Henderson Family papers

The Henderson Family Papers (2.0 linear feet) contain documentation on the life and work of Fletcher Hamilton Henderson (1857-1943); his wife, Ozie Lee Chapman Henderson (1865-1937); their children, Fletcher Hamilton Henderson, Jr. (1897-1952); Irma Henderson Jacobs (1900-1976); and Horace Wade Henderson (b. 1903); and their only grandchild, Ozie Teresa Henderson Burroughs (b. 1928). The papers are principally non-correspondence, including contracts, a variety of diplomas and certificates, deeds and other property records, marriage records, obituaries and funeral registers, sheet music, speeches, news clippings, and photographs. Items document the teaching career of Henderson, the elder, and his daughter, the musical careers of Fletcher, Horace, and Leora are represented heavily within the photographs and other items.

Correspondence consists of letters and greeting cards. Letters in the papers are mostly those sent to Irma, and most of the greeting cards were sent by Fletcher Henderson, Jr. to his mother and sister. One or two greetings were sent by nieces and Leora Henderson, wife of Fletcher, Jr. Other items of correspondence were sent to Irma by various college administrators and school board personnel and pertain to her continuing academic preparation and to her certification. The 1877 letter was written by Fisk P. Brewer, Professor of Ancient Languages at the University of South Carolina. It verified that the elder Henderson had passed his Greek examination and was a sophomore in the Classical Course. Only one letter was written by Professor Henderson, and it is dated 1937 to an acquaintance in New York to express his intention to continue teaching despite the grief he was still experiencing after the death of his wife. The letter established the approximate date of death of Ozie Henderson.

Diplomas, yearbooks, and other items indicate the schools attended by the Hendersons at various times. Fletcher graduated from Atlanta University in 1920. His class yearbook has been preserved and is volume 1, number 1 – being the first "Senior Annual" published by the school. Irma and Horace graduated from Wilberforce Academy, with Irma also completing her normal training there. Later, she earned a bachelor’s degree at Albany State College in Albany, Georgia and continued her teaching career. Other items in the papers relate to her teaching career. In addition, there are check stubs, contracts, and college records within the collection.

Teacher’s contracts are in the collection for Ozie; Fletcher, Sr.; and Irma. The Hendersons were assigned to Howard Normal School for many years (circa 1908-1941). In 1930, the professor observed his golden anniversary in the profession. Contracts for Irma date from 1946 to 1965. The contracts in the papers mirror the educational system of Randolph County, Georgia, over an extended period.

Programs in the papers document activities at schools where the Hendersons were faculty members, recitals by family members, college and community activities on which they appeared, annual music clinics, and the re-naming of Randolph County Training School in honor of Fletcher Hamilton Henderson, Sr. in 1963.

Photographs and albums document the life and times of the family. Approximately one hundred sixteen photographs, mostly black and white images, are included in the papers. These photographs include studio portraits and amateur shots. Personal photographs, family photographs, pictures of acquaintances and colleagues, school groups, and school buildings are a part of the visual documentary record of the Hendersons and their circle. Among noted individuals included with a member of the family are musician Benny Goodman, for whom Fletcher arranged, and boxer Joe Louis.

Numerous insurance policies and books are among the papers. Some are for dwellings, others are for individuals. Most were issued by commercial firms, but at least one was issued by the Masonic Relief Association in 1933. Professor Henderson held membership in the fraternal order. Other business records include wills, mortgages, deeds and policy loan agreements.

Among significant printed items is a reprint of The Atlanta Riot by Ray Stannard Backer. The piece was published following the riot of 1906, in which more than a hundred persons were killed or wounded, most of them African Americans. The riot led to studies, formations of committees, and to the publication of "Litany at Atlanta" that was written by W.E.B. DuBois. The Baker publication was first in a series published in The American Magazine under the caption, "Following the Color Line." The journalist followed his first article with successive pieces about race relations in the South and in the North.

Photographs and sheet music contribute more to documenting the musical career of Fletcher Henderson, Jr. than any other record formats. Other photographs show his wife, Leora, in an all-female band that performed under the name, "Bess and Her Girls." Other photographs are of younger brother, Horace, who sometimes worked with Fletcher and at other times led his own band. Some of the band photographs date to the 1920s. Once the big band sound was replaced by the small combo, the photographs do not include groups with which Henderson played.

Fletcher Henderson was a key figure among the musicians who preferred the use of strictly written arrangements. He was recognized as a talented arranger possessing superior technical skill and innovative ideas. The three pieces of the sheet music in the papers represents his work. Music for "Tears on My Pillow" was written by Fletcher Henderson, Jr. and Henri Woods. The words and music for "Want Me" are credited to Any Razaf and Fletcher Henderson. A swing-spiritual, "God Bless the Child," contains words and music by Arthur Herzog, Jr. and Billy Holiday. The copy in the papers contains, penciled notations, probably by Henderson, of chords for the piano.