DeSpelder, Nellie diaries, 1895-1899 | Amistad Research Center

Scope and Contents: This collection consists of approximately 200 photocopied pages from the diaries of Nellie DeSpelder during her tenure as an American Missionary Association (AMA) teacher at Daniel Hand Preparatory School in New Orleans, Louisiana. DeSpelder was a teacher who journeyed from Greenville, Michigan to work in the AMA schools. During her tenure she visited the school at Orange Park and that at King's Mountain. Interesting sidelights are revealed in her brief trips to the nearby Mississippi Gulf Coast, in her reports to her diary concerning her expeditions in various sections of New Orleans, and in her journeys outside New Orleans. Her travels were by train, boat, and mule-drawn street cars. AMA personnel mentioned in her letters include Oscar Atwood, President of Straight College; Augustus Field Beard, Corresponding Secretary; Mr. and Mrs. George Dewey, and Rev. and Mrs. Ernest Latham.