This collection (1850-1969; bulk 1860-1889) of papers belonging to Wilmington, New Hanover County, NC, attorneys, who were father and son and both named Marsden Bellamy, includes wills, deeds, estate and mortgage records, legal briefs, correspondence, insurance policies, account books, loan records, receipts of payment, agreements and other legal records.
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 enslaved persons. The enslaved persons were transferred from their previous enslaver John H. Hinder (Administrator for Olivia Cox Eagles) to their new enslaver Thomas Mcllhenny of Wilmington at Smithville, NC Brunswick County on June 11, 1853.
Gift of Mr. David H. Scott
Processed by Joseph Kenneth Mayner, May 5, 2004
Encoded by Apex Data Services
Descriptions updated by Ashlyn Racine, May 2023
Literary rights to specific documents are retained by the authors or their descendants in accordance with U.S. copyright law.