Charles W. Spellman Papers

Collection

Identifier: Ms 094

Staff Only

Scope and Content

The collection contains Spellman's notes, both handwritten and typed, about his research on the Indians of Florida. The collection is arranged by subject. His scope of research ranges from the different tribes of Florida to the growth and decline of Catholic missions in Florida. Three rolls of microfilm contain sources that he used for his thesis, The Spanish Missions of Florida, 1618-1763. The documents on these reels were filmed from the Archivo General de Nación and the Archivo Histórico de Instituto Nacional de Antropología, Mexico.

Dates

Creation: 1618-1952
Creation: Majority of material found within 1947-1952

Creator

Spellman, Charles W., 1915-1965. (Person)

Language of Materials

Includes materials written in English and Spanish.

Access

The collection is open for research.

Biographical/Historical Note

Father Charles W. Spellman (1915-1965) lived his life as a priest of the Catholic Church and also was a historian. He was born in Orlando, and ordained in 1943. He studied at Harvard, the University of Mexico, and the University of California, Berkeley (M.A. degree, 1947). As a historian Spellman examined the era of Spanish colonial power in Florida. His research dealt with the early Catholic Church, the mission system, and Native Americans. Spellman's best known work is his 1947 thesis The Spanish Missions of Florida, 1618-1763.

Extent

0.6 Linear feet (1 box and 3 microfilm reels)

Additional Description

Abstract

Papers written by or copied for Charles W. Spellman pertaining to his research on Catholic and Indian history. Location is primarily Florida but does extend to Georgia and Carolina history. Most of the reproduced documents come from the colonial era however there is correspondence from 1947-1952.