Gordon family papers, 1924-1946

Summary

Creator:

Gordon family.

Abstract:

Papers of Mattie (Martha) Bell Hudson Gordon, Willie Lee Gordon, and their son, William Hal Gordon, African American family that came to Detroit from Georgia and settled in Highland Park.

Extent:

0.25 linear feet

Language:

English

Call Number:

90172 Aa 2

Authors:

Finding aid created by Bentley Historical Library staff in March 2023.

Background

Scope and Content:

Primarily correspondence, including some letters from family in Georgia, but mostly letters (1945-1946) from William Hal Gordon to his parents about his experiences in the military, especially as a Black person and as a musician; includes some letters written to William by his mother, and some miscellaneous personal items.

Biographical / Historical:

The Gordon family lived in Detroit, Michigan. Mattie Gordon was born Martha Bell Hudson in 1911, in Georgia. William (Willie) Lee Gordon was born in Georgia in ca. 1908. Both completed 1 year of high school. Their son William Hal Gordon was born in Trenton, New Jersey in ca. 1926. In 1930, the couple and their son lived in Detroit with Willie's aunt Pauline Ivy. Willie Gordy worked as a washer and Mattie was a laundry presser. By 1950, Willie Gordon worked as a truck driver helper for a commercial laundry business and Mattie continued to work at a hand laundry. Their son William attended Detroit Northern High School and was drafted into the U.S. Navy near the end of World War II, where he served as a hospital aide. As a young person, he became a musician.

Acquisition Information:

Donated by Holly Evanoff (donor no. 7800 )

Rules or Conventions:

appm

Subjects

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Subjects:

African Americans -- Georgia.
African Americans -- Michigan -- Detroit.
African American musicians.
Musicians -- United States.
World War, 1939-1945.

Names:

Gordon family.
Gordon, William Hal, 1926-