Midtown - Downtown in Columbia in Richland County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

The Family's First Home

Photographed by Dave W, May 13, 2023

1. The Family's First Home Marker

Inscription.
Ben Delane [b. 1800 - d. 1890] and his wife, Celia Mann [b. 1799 - d. 1867] were the foundation of the Mann-Simons family. By 1843, the couple had two things few African Americans in South Carolina could claim -they were free, and they owned their home.

Though born into slavery in Charleston, they made a new life together as part of Columbia's small free black community. Later generations would build upon Ben and Celia's accomplishments.

Erected by Historic Columbia Foundation.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Architecture. A significant historical year for this entry is 1843.

Location. 34° 0.709′ N, 81° 2.065′ W. Marker is in Columbia, South Carolina, in Richland County. It is in Midtown - Downtown. It is at the intersection of Richland Street and Marion Street, on the left when traveling east on Richland Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1403 Richland St, Columbia SC 29201, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Midlands.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the

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Deep South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Food for Thought (here, next to this marker); The Mann-Simons Site (a few steps from this marker); Making History One Generation at a Time (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Mann-Simons Site (a few steps from this marker); Agnes Jackson's Home (a few steps from this marker); Prosperity and Property Ownership (a few steps from this marker); Setting Up Shop and Making Room for More Family (within shouting distance of this marker); Out With the Old and In With the New (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Columbia.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Mann-Simons Cottage (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near

Photographed by Dave W, May 13, 2023

2. The Family's First Home Marker

it).

Also see . . . Mann-Simons Site. The Mann-Simons Site, home to the same entrepreneurial African American family for nearly 130 years, now traces the journey of Columbia’s Black community from enslavement through urban renewal. (Submitted on December 24, 2023.)

Credits. This page was last revised on January 24, 2026. It was originally submitted on December 22, 2023, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. This page has been viewed 192 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 22, 2023, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.