The students of the Radical University: B. F. Hartwell

Benjamin Franklin Hartwell (b. 1861, d. 1948)
Alabama.  Black/mulatto.  
Occupation: teacher

Benjamin F. Hartwell was born in Lowndesboro, Alabama to unknown parents.  He had moved to South Carolina by 1875.

Hartwell was admitted to the University of South Carolina as a scholarship student in fall 1875. He was a college student following the modern studies track.  This university closed before he completed his degree.

After the university closure, Hartwell moved to Georgia.  He attended Atlanta University in the 1878-79 and 1880-81 academic years  During this time, a number of former U of SC students attended the university.  In particular,  Hartwell took classes alongside his former classmate Drayton H. Maffett.  Hartwell completed his studies and received a B.S. degree in Spring 1881.

While attending Atlanta University, Hartwell began working as a teacher.  By 1880, he was living in Quitman, Georgia (a small town in Brooks County) and working as a school teacher. After graduating from Atlanta, he continued to work as a teacher, although around 1887 he moved to Valdosta, Georgia.

By 1900, Hartwell had left Georgia for Florida.  He lived Gainesville, Palatka, Ocala, Green Cove Springs, and Fernandina. Hartwell was a source of controversy in Ocala. In 1900, he was serving as principal of the Howard Academy, one of the best African American schools in the state. That summer, he was up for reappointment, and in July, a number of prominent African American citizens asked the trustees of the academy not to reappoint him. They presented the trustees with a lengthy petition that was highly critical of Hartwell. It concluded by stating that "the colored people are thoroughly disgusted, sick and tired of their principal."

Hartwell's critics leveled two general charges. The first was that he maintained lax teaching standard and was disrespectful for the teachers he supervised. The second was that he refused to associate with other African Americans. They alleged that he only held his position because he had the trustees "under his thumb and carried their votes in his vest pocket." 

The petition attracted a significant degree of attention and was published in the local newspaper. The petitioners were able to delay Hartwell's confirmation, but ultimately he was reappointed and remained in the position for a number of years. 

Hartwell had left Ocala by 1910. However, he remained in Florida, working as an educator, until his retirement. Hartwell died in 1948 and was buried in Bosque Bello Cemetery.

Sources Cited

1). 1880; Census Place: Quitman, Brooks, Georgia; Roll: 135; Page: 294B

2). 1900; Census Place: Fernandina, Nassau, Florida; Page: 2; Enumeration District: 0110

3). 1910; Census Place: Palatka Ward 7, Putnam, Florida; Roll: T624_166; Page: 21B

4). Gainesville, Florida, City Directory, 1915

5). 1920; Census Place: Green Cove Springs, Clay, Florida; Roll: T625_216; Page: 9B

6). 1940; Census Place: Green Cove Springs, Clay, Florida; Roll: m-t0627-00578; Page: 11B;

7). Eleventh census of the state of Florida, 1945; (Microfilm series S 1371, 43 reels); Record Group 001021; State Library and Archives of Florida, Tallahassee, Florida.  Archive Series #: S1371, Roll 4.    Page 76.

8). Adams, Myron W.  General Catalogue of Atlanta University, 1867-1918.  Atlanta University Press.  1918.

9). Catalogue of the Officers and Students of Atlanta University, 1900-1901.  Atlanta Univeristy Press.  1901. 

10). Catalogue of the Officers and Students of Atlanta University, 1880-1881.  Atlanta Univeristy Press.  1881. 

11). Catalogue of the Officers and Students of Atlanta University, 1886-1887.  Atlanta Univeristy Press.  1887. 

12) Yorkville Enquirer [York, SC]. October 13, 1875. p. 2.

13) "Board of Public Instruction." Ocala Evening Star [Ocala, FL]. July 12, 1900. p. 4.

14) "Charges Agains Hartwell." Ocala Evening Star [Ocala, FL]. July 20, 1900. p. 4.

15) "Board of Public Instruction." Ocala Evening Star [Ocala, FL]. August 11, 1900. p. 2.