Helen A. Sargent Family Papers

Collection

Identifier: RG 30-285

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Helen A. Sargent Papers document her career as a teacher and missionary in South Africa. The Papers are arranged into Series 1. Biographical; Series 2. Correspondence; Series 3. Miscellaneous Items; and Series 4. Photographs. The correspondence series contains letters to and from her aunt Sabra Sargent, James Sumner Sargent (father), and letters written by Helen A. Sargent to various other people. Most of these letters, many having traveled between New York and South Africa, reveal family relationships. There is also correspondence with close friends. The Sargent Record book in Series 1 contained letters regarding the family history; these are sleeved and filed with the book.

The Miscellaneous Items series consists of a penmanship exercise book of her brother’s, and personal belongings of Helen A. Sargent such as an academic hood, diplomas and a certificate. The photographs in Series 4 were taken in South Africa and the United States, of family and friends, buildings, and views of cities and countryside. Two oversize, mounted photographs, taken by professional photographers, depict large groups, possibly convention participants, including Helen Sargent.

Of particular interest, in Series 1. Biographical, is a diary written by Sargent on her boat trip to South Africa in 1909, in which she describes her time traveling on the boat, time spent in London en route to South Africa, and the conditions as they neared their destination.

Dates

Creation: 1858-1930s, undated
Other: Date acquired: 1997 July 30

Creator

Sargent, Helen A. (Person)
Sargent, Helen A., Family (Family)

Conditions Governing Access

Unrestricted.

Biographical Sketch

Helen Anstis Sargent was born in November 17, 1872, in Jasper, New York, the daughter of Jason Sumner (1832-1921) and Anstis Maria Whiting Sargent (1838-1872). After she graduated from Jamaica High School (NY), she received her B.A. degree from Oberlin College in 1900. She taught German, English and Latin at York Collegiate Institute (PA) for two years, then in 1903, she accepted a position as Professor of Classics in Huguenot College in Wellington, South Africa. She continued graduate work in absentia and was granted a Master of Arts degree from Oberlin in 1905. She also received a Master of Arts degree from the University of the Cape of Good Hope in 1906. Except for furloughs spent in the United States, she continued to teach at the same post, and after retirement she remained in Wellington where she died on July 12, 1954, of cancer.

She was a member of the Executive Committee of the Students’ Christian Association of South Africa and President of the Teachers’ Christian Association. She was also on the Ladies’ Committee of the Wellington Board of the Sudan United Mission, and president of the Huguenot Missionary Society.

Sources Consulted

Helen A. Sargent, Student File, Alumni Records.

Note written by Tyler Cassidy-Heacock.

Extent

2.06 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Method of Acquisition

The Helen A. Sargent Papers were received from Professor James Helm (Oberlin College Classics Department) on 30 July 1997.

Accruals and Additions

Accession No: 1997/092.

Related Materials

A number of personal paper collections in the Archives reflect careers in missionary work, including in Africa, such as the Charles Livingstone Papers. Please consult the Archivist for more specific information.