Philadelphia Area Archives

Start Over Place United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865

Wood Family Papers, 1784-1874 (inclusive)

Extent:: 0.5 linear ft. (1 box)
Abstract:: The Wood Family Papers contains papers from a Quaker family active in 19th century New York City Friends affairs, compiled by M. S. (Mary Sutton) Wood. Included are business correspondence concerning the printing house founded by Samuel Wood and his sons, correspondence from prominent Friends concerning work for social causes including abolition, freedmen, prisoners, First Day schools, and peace, and genealogical material, writings, and reminiscences by Mary S. Wood.

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

Fisher-Whitson Family Papers, 1778-2011 (inclusive)

Extent:: 6 linear ft. (10 boxes (and folder))
Abstract:: This collection contains manuscripts and other materials relating to the Whitson, Smedley, Fisher and other Quaker families of southeastern Pennsylvania. Along with commonplace books, correspondence, and photographs are a series of thematically arranged genealogical binders assembled by the donors. Of particular interest are the battlefield correspondence of Sam Smedley who was killed in the American Civil War and the journal of Esther Whitson, later Cope, who served as a nurse with the AFSC in Russia in the early 1920s

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

Pemberton Manuscripts, 1756-1812 (inclusive)

Extent:: .5 linear ft. (1 box)
Abstract:: The collection contains primarily family correspondence of the three Pemberton brothers -- Israel, James, and John, prominent members of the Society of Friends in Philadelphia who were exiled to Virginia during the Revolutionary War for their pacifism. It also includes a small number of correspondence from Edward Stabler and Alexander White, an account on the life of James Pemberton, and the will of his wife, Phebe Lewis Pemberton. Topics include the Pembertons' exile to Winchester, Va., with other Quakers during the Revolution as conscientious objectors, Quaker ministers, the disposition of the estate of Anthony Benezet, and Quaker concerns especially pacifism.

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

Jones Family papers, 1821-1918 (inclusive)

Extent:: 6.5 linear ft. (13 boxes)
Abstract:: The papers of Eli and Sybil Jones, 19th century Quaker missionaries, most notably to the Middle East where they established missions on Mt. Lebanon and in Ramallah, Palestine; the correspondence of Charles and Ellen Jones, also 19th century Quaker missionaries in Ramallah; and the letters of Quaker James Parnell Jones, son of Eli and Sybil Jones, who fought in the Civil War.

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

Wheeler - Smith Family papers, 1814-1936 (inclusive) 1864-1865 (bulk)

Extent:: 0.25 linear ft. (1 box)
Abstract:: The collection consists primarily of letters to and from Woodbury C. Smith, his father, Samuel Smith, and his wife, Helen Wheeler Smith and principally relates to the Civil War.

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

Jacob R. Elfreth Jr. diaries, 1861-1924 (inclusive)

Extent:: 3.2 linear ft. (64 volumes)
Abstract:: The diaries of Jacob R. Elfreth Jr., a Quaker merchant, elder, and minister. Early diaries, from 1861 to 1867, focus on military movement and battles during the Civil War, reactions to President Lincoln's assassination, and the political tensions during the aftermath of the war. The majority of entries detail day-to-day activities, family news, news of Elfreth's carpet business, attendance at Quaker meetings, social calls, accounts of weather, and births, deaths, and marriages within the Quaker community.

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

Edward Smedley diary, 1863

Extent:: 0.04 linear ft. (1 volume)
Abstract:: Diary of Edward Smedley, written while at the conscript barracks in Philadelphia after being drafted for the American Civil War. Entries describe Smedley's experiences as a drafted soldier and non-combatant prisoner in Philadelphia, including religious reflection, visits from family members, and military preparations.

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

"Autobiography of Augustine Jones", 1902-1911 (inclusive)

Extent:: 0.125 linear ft. (1 volume)
Abstract:: The autobiography of Augustine Jones describes Jones's early life in Maine, the death of his father, his early experiences growing up as a Quaker, his time spent in his uncle's house, political upheaval leading to Civil War, the free labor movement, Jones's work as a teacher at a Friends School in Maine, and a description of his experiences during the Civil War era.

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

Benjamin Hayes Smith diary, 1856-1863 (inclusive)

Extent:: 0.25 linear ft. (1 volume)
Abstract:: The diary covers Benjamin Hayes Smith's time at Haverford and his expereinces during the American Civil War. Entries include informaiton on the Haverford Loganian Society (1856-1859), Haverford Euethean Association (1856-1859), the Haverfod Athenaeum (1856-1859), and the Battle of Stones River (December 31, 1862), in Tennessee.

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

Gordon Block collection of Lincolniana, 1760-1963 (inclusive) 1840-1950 (bulk)

Extent:: 2.5 linear feet (13 boxes)
Abstract:: Gordon Alexander Block (1885-1964) was a Philadelphia lawyer and collector of Lincoln documents and memorabilia. The collection includes twenty-three documents either signed by Lincoln or in his hand including a number of pleadings and court documents from his years as a lawyer in Illinois. The collection also contains a variety of ephemera from the Civil War era, including campaign ribbons and songbooks from 1860 and 1864 as well as broadsides, ribbons, and mourning cards issued after Lincoln's assassination. In addition, researchers will find a rich selection of visual representations of Lincoln in the collection, including lithographs, prints, photographs, and engravings of the sixteenth president.

Held at: University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts [Contact Us]