UNF Digital Commons (Univ. of North Florida)

Correspondence: Capitol Building, San Juan. P.R. postcard from Cecil, Puerto Rico, to Miss White, expressing Christmas wishes. Undated

Tagalog

Postcard From Cecil to Eartha White

Correspondence: Unsigned, blank Christmas and New Years card with scriptures pasted to reverse side. Undated

With Kind Remembrances and Best Wishes
for a Happy Christmas and a
Bright New Year
Verily, verily, I say 
unto thee, Except a 
man be born again, he 
cannot see the kingdom 
of God. —John 3:3.
Jesus said, For the 
Son of man is come to 
seek and to save that 
which was lost.
—Luke 19: 10.
Watch ye, stand fast 
in the faith, quit you 
like men, be strong.
—1 Cor. 16: 13.


English

Christmas Card, Unsigned

Correspondence: Christmas greetings from Edward C. Deas and Mary M. Deas, Chicago, Illinois, to Eartha White. Undated

Greeting you with best wishes
for a Merry Christmas
“THE KINGDOMS OF THIS WORLD ARE BE­
COME THE KINGDOMS OF OUR LORD, AND OF 
HIS CHRIST; AND HE SHALL REIGN FOREVER AND 
EVER.” REV. 11:15.
EDWARD C. DEAS
MARY M. DEAS
5718 WABASH AVE. 
CHICAGO ILLINOIS


Christmas Card From Edward & Mary Deas to Eartha White

News clipping: Article regarding Old Folks Home inmates at Manhattan Beach outing. Note: Mrs. Clara White mentioned in second paragraph.  Eautee  White is mentioned also. Undated

THE OLD FOLKS’ HOME.
Inmates Enjoyed Picnic at Manhat­
tan Beach.
Thursday Miss Eautee White and the 
inmates of the Old Folks’ Home enjoyed 
a most delightful outing at Manhattan 
Beach. This trip was complimentary of 
Mr. J. P. Beckwith and the Florida East 
Coast railroad. At an early hour the 
old folks were carried to the station in 
Mr. Hood’s school wagon where they 
found Mrs. Henrietta Dennis, Mrs. J. 
W. Ward, Mrs. Clara White and Rev. J. 
E. Ford and the union station porter 
waiting to render every assistance neces­
sary. When the train arrived at Man­
hattan Messrs. S. P. Delworth, F. G. 
Fairchilds, L. Washington, Walter Bald­
win and Neron did all they could to 
make it comfortable for them.
At 10 o’clock dinner was served by 
Mrs. J. W. Ward, Mrs. Henrietta Dennis, 
Mrs. Clara White, Mrs. Bradfort and 
Mrs. Anthony Dennis and Weron Davis, 
Walter Baldwin and Phil Robinson. This 
was highly enjoyed. There was plenty 
of everything good. Some of the aged 
people have not been upon a train for 
many years and in fact one nearing 90 
years and who has no feet, does not re­
member ever riding a train before in her 
life. To see the dear old people try to 
run up and down the beach reminds you 
of once a man and twice a child. There 
was no rain to interfere with their pleas­
ure and the day will always be remem­
bered, and their thanks and prayers will 
ever assent to God for Mr. Beckwith 
and the Florida East Coast Company; 
also to Mr. W. J. Geter, who has within 
the past week paid $50 for material and 
work making it possible to care for 
twelve more who are without a home.
The latest inmate is Mr. Robert Aus­
burn, better known as Uncle Bob, who 
has worked for years at the Metropolis. 
His age is given as 91. Friends are 
asked to call at any time. On every 
Sunday afternoon services are conduct­
ed by Bros. Burroughs and Burch. 
There are twenty-two inmates at pres­
ent. There is not a one who pays one 
cent for their keeping there and this in­
stitution has no income except what the 
public is mind to give and this amounts 
to a very little comparatively speaking.


Newsclipping, The Old Folks Home. Inmates Enjoyed Picnic at Manhattan Beach.

Manuscript: Biography of James Weldon Johnson attributed to Eartha White\u27s authorship. Undated

White, Eartha M.M.

FACTS ABOUT JAMES WELDON JOHNSON
BY
EARTHA M. M. WHITE
As I knew Mr. James Weldon Johnson, his father, Rev, James W. Johnson who 
was a headwaiter at the St James Hotel, Jacksonville, Florida. Rev. James W. 
Johnson was on vacation in New York City where he met Mrs. Barton and her daughter 
who were also visiting in New York. He became very much interested in the daughter. 
The Bartons extended an invitation to Reverend Johnson to visit their home in Nassau. 
Here, he married the daughter and they were blessed with a girl baby who died in in­
fancy.
Reverend Johnson purchased in Jacksonville, Florida the northeast corner of 
Ward and Lee Streets (where the Firestone building is today). On the north end of 
this property he erected a framed two story building, when completed he had his wife 
and her mother, Mrs. Barton to come to Jacksonville.
Mrs. Johnson formed a friendship with Miss Agnes Edwards who was like a sister 
to her and was known as a foster sister. Both Mrs. Johnson and Miss. Edwards taught 
in Stanton School.
Later there was born to them two sons, James Weldon and Rosemond. Both boys 
attended Stanton under Dr. Culp. James Weldon finished Stanton under Principal 
Artrell. He became assistant to Mr. Artrell and when Mr. Artrell left the school he 
became principal, It was during his administration Stanton became the first Negro 
high school in the county. He asked the school board for a raise of $75.00 in salary. 
This was not granted, so he left Stanton.
He went to Atlanta to do further study. Here, he became interested in the
National Advancement of Colored People, He received many degrees and appointments.
Later he made his home in New York where he met Miss. Grace Nails, daughter 
of Jack Nails and a friend of Eartha M. M. White, Grace not only became a wife but 
a companion to Mr. Johnson. They traveled always together. They had no children. 
She was ideal and loved everyone who was fortunate enough to meet her.
Page 2--
FACTS ABOUT JAMES WELDON JOHNSON
Eartha M. M. White who was in school in New York City and Miss. Grace Nails were 
girl friends long before she met Mr. Johnson. She had a wonderful disposition and 
everyone admired her. It was upon the return home from a trip on a foggy morning 
while Grace was driving the car, she unfortunately ran into a train. Mr. Johnson 
was killed. She never recovered from this shock.
Mr. Johnson was a wonderful writer and composer. One of the most outstanding 
compositions was: "Lift Every Voice and Sing", known as the Negro National Anthem, 
Mr. Johnson wrote the words while his brother wrote the music.
Mr. Graft, a millionaire of Syracuse, New York, who wanted to prove to the 
world that Negroes could sing opera music as well as folk songs, financed for one 
year a company known as the Oriental-America Opera Company. Madam Plato and Sidney 
Woodard were the star singers. Mr. J. Rosemond Johnson was in charge of music. Two 
Jacksonvillians were also selected: Eartha M. M. White, a lyric saprano from the 
National Conservatory of Music, Harry T. Burleigh, instructor and Estella Dorsey, 
who had a wonderful contralto voice.
They opened at Palm Theatre on Broadway in New York City. This was the first 
appearance of Negroes in that theatre. They traveled most of the cities in the 
United States and abroad. This proved to be an over-whelming success. It was from 
the Oriental-America Opera Company many other musical groups started. Millionaire 
Graft was well pleased.
Lest we forget, his father was a Baptist preacher and a member of Bethel Baptist 
Institutional Church. His mother, brother and James Weldon were members of Ebenezer 
Methodist Episcopal Church and sang in the choir.
As I knew Mr. James Weldon Johnson, his father, Reverend James 
Johnson was a headwaiter at the St. James Hotel, Jacksonville, Florida. 
Rev. James W. Johnson was on vacation in New York City where he met Mrs. Barton 
and her daughter who were also visiting in New York. He became very much interested
in the daughter. The Bartons extended an invitation to Reverend Johnson to visit 
their home in Nassau. He corresponded with them and finally accepted their invitation 
to Nassau. Here, he married the daughter and they were blessed with a girl baby 
who died in infancy.
Reverend Johnson purchased in Jacksonville, Florida the northwest corner 
of Ward and Lee Streets (where the Firestone building is today). On the north end of this
property he erected a framed two story building, when completed he 
had his wife and her mother, Mrs. Barton to come to Jacksonville.
Mrs. Johnson formed a friendship with Miss Agnes Edwards who was like a 
sister to her and was known as a foster sister. Both Mrs. Johnson and Miss 
Edwards taught in Stanton School.
Later there were born to them two sons, James Weldon and Rosemond. Both 
boys attended Stanton under Dr. Culp. James Weldon finished Stanton under 
Principal Artrell. He became assistant to Mr Artrell and when Mr. Artrell 
left the school he became principal. It was during his administration Stanton 
became the first Negro high school in the county. He asked the school board for a raise of $75.00 
in salary. This was not granted, so he left Stanton.
He went to Atlanta to do further study. Here, he became interested in the
National Advancement of Colored People. He received many degrees and appointments.
Later he made his home in New York where he met Miss Grace Nails, daughter 
of Jack Nails and a friend of Eartha M. M. White. Grace not only became a wife 
but a companion to Mr. Johnson. They travelled always together. They had no 
children. She was ideal and loved by everyone who was fortunate enough to meet her.
Page 2
Eartha M. M. White who was in school in New York City and Miss Grace
Nails were girl friends long before she met Mr. Johnson. She had a wonderful
disposition and everyone admired her. It was upon the return home from a trip
on a foggy morning while Grace was driving the car, she unfortunately ran into
a train. Mr. Johnson was killed. She has never recovered from this shock.
Mr. Johnson was a wonderful writer and composer. One of the most outstanding
compositions was: Lift Every Voice and Sing, known as the Negro National Anthem.
Mr. Johnson wrote the words while his brother wrote the music.
Mr. Graft, a millionaire of Syracuse, New York, who wanted to prove to the
world that Negroes could sing opera music as well as folk songs financed for one
year a company known as the Oriental-America Opera Company. Madam Plato and
Sidney Woodward were the star singers. Mr. J. Rosemond Johnson was in charge of
music. Two Jacksonvillians were also selected: Eartha M.M. White, a lyric
soprano from the National Conservatory of Music, Harry T. Burleigh, instructor and
Estella Dorsey, who had a wonderful contralto voice.
They opened at Palma Theatre on Broadway in New York City. This was the
first appearance of Negroes in that theatre. They travelled most of the cities
in the United States and abroad. This proved to be an over-whelming success. It
was from the Oriental-America Opera Company many other musical groups started.
Millionaire Graft was well pleased.
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Facts About James Weldon Johnson

Garces, Debora

Undetermined

Improving Composition Studies in Graduate Level Humanities Courses

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