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George Vaux Papers, 1885-1995 (inclusive)

Extent:

1.5 linear ft. (3 boxes)

Abstract:

The Vaux family was a prominent Philadelphia Quaker family active in a number of charitable concerns, particularly as relate to the education of African-Americans. This collection includes papers from three George Vauxes: 1832-1915, 1863-1927, and 1908-1996, spanning a little over a century from the 1890s to the 1990s. There are administrative documents from the Institute of Colored Youth (later known as the Richard Humphreys Foundation), Friends’ Freedmen’s Association, and the Emlen Institution. Also included are materials from the Joint Committee of the Three Monthly Meetings of Philadelphia and the Welcome Society.

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

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John Hunt Papers, 1770-1928 (inclusive)

Extent:

1.5 linear ft. (3 boxes)

Abstract:

John Hunt, a Quaker minister from Chester, New Jersey, was born in 1740, the son of Robert and Abigail (Wood) Hunt. He kept a journal for more than 40 years, recording Quaker concerns and daily events. This collections consists primarily of the manuscript journal, 1770-1800; fragments of 1805, 1806 & 1808; and 1814-1824. There if also an account book, some correspondence received, and other miscellaneous materials.

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

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Philip W. Smith Papers, 1906-1981 (inclusive)

Extent:

2 linear ft. (4 boxes)

Abstract:

Philip W. Smith (1889-1981) was a Quaker dairyman from Bucks County, Pennsylvania, who was active in Russian concerns and a prominent peace activist. In 1925-1926, he spent two years on a collective farm in Russia, and in later life he traveled extensively for peace causes. He was a member of Buckingham Monthly Meeting. This collection contains his correspondence, several journals and day books, photographs, writings on Russia, dairy farm records, and information on various groups he was involved with.

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

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Parrish Family Papers, 1780-1966 (inclusive)

Extent:

1 linear ft. (2 boxes)

Abstract:

Collection contains papers of the Parrish family, a prominent Philadelphia Quaker family. Includes correspondence, writings, and other papers of Edward Parrish, first president of Swarthmore College. Also of special interest is the correspondence of Dillwyn Parrish and his aunt and uncle, William and Deborah Parrish Wright; the letters of the Wrights in 1835 and 1836 give information about abolition and anti-slavery efforts in Lancaster County. A scrapbook assembled by Clemmons Parrish contains autographs and letters collected by his brother, Thomas C. Parrish. While most of the items in the scrapbook contain merely a short note and signature, there is some substantive correspondence including letters from John Dickinson, Samuel Parsons, John Neagle, and Maria Mitchell.

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

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Brooks Family Papers, 1790-1992 (bulk 1832-1960) (inclusive)

Extent:

35 linear ft. (67 boxes plus photograph collection)

Abstract:

The Brooks Family Papers contain extensive correspondence, diaries, and other papers from multiple generations of the Buck, Butler, and Brooks families of New England and the Mid-West and the Kerner family of Delaware. Prominently represented are Morgan Brooks (1861-1947), a professor of engineering, and his wife, Frona Marie (Brooks) Brooks (1861-1947). One of their children, Charles Franklin Brooks (1891-1958), became a member of the Society of Friends shortly after marrying Eleanor M. Stabler (1892-1986) in 1914. Their daughter, Barbara Brooks (1922-2007), married Edward H. Kerner, and she was active in Quaker concerns, particularly peace. Also included in this collection are business, legal, genealogical, and professional papers of family members.

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

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Samuel Wetherill Correspondence, 1780-1816 (inclusive)

Extent:

0.41 linear ft. (1 box)

Abstract:

Samuel Wetherill (1736-1816), a Philadelphia manufacturer of cloth, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals, was a birthright Quaker born in Burlington, N.J. During the Revolutionary War, he actively supported the military effort and was disowned from Philadelphia Monthly Meeting in 1779. In 1781, he, along with other disowned Quakers, founded an independent Quaker meeting, called the Society of Free Quakers. This collection contains correspondence primarily from another group of disowned Quakers from Sandwich Monthly Meeting in Massachusetts. This New England group was centered on Timothy Davis (1730-1798), a respected Friend and minister, who published a pamphlet in 1776 concerning the payment of taxes to the new government. He was disowned in 1778. The collection includes business and personal letters as well as those which deal directly with the cause of the Free Quakers. Of particular interest are a letter from Hannah Barnard in which she laments the way she was treated by Hudson...(see more)

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

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William P. Camp Papers, 1936-1992 (inclusive)

Extent:

3 linear ft. (6 boxes)

Abstract:

William P. Camp (1917-1999) was a Pennsylvania psychiatrist, concerned with ethics in the mental health field and very active in his profession and in Quaker organizations. His wife, Kay Camp, was a teacher and peace activist who served as the president of Women's International League for Peace and Freedom. Both of the Camps were active in Quaker concerns and members of Norristown Monthly Meeting. The papers chronicle Dr. Camp's life, particularly his professional and volunteer activities. He served as superintendent of Norristown State Hospital, director of Friends Hospital, and commissioner of Mental Health for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. He also served as president of the Pennsylvania Psychiatric Society and the Ethics Committee of the American Psychiatric Association.

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

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Bailey-Wood Family Papers, 1847-1957 (inclusive)

Extent:

0.5 linear ft.

Abstract:

This collection contains papers of the Bailey and Wood families, including diaries and school lesson books of Edith M. B. Wood and an account book kept by her husband, Herbert W. Wood, a Quaker pastor. Also family correspondence, 1847-1859, primarily to Edith's mother, and a small number of miscellaneous Quaker-related items. Edith Maria Bailey, a Gurneyite Friend, was born in 1877. In 1901, she married Herbert Wilbur Wood. Herbert Wood was born in 1881 and served as pastor at Unadilla Friends Church, N.Y., and New Sharon Friends Church, 1924-1927, in Iowa.

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

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Peaslee-Engle Family Papers, 1893-1961 (inclusive)

Extent:

0.5 linear ft. (1 box)

Abstract:

Correspondence of the related Peaslee/Peasley and Engle families, as collected by Emma P. Engle. Includes letters to her parents while she was a student at Swarthmore College.

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

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S. Francis Nicholson Family Papers, 1900-2005 (inclusive)

Extent:

11 linear ft. (22 boxes)

Abstract:

S. Francis Nicholson was a prominent Quaker investment banker, longtime officer of Provident National Bank, Philadelphia, and active in Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, A.F.S.C., and Friends Fiduciary Corporation. The collection contains correspondence, financial records, memorabilia, and other papers reflecting his career and life with his wife, Evelyn Haworth Nicholson.

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