David Fox Nelson Scrapbook Collection

David Fox Nelson:

David Fox Nelson was born into slavery in the 1850s. In the summer of 1862, at no more than twelve years of age, he escaped alone from slavery in North Carolina by making his way to a group of approaching Union troops. He was taken aboard the gunboat Chasseur, where he started work as a mess boy and eventually achieved the position of powder boy. In 1864, he left the military and became an office boy for Henry J. Raymond, one of the founders of the New York Times. He later became the office messenger and/or doorkeeper for Thomas L. James, postmaster of New York City, a position secured for him by journalist and politician Thurlow Weed in 1870. In March 1874, he was promoted to a clerkship position in the New York Post Office, and he continued to serve as a messenger at the post office in the following decades. Nelson married Cassie E. Day on May 28, 1896. Throughout his life, he maintained relationships with influential New York individuals and families. 

The above biographical information is from the University of Delaware Library Manuscripts and Archival Collection Finding Aid.

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Scrapbook History: 

Scrapbook making developed from activities like commonplace book-keeping and grangerizing. Beginning in the early 1790’s people collected fragments of printed text referred to as scraps, scrapings, scrapiana, or scrapeana. Lithographic printing was invented in the early 19th century which made printing cheaper and faster. Small lithographic prints called “scraps” were used as item tags or part of promotional advertisements and given away. People began collecting these scraps and putting them in albums and the scrapbook was born. The word “scrapbook” making its first appearance in 1825.  Scrapbooks became artifacts of popular culture as they reflected influences of the media, advertisements, and people’s everyday lives. There were types of scrapbooks as well: single purpose, single theme or topic, and single material. Single purpose as in a scrapbook for a special occasion like a wedding. Singe theme might focus on the life of one individual, similar to a biography. Single material for example would be a stamp scrapbook.  People would make their own scrapbooks at home as a pass time activity, sometimes from scratch, sometimes appropriating other books (journals, ledgers, appointment books, etc.). Early scrapbook makers used their books to engage in literary discussion. Scrapbooks can be commentary on social and political issues. Scrapbooks are material culture. They are made up of tangible items crafted, edited, and utilized through time and space.

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