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Parke Family journals, 1896-1927 (inclusive)

Extent:

.5 linear ft. (1box)

Abstract:

The collection contains diaries and daybooks of Dr. Thomas E. Parke and his wife, Mary Bacon Parke, of Downingtown, Pennsylvania. Very rich in detail, they reflect the life and activities of 20th century Quakers, active in the Society of Friends, business, and philanthropic activities.

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

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William Hubben Papers, 1906-1976 (inclusive)

Extent:

1.5 linear ft. (3 boxes)

Abstract:

William Hubben (1895-1974) was a prominent Quaker educator, speaker, editor, and author. Born in Germany in 1895, William Hubben joined the small but growing movement of German Quakers in 1923 and participated in a number of international religious and peace conferences. His political involvement with the Social Democratic Party caused his dismissal in 1933 by Hitler's government. He emigrated to the United States with his wife, Maria, and children soon afterward, and went on to be heavily involved with Quakerism there. The collection contains correspondence (1906-1976), manuscript and published writings (1924-70), editorials, reviews, speeches, notes, pictures and memorabilia, and reference materials of William Hubben. Part of the collection is in German.

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

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O. Edward Janney (Oliver Edward) Papers, 1874-1945 (inclusive)

Extent:

2.25 linear ft. (5 boxes)

Abstract:

Dr. O. Edward Janney was a prominent Quaker doctor from Baltimore who was active in many of the social reform movements of his time. He worked with the Society for the Suppression of Vice in Baltimore and labored in the causes of temperance, woman suffrage, inter-racial relations, peace, and other reforms. In 1907, Dr. Janney gave up the practice of medicine to devote his energies full time to reform activities. The collection contains correspondence (1874-1945), diary (1914), memoirs, speeches, writings, memorabilia and photos of Dr. O.E. Janney and his wife, Anne B. (Webb) Janney, of Baltimore, Maryland. The papers include his work with various organizations including the Advancement Committee of Friends General Conference, Baltimore Yearly Meeting, American Friends Service Committee, and Woolman School. Anna B. Janney's correspondence primarily concerns women's suffrage issues and correspondents include Anna Howard Shaw.

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

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Kent-Barnard Family Papers, 1785/1928 (inclusive)

Extent:

3 linear ft. (6 boxes)

Abstract:

Daniel Kent, emigrated to Chester County, Pa. from Ireland, in 1785. He joined the Society of Friends (Quakers) in 1790, and married Esther Hawley in 1791. Their great-grandson Henry Simmons Kent (1833-1906) was active in the establishment of Swarthmore Monthly Meeting and the Borough of Swarthmore, Pennsylvania. The collection includes material used by Daniels' great-granddaughter Ella Kent Barnard in preparation for the writing of three books. Among these materials are genealogical charts and data, research correspondence, and original letters and documents. Notable among the latter is the correspondence between Daniel Kent and his parents, William and Ann Kent. Collection also includes diaries and journals. A manuscript entitled "The Rise of Swarthmore," by Isabella Tyson, describes the meeting of Friends in the home of her parents to discuss plans for the establishment of the College.

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

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Larry Scott Butler Papers, 1965-2015 (inclusive)

Extent:

.75 linear ft. (2 boxes and 1 oversized folder)

Abstract:

Larry Scott Butler is a Quaker activist who was involved in civil rights work in Alabama in 1965 and was a leader in the gay rights movement in the 1970s and 1980s. The collection contains correspondence, photographs, and the diary he kept while participating in the SCOPE project, Barbour County, Alabama, which was sponsored by the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. The collection includes minutes and remarks on the early history of the Committee on Homosexuality of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting and biographical material.

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

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Fisher-Brinton family papers, 1846-2020 (bulk) 1764-2020 (inclusive)

Extent:

5.5 linear ft. (11 boxes plus photographs)

Abstract:

The Fisher-Brinton collection contains the papers of an Irish-American and Pennsylvania family with roots in the earliest years of the Society of Friends. It includes correspondence, diaries, memoirs, photographs, scrapbooks, and other materials that reflect family and Quaker concerns, and, in particular, the Conservative branch of the Society of Friends. Abraham Fisher (1823-1909) was a member of a prominent Quaker family of Youghal County, Ireland. In 1871, he assumed a position as book-keeper for the Alexandra Colony, an English settlement on the San Javier River in rural Argentina. Unaware of the increasing violence in the region, his wife and children joined him in early 1872. In 1874 the family moved to Dymond City, North Carolina, and eventually, to Southeastern Pennsylvania. The family had a deep appreciation for their family history and Irish roots, continuing through the twentieth century; Abraham's great-granddaughter, Margaret E. Brinton, attended a small Irish...(see more)

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

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Joel and Hannah Bean Papers, 1825-1914 (inclusive)

Extent:

6 linear ft. (13 boxes)

Abstract:

Joel Bean (1835-1914) and his wife, Hannah Elliott Bean (1830-1909), were prominent Quaker ministers in Iowa Yearly Meeting in the mid-nineteenth century when Quaker settlements were expanding in Iowa. Joel Bean was born in Alton, New Hampshire, in 1825, the son of John and Elizabeth Hill Bean, and educated at Friends Boarding School in Providence, Rhode Island. He migrated to Iowa in 1853, and taught school at West Branch, Iowa, from 1850 to 1861. In 1859, he married Hannah Elliott Shipley in Philadelphia. Hannah was the daughter of Thomas and Lydia Shipley of Philadelphia. Joel Bean was appointed Clerk of Iowa Yearly Meeting in 1867, and he and Hannah traveled in Europe from 1872 to 1873. The Beans opposed the extremes of revivalism, but declined to join the Conservatives in withdrawing from Iowa Yearly Meeting. After their move to California, they joined a group of Friends who were initially affiliated with Iowa Yearly Meeting. They helped to form the College Park Association of...(see more)

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

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Hadassah M. L. (Hadassah Moore Leeds) Holcombe Diaries, 1904-1937 (inclusive)

Extent:

2 linear ft. (4 boxes)

Abstract:

Hadassah M.L. Holcombe (1891-1978) was a Quaker educator who was a co-founder of the Friends Council of Education and served as Secretary of the Friends General Conference and Chairman of the Committee on Education of the Friends World Conference. Hadassah Holcombe taught mathematics at the Germantown Friends School for ten years, and, in addition to her other activities, served on the Boards of Swarthmore College, Antioch, George School, Sidwell Friends, and Haverford College. The collection contains her diaries from 1904-1937.

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

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Holmes-Webb Family Papers, 1839-1972 (inclusive)

Extent:

1.5 linear ft. (3 boxes)

Abstract:

William B. Webb was a druggist and member of Philadelphia Monthly Meeting of Friends (Hicksite). He married Rebecca Turner in 1853. Their youngest daughter, Rebecca St. Claire Webb, married Jessie Herman Holmes in 1892. Holmes was a prominent Quaker, taught philosophy and religion at Swarthmore College, and was active in AFSC relief in Europe after World War I. He also served as President of the National Federation of Religious Liberals and was an active member of the Socialist Party. The collection includes correspondence of the Webb and Holmes families, journals of Jesse Herman and Rebecca W. Holmes, and other miscellaneous materials. Of particular interest is the correspondence between the Holmes during his trip overseas and several letters from S. R. Sharma concerning the early Indian self-determination movement and the work of Mahatma Gandhi from 1930 to 1934.

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

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Mary Elizabeth Pidgeon Schlesinger Library Papers, 1906-1979 (inclusive)

Extent:

3.5 linear ft. (7 boxes)

Abstract:

Mary Elizabeth Pidgeon (1890-1979) was born into an extended Quaker family who lived for generations in Clarke and Loudon counties, Virginia. She moved beyond the Virginia Quaker community to a career in the women's movement, first as a campaigner for women's suffrage (1917-1920), then as an educator and political activist in Virginia (1920-1928) and finally as a research economist for the Women's Bureau of the U.S. Department of Labor (1928-1956). During her retirement years, Pidgeon became active in Quaker affairs. The collection contains personal and professional papers of Mary Elizabeth Pidgeon (1890-1979), including family and other correspondence and papers relating to her activities as student, suffragette. and in her professional and organizational work.

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