Finding Aid to the Hamilton T. Boswell papers
Lori Dedeyan
The Bancroft Library
2017
The Bancroft Library
University of California
Berkeley, CA 94720-6000
bancref@library.berkeley.edu
Contributing Institution:
The Bancroft Library
Title: Hamilton T. Boswell papers
Creator:
Jones Memorial United Methodist Church (San Francisco, Calif.)
Identifier/Call Number: BANC MSS 2015/203
Physical Description:
8.2 linear feet
(6 cartons; 1 box; 2 oversize folders; 1 portfolio)
Physical Description:
2.0 GB
(62 files)
Date (inclusive): 1930-2009
Abstract: This collection documents the life and work of Hamilton T. Boswell, minister of Jones Memorial Methodist Church in San Francisco
and founding minister of Bowen Memorial Methodist Church in Los Angeles. The collection includes correpsondence and working
documents related to Boswell's work with his congregations and within the United Methodist Church; San Francisco civic and
public institutions such as the Juvenile Justice Commission and Housing Authority; the Civil Rights movement; his activities
as a San Francisco police chaplain and chaplain of the California Assembly; and his personal life. Also included are his
writings, from early classwork to sermons, speeches, and articles for his column, 'The Pulpit Voice', as well as photographs
spanning his life and career. Audio recordings of sermons and family films are also present. Included are correspondence
and photographs from Boswell's interactions with figures such as Martin Luther King, Jr., Ralph Abernathy, Justice Thurgood
Marshall, Langston Hughes, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Ronald Reagan, Richard Nixon, Willie Brown, Jr. and various other San
Francisco mayors, California governors, and other city and state officials.
Physical Location: Many of the Bancroft Library collections are stored offsite and advance notice may be required for use. For current information
on the location of these materials, please consult the library's online catalog.
Language of Material:
English
.
Access
Collection is open for research.
Portfolio 1: NEGATIVES RESTRICTED. Available for use by appointment only.
Accruals
No additions are expected.
Acquisition Information
Gift of Eleanor Boswell-Raine, 2015.
Alternate Forms Available
There are no alternate forms of this collection.
Arrangement
Arranged to the folder level.
Biographical / Historical
Rev. Hamilton T. Boswell was born in Dallas, Texas in 1914. In 1920, his family moved to Los Angeles, where he attended grade
school and high school. He attended Wiley College in Marshall, Texas and then earned his master's degree and PhD in 1943
from the University of Southern California. He was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha, the first African-American, intercollegiate
Greek-lettered fraternity, and continued his involvement for 72 years. He met and married Eleanor Gragg in 1939, after a
courtship of three days; they would remain married until their deaths in 2007. The couple had two daughters, Eleanor and
Jeri Lynn.
Boswell's first position as a clergyman was at St. John's Methodist Church in Los Angeles, where he presided from 1939 to
1943, after which he established Bowen Memorial Methodist Church. He and his family moved to San Francisco in 1947, where
he assumed the pastorship of Jones Memorial United Methodist Church in the Fillmore District. He founded the Jones Methodist
Credit Union and then the Jones Memorial Homes, the first federally financed senior citizen housing in San Francisco, in 1954.
Boswell was a mentor and campaign adviser to California Assemblyman and San Francisco mayor Willie Brown, Jr., who joined
Jones Methodist in 1951. From 1953 to 1962, Boswell was a commissioner for Juvenile Justice in California. He served as
a San Francisco Housing Authority Commissioner from 1964 to 1974, serving as chairman for two terms.
Boswell was active in the Civil Rights movement. He was the initial chairman of the San Francisco Conference on Religion
and Race and co-chaired the Church Labor Conference, working with the interdenominational Ministerial Alliance to organize
a 1964 gathering at the Cow Palace in San Francisco in support of the Southern Christian Leadership and Martin Luther King,
Jr. He was given the Freedom Award by the NAACP in 1972 and 1974. He also received the Human Rights Award from the California
State Senate and Assembly in 1964.
Boswell also served as chaplain to the San Francisco Police Department.
In 1976, he was appointed the District Superintendent within the California-Nevada United Methodist Church conference, presiding
over the Contra Costa County and Alameda County jurisdiction until 1980. In 1984, he came out of retirement to serve as the
chaplain for the California Assembly, a position he held for 10 years.
He died on May 6, 2007. His wife Eleanor passed away during the same year.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Hamilton T. Boswell papers, BANC MSS 2015/203, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.
Processing Information
Processed by Lori Dedeyan in 2017. Digital files processed by Christina Velazquez Fidler in 2023.
Scope and Contents
This collection documents the life and work of Hamilton T. Boswell, minister of Jones Memorial Methodist Church in San Francisco
and founding minister of Bowen Memorial Methodist Church in Los Angeles. The collection includes correpsondence and working
documents related to Boswell's work with his congregations and within the United Methodist Church; San Francisco civic and
public institutions such as the Juvenile Justice Commission and Housing Authority; the Civil Rights movement; his activities
as a San Francisco police chaplain and chaplain of the California Assembly; and his personal life. Also included are his
writings, from early classwork to sermons, speeches, and articles for his column, 'The Pulpit Voice', as well as photographs
spanning his life and career. Audio recordings of sermons and family films are also present. Included are correspondence
and photographs from Boswell's interactions with figures such as Martin Luther King, Jr., Ralph Abernathy, Justice Thurgood
Marshall, Langston Hughes, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Ronald Reagan, Richard Nixon, Willie Brown, Jr. and various other San
Francisco mayors, California governors, and other city and state officials.
The collection is divided into five series:
Series 1 (correspondence) contains incoming and outgoing letters pertaining to Boswell's work in the Methodist Church, community
work, the Civil Rights Movement, San Francisco civic and political work, and personal life.
Series 2 (Writings) contains classwork, sermons, prayers, speeches, articles and digital files of a Boswell family manuscript.
Series 3 (Career and personal life) contains church documents, work documents, conference material, programs and proceedings,
certificates and resolutions pertaining to Boswell's work, family and school documents, and personal material.
Series 4 (Photographs) contains images spanning Boswell's work, in the church and in San Francisco and California political
and civic institutions, and family life.
Series 5 (Audiovisual material) includes audio and film recordings of Boswell's sermons, speeches, recollections, and family
life.
Publication Rights
Materials in this collection may be protected by the U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.). In addition, the reproduction
of some materials may be restricted by terms of University of California gift or purchase agreements, donor restrictions,
privacy and publicity rights, licensing and trademarks. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by copyright
beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owner. Responsibility for any use rests
exclusively with the user.
All requests to reproduce, publish, quote from, or otherwise use collection materials must be submitted in writing to the
Head of Public Services, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley 94720-6000. See:
http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/libraries/bancroft-library/rights-and-permissions
Subjects and Indexing Terms
African American Methodists
African American political activists
Methodist Church -- Clergy
Methodist Church -- United States -- History
African Americans -- California -- San Francisco
Chaplains, Police -- United States
Housing -- California -- San Francisco
Housing authorities -- Officials and employees
African Americans -- Civil Rights
Series 1. Correspondence
1940-2008
Physical Description: Carton 1; Carton 2, folders 1-19
Arrangement
Arrangement adheres to Boswell's original order. Subjects were created by Boswell and contain incoming and outgoing correspondence.
Folders that contain only incoming or only outgoing correspondence have been indicated.
The majority of outgoing correspondence was organized by year rather than subject; this arrangement has been retained. However,
outgoing correspondence covers largely the same subjects as the numbered files.
Scope and Contents
Incoming and outgoing correspondence related to Boswell's congregations, work within the Methodist Church, and interdenominational
relationships; civil rights, labor rights, and prison reform; the San Francisco Housing Authority; involvement with various
San Francisco organizations; and political involvement. Also includes personal correspondence.
carton 1, folder 1
Bishops (incoming only)
1953-1976
carton 1, folder 2
Black Methodists for Church Renewal
1969-1976
carton 1, folder 4
Bayview District Superintendent
1976-1982
carton 1, folder 6
Colleges (incoming only)
1940-1971, 1991, 2000
carton 1, folder 7
San Francisco Conference on Race and Religion
1963-1964
carton 1, folder 8
"Heartbreak File" (regarding Central Christian Advocate) (incoming only)
1956-1963
carton 1, folder 9-10
Interdenominational Relationships (incoming only)
1950-1970, 1983
carton 1, folder 13
Martin Luther King, Jr.
1957-1970
carton 1, folder 14
Labor Relationships (incoming only)
1946-1965, 1990
carton 1, folder 15
NAACP/ Urban League/ Council of Churches
1943-1974
carton 1, folder 16
Negro Church, statements on (outgoing only)
1977
carton 1, folder 17
Negro Condition, statements re: (incoming only)
1956, 1959
carton 1, folder 18-19
Personal Letters (incoming only)
1943-1992, 2000-2002
carton 1, folder 20
Personal Letters (to Booker T. Anderson and James McCray) (outgoing only)
1957-1958
carton 1, folder 21-22
Politics (incoming only)
1949-1979
Scope and Contents
Includes correspondence from Vice President Richard Nixon, Senator George McGovern, various U.S. Congressmen, the California
Governor's office (Edmund Brown, Earl Warren), California Attorney General's office, California State Legislators, San Francisco
Mayor's office (John F. Shelley, Joseph L. Alioto, George Christopher, Elmer E. Robinson, George Moscone), San Francisco City
Attorney's office, San Francisco Public Defender's office, the San Francisco Sheriff's Office, State Superintendent for Education
Wilson Riles, and City and County of San Francisco Board of Supervisors.
carton 1, folder 23
Politics (outgoing only)
1951, 1957
Scope and Contents
Includes letters to Vice President Richard Nixon, San Francisco Mayor Elmer E. Robinson, and the City and County of San Francisco
Board of Supervisors.
carton 1, folder 24
Prison Relationships (incoming only)
1949-2001
carton 1, folder 25
Prison Relationships (outgoing only)
1951-1969, 1993
carton 1, folder 26
Prison Relationships: George Holman (San Quentin)
1950-1954
carton 1, folder 27
Prison Relationships: Wesley Robert Wells
1953-1976
carton 1, folder 28
San Francisco Housing Authority (incoming only)
1948-1973
carton 1, folder 29-30
San Francisco Community Relationships (incoming only)
1951-1972
carton 1, folder 31-34
United Methodist Church (incoming only)
1943-1993
carton 1, folder 35
United Methodist Church (outgoing only)
1953-1971
carton 1, folder 36
Youth Work and Influence
1956-1964, 1971
carton 1, folder 37
Methodist Church "Gad- Fly Issues"
1957, 1970
carton 1, folder 38
Wiley College
1943-60, 1988-2008
carton 1, folder 39
Bethel Trinity and Bowen Memorial Methodist Churches (incoming only)
1943-1947
carton 1, folder 40
Jones Memorial Homes and Housing Commission
1946-1970
carton 1, folder 42
Employment (outgoing only)
circa 1969-1970
carton 1, folder 44-47
Outgoing correspondence
1950-1953
Arrangement
One year per folder.
carton 2, folder 1-18
Outgoing correspondence
1954-1971
Arrangement
One year per folder.
carton 2, folder 19
Unknown and miscellaneous correspondence
1931, 1963, 1969, 1982, undated
Series 2. Writing
1939-1995
Physical Description: Carton 2, folders 20-35; Carton 3, folders 1-14
Arrangement
Arranged in roughly chronological order.
Scope and Contents
Includes student writing from University of Southern California divinity school, sermons, eulogies, invocations, speeches,
articles from Boswell's 'Pulpit Voice' column, and other writing.
carton 2, folder 20-21
Class papers: Comparative Religion course
1939-1941
carton 2, folder 22
Class papers: New Testament Study
1941
carton 2, folder 23
Class papers: Old Testament Theology
circa 1941
carton 2, folder 26
USC Master's Thesis: "Some Aspects of the Race Problem in the Social Gospel"
1943
carton 2, folder 27
Essays
undated
Scope and Contents
Undated early manuscripts titled "Conviction", "Behold, Thy Mother", "His Birthday", "Christian Endeavor", "Youth is Ready",
"Economics as a Determiner in Youth Place in Building a New World", and three untitled pieces.
carton 2, folder 28
First sermon: "Serving God by Serving Man"
1939
carton 2, folder 29-30
Sermons
undated
Scope and Contents
Undated early manuscripts drawing from Kings; the Gospels of Matthew, Luke, and John; Acts; Romans; 1 Corinthians; Ephesians;
and Philippians.
carton 2, folder 33-34
Speeches and sermons
circa 1957-1964
Scope and Contents
Includes: New Leaders and Old Voices; Getting Out of the Rut for the New Year (1963); For a Brotherhood Unlimited; Why National
Negro History Week? (1957); The Role of the Church in the Black Community (circa 1962); The Galilean Escapes (1963); The Relation
of Church and Synagogue to Other Community Forces in Social Justice (1964); Medgar Evers Memorial Service (1964); 24 Hour
Prayer Givig for Success of Public School Integration (1957); A Prayer Meditation for the Twenty-Four Prayer Vigil; The San
Francisco Situation (1963); A Profile of the Poor; Thankful But Not Satisfied; People of the Inner City; For This Cause;
Compensatory Recruitment; General Impressions, Civil Rights, Oct 63- Oct 64; The Basis of an Inner Peace; Address at Printers
Union College (1963); Community Problems Affecting Children; The Prayer; and untitled addresses.
carton 2, folder 35
Proposals and remarks
circa 1957-1971
Scope and Contents
Includes remarks made to the Board of Supervisors on Consideration of a Fair Employment Practices Ordinance (1957); to the
Commission for Study and Action on the Jurisdictional System, the Methodist Church (1957); to the Committee of Public Health
and Welfare; and For a Human Relations Commission (1964). Proposals include a Jones Center for the Study of Negro History;
Jones Comprehensive Day Care Service; Jones Community Correctional Centers; and other proposals.
carton 3, folder 1
Invocations
circa 1961-1986
carton 3, folder 2
Sermons and cabinet devotions
circa 1976-1982
carton 3, folder 3-5
Daily Prayer (CA Assembly)
1990-1994
carton 3, folder 6
Book of Sermon Outlines
1995, undated
carton 3, folder 7
Pulpit Voice column, The California Eagle (clippings)
1944-1946
carton 3, folder 8-10
Pulpit Voice column, SF Sun Reporter (clippings)
1953-1957
carton 3, folder 11
Unedited column articles
1954-1955
carton 3, folder 12
"A-Phi-A's Threefold Aim: An Education for Citizenship Address" (Alpha Phi Alpha bulletin)
circa 1953
carton 3, folder 13
"How to Stay Married" (The Message Magazine)
1958
carton 3, folder 14
"Reflections on a Classic" (MSS essay about Huckleberry Finn)
1962
digital_folder 007
Boswell family manuscript
1996-2001
Boswell family manuscript files
Series 3. Career and personal life
1930-2009
Physical Description: Carton 3, folders 15-39; Carton 4; Box 1; Oversize Folders 1 and 2
Arrangement
Arranged in roughly chronological order, with artifacts, clippings, and certificates listed near the end.
Scope and Contents
Includes material related to Boswell's religious study; clergy service at Bowen Memorial Methodist Church and Jones Memorial
Methodist Church; involvement with the United Methodist Church; involvement with the Wiley College alumni and the Alpha Phi
Alpha fraternity; his involvement in the San Francisco Youth Commission, Housing Authority, and as police chaplain; civil
rights and prison reform; and some personal material.
carton 3, folder 15
The Spectrum, Compton Union High School Yearbook (Compton, CA)
1930
carton 3, folder 16
Compton Union High School diploma
1932
carton 3, folder 17
"Know Your Bible" study series, by Roy L. Smith
circa 1939
carton 3, folder 18
Preacher's License, Methodist Episcopal Church
1939
oversize_folder 1
United Methodist Church- certificates for Deacon and Elder status
1941, 1943
carton 3, folder 20
Surveys of Methodist Churches for Black residents in Los Angeles, Phoenix, Portland, and Seattle
1942-1946
carton 3, folder 19
Bethel Trinity and Shaw Methodist Church documents
1941-1943, 1963, 1983, undated
carton 3, folder 21
Bowen Memorial Methodist Church- programs and booklets
1943-1947, 1971-1973, 1993
carton 3, folder 22
Bowen Memorial Methodist Church- Langston Hughes lecture
1945
carton 3, folder 23
Jones Memorial Methodist Church- booklets and pamphlets
1956-19931930
carton 3, folder 24
Jones Memorial- committee, board, and other documents
1956-1970
carton 3, folder 25
Jones Memorial- credit union
1971-1981
carton 3, folder 26
Jones Memorial- childcare program proposal
undated
oversize_folder 1
Jones Methodist Church- posters for youth choir concert
undated
carton 3, folder 27
United Methodist Church (UMC)- conferences and documents
1946-1995
carton 3, folder 28
UMC- conference proceedings
1947, 1970, 1972
carton 3, folder 29
UMC- conference proceeding and H.T.B. retirement
1982
carton 3, folder 30
UMC- convocation, "Celebrating the Call"
1990
carton 3, folder 31-32
George Holman clemency case (San Quentin state prison)- official documents
1951-1952
carton 3, folder 33
Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity- certificates
1956, 1986, 2004
carton 3, folder 34-35
Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity- documents
1983-1985
carton 3, folder 36
Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity- documents
1986, 1990-1995, 2001
oversize_folder 1
Alpha Phi Alpha memorial resolution
2007
carton 3, folder 37
Wiley College- honorary doctor of divinity
1956
carton 3, folder 38
Wiley College- Alumni documents
1995-2000
carton 3, folder 39
Wiley College- Great Debaters film
2007-2009
oversize_folder 2
The Real Great Debaters of Wiley College film poster
2008
carton 4, folder 1
Programs for invocations and speeches
1958-1998
carton 4, folder 2
Resumes and biographical information
circa 1960-2003
carton 4, folder 3
California Assembly Chaplain
1965, 1986, 1990
carton 4, folder 5
Programs for tributes to Boswell
1976-1993, 2007-2008
carton 4, folder 6
Golden wedding anniversary program
1989
carton 4, folder 7
Special election, First Union Baptist Church
1992
carton 4, folder 8
Estate of Doris Boswell Anderson
1992-2003
carton 4, folder 9
Prison file- information sheets and figures
circa 1992-1999
carton 4, folder 10
Book and documentary project
circa 1999-2001
carton 4, folder 11
Memorial motions and letters from Congress for H.T.B. passing
2007
carton 4, folder 12
California Senate Memorial Resolution
2007
carton 4, folder 13
California Assembly Memorial Resolution
2007
oversize_folder 1
Board of Supervisors of Contra Costa County. Boswell memorial resolution (No. 2007/274)
2007
carton 4, folder 14
Hamilton T. Boswell Foundation- events and publications
2009
carton 4, folder 15
Readings and research
circa 1956-1983
carton 4, folder 16
Miscellaneous
1981, 2007, undated
carton 4, folder 17
Certificates
1966-2008
Scope and Contents
Includes certificates from the United Methodist Church; National Black Methodists for Church Renewal; The Street People's
Committee; commendations from the San Francisco Board of Supervisors; and recognition of participation in the 12th Annual
Institute of Police and Community Relations at Michigan State University.
oversize_folder 1
California Legislature resolutions honoring Boswell
1963-1994
Scope and Contents
Assembly, California Legislature, 1963 Regular Session Resolution No. 108. February 21, 1963.
Assembly, California Legislature, 1963 Regular Session Resolution No. 385. June 7, 1963.
California Legislature, Senate Resolution No. 407. June 15, 1972.
California Legislature, Senate Rules Resolution No. 662. June 25, 1976.
Assembly Rules Committee- California Legislature Resolution No. 156. June 16, 1976.
California Legislature Resolution No. 388. August 25, 1986.
California Legislature Assembly Resolution No. 199. January 11, 1990.
California Legislature Assembly Resolution No. 74. August 31, 1994.
oversize_folder 1
SF Housing Authority certificate of appointment
1964
oversize_folder 1
Congressional Record- House of Representatives. Boswell Tribute Dinner speech by Hon. John L. Burton
1976
oversize_folder 1
Certificate of Appreciation for Dr. Hamilton Boswell, founder of Bowen Memorial United Methodist Church. County of Los Angeles
1983
oversize_folder 1
City of Los Angeles resolution honoring Boswell
1983
carton 4, folder 18
Scrapbook contents
1976
Scope and Contents
Includes correspondence, programs, and clippings from 1976.
carton 4, folder 19-22
Press clippings
1945-2002
carton 4, folder 23
Press clippings- Jones Memorial Homes
1961-1963
carton 4, folder 24
Badges and identification cards
1958, 1967-1974
Scope and Contents
Includes a San Francisco Housing Authority badge and silver star, and identification for the San Francisco Police (chaplain,
1969, Juvenile Justice Commission (1958), and Housing Authority (1967-1974).
carton 4, folder 25
Methodist Ritual and Prayer Books
1946, 1964
carton 4, folder 26
Traveling baptism kit
undated
carton 4, folder 27
Photocopies of plaques
1972-1993
Scope and Contents
Includes plaques from Jones Methodist Church, Bowen Memorial Methodist Church, Wiley College, the NAACP, and the USC Alumni
Assocation.
carton 4, folder 28
Plaque from Jones Methodist Church
1983
carton 4, folder 29
Guestbook
circa 1954-1965
carton 4, folder 30
Hamilton Boswell memorial service guestbook
2007
carton 4, folder 31
Eleanor Boswell memorial service guestbook
2007
box 1
Daily organizers (The Daily Suggester, by United Methodist Publishing House)
1940-2007
oversize_folder 1
California State Legislature. Certificates of Recognition for Eleanor Boswell- Raine
2008
Series 4. Photographs
1932-2002
Physical Description: Carton 5; Oversize folder 1; Portfolio 1
Arrangement
Arranged in roughly chronological order. Family photographs have been kept together.
Scope and Contents
Includes rich photographic documentation of the congregation and activities of Jones Memorial Methodist Church; some images
of Bowen Memorial Methodist Church in Los Angeles; political activity and civic engagement and recognition; civil rights activity;
and family photographs.
carton 5, folder 1
Portraits of Hamilton Boswell
1932-1974
oversize_folder 1
Stoic Club social event, Los Angeles, Home of Mr. and Mrs. James Akers
1932
carton 5, folder 2
Bethel Trinity Methodist Church
undated
carton 5, folder 3
Bowen Memorial United Methodist Church
circa 1946
carton 5, folder 4-7
Jones Memorial United Methodist Church
circa 1947-19724
Scope and Contents
Includes images of the interior and exterior of the church, its congregation, choir, board of trustees, commissions and committees,
social events, church school and classes, basketball team, construction of the Jones Memorial Homes, and visits from Johnny
Mathis, Thurgood Marshall, Willie Brown, Ralph Abernathy, and others.
portfolio 1
Jones Memorial United Methodist Church, youth choir (negative)
undated
Conditions Governing Use
NEGATIVES RESTRICTED. Available for use by appointment only.
carton 5, folder 8
Pictures with Rep. Johh Burton, Mayor Joseph Alioto, Judge Joseph G. Kennedy, and Gov. Goodwin Knight
1948, 1969, undated
oversize_folder 1
Picture with Mayor Joseph Alioto
undated
carton 5, folder 9
With Ronald Reagan, Christmas Seals Tuberculosis campaign
circa 1950s
carton 5, folder 10
Doctorate of divinity from Wiley College
1956
carton 5, folder 11
Speeches- Civil Rights
circa 1956-1964
carton 5, folder 12
With Martin Luther King Jr.
1964
oversize_folder 1
Political rally, presidential primary
1964
carton 5, folder 13
Speeches for US-UN Commemorative Stamp ceremony and MUNI Flynn division
1965, 1989
carton 5, folder 14
SF Housing Authority swearing- in ceremony with Mayor John Shelley
1964
carton 5, folder 15
SF Housing Authority
circa 1968
carton 5, folder 16
SF Housing Authority
undated
carton 5, folder 17
Appointed chaplain of SF Police, with Chief Thomas Cahill
circa 1969
carton 5, folder 18
Black Methodists for Church Renewal- conference tribute dinner for Boswell
1975
carton 5, folder 19
With Willie Brown
circa 1980s-1990s
carton 5, folder 20
Receiving Certificate of Honor from City of San Francisco
undated
carton 5, folder 21
Wiley College Alumni gathering
undated
carton 5, folder 22
With other clergy, possible Council of Churches
undated
carton 5, folder 23
CA Assembly resolution honoring Boswell
undated
carton 5, folder 24
Family photos- Hamilton and Eleanor Boswell wedding
1939
carton 5, folder 25
Family portraits
circa 1940s-1990
carton 5, folder 26
Family photos
circa 1940s-1990
carton 5, folder 27
Family photos (color slides)
1960-1968
carton 5, folder 28
Family photos
circa 1960-1969
carton 5, folder 29
Family photos
circa 1970s
carton 5, folder 30
Family photos- Mexico
circa 1966-1971
carton 5, folder 31
Family photos- Egypt
circa 1971
carton 5, folder 32
Family photos- Hong Kong, Okinawa, and Taiwan
1971
carton 5, folder 33
Family photos- Israel/Palestine and Greece
1973
carton 5, folder 34
Family photos- Greece and China
1971, 1973
carton 5, folder 35
Family photos- Alaska and British Columbia
1978
carton 5, folder 36-38
Family photos
circa 1980-1995
carton 5, folder 39
Family photos
circa 1995-2002
carton 5, folder 40
Other clergy
1952, 1956, undated
carton 5, folder 42
Untitled images
circa 1940s-1960s
Series 5. Audiovisual material
circa 1960-2013
Physical Description: Carton 6 and digital folders 001-006 and 008-011.
Scope and Contents
Includes audio recordings of Boswell's sermons; possible recordings for an oral history of Boswell; sermons and recordings
by others; and film footage of family and friends. Digitized videos include interviews with Hamilton T. Boswell, family members,
as well as various short films.
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
Special equipment or further processing may be required to access this material. Please contact the reference desk in advance
of your visit.
carton 6
Compact audio cassettes
1970-2008
Scope and Contents
"An Empty House."- Dr. Hamilton T. Boswell. 8/12/84. Downs Methodist Church. Rev. Charles H. Lee Sr., Pastor.
"A Good Person's Sin"- Rev. Dr. Hamilton Boswell. August 18, 1991. East Hill United Methodist Church.
"The Seven Last Words." Good Friday Service. March 29, 2002. Easter Hill United Methodist Church. (2 cassettes)
"Looking at Life Through Clean or Dirty Windows"- Dr. Rev. Hamilton T. Boswell. Downs: 10/15/95; 10 A.M.; Unity Sun.
"Looking at Life Through Clean Windows."- Dr. H. T. Boswell. 8/24/97.
"Quiet Hour"- Dr. Hamilton T. Boswell. May 14, 2007.
"Turning Defeat Into Victory".- Rev. Boswell. 8/26/90.
"When God Says No"- Dr. Hamilton T. Boswell. September 15, 1985
"When Suffering Comes."
"The Danger of Spiritual Emptiness". 10/20.
Rev.- Mrs. Boswell. 2/28/00.
To: Rev. + Mrs. Boswell. Austember 23, 1999.
The Black Election I.
The Renewal Ensemble. 6/23/91.
Annual Conference 1982. Hamilton Boswell- Ordination.
Side #1 Typhoon. Eleanor to Jeri/ Side #2 Eleanor to Jeri.
Tape #6 Side I/ Side II
Aug. 70. Ellie Overseas 1970. Side I/ Side II
Birthday- 100 Papa. 2nd side.
Tape Number 2 from Tokyo. Side I.
2/26/95- Dr. Boswell [illegible]
Bowen Memorial UMC. Rev. Boswell. 9/26/93.
Mrs. Boswell. 7/26/01.
Ellie Boswell. Spiritual Response Therapy. 8/30/95.
Father McLaughlin.
"The Honorable Willie Brown Jr." 6/25/95.
Eleanor Boswell Raine. The daughter of Hamilton T. Boswell one of Melvin Tolson's Great Debaters. Graduate of Wiley College.
September 5, 2008.
Jazz from South Africa.
Mothers Friend 2006.
"Staying Connected"- Mr. Ahmad Anderson. February 25, 2001. Easter Hill United Methodist Church.
Gary [written over "Larry Lewis May 2004"]/ Duran [written over "Irma Patterson 4/23/04"]
77th Anniversary- Allen Temple Baptist Church. Rev. Frederick Haynes. October 20-25, 1996. (6 cassettes)
"When Suffering Comes". Worship service at Lincoln Memorial Congregational Church, 4126 Arlington Avenue Los Angeles. April
1996. Galloway Brothers Quartet singing at the end.
Rappin: A Tribute to The Honorable Willie L. Brown, Jr. May 18, 1991. Melle Mel, Kool Moe Dee, MC Lyte, Dutchiezz.
"Big Book Bill"- El Sobrante, CA. 4/27/96
10 unlabeled cassettes
carton 6
Microcassettes
circa 1992-1993
Scope and Contents
RAB Family Background. 11-3.
Practice tape.
High School and Jr. College.
Side A- HTB 9/17 and 9/23 Miscellaneous Tape #1/ Side B- HTB 9/23/93. Column, background, 4th meeting.
Side A- Growing up, school days/ Side B- Description of Popoo's characters.
Side A- RAB Big M + D/ Side B- Marriage Story
Side A- 10/20 HTB/ EBB/ Side B- 10/20 HTB/ EBB tape 3
Side A- RAB 11/3 and 11/4/ Side B- RAB 11/4
Side A- RAB 11/2 and 11/3. No LA/ Side B- RAB 11/3 in LA.
Side A- HTB 10/27/92/ Side B- HTB 10/29/92.
Side A- HTB 9/23/92. Background./ Side B- HTB 9/23/92. Background continued, tape 2.
Side A- HTB Lessons from Big Dad
HTB 5/21/93 Destiny Revealed Book
Boswell Family HTB
12/7/92- Rev. Robert Hill
TB Interviewed. Too, Too Slick.
Side A- Rev. James McCray. 12/2/92. / Side B- Rev. James McCray. 12/2/92.
12/2/92- Rev. James MrCray Part 2.
HTB Big Mama
Dan Collins
HTB College Tape #2
Ernie
E. B. Boswell Jamisons
10/20 HTB Tape 3. 10/25 HTB phone call part 1.
HTB Destiny Continued
12/9/92- W. Flynn
McLaughlin.
carton 6
VHS tapes
circa 1993-1994
Scope and Contents
Seattle Equal Status Forum.
Jones Memorial UMC/ UMW Fashion Show and Salad Tea. June 5, 1993.
California State Assembly Television Tape. Chamber. Rev. Boswell. 8/31/94.
The 50th Anniversary of Hamilton and Eleanor Boswell.
Ms. Eleanor Boswell Raine. S. S. Show.
1 untitled cassette.
carton 6
Kodachrome Movie Film
1960s
Scope and Contents
Xmas Mom + Pop. Nana Popoo, Uncle Warren. Jan. 196?
Mexico/ Bull Fights. Jeri, Lorraine and Aunt Georgia. Oct. 4, 1966.
KSAN Boatride. Aug. 22, 1966.
Youth Picnic. Aug 17, 1960.
San Diego, 4th of July/ Dru The Singltons. Aug 14, 196?
Aunt Lula, Bessie, Grandma, Mom, Ellie, Jeri, Dru.undated.
Long blank lead in. Treherne (?) family in Nashville. mom, dad, Jeri, Ellie. undated.
2 untitled film reels.
digital_folder 001-011
Digitized films
1976-2013
Scope and Contents
Samuel R. Burton Professional Development and Media Center Dedication Ceremony. 2013
Hazel Price Interview. 1990
Hamilton Boswell: Last of the Great Debaters (interview with Eleanor Boswell-Raine). 2008
Local Color Freedom Frontier. 1990
Freedom Frontier. 1976
Boswell the Light. 2003
Profiles of Excellence (Kathy Lim Ko). 2005
Comcast Newsmakers Globe Newspaper (interview with Eleanor Boswell-Raine). 2009
Scope and Contents
The 1976 film, Freedom Frontier, contains racist content and racist representations of indigenous peoples that may be disturbing
to some viewers.