkinson Memminger to her mother. She mentions Stanna's [Anna Wilkinson's] trouble with her foot, and describes her daily afternoon ritual with her children, including sitting on the piazza and having tea. She also describes some health problems her daughter Ellen has been suffering.
1850-1859, 1840-1849, 1830-1839, 1810-1819, and 1820-1829
Description:
A small pillow, hand sewn with faded mattress ticking and stuffed with lambswool, uncovered during 2020 investigations of the Nathaniel Russell Kitchen House. Pillow was discovered under the floorboards in the front of the fireplace in the west enslaved quarter. Pillow measures 4"x5".
Black and white portrait of Albert Moses Luria, 2x4 inches. Son of Major Raphael J. Moses. He changed his name from Albert Luria Moses to Albert Moses Luria.
Coral bead discovered during 2018 investigations of an enslaved quarter in the Nathaniel Russell House kitchen house. Coral is most often associated with children's necklaces and teething rattles in the 18th and 19th century as it was thought to have protective/medicinal properties.
Gene and June Blanchard are were both raised on Sullivan’s Island couple. Gene was born on the island and June’s family moved to the island when she was one year old. They and their families have known each other their entire lives. Gene was the youngest of five children, and was, to a great extent, cared for by his eldest sister, Mary. Gene’s father served as Township Commissioner and was the first person to make a round trip across the new Ben Sawyer Bridge in 1945. Gene and June became sweethearts in high school, both having attended Bishop England. They recount hair raising school bus rides across the Grace Bridge. They married in 1966 and raised two children on the island. Gene served as postmaster of Sullivan’s Island for 32 years, though his connection with the post office started at a very young age, thanks to his aunt being postmistress. Gene and June have extensive fond memories of growing up on the island and relate many of those stories. They almost moved after the destruction of Hurricane Hugo, but the sound of a ship’s horn blowing in the harbor convinced them to stay. June recounts a near fatal episode with a rip current when she was young. They conclude with their current feelings about all the changes that have occurred on Sullivan’s Island over their lives.
Black and white portrait of a child, possibly Lucia Levy, 2x4 inches. Back of portrait includes inscription reading, "For Aunt Octavia Lucia aged 15 months."
Black and white portrait of unidentified man and children, 2x4 inches. Back of portrait includes inscription reading, "For Coz. Octavia from Her Coz. Rebecca."
Black and white portrait of Clifton Harby Levy, 2x4 inches. Back of portrait includes inscription reading, "To dear Aunt Octavia from her little nephew C. Harby Levy aged 19 1/2 months."
Miriam DeCosta Seabrook, Raymond T. DeCosta, and Herbert U. Seabrook, Jr. are standing outside in front of a brick chimney. Miriam is wearing a sleeveless dress, Raymond is wearing a suit, and Herbert is wearing a long sleeve shirt and shorts.
Doris Sander Lancaster was born in a house on Sullivan's Island, South Carolina, in 1928, and ever since has spent most of her life on the island. In this interview she recounts memories of childhood growing up including games, crabbing, and playing on the beach. She tells of the house near Station 24 where she and other family members grew up "fatherless." Doris details much of the relationships between the civilian population and Fort Moultrie Military Reservation. She recalls the initial reaction to the bombing of Pearl Harbor. She and other island girls then were recruited by the USO to dance with the ever-increasing number of servicemen in the area who were headed for the war. She tells of her emotional reaction to the newsreels showing the horrors of combat. Doris met her future husband, Bob, when he was stationed at the fort. They were married in 1948 and spent most of their married life on the island. A great deal of Doris's narrative surrounds the relationship with Stella Maris Catholic Church, the events that took place and the personalities involved. The interview ends with Doris Lancaster's reactions to the many changes that have occurred on Sullivan's Island over the 94 years of her life.
Peggy Maginn Ferri shares her recollections of nearly 100 years living on Sullivan’s Island, including growing up in a house with 16 people, 9 of whom were children. She describes childhood activities that centered around the beach, playing ball, fishing and crabbing. Though she attended elementary school only a few blocks from her house, getting to high school in downtown Charleston required walking to the government dock, taking the ferry, and walking to Bishop England on Calhoun Street, an all day affair. Peggy speaks of her marriage to Ferdinand “Fergie” Ferri and their life together, both on and off the island. Much of Peggy’s life has been related to her family’s strong Catholic faith. Other anecdotes cover wine making, rum runners, and a famous island murder. Peggy ends with her statement that she has always considered herself a “girl of the island” having led an idyllic childhood, but notes her strong dislike for all the changes that have occurred on Sullivan’s Island.
Black and white portrait of a girl, possibly Rebecca (Dulce) Moise, 2x4 inches. Back of portrait lists the photographer as John L. Gihon of Philadelphia, PA, and includes a blue, two cent, George Washington postage stamp.
School photograph of Sharon Peters. She is wearing a dark shirt with a red vest. Inscription reads “Sharon Peters last year school picture. [illegible] on face.”
School photograph of Sharon Peters. She is wearing a blue vest and a paisley scarf and eyeglasses with dark frames. Inscription reads “1968 Sharon Peters”