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Smedley Family Papers, 1751-1996 (inclusive) 1821-1950 (bulk)

Extent:
12 linear ft. (23 boxes plus photographs)
Abstract:
The collection contains correspondence, journals and other writings, business and legal papers, and miscellaneous items of the Smedley family, a large and prominent Quaker family of Penncrest Farm, Middletown Township, Delaware County, Pennsylvania. The family was related to the Kite and Sharples/Sharpless families of Chester and Delaware Counties. The papers include significant correspondence of the Kite family, especially Thomas Kite (1785-1845) and Mary Kite (1792-1861), both prominent Quaker ministers, and Thomas's daughter, Susanna Kite (1809-1844) who married Aaron Sharpless. Their daughter, Elizabeth S. Sharpless married Edward G. Smedley of Middletown, thus merging the Smedley-Sharples-Kite families. In the 20th century, the property became the home of Edward Smedley's nephew, Walter Smedley (1862-1939), a Philadelphia architect, and his wife, Ida Wilkins Roberts Smedley (1896-1993). She married second C. Canby Balderston. The papers cover a wide range of subjects...(see more)

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

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Mira Sharpless Townsend Papers, 1815-1858 (bulk) 1806-1910 (inclusive)

Extent:
1 linear ft. (2 boxes)
Abstract:
The collection contains papers of Mira Sharpless Townsend, a major Quaker social activist and reformer in Philadelphia. Mira Sharpless Townsend (1798-1859) was born in Philadelphia, attended Friends Select School, and in 1828 married Samuel Townsend (1800-1887). He was a member of Philadelphia Monthly Meeting by whom she had six children, only two surviving to adulthood: Emily Sharpless Townsend who married Powell Stackhouse and Clara Gordon Townsend, married William Penn Troth. During the 1840's, Mira Townsend became an active and vocal social activist who wrote and published a variety of poetry and articles which reflected her strong views regarding women, slavery, temperance and capital punishment. She also was the driving force behind the founding of the Rosine Association. In January 1847, at a meeting of the Society for the Abolition of Capital Punishment, she announced her desire to form a society "to open a house for the reformation, employment and instruction of...(see more)

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

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Hunn-Karsner Family Papers, 1809-1985 (inclusive) 1947-1974 (bulk)

Extent:
4.75 linear ft. (10 boxes)
Abstract:
The collection contains correspondence, writings, and other papers of the family of Ezekiel Hunn and Lydia Jones Sharpless Hunn, Philadelphia and Delaware Quakers. The papers were compiled by their granddaughter Katherine Hunn Karsner (1899-1993). She was a Philadelphia Quaker minister and married Joseph Reed Karsner in 1930 under the care of Philadelphia Monthly Meeting (Hicksite). The bulk of the collection is composed of correspondence from their daughter, Mary Ann Karsner Kegler (1932-1983) who moved to Alaska in 1950 and was one of the founders of Chena Ridge Monthly Meeting. The collection also contains earlier family correspondence between Ezekiel and Lydia Jenkins Hunn and other members of the Hunn family. The writings include diaries and writings by Katherine Hunn Karsner, her sister Lydia Hunn Williamson, Joseph Karsner, and Mary Ann Karsner Kegler.

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

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Byberry Philosophical Society Minutes, 1837-1925, 1927-1959 (inclusive)

Extent:
2 volumes
Abstract:
Minutes of the Byberry Philosophical Society which was formed in the early nineteenth century for the "acquisition and promotion of scientific knowledge." The group collected specimens of flora, fauna, minerals, and items of historic interest and eventually erected a building to hold the collection. Almost all of their members were Quakers, but this was not a condition of membership.

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

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Association for the Care of Colored Orphans Records, 1822-1979 (inclusive)

Extent:
9 linear ft. (15 boxes)
Abstract:
The Association for the Care of Colored Orphans, also known as "The Shelter," was founded in Philadelphia by Quaker women in 1822 to care for black orphans, both boys and girls, within a nurturing, home-like environment. In 1915, it relocated to Cheyney, Pa, and became a home for girls. In 1965, its name was changed to "Friends Shelter for Girls," and its mission evolved to serve as a home for teenaged girls. In 1981 it ceased to function as a group home and was succeeded by Friends Association for the Care and Protection of Children which functioned as an emergency shelter.

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

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Bucks Auxiliary Bible Association of Friends (Bucks County, Pa.) Records, 1830-1845 (inclusive)

Extent:
0.25 linear ft. (1 box)
Abstract:
The Bucks Auxiliary Bible Association of Friends, a Quaker Bible distribution society, located in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, was established in 2nd month, 1830, under the Bible Association of Friends in America. Its purpose was to supply "Friends and others with the Holy Scripture, "to encourage "the frequent and serious perusal of them", and to promote "a more accurate knowledge of their invaluable contents". All subscriptions collected by the Auxiliary were turned over to the parent body, which in turn provided the Auxiliary with Bibles or testaments to sell or to distribute in their vicinity. According to the Annual Reports of the Bible Association of Friends in America, the Bucks Auxiliary ceased to operate in 1857. This collection contains the minutes, correspondence, reports and financial records of the Bucks Auxiliary Bible Association of Friends, together with a manuscript genealogy of the Moon family, compiled by the donor.

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

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Byberry School Association Records, 1837-1844 (inclusive)

Extent:
0.25 linear ft. (1 box)
Abstract:
The Byberry School Association was formed in 1837 by several members of the Society of Friends, mostly members of Byberry Monthly Meeting (Hicksite) for the purpose of raising stock to buy land and erect a secondary school in Byberry, Pennsylvania. It includes minutes, financial records, and some miscellaneous papers.

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

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Female Association of Philadelphia for the Relief of the Sick and Infirm Poor with Clothing Records, 1828-1978 (inclusive)

Extent:
4 linear ft. (8 boxes)
Abstract:
The Female Association of Philadelphia for the Relief of the Sick and Infirm Poor with Clothing was a Quaker charity founded in 1828 to distribute clothing and provide other assistance to the sick and poor of Philadelphia. It went out of existence in 1975.

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

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