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TABLE OF CONTENTSInventory |
Guide to the Latimer Family Papers
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Descriptive Summary | ||
| Creator | Latimer family | |
| Title | Latimer Family Papers, | |
| Dates: | 1870-1996 | |
| Abstract: | The Latimer Family Papers (1870-1996, 42 boxes, 5 binders) consist of correspondence, financial records, memorabilia, photographs, creative works, work records, and printed material. The records illuminate Latimer’s involvement with the development of electricity and US industry (Lewis H. Latimer Papers, Work Records, Scrapbook); his work as an inventor and entrepreneur (Lewis H. Latimer Papers, Work Records); his involvement with African-American leadership and thought (Lewis H. Latimer Papers, Correspondence); and his work as a published author (Lewis H. Latimer Papers, Correspondence, Creative Works, and Printed Material). The papers document the lives of other members of the Latimer and Norman family, particularly Winifred Latimer Norman. They also document the family’s efforts to publicize Lewis H. Latimer’s achievements and to save his house as a national historical site. | |
| Extent: | 42 boxes, 5 binders, 18.1 cubic feet | |
| Identification: | L-12 | |
| Location: | The material is located in the Archives at Queens Library. | |
Historical/Biographical Note
The following are historical sketches and timelines of the Latimer and Norman family members whose lives are documented in the Latimer Family Papers.
Chronology for George and Rebecca (Smith) Latimer
| 1818 July 4 | George Latimer is born a slave in Norfolk, VA. He lives and works in the vicinity of Norfolk until he and his wife escape. | |
| 1842 February | George Latimer marries Virginia-born Rebecca Smith. | |
| 1842 October 4 | George and Rebecca Latimer escape to Massachusetts. | |
| 1842 October 15 | George is arrested as a fugitive slave, and Rebecca goes into hiding after her owner starts to hunt for her. | |
| 1842 October-November | George’s capture and arrest are a rallying cry for black and white abolitionists in Boston. Frederick Douglass, William Lloyd Garrison and Rev. Dr. Samuel Caldwell are active in trying to free him. | |
| 1842 November 11 | ||
| 1842 Mid-November | After much protest and vigorous legal defense George is cleared of the charges against him and is released from jail. | |
| 1842 November 18 | Rev. Dr. Samuel Caldwell purchases George Latimer’s freedom. George begins his work as an anti-slavery propagandist. | |
| 1842 November | ||
| 1842-1849 | The Latimers have three boys, George A., William H., and Lewis Howard, and one girl, Margaret. Lewis is born in Chelsea, MA on September 4, 1848. | |
| 1843-1858 | The Latimer Family lives and works in the vicinity of Boston. | |
| 1858 | George Latimer leaves his family. | |
| 1858-1893 | George Latimer works as a paper hanger in Lynn, MA. | |
| Unknown | The date of his death is unknown. |
Historical/Biographical Note for George A., Margaret, and William H. Latimer (sons and daughter of George and Rebecca Latimer)
As a single mother in the 19th century, Rebecca Latimer was unable to support the family. Therefore, at a young age she sent George A. and William H. to the Massachusetts State Farm School to train for and receive apprenticeships; and Margaret stayed with a friend. After a year or two George A. and William H. returned to the family and enlisted in the Union army in the Civil War. After returning from the war they each married and settled down in the Boston area. Margaret married and stayed in the Boston area.
Chronology for Lewis Howard Latimer
| 1848 September 4 | Lewis H. Latimer is born in Chelsea, MA. When he is old enough, he goes to work doing a variety of jobs. | |
| 1864 September 16 | At age 16, Latimer enlists in the Union army. He serves on the USS Massasoit. | |
| 1865 July 3 | Lewis receives an honorable discharge. | |
| 1866-1878 | Lewis obtains a job at the patent law firm Crosby and Gould. He teaches himself drafting skills and eventually becomes head draftsman and office manager. | |
| 1873 December 10 | Lewis marries Mary Wilson. | |
| 1873-1928 | Lewis’s artistic talents start to flourish, and for the rest of his life he produces watercolors, charcoal drawings, poetry, plays, stories, and other forms of art. | |
| 1874 | With W.C. Brown, Lewis receives a patent for Water Closets for Railroad Cars. | |
| 1876 | While working for Crosby and Gould, Lewis works with Alexander Graham Bell to prepare the patent documentation for Bell’s telephone. | |
| 1878 | Lewis gets a job with Joseph Adams, Patent Solicitor. | |
| 1879 | The Lewis family moves to Bridgeport, CT for better employment opportunities. He works as a paper hanger for part of the year and then as a draftsman for the Follansbee Machine Shop. | |
| 1880 February-1882 | ||
| 1881 September 13 | Lewis and Joseph V. Nichols invent the Electric Lamp. | |
| 1881 Autumn | Lewis and his wife move to London, England to establish an incandescent lamp production facility for the Maxim-Weston Electric Light Company. | |
| 1882 January 17 | Lewis invents a practical and economical method to manufacture the carbon filament. | |
| 1882 March 21 | Lewis invents the Globe Supporter for Electric Lamps. | |
| 1882 | Lewis and John Tregoing receive a patent for an arc lamp. | |
| 1883 | Lewis returns to the United States with his wife and is laid off by Hiram Maxim. | |
| 1883-1928 | ||
| 1883 | Lewis moves to Brooklyn for a job at the Olmstead Electric Lighting Company as a draftsman and supervisor. | |
| 1883 June 12 | The Latimers’ daughter, Emma Jeannette, is born. | |
| 1883 | Lewis gets a job with the Acme Electric Company, which fails a year later. | |
| 1884 | Lewis works for Imperial Electric Light Company as a draftsman and general assistant. | |
| 1885 or 1886 | Lewis is hired by the Edison General Electric Lighting Company in their Engineering Department at 65 Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. | |
| 1886 | Lewis invents his Apparatus for Cooling and Disinfecting. | |
| 1889 | Lewis is transferred to the Edison General Electric Lighting Company’s Legal Department where he works as the drafting and patents consultant. | |
| 1890 | Lewis writes his book Incandescent Electric Lighting, a Practical Description of the Edison System. | |
| 1890 | The Latimers’ daughter, Louise Latimer, is born. | |
| 1896 | Edison General Electric Lighting Company disbands their Legal Department and with the Westinghouse Company creates the Board of Patent Control. Lewis becomes the Chief Draftsman for the Department. | |
| 1900 | Lewis joins the Flushing Post of the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR). | |
| 1905 February 7 | Lewis receives a patent for his Book Supports. | |
| 1911 | Lewis becomes the Patent Consultant for Edwin Hammer. | |
| 1918 | Lewis becomes a charter member of the Edison Pioneers. | |
| 1922 | Lewis retires. | |
| 1924 | Mary dies. | |
| 1928 | Lewis dies. |
Historical/Biographical Note for Winifred Latimer Norman
Winifred Latimer Norman was born in 1914 to Emma Jeannette and Gerald Norman in Queens, NY. She received a Bachelor of Science degree from Hunter College, a Master’s in Educational Sociology from New York University, and a Master’s in Social Work from Hunter College’s School of Social Work.
Winifred Norman started her career as a social worker and eventually became the Social Work Supervisor in the drug and alcohol detoxification unit of the Bernstein Institute at Beth Israel Medical Center. She has been very active in her community as a board member of the Queens Historical Society, co-chairperson of the Save the Latimer House Committee, recording secretary of the Hudson Guild Fulton Senior Center, and board member of the Unitarian Universalist Association.
In the early 1960s Winifred Norman started a campaign to inform people about her grandfather Lewis Latimer’s achievements. She gave presentations about him and coordinated efforts to exhibit his material. She attended posthumous awards and dedication ceremonies for her grandfather. In the mid to late 1960s she proposed and garnered support for renaming Public School 56Q to the Lewis H. Latimer School. In the late 1960s she supported efforts to name a housing complex after him. In the 1970s and 1980s she assisted the Henry Ford Museum, the Thomas Edison National Historical Site, the Queens Borough Public Library, the Queens Historical Society, and Rutgers University in creating exhibits on her grandfather.
Winifred Norman is now retired and living in Manhattan, NY.
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Scope and Content Note
The Latimer Family Papers (1870-1996, 42 boxes, 5 binders) consist of correspondence, financial records, memorabilia, photographs, creative works, work records, and printed material. The records illuminate Latimer’s involvement with the development of electricity and US industry (Lewis H. Latimer Papers, Work Records, Scrapbook); his work as an inventor and entrepreneur (Lewis H. Latimer Papers, Work Records); his involvement with African-American leadership and thought (Lewis H. Latimer Papers, Correspondence); and his work as a published author (Lewis H. Latimer Papers, Correspondence, Creative Works, and Printed Material). The papers document the lives of other members of the Latimer and Norman family, particularly Winifred Latimer Norman. They also document the family’s efforts to publicize Lewis H. Latimer’s achievements and to save his house as a national historical site.
The Lewis H. Latimer Papers (1870-1929, 1972, 19 boxes)
The Lewis H. Latimer Papers Sub Group contains correspondence, financial records, a diary, medical records, memorabilia, creative works, and work records. This sub group also contains material documenting Latimer, but was created after his death.
The Correspondence Received (1886-1909, 1 box, 3 folders) series contains Latimer’s personal letters from family and friends. The November 28, 1891 written by his wife to him while he was away on business, talks of his two daughters and friends of the family. Another is a personal invitation from Richard Theodore Greener, September 10, 1895 to participate in the National Conference of Colored Men, December 12, 1895. In it, he discusses articles he wrote, his personal life, and how he wants to invite women to the conference. For Latimer’s response see Correspondence Sent and Received in the series Lewis H. Latimer Papers in the sub group Latimer Norman Family Papers. In one letter written December 8, 1898, a friend in Havana, Cuba, describes the city. Also in this series are two letters from September 1913 from the author, lecturer, and editor William H. Ferris discussing critics favorable reviews and Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Du Bois’ negative reaction to his just-published book The African Abroad. Also included in this series are a box of postcards from friends and family from all over the world.
The Creative Works (1880-1890, 2 boxes) series contains Latimer's writings, paintings, and sketches. The Writings ( 1 box, 5 folders) sub series contains Latimer's poetry, a biography of LaBaron Bradford Prince, and Latimer's book Incandescent Electric Lighting, a Practical Description of the Edison System. The Drawings, Sketches, Paintings sub series (1880, 1883, 11 folders) contain still lives, portraits, and landscapes.
The Medical Records (1927, 1 folder) series contains a prescription for an ailment.
The Printed Materials (1890-1920, 1971, 3 boxes, 13 folders) series contain newspaper clippings about African-Americans and breakthroughs in the field of electricity. The series also has bulletins, magazines, the Sunna Dogar Message newsletter.
The Visual Materials (1882, 1893, 1910, 5 boxes) series contains images of the Latimer family, friends, men involved with electricity, electrical equipment, buildings, and railcars.
The Work Record (1870-1918, 4 boxes, 10 drawers) is the largest series in the sub group and contains financial records, legal records, a diary, drawings, patents, and specifications for machines and instruments drawn by Latimer. The Financial Records (1870-1891, 1 folder) contain bills and receipts from the different electrical companies where Latimer worked. The Legal Records (1893, 1 folder) contain depositions and Latimer's opinion of the Goebel's Lamp Case. The Diary (1918, 1 folder) is Latimer’s work journal in which he documents the projects he is working on and how many hours it takes him to complete them, every day is not documented. Typical entries include “Hammer sketches of Brewery Plant Tracings fine prints 2h” and “Brush Holders.”
The Drawings (1880-1910, 66 folders) sub series contains Latimer's patent applications, prints of patents, blue-prints, drawings, and sketches in alphabetical order. The Inventory lists the titles of these items. The material documents the progression of Latimer's career as an inventor, draftsman, and electrician. It also documents the machines, apparatuses, and techniques used in the early days of electricity.
The Louise Latimer Papers (ca.1920, 1 folder)
The Louise Latimer Papers contains an Easter card and a letter from a boyfriend at college in Springfield, MA discussing his school work and holiday parties he is attending.
Latimer Fund, Inc. Records (1986-1996, 8 folders)
The majority of the material in the Latimer Fund, Inc. Records Sub Group is from the Save the Latimer House Campaign. The Correspondence Sent and Received (1989, 1 folder) contain letters to donors thanking them for their donations and informing them about the campaign. The majority of the Printed Material is newspaper clippings about moving the house.
The Latimer Norman Family Collection (1879-1996, 21 boxes, 5 binders)
The Latimer Norman Family Collection (1879-1996, 21 boxes, 5 binders) documents the lives of Lewis H. Latimer, Latimer and Norman family members, especially Winifred L. Norman, the Latimer Fund, Inc., and exhibits, dedications, memorials, and awards for Lewis Latimer and his work. The deed of gift requires that the Collection be a separate sub group. However, the separation is only physical; this sub group contains the same types of material as the other sub groups.
The Lewis H. Latimer Papers (1879-1969, 15 boxes) series contains correspondence, a petition, memorabilia, Grand Army of the Republic records, printed material, creative works, photographs, and work records. This series also contains material documenting Latimer, but was created after his death.
The Correspondence (1879-1923, 25 folders) sub series contains personal letters, in chronological order, to and from Latimer, and documents Latimer’s involvement with late 19th and early 20th century African-American leadership controversies; his work as an author; and his life as a hard-working man dedicated to raising a family. They also document the power struggles for leadership of African-Americans, worsening relations between African-Americans and whites in the United States, and the advantages of middle class African-Americans.
Included in this sub series is Latimer’s response, December 9, 1895, to Richard T. Greener excusing himself from Greener’s invitation to attend the National Conference of Colored Men. In his letter he outlines issues he believes the conference should discuss. The sub series includes letters to and from Booker T. Washington and his supporters discussing William Monroe Trotter and his supporters. In a letter, copied from the Library of Congress’s Manuscripts Division, from Latimer to Booker T. Washington and “a young man from Boston,” dated February 6, 1904, Latimer answers the questions William Monroe Trotter asked Booker T. Washington in Boston during the “Boston Incident.” Also, included are letters from Booker T. Washington to Latimer discussing his critics, and brief personal notes. Richard T. Greener writes in a letter, January 6, 1915, of a meeting held on New Years Eve by William Monroe Trotter and Mrs. Wells Barnett in his hometown. Also in this sub series is a letter from an unknown African-American author, September 1, 1916, in which is described poor race relations in the North and South between white “allies” of African-Americans.
This sub series also provides insight into Latimer’s work as a poet and published author. The letters include correspondence from publishers thanking him for his work (1887-1888, 1890); letters between Edison and Latimer discussing recording one of Latimer’s poems onto a phonograph (1888, 1889); and an invitation from the National Association of Negro Authors (July 10, 1915).
The rest of the correspondence to Latimer documents his enduring friendships with long-time friends, including Richard T. Greener, and his devotion to his wife, family, and work. In one letter, April 7, 1897, Richard T. Greener describes African-American society in Washington, DC, and US politics. He tries to entice Latimer to join him in Washington with prospects of teaching and an exciting social life. Latimer received, several letters in November 1923, congratulating he and his wife on their 50th wedding anniversary. In one, dated, November 7, 1923, from A.C. McKeel, a long time friend, describes their friendship and their activities over the years, providing insight into Lewis Latimer's character and personality.
The sub series Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) (1893-1939, 6 folders) contains Printed Material (1908-1939, 1 folder), including books of services, obituaries of members, and a program from an GAR event; Membership Records (1917-1920, 3 folders), containing the Posts’ membership records; and Correspondence Sent and Received (1893-1935, 1 folder), containing letters about the death of members and requests for information about members.
The Petition (1902, 1 folder) sub series contains a petition written by Latimer to New York City Mayor Seth Low, January 22, 1902, asking him for more representation of African-Americans on the school board, and the subsequent response from the mayor's office.
The Photographs ( 2 boxes, 1 binder) sub series contains images of the Latimer family members and Latimer's co-workers.
The Printed Material (1880-1928, 20 folders) contains news clippings on significant breakthroughs in the field of electricity, and information about African-Americans.
The Scrapbook (1879-1888, 1 folder) sub series contains a page from Latimer's scrapbook in which he pasted newspaper articles written by him or about him on the following topics: a letter he wrote describes New York City and specifically Washington Square Park; an article he wrote titled "The Progress of Invention" describes Bridgeport, CT's bustling industry and inventors particularly Hiram S. Maxim; an article describes Latimer's presentation of his paper "Practical Relation of Art to Science" at the Scientific Society; and an article he wrote describes an army company's drills and inspections in Bridgeport.
The largest sub series, Work Records (1879-1913, 3 boxes, 1 binder), provides the same documentation as the work records sub series in the Lewis Latimer Papers. They demonstrate Latimer's ability as a draftsman; his work in the field of electricity; his work for Hiram Maxim, Thomas A. Edison, and early electrical companies; early electrical and other industrial equipment; and his work as an inventor and entrepreneur.
The Correspondence Received (1892-1898, 2 folders) sub sub series contains letters arranged in chronological order. One letter is from the general manager of Edison General Electric Company to a law firm representing Champion Company concerning a patent Latimer drew for Edison. There are two letters from Latimer's counsel, one, dated May 19, 1898, explains their efforts to sell Latimer's elevator patent to Westinghouse Company and Otis Company; the other, dated March 5, 1901, states the Edison General Electric Company declined to purchase Latimer's invention of elastic tread vehicle wheels. The last letter is from Hiram Maxim, November 1898, asking Latimer to come visit.
The Drawings (1879-1905, 55 folders) sub sub series is a listing of his drawings, in alphabetical order, he did as a draftsman under the employ of a number of electrical companies, and as an inventor. Included in this listing are Latimer's drawings of his Electric Light Lamp (1881, 1 folder), his Apparatus for Cooling and Disinfecting (1886, 1 folder), and his Locking Rack for Hats, Coats, and Umbrellas (1896, 3 folders).
The next set of series of the Latimer Norman Family Collection contains a small amount of material from family members and associates. The Louise Latimer Papers (1900-1956, 8 folders), Correspondence Received (1921, 1949, 1956, 3 folders), contains letters from a number of groups, including the Edison Pioneers, wanting to commemorate her father. The Mary Latimer Diary (1882, 1 folder) contains one page describing her and her husband Lewis' daily activities. The Correspondence Received (1986, 1 folder) in the Gerald F. Norman Papers (1920, 1986, 2 folders) contains a letter from a family friend. The Jeannette L. Norman Papers (1908-1937, 9 folders) contains material providing information on her life, including Correspondence Received (1908, 1 folder), documenting her early school years, and Photographs (1937, 2 folders) of family and friends.
The Winifred Latimer Norman Papers (1927-1990, 4 boxes, 2 binders) series are in the form of correspondence sent and received, legal records, printed material, notes, awards, memorabilia, presentations, creative works, and photographs.
In the largest sub series, Correspondence Sent and Received (1960s-1990s, 6 folders), the majority of the material consists of correspondence between Norman and various institutions’ efforts to present posthumous awards to and mount exhibits about, her grandfather, Lewis H. Latimer.
The Legal Records (1970s, 1 folder) sub series contains an agreement between the Edison Institute and Winifred Norman giving the Institute the right to use Lewis Latimer’s material in a publication.
The Creative Works ( 2 folders) contains research notes used by Winifred Norman to write Lewis Latimer Scientist. The sub series also contains Winifred Norman’s genealogical research notes ( 1 folder).
The images in the Photographs ( 9 folders, 2 binders) are of Latimer and Norman family members including Lewis Latimer. They document Winifred Norman’s childhood, early adulthood, and adulthood.
The Edison Pioneers M. Wardlaw (1929, 1 folder) series contains a letter from B.T. Harvey asking for information on Lewis Latimer for his book on the activities of Negroes in Science.
The Exhibits, Memorials, Dedications, Awards (1960-1994, 4 boxes) documents various institutions efforts to commemorate, Lewis Latimer and present exhibits and posthumous awards. The series is divided into types of event and then by the institution.
The Printed Materials (1930s-1980s, 5 folders) contains newspaper clippings, advertisements, and educational material about Lewis Latimer.
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Arrangement
The papers are divided into four sub groups: the Lewis H. Latimer Papers (1870-1929, 1972, 19 boxes), the Louise Latimer Papers ( 1 folder), the Latimer Fund, Inc. Records (1986-1996, 8 folders), and the Latimer Norman Family Collection (1879-1996, 21 boxes, 5 binders). Some of the sub groups, series, and sub series titles are the same, and contain the same types of documents. For example, the sub group Lewis Latimer Papers contains the same types of documents as the series Lewis Latimer Papers in the sub group Latimer Norman Family Collection. Again, the Louise Latimer Papers sub group contains the same types of documents as the Louise Latimer Papers series in the sub group Latimer Norman Family Collection. This was necessitated by the terms of the Latimer Norman Family Collection donation.
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Administrative Information
Preferred Citation
Published citations should take the following form:
Creator of item, date of item (if known), identification of item, if a photograph its control number. The Latimer Family Papers, Archives at Queens Library, Queens Borough Public Library
Provenance
The Latimer Norman Family Collection sub group were donated to the library by Winifred Latimer Norman and the remainder was collected by the Archives at Queens Library.
Access Restrictions
Open for research without restrictions. Manuscripts are only available in the Archives at Queens Library, please call (718) 990-0770 for hours. Manuscript users will be required to complete the division's Manuscript Usage Form and show their photograph identification or Queens Borough Public Library card. The identification will be returned to the user after she/he has returned the material. Manuscript users will deposit all their personal items behind the reference desk. Manuscript users must use the division's loose sheets of paper for note taking. To reiterate, no pen of any type is permitted. Paper and a pencil are available upon request. Manuscript users may be required to use special handling procedures depending on the conditions of the material.
Use Restrictions
Permission to publish materials must be obtained in writing from the:
- Archives at Queens Library
- Queens Borough Public Library
- 89-11 Merrick Boulevard
- Jamaica, NY 11432
- Phone: (718) 990-0770.
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Access Points
Subject Names:
- Edison, Thomas A. (Thomas Alva), 1847-19311
- Latimer, George
- Latimer, Lewis Howard, 1848-1928
- Maxim, Hiram S. (Hiram Stevens), 1840-1916
- Norman, Winifred Latimer
Subject Family Names:
- Latimer Family
Subject Organizations:
- Latimer House
Subject Topics:
- African American inventors
- Electric apparatus and appliances
- Electricity
Subject Places:
- Flushing (New York, N.Y.)
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Inventory
[The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.]
