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Evans family papers

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Held at: Haverford College Quaker & Special Collections [Contact Us]370 Lancaster Ave, Haverford, PA 19041

This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held at the Haverford College Quaker & Special Collections. Unless otherwise noted, the materials described below are physically available in their reading room, and not digitally available through the web.

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Jonathan Evans was born on a Friday in 1714 to Evan Evans with two siblings, Hannah (? - 1720), and David (1730 - 1800). He married Hannah (Walton) Evans. The two had one child, Jonathan Evans, Jr. Jonathan Evans lived in Philadelphia until his death in 1795.

Jonathan Evans, Jr. was born on January 25, 1759 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Jonathan and Hannah (Walton) Evans. Evans enjoyed a liberal education and was apprenticed to a carpenter. He became sober upon reading Penn's "No Cross, No Crown." He visited Virginia Yearly Meeting and Black-water in 1784 with Daniel Offley and others. Evans married Hannah Bacon in 1786 and the couple had seven children. He built the family home at 102 Union Street (now 322 Delancey Street) in Philadelphia. He died on February 8, 1839 in Philadelphia.

Charles Evans was born on December 25, 1802 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Jonathan and Hannah (Bacon) Evans. He was educated at the William Penn Charter School and studied medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. In 1836, he married Mary Lownes Smith, the daughter of Robert Smith III, who was the first editor of The Friend. The couple made their home first on Race Street, above 7th Street in Philadelphia, but later moved to West Philadelphia. When he died in 1879, he left a substantial legacy to Westtown School.

Papers include letters, legal and financial papers, deeds, journals and diaries, genealogical material, photographs, other. Noteworthy among the letters are the correspondence of John Carter and John L. Kite, concerning Gurneyite tendencies in Philadelphia Monthly Meeting, 1860; letters, 1895-1899, to Charles Evans; a letter from William Evans, Antigua, June 4, 1780, to his brother Jonathan, telling of life as a ship's carpenter; correspondence of William Evans (1835-1919) with his family. Legal and financial papers include wills, receipted bills, and account books of various Evanses and relatives, 1778-1916. Deeds include one from William Heulings, of Burlington, N.J., To Charles Read, Dec. 11, 1752, and one from Joseph Rhoads and his wife to William Evans, 10mo. 29, 1851. Journals and diaries, 1876-1939, are those of Charles Evans. Genealogical material includes data on the Carter, Shoemaker, Cope, Harlan, Barton, Rhoads, Bacon, Jackson, and Evans families, plus notes on Joseph Warrington, M.D.

This collection is arranged in six series: Jonathan Evans (1714-1795), William Evans (1835-1919), Charles Evans (1870-1958), Misc. (Books), Misc. (Papers), Misc. (Letters)

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Publisher
Haverford College Quaker & Special Collections
Finding Aid Date
February, 2019
Access Restrictions

The collection is open for research use.

Use Restrictions

Standard Federal Copyright Law Applies (U.S. Title 17)

Standard Federal Copyright Law Applies (U.S. Title 17)

Collection Inventory

Evans, Jonathan, 1714-1795. Of Cadwalader Evans et. al., 1780.
Box 1
Scope and Contents

An account of Cadwalader Evans and others, the First Settlers of Gwynedd.

Evans, Jonathan. Receipt books, 1767-1794.
Box 1
Evans, Jonathan. Receipt Book., 1794-1798.
Box 1
Evans, Jonathan. Receipt Book., 1798-1817.
Box 1

Evans, Jonathan Jr., 1759-1839, 1780-1897.
Box 1
Scope and Contents

A. Photograph of Jonathan Evans (1759-1839), taken from an oil painting, now in possession of Harold Evans. B. Genealogical extract from Jenkins, Howard M., Historical Collections of Gwynedd, pp.153-154, 371-374, giving descent of Nancy Hanks Lincoln, wife of Abraham Lincoln, from the Evans family of Gwynedd. C. Letter from William Evans to his brother Jonathan. Antigua, [Tells of life as ship's carpenter, both in and out of the British Navy] D. Account of First Day Meeting, in which Elias Hicks provoked a rebuke from Jonathan Evans and Isaac Lloyd, for his unorthodox testimony. E. Extract from Isaac Sharpless' address at 4th. and Arch Street Meeting, on the Condition of the Yearly Meeting in 1804. F. "A Celebrated Creed, 1825" [Parody of the Apostles' Creed, beginning, "I believe in Jonathan Evans"] G. Notes (pencil) and anecdotes on Jonathan Evans, (1714-95) and his son Jonathan, and the latter's home at 322 Union St. H. Summonses to debtors to appear in Chester Co court I. Copy book of Jonathan Evans (1759-1839), containing, "The Visions of Isaac Child..."

Evans, William, 1787-1867, 1816.
Box 1
Scope and Contents

A. Photocopies of drug labels used in his drug business. 5l, B. Photocopies of silhouettes of Elizabeth Evans (1793-1861) and William Evans. 1l. C. Account book, D. Letters testamentary and copies of John and Elizabeth Jervis' wills. John: proved, Eliz.: proved, E. . Letters testamentary and will of Rebecca Bacon, with letter of instructions, plus inventories (2) of estate and record of bequests as paid. Also indenture, Mary Taylor to David and Rebecca Bacon, F. Letters testamentary and will of Rebecca Bacon, with letter of instructions, plus inventories (2) of estate and record of bequests as paid. Also indenture, Mary Taylor to David and Rebecca Bacon, G. Letters testamentary and will (copy) Of Mary Hough, plus inventory of estate and record of bequests as paid. Also request to William Evans for money, from David Denn, accounting of settlement of Thomas Hough's estate by Jonathan Willis, receipts to Mary Hough, bond from James Oldden, Jr., to Mary Hough, H. Receipt and account book, containing records of his executorship of the estates of Mary Hough, 1820-1821, and Rebecca Bacon,

Evans, William, 1835-1919, Legal papers, 1819-1867.
Box 1
Scope and Contents

Deed: Joseph Rhoads and Hannah Rhoads [(Evans?) sister of William Evans] (husband and wife), to William Evans, for ground in Southwark District, Phila., (Separated material: STORED IN 990-B), Trust agreement, between William Evans et al and Camden Safe Deposit and Trust Co., under the last will and testament of Elizabeth R. Evans, deceased. Inventory of household goods...of Wm. Evans, deceased, Copies of wills and codicils of William and Rebecca Evans, made proved Plus petition by Charles Evans, for probate of Rebecca's will, (copy of will attached), Papers connected with the Morris estate, of which Wm. Evans, Sr., was a trustee. 3 items,

Evans, William, 1835-1919. Pictures, business papers, Philadelphia Monthly Meeting, 1833-1855.
Box 1
Scope and Contents

A. Pictures: Photographs of Rebecca (Carter) Evans and William Evans, Jr. (3 items), Photograph of family group, including Hannah Evans and William Bacon Evans. Pencil sketch of house on Union St., drawn by George B. Wood, B. Business papers, Phila. [Monthly?] Meeting: tax bills for Meeting property, bills for legal work done, etc., C. Extracts from Minutes of Yearly Meetings, recording appointment of Yearly Meeting Committee,

Evans, William 1835-1919, 1835-1919.
Box 1
Scope and Contents

A. Map of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, B. Genealogical items: Notes on Barton family. 4 items. Account of death of Joshua Lippincott, fiancé of Mary Barton, and details of her life. Short sketch of life and character of Hannah Evans of Moorestown, N.J. Letter to unknown addressee from Anne Balderston, enclosing two items written down from memory by Thornton Brown, concerning the death of Elizabeth Evans, C. Letters to Rebecca Evans from her aunt Beulah, D. Poem, "The Sacrifice," by William Evans, plus copies of other people's poems, riddles, letters, etc.

Evans, William, 1835-1919. Letters from, letters to #1-5, 1845-1848.
Box 2
Scope and Contents

A. Letters from William Evans (1835-1919) to sister Abigail Evans (later Wood) Westtown, B. From mother, Elizabeth Evans. Phila., C. From father, William Evans. Phila., D. From sister Abby. Home, E. From sister Hannah (1827-ca.1902) Home, Phila., F. From sister Elizabeth. Westtown, Phila., and Marple

Evans, Willian, 1835-1919. Letters to #6-8, 1869-1913.
Box 2
Scope and Contents

A. From aunt Mary 9mo.[Barton] Phila., and Uncle Thomas, B. From cousins. Springfield, Haverford, Westtown, Muncy, Salem, C. From five friends. Phila., Phila., and Boston, D. Letter to Joshua L. Bailey, Phila., from George Vaux, Bryn Mawr, Pa., enclosing tracing of survey of graveyard at 4th. and Arch Street Meeting, Phila., showing location of graves of William and Elizabeth Evans.

Evans, Charles, 1870-1958. Diary, 1875-1882.
Box 2
Scope and Contents

Includes poems and academic compositions copied in the hand of Hannah Evan (Charles' mother), and practice writing numbers.

Evans, Charles, Misc. papers, photographs, 1880-1958.
Box 2
Evans, Charles, 1870-1958. Letters, 1889-1904.
Box 2
Scope and Contents

Letters congratulating him on his engagement, Also an unsigned poem, "My Queen."

Evans, Charles, 1870-1958. Letters, A-C, 1896-1898.
Box 2
Scope and Contents

Miscellaneous social and business communication

Evans, Charles, 1870-1958. Letters, D-M, 1896-1897.
Box 2
Scope and Contents

Miscellaneous social and business communication

Evans, Charles, 1870-1958. Letters, N-W, 1895-1898.
Box 2
Scope and Contents

Miscellaneous social and business communication

Evans, Charles, 1870-1958. Riverton N.J. Receipt Book.
Box 2

Various books (receipt, family and friends, etc.), 1787-1867.
Box 2
John Carter's cash account, 1853-1859, 1853-1859.
Box 3
Little Merry Christmas Booklet, 1879.
Box 3
Accounts of Carter family and Alice Harlan, 1896.
Box 3
Trip to Canada with J.S.S. 1903, 1903.
Box 3
Account of Pleasure trips to N.C., Kentucky 1936, 1936.
Box 3
Unidentified Receipt Book, 1937.
Box 3
Abigail Evans Arithmetic exercise book + scrapbook.
Box 3
Wage book.
Box 3
Day book.
Box 3

Wills, deeds, receipted bills, etc., 1860-1884.
Box 4
Scope and Contents

Separated material: STORED IN 990-B.

Genealogical material, 1869-1926.
Box 4
Scope and Contents

Notes on Barton family. 4 items. Account of death of Joshua Lippincott, fiancé of Mary Barton, and details of her life. Short sketch of life and character of Hannah Evans of Moorestown, N.J. Letter to unknown addressee from Anne Balderston, enclosing two items written down from memory by Thornton Brown, concerning the death of Elizabeth Evans

Hannah Warrington fl. 1819-1829 Letters, 1819-1829.
Box 4
Scope and Contents

A. From Joseph Thomson to Kezia Warrington. Phila. 1 item. B. To Granville Haines from various people, 3 items. C. From H[annah] Warrington to unknown addressee. Rennselear Ville [sic] D. Letters to Hannah Warrington from family and friends, 57 items.

Joseph Warrington M.D., 1833-1835.
Box 4
Scope and Contents

Notes concerning him. 8 items, including letter from Joseph Stokes, M.D. Moorestown,

Carter, John; Kite, John L.; Shoemaker, Sarah and Carter John, 1860-1888.
Box 3
Scope and Contents

A. Letter from John Carter to John L. Kite, Philadelphia, B. Letter from John L. Kite to John Carter, Phila., C. Invitation from Sarah Shoemaker and John Carter to Alice Harlan for dinner. Phila.,

Misc. Letters, 1764-1795.
Box 4
Misc. Letters, 1804-1819.
Box 4
Misc. Letters, 1819-1831.
Box 4
Misc. Letters, 1827-1882.
Box 4

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