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Abraham H. Cassel collection, 1680-1893 (inclusive)

Extent:
4.75 linear feet (48 volumes)
Abstract:
This collection contains printed material from the library of Abraham Harley Cassel, a book collector and historian who acquired over 50,000 books, pamphlets, and documents about early Pennsylvania history. Cassel was a member of the Dunkard Brethren who wrote about and collected books on early Pennsylvania German religious history. His library attracted scholars and historians of Pennsylvania and German American history, and at his death was divided among archives, libraries, and private collectors. The portion of Cassel’s collection that is housed at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania contains forty-seven items which range in date from 1680 to 1893. Items are arranged in alphabetical order, with volumes relating to the Ephrata religious community and the Schwenkfelder Church grouped together. This collection includes hymn books, religious tracts and catechism, diaries, letters, genealogical records, and examples of Pennsylvania German folk art and fraktur.

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

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Louis H. Hollis collection on the Improved Order of Red Men, 1817-1902, undated (bulk, 1842-1887)

Extent:
2.0 linear feet (; 5 boxes, 1 volume)
Abstract:
In 1813, at Fort Mifflin, Pennsylvania, a group of men met to form a fraternal organization that they called the Society of Red Men. The name was changed to The Improved Order of Red Men in 1834. This collection, assembled by Louis H. Hollis, documents the creation of the work the History of the Improved Order of Red Men by Morris H. Gorham and William G. Hollis (Philadelphia, 1884). It dates primarily to the early to late 1800s and includes Gorham's manuscripts, minute books of a few East Coast chapters of the order, membership records, account books, a scrapbook, and miscellaneous papers.

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

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Arthur C. Bining collection, 1804-1878 (bulk) 1727-1949 (inclusive)

Extent:
1.6 linear feet (; 4 boxes)
Abstract:
Arthur C. Bining was a Philadelphia historian, worked as a professor of history at the University of Pennsylvania and was associated with the Pennsylvania Historical Association. This small collection contains letters, autographs, and papers he collected over time. A portion of the papers originated from the United States Customs House of Philadelphia and deal mostly with routine customs matters. There are also folders of papers from individuals that are not associated with the Customs House, such as army officer James Barker, painter Abbott H. Thayer, and inventor August F. W. Partz. Additional papers include those of Joseph R. E. Bunel, paymaster general of the French colony of Santo Domingo, Haiti; and Marie F. M. Bunel, a businesswoman in Santo Domingo.

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

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Charles Jared Ingersoll papers, 1812-1848 (bulk) 1801-1891 (inclusive)

Extent:
2.0 linear feet (; 6 boxes)
Abstract:
Philadelphian Charles Jared Ingersoll (1782-1862) was a lawyer, congressman, and writer. This collection of his papers mostly spans his career from the 1810s to the 1840s. The bulk of the materials are incoming letters, many from well-known nineteenth-century individuals, including several U. S. presidents; however, there are also drafts of his writings, clippings, a copy of his 1837 nomination to Congress, and other miscellaneous papers. While indirectly highlighting Ingersoll's work, most of the correspondence contains political, legal, or personal discussions.

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

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William Watts Hart Davis papers, 1809-1908 (inclusive)

Extent:
3.0 linear feet (7 boxes, 7 volumes, 1 flat file)
Abstract:
William Watts Hart Davis was graduated from military school in Norwich, Vt., in 1842, was professor at Portsmouth (Va.) Military Academy, studied law, was an officer in the Mexican War, returned home to Doylestown and practiced law, was appointed to various government offices for the territory of New Mexico, 1853-1857, returned home where he purchased the Doylestown "Democrat," recruited the 104th Pennsylvania Regiment, and served through the Civil War, returned home to spend the rest of his life managing and editing the Democrat, and speaking and writing on historical subjects. Davis's papers are arranged into several volumes. His incoming correspondence, 1832-1846, 1857-1860, 1880-1882, from family and friends touches on all his activities, with many passing references to politics, although the content is primarily of personal affairs. One volume of the correspondence has been designated "autographs" and includes letters of political and military men, together with clipped...(see more)

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

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Sarah A. G. Smith collection on 18th century Philadelphia merchants, 1705/6-1937 (bulk 1713-1848)

Extent:
1.6 linear feet (; 4 boxes, 3 flat files )
Abstract:
The Sarah A. G. Smith collection consists of the business correspondence, accounts and records, and family papers of several prominent 18th century Philadelphia merchants. The bulk of the collection dates from 1713 to 1848. Over half of it pertains to the Wharton family, in particular Charles Wharton; his father Joseph Wharton; his brothers Thomas, Samuel, William, and Joseph; and his son Charles Wharton Jr. Highlights include Charles Wharton’s letter books, a 1770 letter from Colonel George Croghan to Joseph Wharton regarding Colonel Washington, and the will and list of assets of Joseph Wharton. About a third of the collection consists of the business papers of (Thomas) Lamar, (Henry) Hill, (Robert) Bisset & Company, a partnership of three brothers-in-law who conducted trade between Philadelphia, London, and Madeira, and consists mostly of correspondence between the partners. The remainder of the collection consists of business correspondence between John & Arthur Burrows of St....(see more)

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

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Kneass family papers, 1835-1878

Extent:
1.0 linear feet (; 3 boxes)
Abstract:
The Kneass family descended from Johan C. Kneass who was born in Germany in 1725; he died in Delaware County, Pennsylvania in 1801. Samuel Honeymann Kneass, one of Johan’s great-grandsons, was a Pennsylvania engineer involved with the railroads. His brother Strickland Kneass was the chief engineer and surveyor of the city of Philadelphia from 1855 to 1872. Samuel son, William Harris, was a civil engineer who married Amelia Prall Stryker in July 1863. The couple had three sons, but only Samuel Stryker Kneass, a Philadelphia physician educated at the University of Pennsylvania, lived to adulthood but never married. His brothers were Charles L. Kneass and Davis Stryker Kneass. The collection contains Samuel H. Kneass’s business correspondence, financial documents, correspondence, essays, speeches, his will, and various legal documents, as well as miscellaneous items. Also in the collection is the private correspondence of William Harris Kneass and his immediate family including letters...(see more)

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

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Wister and Butler Families Papers, 1700-2004, undated; bulk: 1848-1907

Extent:
21.5 linear feet (; 46 boxes, 55 volumes, 17 flat files)
Abstract:
The Wister and Butler families were prominent in Philadelphia in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries and had ties to numerous other prominent families in the Philadelphia region, Georgia, and Great Britain. The bulk of the collection concerns Pierce (Mease) Butler and his daughters Sarah Butler Wister and Frances Anne Butler Leigh. Butler's former wife Frances Anne Kemble (Butler), known as Fanny Kemble, and various other family members are also represented. The bulk of the collection is correspondence and estate papers; it also includes diaries, newspapers and newspaper clippings, business papers, real estate papers, ledgers and other financial documents, photographs, and other miscellaneous papers. The collection provides insights into a wide variety of topics, including women's history, the Civil War, African American history, family history, politics, culture, and the life of actress Fanny Kemble and her daughters. The materials concerning the Butler plantations both before...(see more)

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

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Morris family papers, 1676-1930 (inclusive)

Extent:
2.2 linear feet (; 6 boxes)
Abstract:
The Morris family papers (Collection 2000E) contain the genealogical and estate records of the Morris family of Philadelphia, prominent Quaker businessmen, brewers, and later iron manufacturers, who were also active in the political and civic life of the city. The collection follows several generations beginning with Anthony Morris (1654-1721) and his descendants through Anthony Saunders Morris (1803-1885) and Henry Morris (1802-1881). Included are early original documents pertaining to Anthony Morris and his immediate descendants, including marriage certificates, deeds, wills, and various business and personal papers. The collection also contains significant genealogical correspondence and documentation, including a manuscript of the Morris family history.

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

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