Philadelphia Area Archives

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

Thomas R. Smith papers, 1849-1864 (inclusive)

Extent:: .1 linear ft. (.1 linear feet (2 folders.))
Abstract:: This collection includes the exercise book of Thomas R. Smith and a list of losses he sustained during the Civil War. Also included is a letter from J. Russell Smith, his son, explaining provenance of the collection.

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

Sharpless Family Papers, 1792-1892 (inclusive)

Extent:: 2 linear ft. (4 boxes)
Abstract:: The collection represents two branches of the Sharpless family of Pennsylvania descended from Joseph and Lydia (Lewis) Sharpless). It contains correspondence between extended Sharpless family relations including Sharpless, Hunn, Jones, Drinker families and journals of Joshua Sharpless, a Quaker minister who worked with Native Americans and visited Quaker meetings in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Canada. Correspondence covers various topics including the travels of women ministers, yellow fever, and contemporary events. The second series contains primarily nineteenth century correspondence of the extended family of Townsend and Mary Brinton (Jones) Sharpless. It includes letters written by Henry H. G. Sharpless during his European tour and extensive correspondence received by Ezekiel Hunn who served briefly in the Union Army during the Civil War.

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

Walker-Conard-Cowgill Family Papers, 1699-1912 [bulk 1792-1912] (inclusive)

Extent:: 1.5 linear ft. (3 boxes)
Abstract:: The Walkers, Conard, and Cowgills were Quaker families of Frederick County, Virginia, and Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. The collections contains papers of the Walker and allied Coates, Cowgill, and Conard families, including general correspondence (1792-1912), Civil War correspondence and diaries (1893-1900) of Union soldier Edward B. Conard (ca. 1844-1917), diaries (1896-1898) of Jacob Walker, ledger (1847-1887) of David Walker (1818-1889), journals, financial and legal papers, genealogical material, and memorabilia. Correspondents include Eliza Coates Cowgill (ca. 1790-ca. 1871) and Eliza C. Conard Walker, both of Montgomery County.

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

Updegraff Family papers, 1810-1929 (inclusive) 1810-1896 (bulk)

Extent:: 1.0 linear ft. (2 boxes)
Abstract:: Letters; diaries; genealogical material; land grants signed by Presidents John Tyler, Martin Van Buren, and Franklin Pierce; and other papers of the Updegraff family, mainly those of David B. Updegraff, which provide a picture of Quakerism in 19th-century Ohio.

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

Sarah Cooper Tatum Hilles family papers, 1840-1882 1791-1930 (inclusive) 1840-1882 (bulk)

Extent:: 2.75 linear ft. (11 boxes)
Abstract:: The Sarah Cooper Tatum Hilles family papers house the correspondence of a Quaker family who lived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Woodbury, New Jersey; Wilmington, Delaware; and other surrounding areas from approximately 1840 to 1882. A majority of the letters were written to or by Sarah Cooper Tatum Hilles; her husband, John Smith Hilles; and other Tatum or Hilles family members. There is a small sampling of assorted family papers, dating from 1825 to 1901. Included, among other items, are school report cards of William Samuel Hilles from Haverford College and an 1834 memoir of Anne Cooper Tatum, Sarah Hilles' mother. In addition, there are deeds to properties owned by the Hilles family in Delaware, New Jersey, Illinois and Pennsylvania from 1791 to 1886.

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

Jacob R. Elfreth Sr. diaries, 1814-1870 (inclusive)

Extent:: 2.5 linear ft. (46 volumes)
Abstract:: Jacob R. Elfreth Sr. was a teacher and a bookkeeper for the Leigh Navigation Company. The majority of entries detail family news, Quaker meetings, Elfreth's work with the Leigh Navigation Company, and births, deaths, and marriages within the Quaker community,

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

John Sword diary, 1860-1862 (inclusive)

Extent:: 1 volume
Abstract:: A diary kept by John Sword of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania spanning the years 1860 to 1862. The diary details Sword's participation in a local militia, his education, and family.

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

Janney family papers, 1800-1870 (inclusive)

Extent:: .1 linear ft. (6 folders)
Abstract:: This collection contains Janney family papers, and includes family correspondence, newspaper clippings, financial records, legal papers, maps, and photographs.

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

Haines and Bunting family papers, 1682-1863 (inclusive)

Extent:: .1 linear ft. (5 folders)
Abstract:: This collection is comprised of the papers of the Bunting and Haines families, and includes clippings, correspondence, financial records, legal documents, and marriage certificates of the family. While the majority of materials focus on Samuel Bunting Haines, other members of the family are represented among the materials as well.

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

Biddle family papers, 1709-2017 (inclusive) 1776-1952 (bulk)

Extent:: 14.5 linear feet (32 boxes)
Abstract:: The Biddle family has a long history on American land with Quaker ancestors emigrating in 1681 and settling in Philadelphia around 1725. This collection documents the family relationships, and to a lesser extent, the work and military service of six generations of one branch of that family, starting with Clement Biddle (1740-1814), and following the descendants of two of his sons: Thomas Alexander Biddle (1776-1857) and Clement Cornell Biddle (1784-1855). These papers tell the stories, to varying degrees, of more than 30 individual Biddle family members through correspondence, financial records, professional papers, diaries, scrapbooks, and photographs.

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