Bernard E. Powers - Black Charlestonians: A Social History 1822-1885

In the course of researching and writing, I have amassed a considerable debt to many individuals and groups. At Northwestern University, Professor Sterling Stuckey initially urged me to study black life in Charleston, and his brilliant insights then and now have heightened my appreciation for the rich culture of the African-derived population there. Professor George Fredrickson supervised my investigations as they took the form of a doctoral dissertation and provided keen insights into the nature of southern race relations. In more recent years, scholars such as Norrece Jones, Daniel Littlefield, James Anderson, William Hine, and Gregory Mixon have offered useful criticism of conference papers that embodied various aspects of this study. Willard Gatewood, a consummate scholar, also read a version of this study and took the time to provide much needed encouragement and support at critical junctures. I owe a special debt to Edmund Drago, who set aside a frenetic schedule to read the manuscript and share insights based on his research on this important community.

Without the support of various libraries and archival personnel, this study would not have been possible. The assistance of Donald West, Rebecca Graebner, and Curtis Franks of the Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture at the College of Charleston has been indispensable. At the Special Collections Division of the College of Charleston Library, Oliver Smalls professionalism has been unexcelled and Bill Finleys assistance unusually generous. At the University of South Carolina Caroliniana Library, Allan Stokes and Eleanor Richardsons familiarity with the manuscript and photographic sources of South Carolina history is exceptional. I would also like to thank Michelle Baker of the South Carolina State Museum, Donna Wells ofthe Moorland-Spingarn Collection of Howard University, and Rita Reynolds for expeditious assistance locating photographs. Many thanks also go to the staffs of the Library of Congress, the South Carolina Historical Society, the Charleston Library Society, and the Charleston County Library.

The generosity of others has also been valuable. Cheryle Drago and Alisandra Ravenel contributed suggestions or materials that proved vital contributions to my efforts. Reverend Alphonso R. Blake and Deacon Alfonso Evans, Bishop Zedekiah L. Grady and the late Reverend Marion Stroble extended the hand of fellowship and provided useful records pertaining to the black church.

Technical support was provided by Mrs. Joanne Diaz, whose mastery of computerized word-processing skills solved even the most challenging problems with ease. The maps were produced by Mr. Cornell Mack. The easygoing style, the sharp eye, and literary talents of my editor, Scot Danforth, improved the final manuscript immensely. The patience and diligent efforts of Karen Johnson of the editorial staff were also invaluable. Certain portions of this book originally appeared in the January 1994 issue of the South Carolina Historical Magazine as an article entitled Community Evolution and Race Relations in Reconstruction Charleston, S.C. I am grateful to Stephen Hoffius, editor of the Magazine, and the South Carolina Historical Association for permission to reprint them here. A faculty research grant and a summer research stipend from the College of Charleston helped defray some of the costs of publication.

Finally, special thanks go to my wife, Lorraine, who has endured my long hours and the vacation-research jaunts, but who has willingly made the sacrifices necessary to see this work come to fruition.

BERNARD E. POWERS JR.

Charleston, S.C.