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Robert Chambers collection on William Wagner and the history of the Wagner Free Institute of Science, 1820-1910 (bulk) 1798-1980 (inclusive)

Extent:
2.0 linear feet (5 containers)
Abstract:
Incorporated by William Wagner (1796-1885) in 1855, the Wagner Free Institute of Science is a natural history museum and educational institution in Philadelphia that is dedicated to providing free public education in the sciences. The Robert Chambers collection on William Wagner and the history of the Wagner Free Institute of Science includes material collected by Chambers and contains correspondence; genealogical and family information; documents on William Wagner's early business career with Stephen Girard, the Lennoxville Steam Saw Mill and Snowden and Wagner; Wagner Free Instute of Science financial and operational material; and personal material from Sydney T. Skidmore, a member of the Board. This collection will almost certainly not provide a researcher with all the information needed—instead, this is an excellent starting point. Because these materials were, according to institutional memory, removed from other collections by Robert Chambers and kept close at hand due to...(see more)

Held at: Wagner Free Institute of Science [Contact Us]

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Albert Cook Myers Historical Collection: William Penn papers, 1645-1960 (inclusive)

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]

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Buffington–Marshall papers, 1707-1876 (inclusive)

Extent:
3.0 linear feet
Abstract:
The manuscripts in the collection cover the years 1707 to 1876. The bulk of the collection is connected to two families, Buffington and Marshall. Buffington family manuscripts begin with emigrant Richard Buffington (d. 1747/8). He was married three times and his children included Ann, Ruth, Richard (d. 1741, married Phebe Grubb), Thomas, William, John, Hannah, Mary, Elizabeth, Lydia, Abigail, Joseph, and Alice. The Marshall family manuscripts originated from the family of emigrant Abraham Marshall (1669-1767) and his wife, Mary Hunt Marshall (d. 1769). Topics include: farming, botany, legal system, politics and elections, the poor, education, medicine, crime (includes murder, fornication and bastardy cases, etc.), slavery, etc.

Held at: Chester County Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Colonel Richard Thomas papers, 1741-1919 (inclusive)

Extent:
1.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Richard Thomas (1744-1832) was a Revolutionary War colonel and a politician. He served in the Revolutionary War in the 5th Battalion Association despite his Quaker faith and served as an Assembly man from 1796 to 1790, as Pennsylvania Senator from 1790 to 1794, and as Congressman from 1794 to 1798. The collection dates from 1741 to 1919 with the bulk of materials dating from 1741 to 1857. The materials in the collection document the history of Chester County and the United States as well as the personal side of the Thomas family.

Held at: Chester County Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Taylor, Harris, Roman, Frazer, and Smith families papers, 1683-1980 (inclusive)

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]

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Read family papers, 1792-1896 (bulk) 1736-1896 (inclusive)

Extent:
70.0 linear feet and
Abstract:
The Read family consistently played an important role in American government and politics from the time that George Read, a Delaware resident, signed the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Throughout the 17th to 19th centuries, the Reads served as lawyers, judges, politicians, generals, consul-generals and foreign ministers. This collection contains the papers of four generations of the Read family of Philadelphia, consisting of John Read, Judge John Meredith Read, General John Meredith Read, and Harmon Pumpelly Read. The materials date from 1736 to 1896, with the bulk dating from 1792 to 1896, and include extensive correspondence, bills and receipts, genealogical notes, legal documents, newspaper clippings, photographs, scrapbooks and ephemera. The majority of the collection consists of General John Meredith Read’s papers relating to his family history and genealogy, correspondence, and political materials. The collection is particularly valuable in illustrating...(see more)

Held at: Library Company of Philadelphia [Contact Us]

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Rush family papers, 1748-1876 (inclusive)

Extent:
34.5 linear feet
Abstract:
The Rush Family papers includes material from Benjamin Rush, physician, social activist, educator, writer and patriot; his brother Jacob Rush, lawyer, Supreme Court judge, and patriot; and Benjamin’s son James Rush, physician and Treasurer of the United States Mint. These American men were “strong characters, zealous patriots during the stirring period in which they lived, tenacious of their convictions and of the high standard of individual duty which they set for others, and typified in themselves,” (Richards, page 53). The bulk of the collection is the papers of Dr. Benjamin Rush and his son Dr. James Rush. Judge Jacob, John, Richard and William are represented, but to a much lesser degree. The other Rush family members are represented in a very limited manner. The collection contains correspondence; financial records; medical notes, lectures, and case histories; writings regarding medicine, politics, and the judicial system; and observations on colonial Philadelphia, the...(see more)

Held at: Library Company of Philadelphia [Contact Us]

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Library Company of Philadelphia Shareholders records, 1732-2007 (inclusive)

Extent:
12.0 volumes
Abstract:
In 1731, Benjamin Franklin and a number of his fellow members of the Junto founded the Library Company of Philadelphia, in order to provide its members access to books that they could not afford to purchase individually, but could afford to purchase collectively. Fifty subscribers invested forty shillings each and promised to pay ten shillings a year thereafter to buy books and maintain a shareholder's library. Thus "the Mother of all American Subscription Libraries" was established. Over the years, the Library Company continues to be supported by its members who participate in a centuries-old tradition by becoming shareholders and therefore allowing the Library Company of Philadelphia to continue serving the public, free of charge. This collection consists of twelve volumes of shareholders records dating from 1742 to 2007. The volumes, Record Books A to L, document share purchases and transfers of shares. Entries include date, name of member, and occasionally brief notes on...(see more)

Held at: Library Company of Philadelphia [Contact Us]

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Miscellaneous Manuscript Collection, 1771-1992 (inclusive) 1872-1944 (bulk)

Extent:
2.6 linear feet
Abstract:
The Miscellaneous Manuscripts Collection is a fluid one, consisting of manuscripts that are unidentified or too small for their own collection. Each sub-collection within the group is given a Miscellaneous Manuscript Number which corresponds to the collection.

Held at: University of Pennsylvania: Archives at the Library of the Katz Center for Advanced Judaic Studies [Contact Us]

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Joseph McGarrity Collection, 1736-1986 (inclusive)

Extent:
7.5 linear feet (15 manuscript boxes, 434 microfilm reels)
Abstract:
The McGarrity Collection consists of materials related to Irish history, literature, folklore, description and travel, music, and Irish - American history.

Held at: Villanova University: Special Collections [Contact Us]

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Florence Haseltine papers, 1962-2004 (bulk) approximately 1802-2016 (inclusive)

Extent:
41.11 linear feet
Abstract:
Dr. Florence Haseltine, MD, PhD is a biophysicist, licensed obstetrician-gynecologist and reproductive endocrinologist, writer, inventor, and advocate for women's health. The Florence Haseltine papers chronicle the career and personal life of Dr. Florence Haseltine and the Haseltine family. The records in this collection date from approximately 1802 to 2016, although the bulk of the records are from 1962 to 2014. This collection includes papers from Florence’s family, her work as a college student, her career as a research scientist, her various professional and organization activities, as well as her business and entrepreneurial efforts. The types of documents in this collection include correspondence, diaries, research papers, notebooks, clippings, financial records, photographs, audio-visual material, digital media, and other print material.

Held at: Drexel University: College of Medicine Legacy Center [Contact Us]

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Awbury Arboretum Association Cope family collection, 1791-2011 (inclusive)

Extent:
5.3 linear feet
Abstract:
Henry Cope purchased 40 acres of land in East Germantown, Pennsylvania in 1852 where he built a home for his growing family. Over the next 70 years, his descendants build 24 houses representing a variety of architectural styles. A portion of this land, now known as the Awbury Arboretum, was left to the City Parks Association in 1916 to protect it from development. The Awbury Arboretum Association Cope family collection, 1791-2011, encompasses several small collections donated by various descendants of the Cope family. It includes correspondence, deeds, financial records, journals, and photographs.

Held at: Awbury Arboretum [Contact Us]

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African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas records, 1790-2019 (inclusive)

Extent:
50.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Established in 1792 by and for persons of African descent, the African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) is the first African American Episcopal Church in the United States. St. Thomas' founder and first rector was Absalom Jones (1746-1818), the first African American ordained in the Episcopal Church. The African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas records, 1790-2019, consist mainly of original church records, as well as some accumulated secondary-source materials. The collection also contains photographs, audio-visual materials, printed materials, and objects.

Held at: African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas [Contact Us]

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Biddle family papers, 1747-2011 (inclusive)

Extent:
70.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Nicholas Biddle (1786-1844) was one of the most prominent men in early 19th century America, best known as President of the Second National Bank of the United States. Many of his family members were also prominent to their contemporaries and to history, including Nicholas's brother, Commodore James Biddle (1783-1848), who served in the Navy for decades and worked to open up trade with Asia. The Biddle family papers, 1747-2011, consist largely of original manuscript documents from a number of Biddle family members, notably Nicholas Biddle (1786-1844), Commodore James Biddle (1783-1848), Letitia Glenn Biddle (1864-1950), Charles J. Biddle (1890-1972) and Katharine Legendre Biddle (1893-1973), and Nicholas Biddle, Jr. (1917-2013). In addition, there are some secondary-source materials pertaining to the Biddle family and the administration of Andalusia, the family's ancestral home.

Held at: Andalusia Foundation [Contact Us]

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Byberry Monthly Meeting records, 1790-2002 (inclusive)

Extent:
5.0 linear feet (binders, folders, volumes, loose items)
Abstract:
The first meeting house for members of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in Byberry, Philadelphia was built in the 1690s. Byberry Monthly Meeting was formally established by Abington Quarterly Meeting out of Horsham Monthly Meeting in 1810, and is currently active as of 2011. Byberry Monthly Meeting records, 1790-2002, include records for the Meeting, Byberry Friends School, Byberry Meeting First Day School, and Byberry Nursery School and Kindergarten. The majority of records held at Byberry Library consist of more recent documentation of the Monthly Meeting, Nursery School, and Kindergarten, circa 1970-2000. These include meeting minutes, financial records, and photograph albums and scrapbooks of Meeting events and activities. Of the remaining collection, most materials pertaining to the Meeting prior to 1970 are photocopies, transcriptions, or facsimiles. There are, however, several original volumes of material from the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Held at: Byberry Library [Contact Us]

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Charlestown Historical Society manuscripts collection, circa 1790-1990

Extent:
10.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Charlestown Township in Chester County, Pennsylvania is named for Charles Pickering, who was granted the land from William Penn that today makes up a large portion of the Township. Charlestown was the site of the Valley Forge General Hospital during World War II. The Charlestown Historical Society manuscripts collection, circa 1790-1990, includes photographs, slides, deeds, maps and atlases, family papers, business records, school and municipal records, scrapbooks and various other materials collected from local people and organizations from Charlestown Township and nearby areas.

Held at: Charlestown Historical Society [Contact Us]

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