HIS
STORY
/
HER
OUR
Use the scroll wheel on your mouse, trackpad, arrow key or tap next to
view the timeline
A steadfast dedication to community, empowerment, and stewardship of our human connection to Mama earth.
1865
Madison, Florida, in 1865. His parents had instilled in him a love and respect for the African Methodist Episcopal Church and laid the foundation for his religious heritage. The family was grindingly poor and moving to Jacksonville hadn't helped the situation.
Abraham Lincoln Lewis
The early
years…
The family moved to Jacksonville, Florida in 1876 seeking a better life in the ‘city of Negro opportunity. Life for the Lewis was promising. Work was available and their children were able to attend school. Abraham Lincoln Lewis, however dropped out of school at the age of 13 and began working in a sawmill to help the family. Although his formal education ended in the sixth grade, his thirst for knowledge and drive insisted that he succeed.
1876
A lasting union…
In the year 1884, Abraham Lincoln Lewis wedded Mary Frances Sammis, who was a direct descendant of Zephaniah Kingsley Jr., a white enslaver and plantation owner, and Anna Madgigine Jai, a woman who was previously in bondage from Senegal, both residing on Fort George Island at the Kingsley Plantation.
1884
Natural born
businessman…
At the age of 23, he took some of his savings and purchased an interest in the first shoe store owned and operated by blacks in Jacksonville. It was a very successful venture. Lewis was becoming one of those men who, although they may not have a lot of education, have a natural ability for leadership, for business and for managing money well.
Read More
1887
Reverend J. Milton Walton, pastor of Jacksonville’s Bethel Baptist Church, summoned six visionary leaders and entrepreneurs-one of whom was Abraham Lincoln Lewis- to gather at his church on January 15, 1901. On April 1,1901, merely 36 years after the end of slavery, they organized to give their people assistance in times of sickness and death. After prayer and and conversation, the men pooled their money and contributed $100.00 each to finance he Afro-American Industrial and Benefit Association,
1901
The Founding of the Afro-American Life Insurance Association
Jacksonville
fire of 1901
/
The heroism of
Eartha White
The company had been in business less than a year, and had begun to make an income of just over $50 per week, when the Jacksonville fire of 1901 devastated the town.
Eartha White, who was serving as clerk of the company, risked her life to save the supplies and the important records, upon which the continuation of the entire venture depended. As a result of the fire the company was moved to Lewis' home, one of the few houses that had escaped destruction, and continued its operations.
The great fire of Jacksonville ignited. Calm and deliberate amid the panic, she commandeered a passerby’s horse and carriage, loaded all the company files and drove them to her house.
May 3, 1901
her.story
The day after
Though Afro American Life Insurance was out of an office, it was not out of business, thanks to Eartha White. To demonstrate his gratitude, company president A. L. Lewis sold Ms. White an expansive tract of property at a much-reduced price.
Today
The Eartha M. M. White Health Care, Inc. and the soon-to-be-renovated Boy’s and Girl’s Club facility stand on that property. A more sentimental gesture was the gift of Mr. Lewis’s walking stick, highly polished, with an intricate alligator design, carved in 1916.
Later, the Clara White Mission was founded in honor of her mother, which to this day provides meals and aid to those in need.
The fraternal
order
Lewis was an avid supporter of fraternal affairs; he enjoyed them himself and felt they gave blacks that belonged to them an important feeling of solidarity. He directed the Sons and Daughters of Jacob for years, and served as treasurer of the insurance department of the Masonic Order. He became more and more skillful in the management of money and was learning the insurance business as well. It was through his business ability that the imposing Masonic Temple in Jacksonville was built-at that time one of the most valuable structures owned by blacks in the State of Florida.
1914
1919
A. L. Lewis becomes President and Treasure of the Afro-American Industrial and Benefit Association. The following year A. L. Lewis established the Afro-American Pension Bureau.
The Afro-American Industrial and Benefit Association changes it name to the Afro-American Life Insurance Company. The company’s motto was “Relief In Distress”
1925
January 13
Marvyne Elizabeth Betsch, A. L. Lewis’ first great granddaughter is born, who years later changed her name to MaVynee Oshun Betsch, “The Beach Lady.”
January 13
A.L. Lewis as President of the Afro-American Life Insurance COmpany's Pension Bureau purchases and opens 33 acres of oceanfront resort property on Amelia Island and named it American Beach. The land was subdivided into 50x100 parcels for sale to company executives, share owners and community leaders.
1935
1937
1937
The Afro-American Life Insurance Company’s Pension Bureau purchased a second parcel of 100 additional acres on American Beach.
Bonds of
kinship
A.L. Lewis and
Mary McLeod Bethune
Famed educator, civil rights leader, philantrhopist and humanitarian Mary McLeod Bethune saw and A.L. Lewis held each other in great esteem — and found in one another kindred spirts dedicated to the advancement of their community. Over the years the two corresponded often about the events of their time and their shared for the future.
A.L. Lewis believed deeply in the value of education and as such was a dedicated supporter of Dr. McLeod and financial supporter of Bethune Cookman university along with other Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
FPO - Photo of A.L. Lewis and Johnnetta Betsch Cole if it exists.
Caption: (L) Mary McLeod with her son and grandchildren. (R ) A.L. Lewis with his grandaughters MaVynne Betsch and Johnetta Betsch Cole future President of Spelman College.
1940
With many building lots unsold, the Afro offers them for sale to the wider black community. After World War II, home construction takes off.
A.L. Lewis with Jolita Simmons, FAMU alum and Miss Jacksonville 1942
1942
1945
1946
The final 83 acres with 1,500 feet of shoreline were granted to the Afro-American Life Insurance Company’s Pension Bureau by the United States government, bringing the total to 216 acres of this “Negro Ocean Playground.”
1947
March 10, 1947 A. L. Lewis died in his home at 1706 Jefferson St. in Jacksonville, Florida. Funeral services were held at Mt. Olive A.M.E Church and he was interred in the Lewis Mausoleum in the Memorial Cemetery.
1948
Evans’ Rendezvous, an oceanfront dining and entertainment establishment, opens, attracting musicians such as Ray Charles, Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, James Brown and Billie Daniels.
1950
The A. L. Lewis Motel, a 22-unit family ocean-view vacation
lodge, opens at American Beach.
1964
Hurricane Dora slams into American Beach, damaging or destroying many homes and businesses.
Mavynee Elizabeth Betsch leaves Germany and returns to Florida to help care for her mother Mary Frances Betsch (succumbed April 22, 1975) and care her grandfather James Lewis who passed June 7, 1975. Note: Picture of Mary Betsch and James Lewis above.
1975
77
77
19
Mavynee Elizabeth Betsch, A. L. Lewis’s
great-granddaughter returns to live on American Beach.
Mavynee Elizabeth Betsch, A. L. Lewis’s great-granddaughter returns to live on American Beach.
1980s
Mavynee Elizabeth Betsch, A. L. Lewis’s great-granddaughter returns to live on American Beach.
1990s
A FORCE OF NATURE IN MOTION
Use the scroll wheel on your mouse or tap next to proceed
A steadfast dedication to community, empowerment, and stewardship of our human connection to Mama earth.
2001
American Beach is listed as a historic site on the National Register of Historic Places after a dedicated campaign led by MaVynne's tireless conservation efforts and stewardship
2005
September 5, 2005
MaVynee Oshun Betsch, “The Beach Lady,” makes her transition.
“Death will not take from my beloved NaNa. I wish my ashes to be part of that eternal softness of sand—A magic world that makes my life a constant joy at American Beach—My Sacred Place!” — MaVynee Oshun Betsch
2014
September 5
In honor of the Beach Lady, the American Beach Museum opens.
2014
September 5
In honor of the Beach Lady, the American Beach Museum opens.
Today
The legacy continues….
HIS
STORY
/
HER
OUR
Use the scroll wheel on your mouse, trackpad, arrow key or tap next to
view the timeline
A steadfast dedication to community, empowerment, and stewardship of our human connection to Mama earth.
1865
Madison, Florida, in 1865. His parents had instilled in him a love and respect for the African Methodist Episcopal Church and laid the foundation for his religious heritage. The family was grindingly poor and moving to Jacksonville hadn't helped the situation.
Abraham Lincoln Lewis
The early
years…
The family moved to Jacksonville, Florida in 1876 seeking a better life in the ‘city of Negro opportunity. Life for the Lewis was promising. Work was available and their children were able to attend school. Abraham Lincoln Lewis, however dropped out of school at the age of 13 and began working in a sawmill to help the family. Although his formal education ended in the sixth grade, his thirst for knowledge and drive insisted that he succeed.
1876
A lasting union…
In the year 1884, Abraham Lincoln Lewis wedded Mary Frances Sammis, who was a direct descendant of Zephaniah Kingsley Jr., a white enslaver and plantation owner, and Anna Madgigine Jai, a woman who was previously in bondage from Senegal, both residing on Fort George Island at the Kingsley Plantation.
1884
Natural born
businessman…
At the age of 23, he took some of his savings and purchased an interest in the first shoe store owned and operated by blacks in Jacksonville. It was a very successful venture. Lewis was becoming one of those men who, although they may not have a lot of education, have a natural ability for leadership, for business and for managing money well.
Read More
1887
Reverend J. Milton Walton, pastor of Jacksonville’s Bethel Baptist Church, summoned six visionary leaders and entrepreneurs-one of whom was Abraham Lincoln Lewis- to gather at his church on January 15, 1901. On April 1,1901, merely 36 years after the end of slavery, they organized to give their people assistance in times of sickness and death. After prayer and and conversation, the men pooled their money and contributed $100.00 each to finance he Afro-American Industrial and Benefit Association,
1901
The Founding of the Afro-American Life Insurance Association
Jacksonville
fire of 1901
/
The heroism of
Eartha White
The company had been in business less than a year, and had begun to make an income of just over $50 per week, when the Jacksonville fire of 1901 devastated the town.
Eartha White, who was serving as clerk of the company, risked her life to save the supplies and the important records, upon which the continuation of the entire venture depended. As a result of the fire the company was moved to Lewis' home, one of the few houses that had escaped destruction, and continued its operations.
The great fire of Jacksonville ignited. Calm and deliberate amid the panic, she commandeered a passerby’s horse and carriage, loaded all the company files and drove them to her house.
May 3, 1901
her.story
The day after
Though Afro American Life Insurance was out of an office, it was not out of business, thanks to Eartha White. To demonstrate his gratitude, company president A. L. Lewis sold Ms. White an expansive tract of property at a much-reduced price.
Today
The Eartha M. M. White Health Care, Inc. and the soon-to-be-renovated Boy’s and Girl’s Club facility stand on that property. A more sentimental gesture was the gift of Mr. Lewis’s walking stick, highly polished, with an intricate alligator design, carved in 1916.
Later, the Clara White Mission was founded in honor of her mother, which to this day provides meals and aid to those in need.
The fraternal
order
Lewis was an avid supporter of fraternal affairs; he enjoyed them himself and felt they gave blacks that belonged to them an important feeling of solidarity. He directed the Sons and Daughters of Jacob for years, and served as treasurer of the insurance department of the Masonic Order. He became more and more skillful in the management of money and was learning the insurance business as well. It was through his business ability that the imposing Masonic Temple in Jacksonville was built-at that time one of the most valuable structures owned by blacks in the State of Florida.
1914
1919
A. L. Lewis becomes President and Treasure of the Afro-American Industrial and Benefit Association. The following year A. L. Lewis established the Afro-American Pension Bureau.
The Afro-American Industrial and Benefit Association changes it name to the Afro-American Life Insurance Company. The company’s motto was “Relief In Distress”
1925
January 13
Marvyne Elizabeth Betsch, A. L. Lewis’ first great granddaughter is born, who years later changed her name to MaVynee Oshun Betsch, “The Beach Lady.”
January 13
A.L. Lewis as President of the Afro-American Life Insurance COmpany's Pension Bureau purchases and opens 33 acres of oceanfront resort property on Amelia Island and named it American Beach. The land was subdivided into 50x100 parcels for sale to company executives, share owners and community leaders.
1935
1937
1937
The Afro-American Life Insurance Company’s Pension Bureau purchased a second parcel of 100 additional acres on American Beach.
Bonds of
kinship
A.L. Lewis and
Mary McLeod Bethune
Famed educator, civil rights leader, philantrhopist and humanitarian Mary McLeod Bethune saw and A.L. Lewis held each other in great esteem — and found in one another kindred spirts dedicated to the advancement of their community. Over the years the two corresponded often about the events of their time and their shared for the future.
A.L. Lewis believed deeply in the value of education and as such was a dedicated supporter of Dr. McLeod and financial supporter of Bethune Cookman university along with other Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
FPO - Photo of A.L. Lewis and Johnnetta Betsch Cole if it exists.
Caption: (L) Mary McLeod with her son and grandchildren. (R ) A.L. Lewis with his grandaughters MaVynne Betsch and Johnetta Betsch Cole future President of Spelman College.
1940
With many building lots unsold, the Afro offers them for sale to the wider black community. After World War II, home construction takes off.
A.L. Lewis with Jolita Simmons, FAMU alum and Miss Jacksonville 1942
1942
1945
1946
The final 83 acres with 1,500 feet of shoreline were granted to the Afro-American Life Insurance Company’s Pension Bureau by the United States government, bringing the total to 216 acres of this “Negro Ocean Playground.”
1947
March 10, 1947 A. L. Lewis died in his home at 1706 Jefferson St. in Jacksonville, Florida. Funeral services were held at Mt. Olive A.M.E Church and he was interred in the Lewis Mausoleum in the Memorial Cemetery.
1948
Evans’ Rendezvous, an oceanfront dining and entertainment establishment, opens, attracting musicians such as Ray Charles, Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, James Brown and Billie Daniels.
1950
The A. L. Lewis Motel, a 22-unit family ocean-view vacation
lodge, opens at American Beach.
1964
Hurricane Dora slams into American Beach, damaging or destroying many homes and businesses.
Mavynee Elizabeth Betsch leaves Germany and returns to Florida to help care for her mother Mary Frances Betsch (succumbed April 22, 1975) and care her grandfather James Lewis who passed June 7, 1975. Note: Picture of Mary Betsch and James Lewis above.
1975
77
77
19
Mavynee Elizabeth Betsch, A. L. Lewis’s
great-granddaughter returns to live on American Beach.
Mavynee Elizabeth Betsch, A. L. Lewis’s great-granddaughter returns to live on American Beach.
1980s
Mavynee Elizabeth Betsch, A. L. Lewis’s great-granddaughter returns to live on American Beach.
1990s
A FORCE OF NATURE IN MOTION
Use the scroll wheel on your mouse or tap next to proceed
A steadfast dedication to community, empowerment, and stewardship of our human connection to Mama earth.
2001
American Beach is listed as a historic site on the National Register of Historic Places after a dedicated campaign led by MaVynne's tireless conservation efforts and stewardship
2005
September 5, 2005
MaVynee Oshun Betsch, “The Beach Lady,” makes her transition.
“Death will not take from my beloved NaNa. I wish my ashes to be part of that eternal softness of sand—A magic world that makes my life a constant joy at American Beach—My Sacred Place!” — MaVynee Oshun Betsch
2014
September 5
In honor of the Beach Lady, the American Beach Museum opens.
2014
September 5
In honor of the Beach Lady, the American Beach Museum opens.
Today
The legacy continues….
HIS
STORY
/
HER
OUR
Use the scroll wheel on your mouse, trackpad, arrow key or tap next to
view the timeline
A steadfast dedication to community, empowerment, and stewardship of our human connection to Mama earth.
1865
Madison, Florida, in 1865. His parents had instilled in him a love and respect for the African Methodist Episcopal Church and laid the foundation for his religious heritage. The family was grindingly poor and moving to Jacksonville hadn't helped the situation.
Abraham Lincoln Lewis
The early
years…
The family moved to Jacksonville, Florida in 1876 seeking a better life in the ‘city of Negro opportunity. Life for the Lewis was promising. Work was available and their children were able to attend school. Abraham Lincoln Lewis, however dropped out of school at the age of 13 and began working in a sawmill to help the family. Although his formal education ended in the sixth grade, his thirst for knowledge and drive insisted that he succeed.
1876
A lasting union…
In the year 1884, Abraham Lincoln Lewis wedded Mary Frances Sammis, who was a direct descendant of Zephaniah Kingsley Jr., a white enslaver and plantation owner, and Anna Madgigine Jai, a woman who was previously in bondage from Senegal, both residing on Fort George Island at the Kingsley Plantation.
1884
Natural born
businessman…
At the age of 23, he took some of his savings and purchased an interest in the first shoe store owned and operated by blacks in Jacksonville. It was a very successful venture. Lewis was becoming one of those men who, although they may not have a lot of education, have a natural ability for leadership, for business and for managing money well.
Read More
1887
Reverend J. Milton Walton, pastor of Jacksonville’s Bethel Baptist Church, summoned six visionary leaders and entrepreneurs-one of whom was Abraham Lincoln Lewis- to gather at his church on January 15, 1901. On April 1,1901, merely 36 years after the end of slavery, they organized to give their people assistance in times of sickness and death. After prayer and and conversation, the men pooled their money and contributed $100.00 each to finance he Afro-American Industrial and Benefit Association,
1901
The Founding of the Afro-American Life Insurance Association
Jacksonville
fire of 1901
/
The heroism of
Eartha White
The company had been in business less than a year, and had begun to make an income of just over $50 per week, when the Jacksonville fire of 1901 devastated the town.
Eartha White, who was serving as clerk of the company, risked her life to save the supplies and the important records, upon which the continuation of the entire venture depended. As a result of the fire the company was moved to Lewis' home, one of the few houses that had escaped destruction, and continued its operations.
The great fire of Jacksonville ignited. Calm and deliberate amid the panic, she commandeered a passerby’s horse and carriage, loaded all the company files and drove them to her house.
May 3, 1901
her.story
The day after
Though Afro American Life Insurance was out of an office, it was not out of business, thanks to Eartha White. To demonstrate his gratitude, company president A. L. Lewis sold Ms. White an expansive tract of property at a much-reduced price.
Today
The Eartha M. M. White Health Care, Inc. and the soon-to-be-renovated Boy’s and Girl’s Club facility stand on that property. A more sentimental gesture was the gift of Mr. Lewis’s walking stick, highly polished, with an intricate alligator design, carved in 1916.
Later, the Clara White Mission was founded in honor of her mother, which to this day provides meals and aid to those in need.
The fraternal
order
Lewis was an avid supporter of fraternal affairs; he enjoyed them himself and felt they gave blacks that belonged to them an important feeling of solidarity. He directed the Sons and Daughters of Jacob for years, and served as treasurer of the insurance department of the Masonic Order. He became more and more skillful in the management of money and was learning the insurance business as well. It was through his business ability that the imposing Masonic Temple in Jacksonville was built-at that time one of the most valuable structures owned by blacks in the State of Florida.
1914
1919
A. L. Lewis becomes President and Treasure of the Afro-American Industrial and Benefit Association. The following year A. L. Lewis established the Afro-American Pension Bureau.
The Afro-American Industrial and Benefit Association changes it name to the Afro-American Life Insurance Company. The company’s motto was “Relief In Distress”
1925
January 13
Marvyne Elizabeth Betsch, A. L. Lewis’ first great granddaughter is born, who years later changed her name to MaVynee Oshun Betsch, “The Beach Lady.”
January 13
A.L. Lewis as President of the Afro-American Life Insurance COmpany's Pension Bureau purchases and opens 33 acres of oceanfront resort property on Amelia Island and named it American Beach. The land was subdivided into 50x100 parcels for sale to company executives, share owners and community leaders.
1935
1937
1937
The Afro-American Life Insurance Company’s Pension Bureau purchased a second parcel of 100 additional acres on American Beach.
Bonds of
kinship
A.L. Lewis and
Mary McLeod Bethune
Famed educator, civil rights leader, philantrhopist and humanitarian Mary McLeod Bethune saw and A.L. Lewis held each other in great esteem — and found in one another kindred spirts dedicated to the advancement of their community. Over the years the two corresponded often about the events of their time and their shared for the future.
A.L. Lewis believed deeply in the value of education and as such was a dedicated supporter of Dr. McLeod and financial supporter of Bethune Cookman university along with other Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
FPO - Photo of A.L. Lewis and Johnnetta Betsch Cole if it exists.
Caption: (L) Mary McLeod with her son and grandchildren. (R ) A.L. Lewis with his grandaughters MaVynne Betsch and Johnetta Betsch Cole future President of Spelman College.
1940
With many building lots unsold, the Afro offers them for sale to the wider black community. After World War II, home construction takes off.
A.L. Lewis with Jolita Simmons, FAMU alum and Miss Jacksonville 1942
1942
1945
1946
The final 83 acres with 1,500 feet of shoreline were granted to the Afro-American Life Insurance Company’s Pension Bureau by the United States government, bringing the total to 216 acres of this “Negro Ocean Playground.”
1947
March 10, 1947 A. L. Lewis died in his home at 1706 Jefferson St. in Jacksonville, Florida. Funeral services were held at Mt. Olive A.M.E Church and he was interred in the Lewis Mausoleum in the Memorial Cemetery.
1948
Evans’ Rendezvous, an oceanfront dining and entertainment establishment, opens, attracting musicians such as Ray Charles, Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, James Brown and Billie Daniels.
1950
The A. L. Lewis Motel, a 22-unit family ocean-view vacation
lodge, opens at American Beach.
1964
Hurricane Dora slams into American Beach, damaging or destroying many homes and businesses.
Mavynee Elizabeth Betsch leaves Germany and returns to Florida to help care for her mother Mary Frances Betsch (succumbed April 22, 1975) and care her grandfather James Lewis who passed June 7, 1975. Note: Picture of Mary Betsch and James Lewis above.
1975
77
77
19
Mavynee Elizabeth Betsch, A. L. Lewis’s
great-granddaughter returns to live on American Beach.
Mavynee Elizabeth Betsch, A. L. Lewis’s great-granddaughter returns to live on American Beach.
1980s
Mavynee Elizabeth Betsch, A. L. Lewis’s great-granddaughter returns to live on American Beach.
1990s
A FORCE OF NATURE IN MOTION
Use the scroll wheel on your mouse or tap next to proceed
A steadfast dedication to community, empowerment, and stewardship of our human connection to Mama earth.
2001
American Beach is listed as a historic site on the National Register of Historic Places after a dedicated campaign led by MaVynne's tireless conservation efforts and stewardship
2005
September 5, 2005
MaVynee Oshun Betsch, “The Beach Lady,” makes her transition.
“Death will not take from my beloved NaNa. I wish my ashes to be part of that eternal softness of sand—A magic world that makes my life a constant joy at American Beach—My Sacred Place!” — MaVynee Oshun Betsch
2014
September 5
In honor of the Beach Lady, the American Beach Museum opens.
2014
September 5
In honor of the Beach Lady, the American Beach Museum opens.
Today
The legacy continues….