Marsden Bellamy Papers, 1850-1969, undated (bulk 1860-1889)

(Manuscript Collection #721)

Accessions Information

January 9, 1996, 1,031 items; New Hanover County, NC, papers (1850-1969) of Wilmington, NC attorney. Gift of Mr. David H. Scott, Wilmington, NC.

Access Restrictions

No restrictions

Copyright Notice

Literary rights to specific documents are retained by the authors or their descendants in accordance with U.S. copyright law.

Preferred Citation

Marsden Bellamy Papers (#721), East Carolina Manuscript Collection, J. Y. Joyner Library, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA.

Acquisition Information

• Gift of Mr. David H. Scott

Processing Information

• Processed by Joseph Kenneth Mayner, May 5, 2004

• Encoded by Apex Data Services

Marsden Bellamy was born in Marion, SC, on January 14, 1843. He was an assistant paymaster in the Confederate Navy aboard the CSS RICHMOND during the Civil War, and also served in the 3rd North Carolina Cavalry. Bellamy later became a prominent Wilmington, NC attorney. On December 26, 1866 he married Hattie H. Harllee (birth and death dates unknown), daughter of Dr. Robert Harllee of Marion District, SC. The couple had one daughter, Eliza, who died on June 10, 1874 (aged one year, eleven months and 16 days) and one son, also named Marsden Bellamy. The elder Bellamy died on December 1, 1909 at the age of 66, and was buried at Oakdale Cemetery, Wilmington, NC.

Marsden Bellamy (December 4, 1878-March 1968), the son of the above Bellamy, was born in Wilmington, New Hanover County, NC. The younger Bellamy was also an attorney like his father. He was also a member of the North Carolina State Senate (10th District, 1913), the Freemasons, Elks, Junior Order, and the Redmen. Bellamy's political persuasion was Democrat and religious affiliation Presbyterian. His burial location currently unknown.

The collection consists of the papers of Marsden Bellamy and his son Marsden Bellamy. The inclusive dates of the collection range from 1850 to 1969, although the bulk of the collection is from the period 1860-1889. The papers include various legal documents, including last will and testaments (1888-1927), deeds (1850-1969), agreements (1873-1910), as well as court briefs and claims. Also included in this collection are estate and mortgage records, account books, Marsden Bellamy's personal insurance policies and forms (1869-1891), and various receipts of payment (1854-1938). The great majority of these legal documents concern land and residents of New Hanover County, Wilmington, NC. There are also letters of correspondence to both Marsden Bellamys from various friends, family, and clients (1866-1968). Also included is a deed documenting the sale of 53 named slaves. These slaves were sold on June 11, 1853 at Smithville, NC, Brunswick County by John H. Hinder (Administrator for Olivia Cox Eagles) to Thomas McIlhenny of Wilmington.

Jump to a section?

• Series 1 CORRESPONDENCE
• Series 2 BELLAMY PERSONAL PAPERS
• Series 3 FAMILY LEGAL PAPERS
• Series 4 LITIGATION FILES
• Series 5 DEEDS
• Series 6 FINANCIAL RECORDS
• Series 7 OTHER LEGAL RECORDS

Expand All | Collapse All