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Kent-Barnard Family Papers, 1785/1928 (inclusive)

Extent:

3 linear ft. (6 boxes)

Abstract:

Daniel Kent, emigrated to Chester County, Pa. from Ireland, in 1785. He joined the Society of Friends (Quakers) in 1790, and married Esther Hawley in 1791. Their great-grandson Henry Simmons Kent (1833-1906) was active in the establishment of Swarthmore Monthly Meeting and the Borough of Swarthmore, Pennsylvania. The collection includes material used by Daniels' great-granddaughter Ella Kent Barnard in preparation for the writing of three books. Among these materials are genealogical charts and data, research correspondence, and original letters and documents. Notable among the latter is the correspondence between Daniel Kent and his parents, William and Ann Kent. Collection also includes diaries and journals. A manuscript entitled "The Rise of Swarthmore," by Isabella Tyson, describes the meeting of Friends in the home of her parents to discuss plans for the establishment of the College.

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

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Lamb-Booth-Miller Family Papers, 1709-1959 (inclusive)

Extent:

5 linear ft. (10 boxes)

Abstract:

William Booth married Elizabeth M. Broomall in 1841. Their son, George M. Booth, was born in 1851 and married Ellen Miller, daughter of Lewis and Ann McIlvaine Miller in 1876. Their daughter, Elizabeth Martin Booth, married Robert Emerson Lamb of Baltimore in 1908 at Chester, Pa. The collection contains correspondence (1821-1963), diaries and journals (1833-1905), albums, legal and financial papers, photographs, genealogical and biographical materials, and miscellaneous memorabilia of the Lamb, Booth, Miller, and related families primarily of Delaware County, Pennsylvania. Includes correspondence of Sarah B. Miller while she was travelling in Europe in 1846, William and Elizabeth M. Booth, 1833-1882, Sarah B. Flitcraft, 1856-1917, Isaac L. and Clara B. Miller, 1862-1916, George M. and Ellen M. Booth, 1864-1914, Robert E. and Elizabeth B. Lamb, James G. Lamb, 1917 - 1963, and others. Also of interest are the European travel journals of Sarah L. Miller (1846) and Isaac L. and Clara B....(see more)

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

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Biddle family Papers, 1793-1951 (inclusive)

Extent:

4 linear ft. (8 boxes)

Abstract:

This collection contains the papers of Philadelphia Quaker Owen Biddle (1737-1799), his son, Clement Biddle (1778-1856), and numerous descendants. Owen Biddle, a scientist and merchant, was a member of Philadelphia Monthly Meeting and helped in the establishment of Westtown School (1799). Owen Biddle's papers, 1772-1793, (Series 1) include correspondence, and journals, some of which relate to his Revolutionary War activities. Three of his letterbooks, 1778-1779, have been microfilmed. The collection contains correspondence, journals, letterbooks, and account books, together with other manuscript material reflecting the social and cultural life and religious activities of a prominent Quaker family of Pennsylvania and Delaware. Papers of Lucy Biddle Lewis (1861-1941) are important for association with the women's suffrage movement and for early activities of the American Friends Service Committee. Other names represented in the collection are Jane Addams, Emily Greene Balch, Clement...(see more)

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

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Norman Walton Swayne Family Papers, 1733-1987 (inclusive)

Extent:

3 linear ft. (7 boxes (plus oversize material))

Abstract:

The Swayne family were Quakers of southern Chester County, Pennsylvania. Caleb Swayne was a farmer and tanner, and his son, Benjamin, also operated a tan yard and conducted a school for boys, the London Grove Boarding School. Evan Thomas Swayne also taught at London Grove, but moved to the Eaton Institute, a boarding school for girls in Kennett, after 1865. His son, Edward Swayne, had a greenhouse business and wrote poetry. Edward's sister, Anna Belle, was a photographer before her marriage to Albert Taylor Jackson. Edward's son, Norman Walton Swayne, attended Swarthmore College and then taught at the George School; he was also the family genealogist. The collection includes genealogical research, correspondence, poetry and other writings, commonplace books, deeds and financial records, and miscellaneous materials. Of particular interest is the journal of Benjamin Swayne of London Grove, the school master's records of Evan Thomas Swayne, the poetical exchange between Edward Swayne...(see more)

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

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Trenton Friends Association Records, 1892-1908 (inclusive)

Extent:

0.5 linear ft. (1 box)

Abstract:

The Trenton Friends Association was formed in 1892 in Trenton, New Jersey, to promote "a thorough knowledge of the history and testimonies of the Society of Friends." Meetings were held monthly, except in the summer, in the Trenton Friends meeting house. Papers were presented on a variety of topics. The collection contains minutes, constitution and bylaws, and manuscripts of papers read at meetings.

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

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Joseph Wharton Family Papers, 1691-1955 (inclusive)

Extent:

21.81 linear ft. (71 boxes)

Abstract:

Joseph Wharton (1826-1909) was a prominent Philadelphia Quaker merchant, industrialist, scientist, and philanthropist who was active in 19th century Delaware Valley manufacturing, business, and education development. The papers cover in depth his business activities as well as his career as Manager of Swarthmore College for over 35 years and as founder of the Wharton School of Finance and Commerce at the University of Pennsylvania. The collection includes business correspondence, 1855-1908, of the Joseph Wharton Gap Establishment, the Lehigh Zinc Company, Bethlehem Iron company, the Hibernia Mine Railroad Company, as well as more than fifty articles prepared by Wharton dealing with the mineral ore industry including iron, zinc, and nickel, tariff questions, political issues on a national and regional level, and Wharton's special concerns in education. Joseph Wharton (1826-1909) was descended from two of the oldest families in Pennsylvania. His father, William Wharton, was in the...(see more)

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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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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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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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]