1062 Fanwood Avenue - The Gambrell Family
Like so many of their neighbors, they were part of the “great migration” of African-Americans who travelled north, in their case, from South Carolina in the early 1900’s. While their move to the “Turkey Swamp” neighborhood occurred late in Clement Gambrell’s life, his story is characteristic of the connections that formed between African-American neighborhoods in Westfield.
Clement C. Gambrell, known as Clem, was born in 1867 in Greenville, South Carolina. He lived there until 1900, working with his first wife, Sallie, as servants in a residence. In 1901, they travelled with Sallie’s son William to Westfield. Just a few years later, in 1905, Clem was working as a laborer and had purchased a home at 365 Spring Street (present day Watterson Street).
Besides being a laborer, Clem is also recognized in newspaper accounts as a pastor of a mission church organization, which held their services in residents’ homes on Spring Street.
Clement C. Gambrell, known as Clem, was born in 1867 in Greenville, South Carolina. He lived there until 1900, working with his first wife, Sallie, as servants in a residence. In 1901, they travelled with Sallie’s son William to Westfield. Just a few years later, in 1905, Clem was working as a laborer and had purchased a home at 365 Spring Street (present day Watterson Street).
Besides being a laborer, Clem is also recognized in newspaper accounts as a pastor of a mission church organization, which held their services in residents’ homes on Spring Street.
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It is not coincidental that Clem and Sallie’s home was just 2 doors away from the residence of Reverend William Drew Robeson and his son Paul.[1] Reverend Robeson became the Pastor of St. Luke’s A.M.E. Zion Church in 1907 and was instrumental in moving forward with the construction of the Church building at the corner of Downer Street and Osborn Avenue. The Church opened its doors in 1909 and still stands today.
In the 1910 U.S. Census, Clem reported that he worked for the Town of Westfield as a street sweeper. He also continued to serve as an assistant pastor at numerous services at St. Luke’s. According to land records, around this time he purchased three lots on Jerusalem Road in Scotch Plains, near the future site of the Shady Rest Golf Club. Sadly, Sallie Gambrell died in their home in March, 1919 after a two year illness. She is buried in the Gambrell family plot in Lowndes Hill Baptist Church Cemetery in Greenville, South Carolina. By the 1920 U.S. Census, Clem was residing with relatives at another address on Spring Street and was still employed by the town as a street cleaner. In 1925, Lulu Gambrell, Clement’s second wife, purchased three lots on Fanwood Avenue which would soon become their home. Clement also continued his ministry; he gave the sermon at St. Luke’s service in 1927, which celebrated the burning of the Church’s mortgage. |
Clem and Lula listed 1062 Fanwood Avenue as their home in the 1930 U.S. Census. Clem died in 1931 at the age of 62; Lula moved back to her birthplace of Danville, Virginia by 1940; she sold their home on Fanwood Avenue to a New York resident in 1949. Lula died in 1952.
[1] Paul Robeson (1898-1976) grew to be a renowned musician, stage and film actor, professional football player, and political activist educated at Rutgers University, New York University, Columbia University, and the University of London.
[1] Paul Robeson (1898-1976) grew to be a renowned musician, stage and film actor, professional football player, and political activist educated at Rutgers University, New York University, Columbia University, and the University of London.
