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Swarthmore College photographs, 1864-2009 (inclusive)

Extent:

60 cubic ft.

Abstract:

This collection consists of photographs of Swarthmore College from the time of the College's founding into the 21st century. College buildings, students, alumni, employees, activities, events, and other subjects are depicted. Photographs collected by the Friends Historical Library from various sources internal and external to the College.

Held at: Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College [Contact Us]

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Comly-White Family Papers, 1771-1961 (inclusive)

Extent:

3 linear ft. (6 boxes)

Abstract:

John Comly, a Quaker minister and school master, was born in 1773. He married Rebecca Budd, a fellow teacher at the Westtown School, in 1803. They operated the Pleasant Hill Boarding School on their Byberry farm from 1804-1815. The collection includes family correspondence, the journal of John Comly's brother, Isaac, other manuscript writings, financial and legal papers, and miscellaneous papers. Also includes the ledger and memorabilia of Pleasant Hill Boarding School and papers of Helen Comly White relating to her student years at Swarthmore College from 1870-75.

Held at: Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College [Contact Us]

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Jesse Herman Holmes Papers, 1905-1973 (inclusive)

Extent:

0.5 linear ft. (1 box)

Abstract:

Jesse Herman Holmes (1864-1942), was a Quaker philosophy professor at Swarthmore College, 1900-1937. Holmes was an active participant in AFSC relief after World War I, travelling to oversee work in reconstruction throughout Europe. Holmes was the president of the National Federation of Religious Liberals and an active member of the Socialist party. Collection contains correspondence, biographical data, writings, and sermons. Also audio cassettes of reminiscences of friends, former students, and others, compiled by Albert J. Wahl, and relating to Holmes' life and career as an influential philosophy professor at Swarthmore College (1900-1937).

Held at: Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College [Contact Us]

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Howard Malcolm Jenkins Family Papers, 1724-1904 (inclusive)

Extent:

3 linear ft. (6 boxes)

Abstract:

Howard Malcolm Jenkins (1842-1902), a birthright Quaker, was a scholar of Pennsylvania history and genealogy and published many books and articles based on his research. He was an active member of the Society of Friends, editor of the Friends Intelligencer, and served on the Board of Managers of Swarthmore College. The collection contains family papers and genealogical material on the Jenkins and Foulke families, correspondence of Howard M. Jenkins, and his publications and writings. Correspondents include William W. Birdsall, Isaac H. Clothier, Jesse Jenkins, Anna T. Jeanes, Graceanna Lewis, Joseph Swain, Joseph Wharton, Joseph Foulke, John W. Graham, and Thomas Hodgkin.

Held at: Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College [Contact Us]

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Emily Cooper Johnson Family Papers, 1884-1964 (inclusive)

Extent:

0.5 linear ft. (1 box)

Abstract:

Emily Cooper Johnson was a Quaker author and reformer, born 1885 and died 1966 The collection contains correspondence, articles, reviews, and other papers, relating to Johnson's books, Dean Bond of Swarthmore: A Quaker Humanist (1927), and Under Quaker Appointment: The Life of Jane P. Rushmore (1955); together with business and financial papers, family marriage certificates, reference materials, clippings, and photos.

Held at: Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College [Contact Us]

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Samuel C. (Samuel Copeland) Palmer Papers, 1895-1957 (inclusive)

Extent:

1.5 linear ft. (3 boxes)

Abstract:

Samuel Copeland Palmer (1874-1961) was Professor of Botany at Swarthmore College, Pa., from 1909 to 1942 and a lifelong member of the Society of Friends. In 1929, he served as botanist in Bowdoin-Baffin Land expedition under the command of Donald B. MacMillan, and after his retirement from teaching, he worked on a project to illustrate all plant species in Delaware County, Pa. This collection contains biographical material, writings, correspondence, and Swarthmore College memorabilia. It is organized in four series: 1. Biographical, which includes a manuscript autobiography and a scrapbook and journal of his trip to Labrador and Baffin Land; 2. Writings; 3. Correspondence, 1894-1909; and 4. Miscellaneous, which includes personal scrapbooks with correspondence and Swarthmore College memorabilia such as photographs of Swarthmore College students of the 1890s, and fraternity and athletic programs.

Held at: Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College [Contact Us]

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Edna Postlethwaite Family papers, 1894-1962 (inclusive)

Extent:

1 linear ft. (2 boxes)

Abstract:

Edna Postlethwaite (1892-1972) graduated from Swarthmore College in 1914 and earned a masters degree from Columbia University. A Quaker and a member of New York Monthly Meeting of Friends, she was a teacher and involved in many social concerns. The collection contains the letters and diaries of Edna Postlethwaite and photocopies of the letters of G. Edmund Stratton, her uncle, and also a Swarthmore College graduate. Of particular interest is the correspondence of the former with her parents, Clarence E. and Charlotte Lewis Postlethwaite, while she was a student at Swarthmore College.

Held at: Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College [Contact Us]

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Benjamin Sharp Family Papers, 1809-1915 (inclusive)

Extent:

1 linear ft. (2 boxes)

Abstract:

Benjamin Sharp (1858-1915), a zoologist who was primarily affiliated with the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia, attended Swarthmore College (1876) and earned a M.D. and Ph. D. from the University of Pennsylvania. A birthright member of the Society of Friends (Quakers), Dr. Sharp was the son of Benjamin and Hannah B. (Leedom) Sharp of the Germantown section of Philadelphia, Pa. He was married to Virginia May of Ridley, Mass. The family moved to Massachusetts in the early 20th century, and Dr. Sharp served as Representative for Nantucket to the Massachusetts Legislature. The collection consists primarily of correspondence from friends and colleagues, memorabilia from Swarthmore College, and family materials, including the diary of Rebecca Sharp.

Held at: Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College [Contact Us]

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Walton Family Papers, 1725-1930 (inclusive)

Extent:

0.5 linear ft. (1 box)

Abstract:

The Waltons were a Quaker family from Byberry, Pennsylvania, and the Philadelphia area, including Swarthmore. The lines represented in this collection were descended from Benjamin Walton (1701-1753) and Rebecca Homer Walton (d. 1783), of Abington Monthly Meeting and Byberry. The collection includes business and estate papers, mostly of Israel Walton (1789-1863), a diary of Mary D. Walton (1832-1915) which includes a roll book of Fallowfield Monthly Meeting First Day School, albums and verse by Emmaline Walton (1834-1913) and others, and family memorabilia.

Held at: Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College [Contact Us]

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John Russell Hayes Papers, 1880-1936 (inclusive)

Extent:

2.5 linear ft. (5 boxes)

Abstract:

John Russell Hayes (1866-1945) was a Quaker educator, poet, and Librarian of Swarthmore College, 1906-1927 and Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College, 1927-1935. The collection contains letters received by Hayes, 1887-1936, diaries covering the period 1880-1935, and miscellaneous papers including an album of collected manuscript samples of contemporary poets. The diaries include poetry and cover personal and Swarthmore College activities and concerns.

Held at: Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College [Contact Us]