SITE & FAMILY TIMELINE
HOUSEHOLD 1
BEN DELANE AND CELIA MANN
1799
Celia Mann is born into slavery in Charleston. How she obtained her freedom
remains unknown. She may have been owned by John Spencer Mann, Jr. of
Charleston or the William Main family of Charleston and Columbia.
1800
Ben DeLane is born into slavery in Charleston. He may have been owned by the
DeLeon family (a wealthy Jewish family involved in the slave trade) in
Charleston and brought by the family to Columbia. Edwin J. Scott in his Random
Recollections of a Long Life (1884) writes of DeLane: “While a slave DeLane
hired his time and purchased two boats, commanded one himself and employed
hands to work the other, which he ran on the river—the two always going
together. His character for industry and integrity was beyond reproach and he
could get credit for all he asked.” Likely DeLane purchased his freedom with the
money he earned running boats, but so far no supporting documents have been
located.
1831
Agnes Jackson, the youngest daughter of Celia Mann, is
born. Jackson had three sisters, (Dinah Collins, Juliana
Miller, and Nancy Smith) known only though Celia's will
and family oral history. Their birth dates are not known.
Family history tells of Jackson’s sisters moving to
Boston and crossing the color line. Mann would have
been 32 when Agnes was born.
1837
Celia Mann is baptized at the First Baptist Church on Plain (Hampton) Street. The
entry lists her as “wife of and belonging to Ben DeLane.” This is the earliest date
we know Mann is in Columbia. The language suggests that DeLane owned Mann
at this time.
1840
The Federal Census lists a “Ben Dleon” as a free African American and head-ofhousehold in Columbia. “Dleon” is a close match for “DeLeon,” the family that
may have owned him. According to the census, DeLane owned three slaves.
Names, ages, etc. of the slaves are not listed in the census, but combined with the
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property transfer of 1843 (below), it is probable that the three enslaved
individuals are Celia Mann, Mann's daughter Agnes and DeLane's daughter Mary.
1843
1 February, the Mann-Simons property is transferred into Ben DeLane's name:
I Ben DeLane do hereby, request of James S. Guignard to retain in
his hands One half of an area of Land in Columbia by two hundred
of eight feet on Lumber and Marion Street and one hundred and
four feet land on Richland Street including all the buildings now
occupied by myself and family for the use of my wife Celia,
commonly called Celia {} during her life and after her death for the
use and benefit of Mary my daughter and the daughter of Venus
Brown a free woman of color _ and Agnes the daughter of said
Celia.
No other information is available concerning Venus Brown or their daughter
Mary. Apparently, Ben DeLane was not Agnes' biological father.
1847
Agnes Jackson, then 16 years old, gives birth to her eldest child, Benjamin
Jackson.
.
1850
Property Map of Columbia produced. The
lots are listed as belonging to “B.D.
Lane”—this is the last time we are aware
that the lots are listed in DeLane's name.
Image courtesy of the South Caroliniana
Library, University of South Carolina,
Columbia
1850
Federal Census indicates Celia Mann owns a slave—a 70 year old woman whose
name is not known. A purchase/transfer date is not known. From this we know
Mann is free by 1850.
1853
Hattie Jackson, daughter of Agnes Jackson, is born.
Hattie would first marry Mr. Richardson (first name is
unknown) and later marry Richard Williams (b. 1860),
with whom she would have four children. Hattie is
known through real estate title searches to have bought
and sold multiple residential properties in Columbia.
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1853-1858
Thomas Jackson, the first husband of Agnes Jackson, dies (based on surnames of
children and listing in City Directories as “widow”). During this period, Agnes
Jackson marries William “Bill” Simons. In Old and New Columbia, 1786-1929, J.
F. Williams describes Bill as, “an old free negro... [and] a member of the famous
Joe Randall band, that turned out on all occasions where a band was needed.”
1858
Margaret Simons, the third child of Agnes Jackson and first child with husband
Bill Simons, is born.
1859
John Lucius Simons, the fourth child of Agnes Jackson,
is born. He would later marry Martha (maiden name
unknown; b. 1871, d. 1921) and have six children
between 1887 and 1897. Pictured are John L. Simons, Jr.
(1887-1915, left) and William Simons (b. 1890, right).
1860
Agnes Jackson, husband Bill Simons and three of her
first four children are listed as living at the residence of
Joe Randall.
1860
Thomas (pictured) and Ellen Simons, the fifth and sixth
children of Agnes Jackson, are born. They were either
twins or there is a mistake in the census.
1863
“Mann Celia, Cola. Lot in Towns and Villages = 1400. Amt of Tax. = $12.32”
(Comptroller General Tax Record).
1863
Receipt for payment of $51.00 is made out to Celia Mann for boarding two slaves
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on her property.
1865
Agnes Jackson moves back to the 1403 Richland Street house with her mother. It
is unknown if Bill Simons moved there as well.
1865
Reverend C. H. Carey, a missionary with the Home Mission Society, along with
Reverend Wilson Carr, is sent to Columbia by 1865 to “gather scattered Baptists.”
The Reverend uses the basement of “Sister Celia Mann's home” at 1403 Richland
Street for church services after the African American congregation abandons the
First Baptist Church of Columbia, located on Hampton Street (site of the
Confederate Secession Convention of 1860). These meetings lead to the
formation of Calvary Baptist Church of Columbia, which later splits to form First
Calvary Baptist Church, Second Calvary Baptist Church and Zion Baptist Church.
1865
Charles Hall Simons
(pictured), seventh child of
Agnes Jackson, is born.
Charles would first marry
Lizzie (her maiden name is
unknown) and have one child,
Charles Allen. Charles would
later marry Amanda L. Green
(pictured), who has a son
(William Green, b. 1891) by a
previous marriage. Charles
and Amanda have no
biological children of their own.
1867
Celia Mann signs her will with an 'X' on 25 August. She has four requests:
First.- I desire that all my just debts be paid, Second.- To my three
daughters, To wit, Dinah Collins, Julia Ann McMellen and Nancy
Smith, I give twenty Dollars each to be paid to them by my
Executrix as soon as practibable [sic] after my death, Third.- To my
daughter Agnes Jackson who has always lived with me, I give and
bequeath the House and Lot in which I now dwell with the
appurentances [sic] thereto, together with all the rest and residue of
my Estate both Real and Personal to her and her heirs forever.
Fourth.- I appoint my daughter Agnes Jackson, the Executrix of this
my last will and Testament.
1867
Celia Mann dies on 8 September. The Daily Phoenix publishes a notice the
following day, reading: “Death of a Respected Colored Woman.—Celia Mann, an
old and respected colored nurse, who was present at the birth of many of our
citizens, departed this life yesterday.” A second notice on the same page reads:
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“Funeral Invitation: The friends and acquaintances of CELIA MANN and family,
and of Nancy Smith and family, are respectfully invited to attend the funeral of
the former, at the Calvary Baptist Church, THIS (Sunday) EVENING, at 3
o'clock.” The reference to Nancy Smith, but not Dinah Collins or Julia Ann
McMellen, suggests Nancy may not have left yet for Boston, not all her family
went to Boston with her, or Dinah and Julia had no children at the time.
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Household 2
AGNES JACKSON SIMONS
1869
Property Map of Columbia is produced.
The lots are listed as belonging to “Man”
(two years after her death).
Image courtesy of the South Caroliniana
Library, University of South Carolina,
Columbia
1872
Bird's Eye View Map of Columbia, South
Carolina is produced. This is the first
depiction of structures on the property.
Image courtesy of the Library of Congress
Pre-1872
The structure at 1407-1/2 is constructed.
Although the actual date remains on the
unknown, the house is depicted on the
1872 map. According to family history, it
is a three-room structure. City Directories
indicate it is rented to extended family
members. The structure is seen in this
1969 photograph of the back yard.
1872-1880s
The structure at 1407 Richland Street is
built.
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1872-1880s
The residence at 1904 Marion Street is
constructed. Archaeology indicates that it
was originally a hall-and-parlor style
structure, oriented length-wise to the
street. The house is occupied by family
members until 1925.
Image courtesy of Columbia Housing
Authority
1872-1880s
Research by John Milner and Associates suggests that the current house at 1403
Richland Street was built during this time period.
1875
Celia Simons (pictured), the eighth and youngest child
of Agnes Jackson, is born. Celia would marry Thomas
Smith (b. 1874) and have three children.
1879
City Directory lists Agnes as the widow of Thomas Jackson (although based on
surnames of children, she likely becomes a widow between 1853 and 1858).
1885
Agnes Jackson is listed as a baker in the City Directory.
1885-1905
Charles and John Simons are listed occasionally in the City Directories as tailors
for Robert J. Palmer, a professional tailor with property in Columbia and
Washington, D.C.
1888
John Simons is listed as a “Mfr. of walking canes, etc.” in the City Directory.
1890
Ben DeLane dies in Charleston, South Carolina, on 28 July (age 90) of 'Val. Dis
of Heart' and 'dropsy' (from death certificate). He is listed as living at 4 Wilson
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Street, Charleston, for over 20 years.
1891
The lunch counter is built at 1401 Richland Street (formerly 58 East Richland
Street, northeast corner of Richland and Marion streets). Archaeology indicates
the building measured 14 x 14-feet.
Mid-1890s
First addition to house 1904 Marion Street
constructed. Evolution of the house at 1904
Marion Street. 'H' is the original hall-and-parlor
style house; 'I' is the first addition, built during
the mid-1890s; 'J' is the second addition, built
during the early 1920s.
1899-1903
Allen Williams (shoe maker) and J. B. Carroll (furniture repairperson), live and
operate shops at 1407 Richland Street. Williams is likely related to Richard
Williams, Hattie Jackson's husband.
1900
The Federal Census indicates that 13 people live at 1403 Richland Street,
including a 16 year-old maid named Minnie Thompson.
1903
Agnes Jackson is listed in the City Directory as a cook.
1903-1909
Archaeology suggests that the property is wired for electricity by this time.
1904
The first Sanborn Fire Insurance Company publishes its
first map of Columbia depicting the lots owned by the
Mann-Simons family.
Image courtesy of the South Caroliniana Library,
University of South Carolina, Columbia
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1904-1905
John L. Simons runs a grocery at the 1407 Richland Street property.
1906
Charles Simons takes over the grocery business at 1407 Richland Street from his
brother John. Charles runs the grocery until his death in 1933.
1906-1909
Charles Simons is listed as head-of-household at 1910 Marion Street, north of the
Mann-Simons house on the same block.
1907
Agnes Jackson is listed in the City Directory as a laundress.
1907
Agnes Jackson dies. Charles Simons appointed as executor of estate, with
instructions to “sell for cash to the highest bidder, after advertisement once a
week for three consecutive weeks in one of the daily papers published in the said
city of Columbia.” Harriet Richardson, Agnes' eldest daughter, purchases the
estate for $1,500.00.
Household 3
CHARLES H. SIMONS
1908
Harriet Richardson sells the estate to Charles for $1,000.00.
1908
Bernice Connors, niece of Amanda Simons, is
born.
1909
Richard Williams, husband of Hattie, is listed as head-of-household at 1403
Richland Street following the death of Agnes.
1909
The lunch counter catches fire and is torn down. Following the fire, the counter is
gutted and dumped into a pit dug directly behind the structure. Archaeology later
provides a material snap-shot of the business's day-to-day operations.
1909
Richard Williams, husband of Hattie, is working as a baker at Riedlinger's Bakery.
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1910
Charles Simons becomes head-of-household at 1403 Richland Street.
1910
First City Directory listing of Amanda as wife of Charles
Simons occurs. The 1903 City Directory lists Amanda as
living at 1631 Richland Street, two blocks east of the
Mann-Simons property. Amanda's first husband, Joseph
Green, a ship captain, was lost at sea when his ship sank.
Image courtesy of First Calvary Baptist Church
1910
John L. Simons moves from 1904 Marion Street to 1912 Marion Street. He builds
a new lunch counter at 1914 Marion Street, next to his new house. Both the house
and lunch counter are razed between 1912 and 1913.
1912
Charles Simons becomes a Worshipful Master in the
Free Masons, Capital City Lodge No. 47. His brother
John was also a Mason. Amanda Simons was a member
of the Eastern Star, Queen Esther Chapter No. 1.
1912-1913
Charles Simons buys and razes four residences to the north at 1906, 1910, 1912
and 1914 Marion Street. Three two-story houses are built in their place. City
Directories indicate Charles rents the houses to individuals identified as “white.”
1912-1915
John Simons opens (and closes) a series of restaurants over a four year period: in
1912 at 1007 Gervais Street, in 1913 at 1906 Main Street, in 1914 at 1124
Richland Street, and lastly, in 1915 at 1912 Main Street.
1913
The family installs the first known telephone on the property at 1407 Richland
Street. The grocery store's telephone number was 1222.
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1913
An article in the Columbia Record, 10 February, names Charles Simons as a
committee member for “Negro Day at Corn Show.” Booker T. Washington is
scheduled to speak at the show.
1913
A classified ad in the Columbia Record, 10 February, reads: “FOR RENT—To
gentleman, one nicely furnished room in private family, with or without meals,
with hot and cold water. Apply 1908 Marion Street.” This is one of the properties
Charles owned and rented. The family to which he was renting was likely taking
in a boarder. The advertisement indicates the neighborhood had been plumbed for
water.
1913
Four articles in the Columbia Record (11, 12, 13, and 16 November) detail the
arrests and court hearings of individuals involved in a “Church Row” at the First
Calvary Baptist church on 10 October. A minority faction within the church called
for the removal of the pastor, who was accused of “gross immoral conduct.” John
L. Simons, on the side of the pastor, was arrested for having told an anti-pastor
individual that he would “ram his fist down his throat.” The 13 November article
states that John “is a brother of C. H. Simons, chairman of the board of trustees
and is as bitterly opposed to the retention of the present pastor as his deacon
brother is for keeping [the pastor] in the church.” All charges dismissed.
1914
Charles and Amanda adopt six-year-old Bernice Connors, the daughter of
Amanda's sister Emma Franklin, who passed away due to unknown causes.
1919
The Sanborn Fire Insurance Company map indicates additional changes to the
property: a back porch at 1403 Richland Street has been added, the addition to
1407 Richland Street has been removed and a small, 10 x 13-foot structure with a
south-facing door (perhaps a shed) has been built in the backyard. Archaeology
suggests post-in-ground construction.
1920s (early) A number of changes occur on the property during this time, including the closing
of the privy and the construction of a second addition to house at 1904 Marion
Street. From archaeology we know that the addition to the house was to
incorporate a bathroom/toilet and kitchen. The privy, also known through
archaeology, was unlined and measured 5 x 5 feet on 2-1/2 foot centers, supported
by 4 x 4 inch posts. The door likely faced east.
1925
Minnie Thompson (a former maid working for the Mann-Simons family) moves
into the house at 1904 Marion Street as a renter. She lives there until the early
1940s.
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1932
In January, Amanda Simons sells the lot at 1908 Marion Street to Lula Kelley,
who had been renting the house with her husband William B. since 1915. The
Kelley's were white.
1933
Charles Simons dies. He was 68 years old.
HOUSEHOLD 4
AMANDA GREEN SIMONS
1939
By this time, Amanda has stopped running the grocery at 1407 Richland Street.
Over the next twenty years, she rents the building to a series of small business
owners, including a grocer, plumber and electrician. All renters are listed in the
City Directories as white individuals.
1940s
Amanda Simons sells the properties to the north (1910/12 and 1914 Marion
Street) that her husband, Charles, had built and rented.
1945
Celia (Simons) Smith, youngest daughter of Agnes Jackson, dies. She is 70 years
old.
1956
The last produced Sanborn Fire Insurance Company map depicts the property as
identical to the 1919 map, including the location of a small backyard structure
(perhaps a shed) and the footprint of the house at 1904 Marion Street. However,
archaeology suggests that the second addition to the 1904 Marion Street house
was built in the early 1920s.
1958
Columbia tax map depicts the footprint of the house at 1904 Marion Street as
matching the archaeology (second addition in-place). Either the 1956 Sanborn
map is wrong or the second addition was constructed between 1956 and 1958.
Both of these suggestions are inconsistent with the archaeology, which suggests
the addition was constructed during the early 1920s.
HOUSEHOLD 5
BERNICE CONNORS
1960
Amanda Simons dies and Bernice Connors inherits the estate. According to
Amanda's Last Will and Testament, the estate consists of:
1 lot, 1 building
1 lot, 2 buildings
$20,000
$5,000
1403 Richland St.
1407 & 1407 ½ Richland St.
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1 lot, 1 building
1 lot, 1 building
$5,000
$4,000
1904 Marion St.
N. 19th St., Philadelphia, PA
House furniture, fixtures, appliances at 1403 Richland St. valued at $500.00.
$5.00 total cash property.
1960s
Joseph E. Winter, a house inspector for the City
of Columbia, photographs the back of the house
at 1403 Richland Street.
Image courtesy of the South Caroliniana Library,
University of South Carolina, Columbia
1969
The family takes photographs of the property
before moving.
“Household” 6
A HISTORIC PLACE
1970
27 July, Columbia Housing Authority takes ownership of property via eminent
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domain for construction of low-income, senior apartment complex. Housing
Authority documents property, including photographs. With their help, a search in
2005 of their archives indicates that this documentation is lost.
1974
The Richland County Historic Preservation
Commission acquires the 1403 Richland Street lot
from the Columbia Housing Authority and
renovates the house.
1978
The Mann-Simons site becomes a house museum
known as the Mann-Simons Cottage.
1979
The first annual African American Jubilee Festival of Heritage is held at the site.
1998
Bernice Connors dies at the age of 90. She was the last individual who lived at
1403 Richland Street.
1998
The first archaeology is conducted at the site by Chris Clement of the South
Carolina Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology on behalf of Historic
Columbia Foundation.
2005
The Mann-Simons Archaeology Project is
initiated.
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2010
The Mann-Simons Community Engagement Project is initiated.
2011
The “Mann-Simons Cottage” is officially renamed the “Mann-Simons Site” to
better reflect the extent of the family's property.
2012
“Ghost structures” and interpretive signage are
installed at the site. Each structure represents a
former building on the property.
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