Historically Speaking
Published
by The Afro-American Historical Association of the
Niagara
Frontier
, P.O. Box
63, Buffalo
NY
14207
Sharon
Holley and Madeline Scott, Editors
Volume
26 Number
2
October 2002
THE
NASH HOUSE
The
house at
36 Nash Street
(
Buffalo
,
NY
) has a very special place in the 20th
century history of
Buffalo
's African-American community.
From 1925 until 1987, the residence was the homestead of the Rev. J.
Edward Nash, Sr. family. Rev. Nash
was the pastor of the
Michigan
Avenue
Baptist
Church
from 1892 until his retirement in
1953. His widow continued to occupy
the home after his death in 1957. She
died in 1987.
Rev.
Nash's leadership and presence in
Buffalo
's African-American community during
the first 50 years of the 20th century earned him legendary status in that
community. During most of that
period he was the most widely known and respected African-American in the city.
Rev. Nash was involved in the efforts to bring branches of the Urban
League and the NAACP to
Buffalo
. He
was a long-time leader and treasurer of the Western New York Baptist
Association. For 32 years he was
secretary of the Ministers Alliance of Buffalo.
That inter-racial body was one of the most influential religious groups
in
Buffalo
. Rev. Nash called and led several
community political meetings of black Buffalonians to intercede on behalf of
local black citizens who were in danger of being wronged because of their race.
Because
he was widely respected by the city's white leadership, Rev. Nash had direct
access to the mayor and other local elected officials.
He often used his access to elected officials and business leaders to
gain benefits for the African-American community and/or its individual citizens.
Rev.
Nash had a statewide and national reputation.
In 1910 he was host to Booker T. Washington during
Washington
's meeting with "Afro-American
Citizens of Buffalo." An
invitation and printed program found in papers that were recently discovered in
Rev. Nash's study at
36 Nash Street
, indicates that the famous
Tuskegee
educator met with "Afro-American
Citizens of Buffalo" on Thursday evening,
March 10, 1910
at the
Michigan
Street
Baptist
Church
.
Washington
was introduced at that meeting by Rev.
Nash.
Washington
apparently gave a second address that
night at
Buffalo
's
Westminster
Methodist
Church
to a largely white audience of
"several hundred people, who listened to an instructive exposition on the
problems of the black race." The
second address was reported by the Buffalo Daily Courier on March 11 in
an article titled "Only Hear Worst side, Never Best Says Negro
Educator." Rev. Nash was also
an officer in the
Buffalo
branch of the Booker T. Washington
dominated National Negro Business League.
A
close friend and former classmate of Rev. Nash at
Virginia
Union
College
was Rev. Adam Clayton Powell, Sr.
(pastor of
Harlem
's
Abyssinian
Baptist
Church
).
Rev. Powell was an occasional guest minister at the
Michigan
Avenue
Baptist
Church
, and a guest in the Nash home at
36 Potter Street
(now
Nash Street
).
Rev. Powell was the guest speaker at Rev. Nash’s 50th
anniversary celebration as pastor of
the
Michigan
Street
Baptist
Church
. Many
of Rev. Nash's sermons and letters that are an integral part of
Buffalo
's African-American community history
were written in his study at
36 Nash Street
.
Many
of the nationally known African-American leaders that Rev. Nash brought to
Buffalo
were house guests at
36 Nash Street
. Some
of the important unwritten events in the history of
Buffalo
's African-American community were
probably first conceptualized, discussed, and set in motion in the Nash home at
36 Nash Street
. (Papers
from the Nash collections will certainly confirm such assumptions).
In
October, 1999, a delegation of members of the Michigan Street Preservation
Corporation were taken on a tour of the inside of the former Nash home by Bishop
William Henderson. Jesse Nash,
Jr., owner of the house, had allowed Bishop Henderson to occupy the bottom floor
of the Nash home since the late 1980s when the elderly Mrs. Frances J. Nash gave
up residence. Members of the
Michigan Street Preservation group were keenly aware of the historic
significance of the Nash home, but they were not prepared for what they found
inside the house.
When the Michigan Street Preservation group walked into Rev. Nash's
personal quarters and study, it was as though they had entered a time capsule, a
time capsule that had been left by Rev. Nash himself.
The furniture, typewriter, desk, victrola, and other furnishings were in
good condition.
His letters, papers, and books seemed undisturbed since their last use by
Rev. Nash. The upstairs was a
virtual
museum
of
African-American
home furnishings from the pre-WWII era. It
was apparent that Mrs. Nash did not disturb the contents in her husband's
“space” following his death. Bishop
Henderson also kept that part of the house closed off and undisturbed after he
moved in.
Later
the Michigan Street Preservation tour group would discuss their feelings and
thinking at the moment of discovery. Even
without communicating with each other, they had all reached the same conclusion.
That is, that the Nash Home was a community treasure, a time capsule, and
a potential community museum that should be restored, protected, and shared with
the larger society. The Home and its
contents was a valuable piece of the 20th century history of the Buffalo
African-American community.
During
the weeks following the aforementioned discoveries at the Nash Home, the
Michigan Street Preservation Corporation consulted with numerous authorities,
including representatives from the Buffalo-Erie County Historical Society, Ted
Lownie (an architect who specializes in restoring and preserving historic
properties), legal advisors from Kavinoky & Cook LLP, and community leaders
about steps to be taken in preserving the Nash Papers, restoring the Nash House
and opening it to the public as a community museum and education facility.
The
first cache of J. Edward Nash Papers that were discovered in the Nash House
consisted of “approximately 140 linear feet of books and periodicals, and over
50 linear feet of manuscript materials.” The
manuscript materials were rough sorted and placed in archival boxes and stored
in the
University
of
Buffalo Archives
. At that time, the manuscript
papers totaled 31 boxes of materials. About
two years after the discovery, those materials were placed on loan to the
Afro-American Historical Association of the Niagara Frontier to be prepared for
microfilming. More materials were
found at the Nash House site and were added to the original manuscript Papers.
The newly discovered boxes were removed from the attic of the home by
students from Kevin Cottrell’s class in the African-American Studies
Department at the
University
of
Buffalo
. The entire manuscript collection
was sorted, organized into file folders, indexed, and prepared for microfilming
by a team of members from the Afro-American Historical Association of the
Niagara Frontier. The Nash Papers
were microfilmed in the
Monroe
Fordham
Regional
History
Center
at Buffalo State College.
The
microfilmed papers of the Rev. Dr. J. Edward Nash, and those of his wife Mrs.
Frances Jackson Nash, are now part of the Afro-American Historical
Association’s “Buffalo Afro-American Microfilmed Collection.”
Copies of that Collection are presently housed in the North Jefferson
Branch Library and Center for African American History and Research; the Butler
Library Archives at Buffalo State College; and The Monroe Fordham Regional
History Center, Buffalo State College. Researchers
are encouraged to use the collection. The
original papers are owned by the Michigan Street Preservation Corporation and
will eventually be part of the Nash House and
Community
Museum
.
The
Michigan Street Preservation Corporation has launched
a campaign to redevelop and restore the historic neighborhood around the
Nash House, which includes the
Michigan
Street
Baptist
Church
(built in 1845), the site of the former Little Harlem Supper Club, the Colored
Musicians Club, and the numerous dwellings that made up the once thriving
community. They have received a grant to restore the outside of the Nash House,
and work is scheduled to begin soon. The
overall Michigan Street Preservation Corporation’s plan is being coordinated
by Kevin Cottrell and George K. Arthur. Cottrell is employed by the Office of
New York State Parks and Historic Preservation, and George Arthur is a longtime
advocate for community development and retired former President of the Buffalo
Common Council.
Monroe
Fordham, Professor Emeritus
History
Department
Buffalo
State
College
REV.
NASH WRITES ON EARLY BUFFALONIANS
EDITOR’S
NOTE:
The following article comes from the historical files of
Mr. Pat B. Kavanagh, the Forest Lawn Historian.
A handwritten note on the article indicates that it was originally
published in the Buffalo Star,
August 16, 1940
. The
following is an unabridged reprint of the article.
EDITOR’S
NOTE[1940]:
The contributor of the following article, Rev. Nash, is one of the best
known ministers in
Buffalo
. For nearly half a century (48
years) he has lived in this city, and for all that time he has continuously
pastored the
Michigan
Avenue
Baptist
Church
. Regardless of race or creed, he is
one of the finest characters this writer has ever met.
Educated for the ministry, he has devoted most of his mature life to that
calling and is still rendering an invaluable service to the community…
“The
Negro in the Early History of
Buffalo
”
(By
J. Edward Nash)
In discussing this topic we shall aim not to come nearer the present
period than 25 years. And we hope
that some one better qualified than we feel ourselves to be will take up where
we leave off and discuss the great number of important facts and personages to
be found in this period.
For more than three hundred years the Negro has been, in some way active
in every great movement in American Life. And
so it is natural for the citizens of Buffalo and of the country at large, to
desire knowledge of what the Negro has meant
to Buffalo during the more than one hundred years of her existence.
We are anxious to know whether the Negro of early days has or has not, in
any sense, blazoned the way, made paths to certain important accomplishments,
and successes that those who come after them can afford to follow.
In the early years of the past century all American cities had, in large
measure, to depend upon the South for their Negro population.
Buffalo
was no exception.
For long before emancipation from the South they emigrated to the North
and took up their residence here. Then
one of the very first things that they did was to devise ways and means to
rescue their brethren whom they had left down in the
Egypt
land of the South.
Very early where was established, especially along the Canadian border,
places known as Underground Railroad Stations, where refugees might be cared
for, and from which they might be sent on to Canada for safety.
There may have been more, but we know there was at least one such station
in this city, and the building, the Michigan Avenue Baptist church, in which it
operated is still in existence, and is used as it was then to house the Michigan
Avenue Baptist Society, and furnish them a place in which to worship.
The men and women who made up the Negro population in those early days
were of unusual worth, they had sterling qualities, they were courageous,
industrious , and thrifty. In those
early days the Negro was eager to own, and many of them did own their homes.
Many of them were skilled laborers, brick masons, carpenters, shoemakers,
barbers, tailors, beauty culturists, dressmakers, milliners, and cooks.
Not many in those early days were noted for their intellectual
accomplishments, but even in this department there were some who set a good pace
for those who came after them to follow.
That we may know something of the various phases of life that
characterized the Negro in the early history of Buffalo, we are giving a few
names under the various forms of endeavor that prevailed among them.
In politics about all they did or could do was to make good use of their
franchise, and to keep up interest among their fellow Negro citizens, and to see
to it that they went to the polls and voted.
Among those who were prominent in doing this were Benjamin Taylor, Robert
Talbert, Nimrod Thompson, Hamilton Nelson, Charles Newton, who was a detective
in the police department in the city at one time, Daniel Keys?, who at one time
was the janitor of School 17.
Up
to 1892 the political faith of the Negro was [in?] Republicans, but at this time
Richard Jolly gathered about him a few men and formed the Colored Democratic
Club. This club had the Democratic
candidate for Supt. Of Education to promise if he were elected to appoint some
well qualified person of the Negro race to be a teacher in the schools of the
city. The Colored Republican League
did the same thing. The Republican
candidate, Henry P. Emerson was elected, and he kept his word and appointed Miss
Ida Fairbush. Mr. Jolly at one time
held a responsible position in the Buffalo Customs House.
Other men who were interested in the political life of the Negro were,
Frank Dover and his brother, John, both of whom were employed in the banks of
Buffalo; Albert M. Thomas was a fine lawyer.
He took his A.B. course at Fisk University, and his law course at Yale
University. He was at one time clerk
of the city court, and was candidate for city assessor.
W.H. Talbert, at one time Secretary of the Erie County Colored Republican
League, and attaché of the city treasury. Possibly
the most outstanding Negro politician during the last part of the 19th
century was William Bartlett. He
preceded Richard Jolly in the Buffalo Custom House, he was also attached at the
time of his death to the city treasurer’s office.
During the last half of the 19th century many of the Negroes
residing in Buffalo lived in their own homes, and a few of them owned several
houses. We do not pretend to give a
complete record of all the home owners, but these that we do give will furnish
a definite idea as to the aspirations and ambitions of Negroes to own
property in those early days the list follows: Mrs. Henrietta Z. Blunt, who was
also engaged in the dyeing business; Albert M. Thomas, who owned several homes;
Thomas Payne, for many years a nurse in the Pierce Invalid Hotel; Charles
Peters; Berry Mosby, who owned a large tract of land in Black Rock; Charles
Smith; William Quarles; Hamilton Nelson; Mrs. Mary Whitfied; Mrs. Mary Ann
Fields owned a home on what is now South Elmwood Avenue; Ruben Cornner; John
Butler; Mrs. Mary Let; John Carry; Peyton Harris owned property here in Buffalo,
and in company with John Austin on Grand Island; George Thompson, who was a
nurse in the Pierce Invalid Hotel; Benjamin Taylor owned several pieces of
property; John Rankin; and Robert Talbert was possibly the largest property
owner of his day, when he died in 1892 he was reputed to be worth $65,000.
We will learn that the Negroes were an industrious group during the last
part of the 19th century.
In their line of labor many of them were skilled workmen as the following
list will show: Joseph Dickson, carpenter and contractor; Payton Harris, tailor;
Joseph Keller, carpenter; Robert Talbert, barber; Benjamin, cook; D.U.
Smith, brick mason; Mrs. Sarah Wilson, Mrs. Anna Greene, still living,
Mrs. Frances Simpson Legett, Mrs. Emma Cook Lee, Mrs. Georgia Cosby, all beauty
culturists; Benjamin Wright, engineer on the lakes; John Rankin, cook; William
Sinclair, Steward in the White House during the administrations of Presidents
Cleveland and McKinley; and Robert Tasker was an actor.
There
were a few who exhibited exceptional musical talent.
Of whom we mention the following: Walter Thadeus Talbert, a great
pianist; Mrs. Grace Taylor Pendleton, pianist and music teacher; Mrs. Frances
Simpson Legett, a fine soprano singer; Mrs. Anna Greene, still living, had a
voice to which to listen was always a pleasure; Nelson Fairbush had an
exceptionally attractive tenor voice; Mrs. Delia Saulters Pride was among the
favorite soprano singers.
In
the early days three Negroes held positions in the Buffalo Post Office: - Nelson
Fairbush, who had charge of the bureau of information; George Dover was a clerk;
and Benjamin Haley was a carrier.
Mrs.
Emma Tomkins was a very pleasing reader; Miss Florence Storey was in constant
demand as an elocutionist; Mrs. Julia Conner Price was a master of speech art,
and always capture an audience whenever she read.
Early
Buffalo gave a good number of men and women to the teaching profession.
Mrs Frances Simpson Leget, and Miss Mary Nelson were teachers in the one
separate school that our school system maintained once for a short time for
Negroes. Prof. James Henry, after
completing his high school work here in Buffalo went South and took his college
work at Atlanta University, and became principal of the high school at
Chattanooga, Tenn. Where he taught for a great number of years, and remained
until his death. Miss Ida Fairbush,
the first teacher in the regular public schools of Buffalo, is in point of
service one of the oldest teachers in the city.
Miss Serepta Storum after preparing for her life’s work here in her
home city went to Washington and spent her time in the profession of teaching.
Mrs. Madeline Patterson Earley hardly comes within the period that we are
endeavoring to cover in this sketch. Nevertheless,
because she was the second teacher to be appointed in the regular public
schools, we mention her and call attention to the very fine record she made.
For she continued to teach until she married and took up her residence in
Cleveland, O.. Mrs. Mary Burnett
Talbert after graduating from Oberlin College, and teaching high school for a
while, served as assistant principal until she married and came to Buffalo which
she adopted as her home. Prof. James
Storum, a graduate of Oberlin College, taught at Wayland Seminary and College,
was President of Virginia Normal Collegiate Institute, and finally became
teacher of Latin in the high school at Washington, D.C., in which position he
remained until his death. Like Mrs.
Madeline Patterson Earley, Mrs. Edith Tompkins Jones could hardly be regarded as
one of the early teachers of Buffalo. But
because she was such an efficient teacher and for a long time the only teacher
of the Negro group in the public schools of Buffalo, we are mentioning her; for
we know she will be an inspiration to all who have and to all who may come after
her.
A
few early Negro Buffalonians manifested their ability as clerks and book-keepers
in private concerns. For a great
number of years Edward W. Crosby was Telegraph Editor on the Buffalo Evening
Times, which brought him in immediate and constant contact with the great
Proprietor and Editor of that paper, the Hon. Norman E. Mack.
William Weir was clerk and book-keeper for the pierce Invalid Hotel.
Mrs. Julia Lightfoot McKerrow was chief stenographer for the E.I.
Hedstrom, now Hedstrom-Spaulding the largest coal firm in western New York.
She remained in this position until she married, and then was requested
and went back and coached the stenographer who succeeded her.
The
businesses carried on in the early days of Buffalo were not very many, but so
far as the Negro was concerned, they were substantial.
These are some of the businesses that were conducted: William Toliver was
a merchant in one of the Buffalo markets. His
stall was visited by all classes of people who desired commodities that he
carried, and he did a thriving business. Henry
Hamilton conducted a paying photographer’s business.
He also carried on a prosperous catering business.
Hezekiah Allen did an outstanding trucking business.
He had several teams on the streets of Buffalo; for in those days the
city gave work to many private teams. George
Weir conducted a well stocked grocery store.
Francis Z. Perrigrino edited a newspaper, which had a large circulation,
for a number of years. A newspaper
and magazine were edited and published by James Ross, who was an active
politician in the Democratic Party. George
Tomkins and George Coleman were successful caterers.
Samuel Bright, Ruben Cornner, John Cistance and others conducted saloons
and hotels. Nimrod Thompson and
Oscar Brown conducted prosperous catering businesses.
Mr. Hughes was a prominent lawyer, and practiced in all the courts of the
state and in the supreme court of the United States.
Edward Henry became a prominent lawyer and is now a judge in
Philadelphia.
Under
this heading we do not pretend to name the great number of ministers who from
time to time have served the churches of Buffalo, but simply to mention a few
who lived in Buffalo, and went out from Buffalo into the ministry; Rev. Philip
H. Peck, a Baptist minister, who at one time pastured in Oakland, Calif.; Rev.
Moses Cole, an A.M.E. minister, who served as a supply preacher for all the
evangelical churches in Buffalo; Rev. George Hall who was reared in Buffalo and
became a noted minister in the A.M.E. church and filled many stations throughout
the state of New York. Rev. Mrs.
Abbie Peck Vigal, still living, has been a noted Evangelist for a great number
of years.
David
Lee, still living, was one of the noted trained nurses of Buffalo.
At the height of his career he had more business than he could care for.
Miss May Hamilton, is in point of service is one of the oldest clerks in
the Buffalo Public Library, and is now in charge of one of the departments.
It
is almost certain that interested parties reading this sketch will discover
mistakes of commission and mistakes of omission.
And we hope all may be charitable in their criticism, and may appreciate
what we have tried to do.
THE
HALF CENTURY MARK
EDITOR’S
NOTE:
The following editorial was in the form of a newspaper clipping found in
the “Frances Nash Papers.” Mrs.
Nash was the wife of Rev. J.
Edward Nash, early 20th century pastor of the Michigan Avenue Baptist
Church and community leader. The
Frances Nash Papers were organized, indexed, and microfilmed by Dr. Felix
Armfield, Department of History, Buffalo State College.
The Papers are part of the “Buffalo Afro-American Collection,” housed
in Butler Library (Buffalo State), and the North Jefferson Branch Library and
Center for African American History and Research; and the Monroe Fordham
Regional History Center at Buffalo State College. The editorial was written in
recognition of Rev. Nash’s 50th anniversary as pastor of the
Church. There is not a date or a source noted on the editorial, but the 50th
anniversary celebration was held in
July 1942 .
The editorial is in folder #5 of the Frances Nash Papers.
Fifty years in the pulpit, one pulpit, the pastor of one church, is the
established record of Rev. J. Edward Nash of the Michigan Avenue Baptist Church.
The occasion of his golden anniversary is now being celebrated and due
respect is being paid the venerable leader by the church generally and by the
citizens of Buffalo to a very large extent.
Looking back over the long years now behind him, Rev. Nash must indulge
in many pleasant reminiscences, and doubtless some unpleasant ones, as incidents
of his life in the community. And
those of the community who have come under his influence during these fifty
years may now bear witness to his worth as a pastor and a citizen.
His has not been a spectacular life, because glamour does not appeal to
him. He has not made a great noise
in order that others may see him, because pedantry and egotism are foreign
elements in his nature; he has not sought to “feather his own nest,” because
abnegation is one of his outstanding characteristics.
These are some of the qualities found in all great men. And all of them
belong to J. Edward Nash, church
man, leader of men and follower of the Great Prince of Peace.
Many good things may be credited to Rev. Nash during his fifty years as
pastor, but the crowning glory of his achievements, in our opinion, is to be
found in this outstanding fact: He has never put his church and its people in
debt. This proves that he is not
only a good pastor, but a good businessman as well.
Add to that fact that for fifty years he has lived unspotted in the
community, and the sum total may explain why he is held in such high esteem by
all who know him.
AFRICAN
AMERICANS OF BUFFALO CELEBRATE PERRY’S CENTENNIAL, SEPTEMBER, 1913
EDITOR’S
NOTE: In
September 1913 there was a Buffalo Citywide 100th Anniversary
Celebration called the Perry’s Centennial.
This was the 100th Anniversary of the successful Battle on
Lake Erie 8/10/1813. This
information was provided to Madeline Scott for the Association By Mr.
Pat Kavanagh, Historian for Forest Lawn Cemetery.
The historical source for the following article was: "The
Perry Victory Centenary," The report of the Perry Victory Commission, State
of NY by George D. Emerson, Secretary. published in 1916.
MEETING
OF COLORED PEOPLE
One
of the most interesting gatherings of the week was that of the colored people of
Buffalo and their invited guests held at Elmwood Music Hall, Friday evening
Sept. 5th. It was planned
by the Men’s Club of St. Philip’s Episcopal Church and a committee of
colored men acting under authority from the Buffalo local Perry Victory
Committee. The officers were Rev.
J.W. Livingston, Chairman; Alexander Parker, vice chairman; Cornelius Ford,
Secretary; Mont Tate, Assistant Secretary and T.D. Payne, Treasurer.
Appropriate
music was rendered by the choirs of Vine Street Methodist Episcopal Church and
St. Philip’s Episcopal Church. Mr.
John Sayles Secretary to the Mayor, extended a welcome from the city as the
representative of Mayor Fuhrmann. A
pleasing feature of the programme was the presentation of appropriate medals to
Mrs. Catharine Seaton, Moses Day and C.A. Dickson as representatives and
kinspeople of Anthony Williams, a
colored man who served on the Somers, one of the Commodore Perry’s
vessels in the battle of September 10th, 1813.
The
address of the evening was delivered by the Rev. J. Edward Nash, one of the best
known clergymen of his race and pastor of the Michigan Avenue Baptist Church of
Buffalo. Mr. Nash had for a topic
“Heroes of Our Race” and spoke as follows:
Address
of Rev. J. Edward Nash
Mr.
Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen:
When we take into consideration the fact that more than one hundred
Afro-Americans took part in the Battle
of Lake Erie, one hundred years ago, and that we have in our midst, in
the persons of Mrs. Catherine Seaton and Messers Charles Dickson and Moses Day
near relatives of one of those men, it seems fitting and appropriate for us,
Afro-Americans, to take some prominent part in this Centennial Celebration.
We
feel first of all, that we should express our gratitude to those who conceived
the idea of the Afro-Americans having a proper place in this celebration
and who by their conception have made this gathering here tonight possible.
I
have been asked to speak on “Our
Heroes.” What I shall say in
the brief moments allotted me must necessarily be free from particulars, details
and personalities. Heroes depend not so much on what is done as upon the age in
which and the circumstances under which it is done.
One age denounces, censures and condemns; another age praises honors and
worships. Let us see briefly:
-
How
heroes are made – 1st, Liberty; 2nd, Opportunity; 3rd,
Sympathy; 4th, Cooperation.
-
What
are some of the qualities of an hero – 1st, Intelligence; 2nd,
Loyalty, Patriotism; 3rd. Courage, Bravery.
-
Some
of the fields of activity and service that are most conducive to heroes.
1st, the field of industry; 2nd, the field of social
service; 3rd, the field of religious activity.
Let us always remember the men of our race and of every race who have
made sacrifices, braved the storms and made the day of peace and prosperity that
we enjoy possible.
Hon.
Edward H. Butler, chairman of the
Citizens’ Reception Committee for the Perry Celebration in Buffalo made a
short and characteristic address in which he expressed the interest he had
always felt in the colored citizenship, recalling in an entertaining way his
impression of that citizenship and paying a high tribute to Buffalo’s colored
population as energetic, loyal citizens that are always a helpful element in the
community.
Councilman
Charles L. Willert, one of Buffalo’s official representatives on the local
Perry Committee, congratulated the colored people upon the magnificent success
which they had made of this
memorable gathering.
Thomas
Jones an attorney of Washington, D.C., in a most delightful and fascinating
manner, spoke of the past and the future of the race and urged his hearers to
pursue their steadily, earnestly and energetically, until they had attained the
highest degree of citizenship.
At
the conclusion of the formal programme dancing was indulged in and refreshments
served. Instrumental music was
furnished by the 65th Regiment Band.
MICROFILMED
NASH PAPERS ADDED TO
THE BUFFALO AFRO-AMERICAN COLLECTION
The
Papers of the Rev. Dr. J. Edward Nash, Sr. (8 rolls of microfilm), and those of
his wife, Mrs. Frances Jackson Nash (1 roll), have been microfilmed by the
Afro-American Historical Association of the Niagara Frontier, and the Monroe
Fordham Regional History Center at Buffalo State College.
The microfilmed papers have been added to the “Buffalo Afro-American
Collection” which is housed at the Buffalo State College Archives; the North
Jefferson Branch Library and Center for African American History and Research;
and the Monroe Fordham Regional History Center at Buffalo State College.
The “Buffalo Afro-American Collection” includes more than 50
microfilmed collections of documents and papers of organizations and individuals
from Buffalo’s African American community.
The collection was developed over the past 30 years through a
collaborative effort of the Afro-American Historical Association, and Buffalo
State College’s Department of History and Social Studies.
What
follows are a few examples of the hundreds of letters that are included in the
J.E. Nash Papers. There are also
hundreds of Rev. Nash’s speeches, sermons, and sermon outlines.
It is one of the most remarkable collections of African-American papers
to be discovered in recent years.
Letters
#1&2
EDITOR’S
NOTE: The
following two pieces of correspondence are documentary evidence that Rev. Nash
was an officer in the Buffalo branch of the powerful Booker T. Washington
controlled National Negro Business League. The
first document is a letter and the second document is a telegram.
(The originals of both documents are in folder #6 [roll 1] of the
Microfilmed J.E. Nash Papers).
August
15, 1905
Buffalo,
N.Y.
To
The National Negro Business League,
The
President and Officers
Gentlemen:
This is to certify that the bearer Rev. J. Edward Nash is a member and
vice-president of the Afro-American Business
Company of Buffalo, N.Y.; that he is authorized to acquaint himself with the
principles of your League and if in his judgment it be wise to enter our company
upon your membership roll and to represent us in your convention to be held in
New York City August 16th, 17th and 18th.
J.W. Peterson, President
J
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Postal
Telegraph Commercial Cables
New
York
2:49
PM, Nov. 13, 1905
Rev.
J.E. Nash
66
Walnut St.
Buffalo,
NY
Dr. Washington and I wish you to represent the business league at funeral
of Judge Tourgee at Mayville NY Tuesday afternoon at one thirty.
T.
Thomas Fortune
Letter
#3
EDITOR’S
NOTE: The
following letter was written on National Association of Colored Women
letterhead. The letterhead
listed all of the officers and “honorary presidents,” (collectively the most
powerful and influential black women in America).
(The original letter is in folder #420 [roll 7] of the Microfilmed J.E.
Nash Papers).
Office
of
Mrs.
Mary B. Talbert, President
Buffalo,
NY
April
11, 1918
Dear
Reverend Nash,
The enclosed letter is self-explanatory.
I am writing to the “Crisis” and asking them to write you concerning
the meeting for Mr. Calloway. He is
the man who had charge of the exhibit at the Pan-American.
I am sorry that I will not be there myself.
I trust that everything is going along o.k. and that you are feeling all
right.
Sincerely
yours,
Mary
B. Talbert
Letter
#4
EDITORS
NOTE: Mrs.
Talbert wrote this letter to Rev. Nash from Tacoma , Washington where she had
given at least two speeches. (The
original letter is in folder #420 [roll 7] of the Microfilmed J.E. Nash Papers).
Tacoma,
Wash.
March
8, [1920]
My
Dear Pastor,
I will not blame you if you give me up as a “lost article,” but
I’ve intended writing you a dozen times but really every minute has been
taken. This is only a note to tell
you that “Des Polente.” I shall
hear you preach on Easter Sunday morning—I have had a wonderful visit.
Enclosed card is where I spoke last Sunday, the first Colored woman to
ever step her foot upon the platform of this very rich and exclusive school.
I gave an address before the student—body there last Tuesday and oh
you should have heard those 600 students applaud, young men and women between
the ages of 18 and 23. So Sunday at
Vesper, I nearly collapsed, when I was led into the robbing room, and a black
robe put on me, hatless walking by the side of Prof. Gray, Dean of the college
to the recessional of a vested choir like St. Paul.
I ascended the rostrum and then when I looked at the program and it was
marked Sermon I nearly
fell out, but I preached to them the “Love of Christ maketh all things
right”—Spoke of unjust treatment of God’s black ones etc..
After I had unrobed, they gathered about me and it was nearly 4 before I
could get away. I have thought of
you and hoped that you are by this time free from headache.
I have not had one moment of sickness and feel like a 16 yr. Old, ha, ha.
With sincere love and appreciation of your devoted years of service, I
remain humbly yours,
Mary
B. Talbert
I
am wearing the same size hat, my head has not yet swelled.
Letter
#5
EDITOR’S
NOTE: George
S. Buck, Mayor of Buffalo, appointed a committee to “welcome Returning
Soldiers” who were returning from WWI. Rev.
Nash was one of the local dignitaries who was asked to serve on the welcoming
committee. The following is the
letter inviting Rev. Nash to serve on the committee. (The original letter is in
folder #136 [roll 3] of the Microfilmed J.E. Nash Papers).
Buffalo,
N.Y.
March
28, 1919
Dear
Sir:
The Mayor’s Committee to welcome the returning soldiers cordially
invites you to review from the committee’s stand at Lafayette Square our
soldiers of the 27th Division, U.S. Army, on the occasion of their
return to Buffalo.
Unless something unforeseen happens, the regiments will reach this city
Tuesday morning, April 1st. The
exact time of their arrival will be noted in the daily newspapers.
The returning soldiers will march from the Lehigh Valley Railroad Station
in Main Street, pass the reviewing stand, to their respective armories.
Owing to the very limited accommodations which the public square affords,
it has been found necessary to restrict the number of invitations and utilize
every available inch of space. Accordingly,
the committee will be pleased to be advised of any non-acceptance.
Very
cordially yours,
MAYOR’S
WELCOMING COMMITTEE,
Newton
E. Turgeon,
Chairman
Letter
#6
EDITOR’S
NOTE:
The following letter was written to the Michigan Avenue Baptist Church by Miss
Frances Jackson (future wife of Rev. Nash).
(The original letter is in folder #88 [roll 2] of the Microfilmed J.E.
Nash Papers).
J.N.
Adam Hoys, Perrysburg, NY
October
15, 1920
Dear
Brethren:
Some few weeks ago through your secretary, I was made to know by a very
interesting letter, that though far away, I am not forgotten.
And indeed the memory of your love for me has and always will be, a
potent factor in whatever usefulness, I have or shall attain, for I am coming
back soon, to continue my work with you in whatever capacity I may be chosen and
fitted, with a spirit that has been reinforced with spiritual knowledge and
vigor, and body no less prepared.
I am feeling fine and trust that all are enjoying the blessings of
God’s continuous goodness and mercy.
I dreamed last night I heard the choir singing a most wonderful anthem.
So you see even in unconsciousness I think of you.
But not only so, for when I read the poem which I shall write for your
inspiration, I determined to send it to you at my first writing.
Here it is and may it’s truth that so uplifted me unfold to you:
Be
still, and know that I am God
Omnipotence,
Supreme
Omniscience
to guide us through
This
fleeting earthly dream.
And
so when cares beset ourway
And
trials vex us so
We
hear within the still small voice
Be
still and know.
Be
still and know that I am God
No
God is there beside
No
sin, disease or death hath power
When
we, in him abide.
Wrapped
in encircling arms of love
Secure
from every foe
And
grateful hearts
Be
still and know.
Being
very near Mrs. Emma White I see her quite [sic] and she too sends love and is
feeling fine.
Know that as you are praying for me, I too am remembering you and shall
be glad to hear from you.
With
much love to all, I am your co-worker and friend.
Frances
Jackson
Letter
#7
EDITOR’S
NOTE: The
next two letters were to Rev. Nash from Adam Clayton Powell, Sr.
Revs. Powell and Nash were college classmates and lifelong friends.
The J.E. Nash Microfilmed Papers contains many letters that were
exchanged between the two. (Both of the following two original letters are in
folder #100 [roll 2] of the Microfilmed J.E. Nash Papers).
March
6, 1926
My
dear Dr. Nash:
Your kind favor reached me yesterday.
Permit me to congratulate you and Mrs. Nash upon the arrival of J.
Edward, Jr., on Tuesday morning. There
will never be a conscious hour from now on when you will not feel a new
responsibility.
Yes, I promised to write you on my return from California, but on my
second day out I was seized with an attack of appendicitis and peritonitis which
made it necessary for me to go to bed as soon as I arrived and I am just
beginning to feel a little like myself again.
In addition to my regular physician I had two specialists and was advised
by them to cancel all my engagements for March and April, and of course not to
make any new ones for those months. While
I am hoping to completely escape an operation it is possible that I may have to
have one after Easter Sunday. I
shall at that time have my appendix ex-rayed which will definitely settle
whether I am to have an operation or not. Under
these conditions I do not think it would be wise for me to come to you for a
week or even for one day because I might have another attack from the long trip.
I regret this more than you do, but I do not believe you would permit me
to come if I wanted to under the conditions.
I am going to put Niagara Falls, and Buffalo among my visiting places
next summer and will give you one or two sermons on Sunday and a lecture the
following week if you desire. This
can be arranged later.
In the meantime, if you decide to come this way at any time except the
week of the Northern Convention, kindly let me know and I shall be glad to
extend to you the courtesies of both my home and pulpit.
I am excepting the week of the Northern Convention because I arranged
with Dr. Griffith to preach for me at that time.
You have perhaps read in the Watchman Examiner of the great
institution he has erected. Virginia
University and the denomination should be proud of him.
With all good wishes for yourself and Mrs. Nash, I am ever
Your
old classmate and friend,
Adam
Clayton Powell [Sr.]
Letter
#8
June
29th, 1932
My
dear Dr. Nash:
I am writing to sincerely thank you and Mrs. Nash for the many courtesies
extended me during my short stay in Buffalo.
You look like a king and you treated me like a prince.
I was not only happy, but thrilled to hear expressions on all sides from
all races, to the value of your ministry. I
hope you will not forget to send me a clipping from the Tuesday issue of the
“Buffalo Evening News” if it made any mention of my lecture, and also this
week’s issue of the “Buffalo Star”. Kindly
get these clippings to me this week, as I am preparing an article on my trip to
Buffalo for next week’s issue of our paper.
Our State Convention meets at the Union Baptist Church, this city, the
week before the third Sunday in October. I
am hereby extending you a cordial invitation to preach at Abyssinian Sunday, 11
a.m., October 16th. You
could come down Monday, October 10th.
Tuesday we could go fishing and the rest of the days we would spend at
the Convention. Hope you will have
your car by that time and that you can bring Mrs. Nash down with you.
Remember me kindly to Mrs. Nash and little “Jessie James.”
Cordially
yours,
Adam
Clayton Powell [Sr.]
| 
