Subject: Quakers / Year: <span class="single" data-blrl-single="1905">1905</span> - Philadelphia Area Archives Search Results

Extent:: 3.0 linear feet
Abstract:: Tyler Arboretum in Delaware County, Pennsylvania is one of the oldest arboretums in the northeastern United States. It began as a private horticultural collection developed in the mid 19th century by brothers Minshall and Jacob Painter, and was turned into a not-for-profit public garden by John J. and Laura Hoopes Tyler in 1944. John and Laura Tyler both descended via the Painter family from Thomas Minshall, a Quaker "First Purchaser" who acquired land from William Penn in 1681. The Tyler family papers, 1681-1937, consist of various papers from John J. Tyler and his wife Laura, the Painter Brothers (Jacob and Minshall Painter), and other members of the Painter and Minshall families.

Held at: Tyler Arboretum [Contact Us]

Extent:: 1.5 linear feet
Abstract:: Helen Wright Prince (1911-2013) entered Westtown School in 1922 and graduated in 1929. Her father, William and brother, Herbert were also Westtown graduates. While at Westtown, Helen was very involved with student activities, playing on several varsity sports teams, active in art and music clubs, and serving on student council and various committees. The Helen Wright Prince family papers regarding Westtown School, 1904-1929, consist primarily of letters from Helen to her mother while a student. The collection also features a scrapbook, autograph album, reports, various ephemera, and some school notebooks created by Helen while she was a student, as well as some materials from Helen's brother Herbert and father William while they attended Westtown.

Held at: Westtown School Archives [Contact Us]

Extent:: 2.0 linear feet
Abstract:: William F. Wickersham (1864-1927) served as the principal of Westtown School, a prominent Quaker boarding school in Chester County, Pennsylvania, from 1896 to 1913. Wickersham was a graduate of the school and also worked as a teacher there for many years. He also served as the school's bookkeeper and was president of the Alumni Association. The William F. Wickersham family papers, circa 1813-1982 (bulk, 1877-1925), primarily consist of correspondence, student exercise books and notebooks, essays and addresses, school administrative and financial records, ephemera, and other materials that document Wickersham's time at Westtown School as a student, teacher, and administrator. Also included in the collection are various materials relating to William F. Wickersham's son, Wilfred H. Wickersham, and other Wickersham and related family members during their time as students at Westtown School.

Held at: Westtown School Archives [Contact Us]

Extent:: 81.0 linear feet
Abstract:: Albert Cook Myers (1874-1960) was a Pennsylvania historian, who dedicated his life’s work to the identification, study and organization of William Penn’s published writings and personal papers. Beginning in 1910, after securing an endorsement from the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, he set out to publish: “The Complete Works of William Penn.” All told, Myers devoted fifty years of his life to this project. Though his publication goals were never realized, he assembled a massive and notable body of information about William Penn. To complete his studies, Myers travelled abroad and throughout the United States. As a result of his efforts, he came to be regarded as an expert on the topic and often spoke publicly on the life and times of William Penn. The Albert Cook Myers research collection of William Penn materials contains the information gathered by Myers in his pursuit to thoroughly research and publish a volume documenting the complete writings of William Penn. Researchers...(see more)

Held at: Chester County Historical Society [Contact Us]

Extent:: 8.0 boxes
Abstract:: The families in the Taylor, Harris, Roman, Frazer, and Smith family papers, 1633 to 1980 (bulk 1685 to 1851) are all related by the marriage of Marianne Smith to Dr. Stephen Harris on April 14, 1833. Both sides of the lineage represented in this collection immigrated to Pennsylvania because of religious persecution in England and Ireland. As Presbyterians and Quakers, they no longer wished to live under a series of laws which forced non-Anglicans out of public office, schools and the church as well as prohibiting meetings for non-Anglican worship. These newcomers contributed to the establishment of the government and religious expression in early Chester County. The documents, covering topics such as land surveying, Native Americans, the Revolutionary War, astronomy, publishing, the iron industry, and religious persecution, provide a broad picture of early Chester County and its residents as they interacted with each other at home and in Philadelphia through business, religious, and...(see more)

Held at: Chester County Historical Society [Contact Us]