Philadelphia Area Archives

Start Over Subject Quaker abolitionists

Benjamin Coates African Colonization collection, 1848-1880 (inclusive) 1858-1869 (bulk)

Extent:: 1 linear ft. (2 document boxes)
Abstract:: Letters relating to the emigration of free Blacks to the West African colony of Liberia and establishment of Liberian institutions written to American Quaker reformer, Benjamin Coates (1808-1887) whose work toward the abolition of slavery led to a relationship with many well-known people connected to Liberia, a colony established to offer a new home and a fresh start away from slavery to free Blacks in the mid-19th century.

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

Cope-Evans Family papers, 1732-1911 (inclusive)

Extent:: 3.25 linear ft. (9 boxes, 3 volumes)
Abstract:: Letters (with accompanying poetry, acrostics, drawings, clippings, etc.), marriage certificates, photographs, friendship book, estate related papers, account books, and computer disks. Primarily letters of the closely related Quaker families of Cope and Evans of Germantown (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania); other families include Brown, Drinker, and Haines.

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

Female Anti-Slavery Sewing Society records, 1852-1854 (inclusive)

Extent:: 0.032 linear ft. (one book)
Abstract:: The Female Anti-Slavery Sewing Society's mission was to: "We organise ourselves a Sewing Society, for the purpose of relieving the sufferings of that class of our countrymen, who have fled from the oppression which they endured under the unjust laws of our country, and found a refuge in Canada." The minutes do not indicate location, founding or ending dates for the Society. The collection includes one book from 1852 - 1854 which begins with the mission of the society, and otherwise includes informal minutes, listings for material and financial donations given by memberships, and the number of people at each meeting.

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

Frost family correspondence, 1831-1871 (inclusive)

Extent:: 7 items (1 folder)
Abstract:: The collection contains correspondence between members of the Gideon and Mary W. (Willets) Frost family, Hicksite Quakers of Westbury, Long Island, New York. Gideon Frost was a successful merchant, philanthropist, and founder of Friends Academy at Locust Valley. Family members were active in Quaker concerns, especially education and abolition. The letters mention prominent Friends, family, and anti-slavery concerns.

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

Ferris Family Papers, 1737-1940 (inclusive)

Extent:: 15 linear ft. (36 boxes)
Abstract:: The collection contains correspondence, journals and other writings, business and legal papers, and miscellaneous items of the Ferris family of Wilmington, Delaware, a prominent Quaker family. Of particular note are the correspondence and writings of Benjamin Ferris concerning the Separation in the Society of Friends, as well as the journals and diaries of Anna M. Ferris, David Ferris, Matilda Ferris, Benjamin Ferris, and Henry Ferris. Correspondents include William Lloyd Garrison, William Gibbons, Isaac T. Hopper, Joseph Bringhurst, Mary Gibbons, William Poole, Mary Biddle, Joseph Rakestraw, Halliday Jackson, and John Jackson. This collection includes a great variety of family correspondence that reveals much about the life of a Quaker family in Wilmington and of the reform activities of members of the Society of Friends.

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

Turner Family Papers, 1776-1954 (inclusive)

Extent:: 2.5 linear ft. (5 boxes)
Abstract:: This collection centers around the family and descendants of Joseph Turner, Jr., (1790-1850) and his wife Rebecca (Sinclair) Turner (1787-1877), members of Baltimore Monthly Meeting-Western District. They raised eight children and had fifty-four grandchildren. As a young man, Joseph left the family plantation near Still Pond, Kent County, Maryland, and became a lumber merchant in Baltimore. He served as Clerk of the Lombard Street Meeting. Rebecca was a recorded minister and traveled widely. She served on the Standing Committee on Indian Concern of Baltimore Yearly Meeting, the Friends Association in Aid of Freedmen and on the first Board of Managers of Swarthmore College, 1862-1868. The Turner Family Papers are significant for the source material they provide on Quaker family life in Baltimore and the Eastern Shore of Maryland in the 19th century. The manuscripts include extensive correspondence concerning the Indian Committee of Baltimore Yearly Meeting and records of goods sent...(see more)

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

Isaac Hicks Family Papers, 1798-ca. 1956 (bulk 1798-1818) (inclusive)

Extent:: 0.21 linear ft. (1 box (approx 100 items))
Abstract:: Isaac Hicks (1767-1820) was a New York Quaker merchant. He established a large fleet of international trading vessels and financially helped to support his cousin, Edward Hicks (1780-1849), the Pennsylvania Quaker folk artist. Isaac Hicks traveled extensively with his cousin, Elias Hicks (1748-1830), the New York Quaker minister. The collection contains primarily the correspondence of Isaac Hicks, including letters from Isaac Hicks to his wife describing religious journeys taken with Elias Hicks; some letters concerning the Separation of 1827-28; and business letters. Correspondents include: John Comly (letters about Edward Hicks, the primitive painter), Elias Hicks, John Murray, Jr., Thomas Rotch, William Rotch, Thomas Sturge. The letters provide insight into Quaker family life on Long Island and the travels of a Quaker minister. Also of interest is a letter concerning the disownments of Isaac T. Hopper, James Gibbons, and Charles Marriott, as well as an anecdote conveying the...(see more)

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

Emily Howland family photographs, 1763-1929 (inclusive)

Extent:: 1.27 cubic ft. (2 boxes and 1 oversized box)
Abstract:: Emily Howland (1827-1929) was a Quaker humanitarian and educator who is particularly known for her work with formerly enslaved people in Virginia during and after the American Civil War. This collection includes family photographs and photographs of Howland's abolition and women's rights colleagues.

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

Amelia Mott Gummere papers, 1681-1961 (inclusive) 1899-1937 (bulk)

Extent:: 2.5 linear ft. (5 document boxes)
Abstract:: Amelia Mott Gummere (1859-1937) was a noted writer on Quaker subjects. Her published works include The Quaker: a Study in Costume, 1901; The Journal and Essays of John Woolman, 1922; Witchcraft and Quakerism, 1908; and several other works. She was editor of the Bulletin of the Friends Historical Association and President of the John Woolman Association.

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

William Dillwyn diary, 1772-1773 (inclusive)

Extent:: 0.04 linear ft. (1 volume)
Abstract:: William Dillwyn was a Philadelphia Quaker abolitionist who was tutored under Anthony Benezet. Entries describe Dillwyn's travels from his home in Burlington, New Jersey, to Charleston, South Carolina, including lists of things to pack, the voyage, and the weather. Later entries describe Dillwyn's time in South Carolina, visits with Friends, business, and Quaker meetings.

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