Place: Philadelphia (Pa.) - Philadelphia Area Archives Search Results

Extent:: 7.0 containers
Abstract:: The Dillwyn and Emlen family was joined in 1795 when Susanna Dillwyn married Samuel Emlen, Jr. Both the Dillwyn and Emlen families were prominent in early America as Quakers and advocates for abolition. This collection consists of five disbound volumes of letters written to and from William Dillwyn of London and his daughter Susanna Dillwyn in America from 1770 to 1795; and thereafter until 1818, to and from Susanna and her husband Samuel Emlen, Jr. of Burlington County, New Jersey. Although Susanna lived almost her entire life apart from her father, their letters are frequent and deal primarily with family matters and kin. However, there is frequent comment concerning such topics as yellow fever; abolitionism and slavery; Native Americans; breast cancer; and American and European politics, including the Napoleonic wars and the embargo, as well as their effects upon trade and merchants in Philadelphia and London.

Held at: Library Company of Philadelphia [Contact Us]

Extent:: 0.2 linear feet (; 1 box)
Abstract:: This small collection includes letters from Elizabeth Ann Seton to Matthias and Joseph O’Conway. Matthias, a prominent Philadelphian especially within the Catholic community, was the father of Cecilia O’Conway, Philadelphia’s first nun and the first women to join Seton’s order, the Sisters of Charity. The correspondence is personal in nature and relates to several members of the O’Conway family, particularly Cecilia. Also included is a letter from Elizabeth to her sister-in-law Rebecca Seton regarding members of the Seton family.

Held at: Philadelphia Archdiocesan Historical Research Center [Contact Us]

Extent:: 6.0 volumes
Abstract:: Elizabeth Graeme Fergusson (1737-1801), considered to be the outstanding female poet of her place and time, was a leader in the literary world of colonial Pennsylvania and an avid writer, who composed poems, songs, travel accounts and other writings, referencing literature, natural history, religion, politics and current events. This collection consists of six volumes of writings which probably represent all of her work, most of which is unpublished. Researchers interested in Elizabeth Graeme Fergusson, women authors in colonial America and the early United States, or a female commentary on contemporary events will find this collection to be extremely valuable.

Held at: Library Company of Philadelphia [Contact Us]

Extent:: 1.0 volume
Abstract:: On September 14, 1793, Matthew Clarkson, the mayor of Philadelphia called a meeting that created the Committee to Attend to and Alleviate the Suffering of the Afflicted with the Malignant Fever Prevalent in the City and Its Vicinity. This committee of volunteer citizens took responsibility for the city during the crisis and guided its recovery following the epidemic's end. The collection consists of a volume containing the minutes of this organization and dates from 1793 to 1794.

Held at: Library Company of Philadelphia [Contact Us]

Extent:: 0.06 linear ft. (1 volume, 1 folder)
Abstract:: The volume provides an account of the Philadelphia Yellow Fever epidemic in 1793, and is largely religious in nature. Entries describe the illness, as well as the death and burial of many members of Cresson's community. The volume includes a note signed by Mary Cresson, Cresson's wife, which she addressed to their children, so that they would understand the circumstances of their father's death.

Held at: Haverford College Quaker & Special Collections [Contact Us]

Extent:: 0.4 linear feet
Abstract:: John Lukens (1720-1789) served as Surveyor-General of Pennsylvania from 1761 to 1789. The John Lukens letters, 1763-1789, contain letters to Lukens, mostly relating to business, from various individuals.

Held at: Strawberry Mansion [Contact Us]

Extent:: 0.04 linear ft. (1 volume)
Abstract:: This collection is comprised of a single volume anonymous account book, which is "an account of mony advanced for the Poor of the City of Philadelphia." Entries include amounts donated by various individuals in the Philadelphia area.

Held at: Haverford College Quaker & Special Collections [Contact Us]

Extent:: 1.0 volume
Abstract:: The British colony of Pennsylvania was given to William Penn (1644-1718) in 1681 by Charles II of England in repayment of a debt owed his father, Sir Admiral William Penn (1621-1670). Under Penn's directive, Pennsylvania was settled by Quakers escaping religious torment in England and other European nations. Three generations of Penn descendents held proprietorship of the colony until the American Revolution, when the family was stripped of all but its privately held shares of land. This collection consists of a volume recording the transactions of William Penn's proprietary government of Pennsylvania, including date, name of seller or customer, item or service, and amount paid. This volume dates from 1701 to 1704.

Held at: Library Company of Philadelphia [Contact Us]

Extent:: 12.0 linear feet
Abstract:: T. Comly Hunter (1848-1931) was a Frankford businessman and philanthropist. Hunter was one of the original members of the Historical Society of Frankford when it was established in 1905. The T. Comly Hunter photograph collection, late 19th century-early 20th century, consists of 1,094 late nineteenth to early twentieth century photographs, primarily of Frankford area buildings, landscapes, and street scenes, but also many images of other Northeast Philadelphia areas and some of the Greater Philadelphia region.

Held at: Historical Society of Frankford [Contact Us]