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Dunn - Osborn - Battey 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.

Overview and metadata sections

Call Number:
MC.1163
Repository:
Haverford College Quaker & Special Collections
Extent:
5 linear ft. (27 boxes)
Language:
English
Preferred Citation:
Dunn - Osborn - Battey family papers (HC.MC.1163) Quaker and Special Collections, Haverford College, Haverford, PA.
Date:
1744-1927 (inclusive)
Creator:
Dunn family
Form:
Account books and receipts (financial records)
Abstract:
Papers include those of Nathan Dunn (1782-1844) who became financially successful in the China trade; letters (1833-1856) of David Battey discussing farm life in Indiana; letters (1864-1865) of Nancy Battey, some while teaching African American children; letters of George W. Taylor (1803-1891) discussing his free produce business in Philadelphia.

Nathan Dunn (1782-1844) was the son of Nathan Dunn (d. 1782, age 39) and his second wife, Rhoda Silver (m. 11/4/1773). After the death of Nathan Sr., Rhoda (Silver) Dunn m. 1788 Thomas Osborn (d. ca. 1827) of Burlington Co., N.J. Thomas Osborn was the son of Richard Osborn (Osborn's Island, Burlington Co., N.J.). Nathan Jr.'s siblings from his mother's first marriage included Deborah Dunn (who m. Caleb Pancoast), William Dunn and Josiah Dunn. Nathan's half-siblings from his mother's second marriage were Phoebe Osborn (d. 1848), Palmyra Osborn (who m. 1818 Gideon M. Birdsall of N.Y.) and Rhoda Osborn (ca. 1794-1881, m. Restore S. Lamb (d. ca. 1867?)). Rhoda and Restore S. Lamb were noted Friends ministers (Hicksite).

Nathan Dunn (1782-1844) was disowned by Philadelphia Monthly Meeting in 1816 for bankruptcy. In 1818 he went to China and traded under the firm of Nathan Dunn & Company. He returned to Philadelphia in 1832 and paid off all of his creditors. While in China, Dunn collected Chinese objects, which were exhibited here and in Europe. He built a "cottage" in Mt. Holly, N.J., which was run by his half-sisters Phoebe and Rhoda for many years. Dunn gave Haverford College a gift of over $20,000 in 1840 and was a financial supporter of other charitable endeavors.

(Sources for above: DQB; Arthur W. Hummel, "Nathan Dunn," Quaker History 59 (1970), p. 34-39; will of Nathan Dunn in Dunn-Osborn-Battey papers; History of Little Egg Harbor Township, Burlington County, N.J., from its first settlement to the present time,... by Leah Blackman, F144 L49 B62 1963)

Smith Battey (d. 1858) m. Ruth Muzzey Aldrich (ca. 1801-1884). Their children were Avis Battey (ca. 1830-1906, m. Isaac Steere), Phebe Battey (ca. 1834-1919, m. Dr. John Barns (ca. 1818-1895)), Nancy S. Battey (ca. 1837-1865) and Thomas Jesse Battey (1842-1931) who m. 1865 Mary Augusta Heaton (1838-1923), "Gussie," daughter of Samuel and Lydia Heaton. Thomas and Gussie's children included Charles Heaton Battey (1868-1941, m. 1895 Sarah Edith Thompson), Edward Heaton Battey (b. 1873, died young) and William Aldrich Battey (b. 1876, m. 1901 Rhoda Amelia Birdsall).

(Sources for above: DQB; Haverford College matriculate catalog; Quaker Necrology files; Dunn-Osborn-Battey papers)

Correspondence, account books, receipts, bills and other financial papers, notebook, 2 ledgers of financial accounts, printed items, and other miscellaneous papers.

Primarily correspondence of Dunn, Osborn and Battey families. Also related families of Barns, Birdsall, Brownell, Coffin, Coutant, Heaton, Lamb, Pancoast, Steere and others.

Letters of Nathan Dunn (1782-1844) discuss trade with China and his experiences there (letter, 4/13/1824, describes elaborate dinner at which he was a guest), his Chinese Collection, a forgery court case "Thomas v. Dunn" (letter, 2/3/1844 and 6/21/1844 describes case in detail); also a copy of his printed will with annotations, legal and land papers (some related to Laurel Hill Cemetery of which he was a manager), notebook regarding his Chinese Collection. There are also two ledgers of his financial accounts, 1826-1830, which reflect his China trade business. The first ledger was also used in the 1890s by Ella Birdsall Wright.

Household and farming bills and receipts of Restore Shinn Lamb, Rhoda (Osborn) Lamb and Phebe Osborn (Dunn's half-sisters, Rhoda and Phebe, took care of Dunn's "cottage" in Mt. Holly, N.J., they also managed the farm on Osborn's Island, inherited by Thomas Osborn from his father).

Letters, 1833-1856, of David Battey discuss farm life in Indiana, ill health and loneliness, implication that he is with the Hicksite branch of Friends.

Letters of Nancy S. Battey, 1864-1865, some while teaching free black children in Yorktown.

Ruth M. Battey letters and estate papers, 1858-1887.

Smith Battey letters, 1840-1857, discuss travel to Michigan to visit sister Phebe and husband Elijah Brownell in 1840, also family news and advice.

Letters, 1830-1882, of brothers Elijah Brownell and Sands Brownell discuss family business difficulties in Michigan.

Letters, 1856-1858, of George W. Taylor (1803-1891) to Smith Battey and Isaac Steere, discuss his free produce business in Philadelphia (includes some invoices on letterhead of the company).

Other topics discussed in correspondence are Society of Friends matters, (Separation of 1827 - implication in several letters (David Battey, Job Battey, Nicholas Battey) that choices made as result of Separation have led to some estrangement from other relatives), health concerns and illness (several cases of consumption within the families), slavery and education.

Noteworthy individual items are: Letter, 1868, of Leah Blackman to Rhoda Lamb asking about family history for her book on Little Egg Harbor; Letter, 12/1/1884, of William Otis Crosby (1850-1925), to [Thomas J. Battey] re: mineral specimens; Letter, 11/7/1889, of Sallie Coutant Jones (1st wife of Rufus M. Jones) telling of their first year experience in running Oak Grove School; postcard, 2/2/1879, from John G. Whittier.

Other persons represented in the collection include: Thomas J. Battey, Phebe (Battey) Barns, Hannah M. Boadle, Samuel Heaton, Amos Hoag, and others.

There are three main groups of papers within this collection: the Battey family papers, the papers of Nathan Dunn and the Osborn family papers.

Within the Battey family section, letters written by Batteys come first (boxes 1 and 2), followed by letters written by others to the Battey family (boxes 3, 4 and 5). Letters are arranged alphabetically by author within each group and chronologically within an individual author. Box 5 also includes some miscellaneous Battey family papers.

Box 6 contains the papers of Nathan Dunn (1782-1844), as well as some miscellaneous Dunn family papers.

Boxes 7 and 8 contain correspondence of the Osborn and Lamb families, these are primarily letters to Rhoda and Restore Lamb and Phebe Osborn. Box 8 also includes some miscellaneous Osborn family papers. Box 9 contains financial papers (chiefly household and farming bills and receipts) of Rhoda and Restore S. Lamb and Phebe Osborn.

Housed next to the boxes are two volumes or ledgers of the financial records, 1826-1830, of Nathan Dunn which record transactions within China and with England and Philadelphia business associates for Dunn's trade in cloth.

Dunn - Osborn - Battey

Ms. Coll. 1163

Gift, 1990, 2001.

Processing history is unknown.

People
Subject

Publisher
Haverford College Quaker & Special Collections
Access Restrictions

The collection is open for research use.

Use Restrictions

Standard Federal Copyright Laws Apply (U.S. Title 17).

Collection Inventory

Battey family - letters by Batteys, Amos - Nicholas.
Box 1
Battey family - letters by Batteys, Richard - Thomas J.
Box 2
Battey family - letters to Batteys, Adams - Crosby.
Box 3
Battey family - letters to Batteys, Day - Little.
Box 4
Battey family - letters to Batteys, Mayberry - Winslow.
Box 5
Nathan Dunn papers - letters, memoranda, will, etc.
Box 6
Osborn family - letters, Ballinger - Lamb.
Box 7
Osborn family - letters, Langdon - Zelley.
Box 8
Osborn family - bills, receipts,, 1820-1889.
Box 9
Nathan Dunn's China trade financial accounts,, 1826-1830.

Amos P. Battey, 2 Letters, Me., to cousin Smith Battey re: family, his travels in ministry, Aunt Sarah's estate settlement, 1845, 1849,.
C. A. Battey, Letter, Danielsonville, to cousin Smith Battey, 1850,.
Scope and Contents note

re: learning shoemaking

Charles H. Battey (1868-1941), 4 Letters, Haverford and Brooklyn, to parents.
Scope and Contents note

re: difficulties of starting out in business, finding life's work

Scope and Contents note

re: family, illness of Job (TB?)

David Battey), 19 Letters, New Holland, Ind. and elsewhere, to brother Smith Battey (1 to nephew TJB) (also 1842 w/ Marmaduke Battey, to uncle SB), 1833-1856, 1869,.
Scope and Contents note

re: family, travel, farming, 1852 refers to loss of all property and debts, ill health, loneliness, implication that he is with Hicksites

Job Battey, Letter, Rochester, to brother Smith Battey, 1829,.
Scope and Contents note

re: ill health, family, wonders if he is neglected by relatives as he not of Orthodox branch of Friends

Job T. Battey, 4 Letters, Elkhorn and elsewhere, to uncle Smith Battey and cousin Thomas J. Battey, 1855-1856,.
Scope and Contents note

re: family news

Joel Battey, 2 Letters, Peru [N.Y.], to cousin Smith Battey, 1855-1856,.
Scope and Contents note

re: family news

Jonathan Battey, Letters, Juliet, Erie Co., Pa., to uncle Smith Battey, n.d.,.
Scope and Contents note

re: going to school, family news

Scope and Contents note

re: health, family news

M. [Mary] Augusta (Heaton) Battey ("Gussie") (1838-1923), 9 Letters and fragment, "Home," to Thomas J. Battey, 1864-1865, (n.d.).
Scope and Contents note

re: love letters, she is teaching; also an essay on Society of Friends

Mary E. Battey, Letter, Pike Twp., Clark Co., Ohio, to cousin Smith Battey, 1842,.
Scope and Contents note

re: inquiring after share in estate of Aunt Sarah, send reply to stepfather Stephen Hester

Scope and Contents note

re: teaching, her school in Yorktown teaching free black children, advice to her brother; also 2 estate receipts

Nicholas Battey (w/ wife Thankful Battey), 2 Letters, Monkton, to nephew Smith Battey and nephew Richard Battey, 1843,.
Scope and Contents note

re: Aunt Sarah's estate, health, daughter of Benjamin with them as parents went with Hicksites

Ruth M. [Muzzey] (Aldrich) Battey (ca. 1801-1884), 14 Letters, Burrillville and elsewhere, to son Thomas J. Battey (1 w/ letter of Thomas's sister, Avis Battey) re: family news (Thomas is at Haverford College,, 1858-1869, 1859-1863).
2. Estate papers of Ruth M. [Muzzey] (Aldrich) Battey (ca. 1801-1884), , 1863-1887.
Scope and Contents note

Includes: letters and memoranda (1885), receipts re: to settling estate (1884-1887), account book (1884-1886), several receipts found with above (1863-1868)

Scope and Contents note

re: teaching school, advice of a spiritual nature [is she adopted? refers in letter to "Father and Mother Battey")

Smith Battey (d. 1858), 8 Letters, Burrillville and elsewhere, to wife Ruth (1840) and son Thomas J. Battey TJB at school), 1840, 1854-1857, 1854-1857,.
Scope and Contents note

re: trip to Michigan (1840) to visit sister Phebe and husband Elijah Brownell, family news and advice

Thomas J. [Jesse] Batty (1842-1931), 9 Letters, chiefly to parents, (also an accompanying letter, of Elizabeth to her uncle TJB) Also certificate of admittance to Haverford College, , 1853-1889, 1889, 1860.
Scope and Contents note

re: news of school (1 letter while at Haverford).

4. Papers, of Thomas J. Battey (1842-1931) as Treasurer of the Missionary Committee appointed at the Bible School Conference of Rhode Island Quarterly Meeting., 1880-1881,.
Scope and Contents note

Includes: letters of committee secretary Phebe S. Aydelott and others related to donations, receipts of donations, report labeled "Report to Conference on Missionary Committee 5 mo. 1880" and "Other documents relating to Quarterly Collections"

Scope and Contents note

re: mortgages

Mary Atwater, 2 Letters, Providence, to son Edward Atwater (at school) and to Smith Battey and wife, ca. 8/19 and 8/9/no year,.
Mary G. B[attey], Letter, Rockway, to cousin "Gussie" [Mary Augusta (Heaton) Battey], 5/28/1865,.
H. [Hannah?] J. Bailey, Letter, Winthrop, Me., to Augusta [Battey], 3/26/1884,.
Dr. John Barns (ca. 1818-1895), 3 Letters, Milford, to brother Thomas [J. Battey], also drawing of internal structure of ear copied from a plate, 1881-1887,.
Phebe (Battey) Barns (ca. 1834-1919) (daughter of Smith Battey), 25 Letters, "Home," (some no year), to family, 1862-1889.
George W. Benson, Letter, Providence, to Smith Battey re: anniversary of National Anti-Slavery Society, 5/2/1840,.
B. F. [Benjamin Franklin?] Blair, Letter, Archdale, N.C., to Thomas J. Battey,, 6/1/1887,.
Scope and Contents note

re: an accompanying ALS of Mattie Greenwaid to "Mrs. Thomas Battie" requesting financial help (fraudulent?)

Scope and Contents note

re: family

General Physical Description note

10 Letters and fragments,

M. W. Buffum, ALS, Newport, to cousin Augusta [Battey], 12/15/1884,.
Elijah Brownell (ca. 1806-1853), 10 Letters, Raisin, Mich. and elsewhere, to brother Smith Battey includes letters of William A. Brownell to "Uncle" and of Phebe Brownell to brother Smith Battey, 1838-1850,.
Scope and Contents note

re: family business difficulties

Phebe (Battey?) Brownell (sister of Smith Battey), 3 Letters, Raisin, Mich., to family (brother and sisters), 1853-1854,.
Scope and Contents note

re: family business difficulties

Thomas Brownell, Letter, Rollin, Mich., to brother Smith Battey, 10/26/1842,.
William A. Brownell, 2 Letters, Macedon, N.Y. and elsewhere, to Uncle Richard Battey, 1846,.
Ann E. Chamberlain, Letter, Southbridge, Mass., to Aunt Sarah Battey, 3/14/1840,.
Buffum Chase, 2 Letters, Yarmouth and elsewhere, to Smith Battey, 1855,.
William L. Chase, Letter, Anthony's Village, to "friend", 10/11/1851,.
[William M. Chase] DS, Boston, to Smith Battey, May 1840,.
Scope and Contents note

re: transportation arrangements to upcoming meeting of the American Anti-Slavery Society in New York City

J. A. Collins, D [printed letter], to Smith Battey, 4/28/1842,.
Scope and Contents note

re: annual meeting of American Anti-Slavery Society

S. A. Comstock, Letter, Nasonville, to Smith Battey, 11/8/1851,.
Arnold Congdon, Letter, Providence, to Ruth M. Battey, 3/25/1841,.
Scope and Contents note

[Coutant - see following folders)

William Otis Crosby (1850-1925), Letter, M.I.T., to "Mr. Battey" [Thomas J. Battey], 12/1/1884,.
Scope and Contents note

re: on mineral specimens sent to him by Battey

7. Letters of: Clementine S. Coutant (ca. 1826-1915), 9 Letters, to sister H. J. Battey and to brother, 1867-1891 and no date,.
Mary M. Coutant, Letter, to Phebe, 11/26/1872,.
Nancy H. (Battey) Disbrow, 6 Letters, to Uncle Smith Battey and Aunt Ruth Battey, 1839-1853,.
Nathan Disbrow, Letter, to Smith Battey, 1/1/1855,.
A[delbert?]. E. Douglass, Letter, to Thomas J. Battey, Esq., 12/2/1884,.
Hannah (Bailey) Farr, 2 Letters, to "Mrs. Thomas J. Battey" (Mary Augusta Heaton Battey), 1884-1885,.
M[aria] Feltham, Letter, on letterhead of Friends Hospital, Mt. Lebanon [Lebanon], to [], date?,.
Scope and Contents note

re: tells of mission work, hospital, Boys and Girls Homes, dispensary

Harvey Fink, 2 Letters, to Smith Battey, 1833-1834,.
Emily Gerow, Letter, to Mary Augusta Battey, 6/11/1885,.
S. A. [Sally Ann (Baker)] Gerow, 12 ALS, to Mary Augusta Battey, 185?-188?,.
R. P. Gifford, Letter, to Thomas Battey, 5/23/1858,.
Thomas Grover, 2 Letters, to Smith Battey, 1851-1853,.
Alpha [Heaton?], 3 Letters, to "Gusta" and cousin [Mary Augusta (Heaton) Battey] and "Cousin" [all to Augusta Battey?], also recipe for medicine, 1881-1883,.
Daniel L. Heaton, 2 Letters, to cousin "Augusta" [Mary Augusta (Heaton) Battey], 1889,.
E[lizabeth] (Gardner) Heaton [wife of Daniel Heaton], Letter, to cousin "Augusta" (Mary Augusta Battey), 10/6/1889,.
Phebe (Heaton) Taber [wife George Taber], 7 Letters, to "Sister" and to "Gussie" [Mary Augusta (Heaton) Battey], ca. 1865-1867 an no date,.
Samuel Heaton (ca. 1801-1869) (father of Mary Augusta Battey), 11 Letters, to "children" (son-in-law Thomas J. Battey and "Gussey"), 1865-1869,.
Amos Hoag, 17 Letters, to Smith Battey (1 to "Friend"), 1844-1851,.
Wilmot R. Jones, Letter, to "friend Augusta Battey" (Mary Augusta Battey), 3/28/1887,.
Scope and Contents note

re: in mourning for his wife

Henry G. Knowles, Letter, to Smith Battey, 5/30/1849,.
Mary E. Little, 2 Letters, to "sister friend", 1882-1885,.
Sarah (Coutant) Jones (wife of Rufus M. Jones), Letter, to "ones at home", 11/17/1889,.
Scope and Contents note

re: written from Oak Grove School [Maine], tells of their experiences in running the school (Rufus's first year as principal)

Mayberry, Alice F. - Winslow, Clara A.
Box 5
Unidentified correspondents.
Scope and Contents note

re: "Teachers Alumni Association"

Joanna M. Miller, Letter, Oskaloosa, to "cousins", 3/3/1856,.
Mattie R. Moore, 7 Letters, Indiana and elsewhere, to [Mary] "Augusta Battey", 1883-1889,.
John Osborne, ALS, Smithfield, to Smith Battey, 10/18/1851,.
Scope and Contents note

re: admission of Albert Smith to Friends School

Joseph Potts, ADS, to Thomas J. Battey, "The Coopertown First Day School - for last season - Extracts", 3/9/1863,.
Scope and Contents note

re: fund raising appeal

Samuel Robinson, ALS, Providence, to Smith Battey, 12/1/1849,.
Isaac Sharpless, ALS, Haverford College, to "friend" [Thomas J. Battey], 3/28/1887,.
Scope and Contents note

re: scholarship money for Battey's son

Albert K. Smiley, ALS, Providence, to Thomas J. Battey, 7/31/1867,.
E. Smith, ALS, Providence, to Smith Battey, 1839,.
Abner K. Sprague, ALS, Uxbrige, to Smith Battey, date?,.
Avis (Battey) Steere (daughter of Smith Battey), 3 ALS, Mansfield and elsewhere, to father and brother and sister, (ca. 1830-1906) 1852-1866,.
Isaac Steere, ALS, "Institution," to Smith Battey, 11/26/1847,.
Scope and Contents note

re: news of the boy's school, death of a student

Smith [B. Steere] (son of Isaac and Avis Steere), 3 ALS, Burrillville and elsewhere, to Aunt Augusta and brother, (ca. 1863-1889) 1888-1889,.
Scope and Contents note

re: chiefly his health

George W. Taylor, Philadelphia, to Smith Battey and Isaac Steere, 1856-1858,.
Scope and Contents note

re: Taylor is operating a "Free Labor Ware-House" [Free Produce] and letters tell of business (some invoices on letterhead included in letters)

General Physical Description note

10 ALS

[Miss] A. Thurber, ALS [postcard], "Green River, 846 miles West Omaha,", 5/23/ no year.
Samuel Boyd Tobey, DS, to Smith Battey, 1853,.
Scope and Contents note

re: printed minute signed by Tobey appointing Battey to visit subordinate meetings

F. C. Walton, ALS, Chicago, to "friends" (Thomas J. Battey), 9/6/1882,.
Phebe Weeks, ALS, Weekstown, to cousin, 11/19/1867,.
Prince A. Weeks, ALS, Fair Haven, Ma., to Thomas J. Battey, 4/5/1856,.
Lena L. Wells, ALS, Berlin, Germany, to Mrs. Battey, 12/9/1888,.
John G. Whittier, ALS (postcard), Danvers, Ma., to Thomas J. Battey, 2/2/1879,.
Scope and Contents note

re: refers to an unnamed poem

Mattie Williamson, ALS, Brooklyn, to Aunt Gussie, 3/8/1883,.
Mary E. Wing, 2 ALS, to Augusta Battey, 1887, 1889,.
Clara A. Winslow, ALS, Waterville, Me., to Thomas J. Battey, encloses document from "Friends' School Alumni Association", 7/4/1887,.
[?], to Gussie.
Scope and Contents note

re: baby of Martha Birdsall

Emma [?] to Thomas J. Battey.
Edna [?], to uncle Thomas J. Battey, 7/22/1889,.
John [?Steere?], to uncle Thomas J. Battey, 7/10/1889,.
Scope and Contents note

re: illness of Smith B. Steere

[unknown woman], to "Gussie" [M. Augusts Battey], 10/21/1866,.

6. Receipts, etc.,, 1796-1868.
Scope and Contents note

Includes: memorandum (1796) of who will sweep Meeting House for 1797-1800; receipts (1799-1815) estate of Joseph Battey (guardianship of son John); receipts, etc. (1804-1841) related to estate of Sarah Battey (d. 1842); receipt (1819) estate of Benjamin Battey; papers (1820) estate of James [Clemme?]; receipts (1863-1868) Ruth Battey

7. Notes on births, deaths, marriages of families of Southwick, Mussey, Remington, Aldrich and others: date span covers, 1684-1861.
8. Poetry, penmanship papers,, not dated.
9. Meeting minutes,, 1793-1850.
Scope and Contents note

Includes: "Coppy of a minute setting off gloucester Preparative Meetg, 8th mo. 1793"; "Minutes of organization of [Friends Prov.] First Day School, established 3d mo. 1850"; p

10. Printed items,, 1845-1849.
Scope and Contents note

Includes: Free produce meeting minutes (1849); circular to members of School Committee [Providence Public Schools] (1845); 2 time tables

General Physical Description note

13 ALS

Liverpool, 11/19/1821.
Scope and Contents note

- about to sail to Canton

Canton, to niece Hannah C. Risley, 4/13/1824.
Scope and Contents note

- government restrictions on their interactions with Chinese merchants, tells of elaborate dinner banquet

Canton, to brother and sister, 1/6/1828.
Scope and Contents note

- thoughts on Separation within Society of Friends, gives gifts of money to relatives

to sisters Phebe and Rhoda Osborn, 8/29/1832.
Philadelphia, to Phebe and Rhoda Osborn, 3/26/1833.
Philadelphia, to Phebe and Rhoda Osborn, 6/18/1833.
Philadelphia, invitation to Thomas Dixey, 2/21/1834.
Niagara Falls, to Hannah C. Risley, 7/2/1834.
Scope and Contents note

- traveling in New York State, Niagara Falls, etc.

Philadelphia, to Phebe and Rhoda Osborn, 3/31/1837.
Philadelphia, to Phebe and Rhoda Osborn, 7/27/1838.
Philadelphia, to Phebe and Rhoda Osborn, 11/23/1838.
Scope and Contents note

- working on setting up exhibit of Chinese Collection

Philadelphia, to Phebe and Rhoda Osborn, 3/29/1839.
Philadelphia, to Phebe and Rhoda Osborn, 4/12/1839.
Philadelphia, to Phebe and Rhoda Osborn, 3/21/1841.
Philadelphia, to Phebe and Rhoda Osborn, 5/4/1841.
London, to Hannah C. Dixey, 8/29/1842.
Scope and Contents note

- in London with Chinese Collection

London, to niece Hannah C. Dixey, 3/3/1843.
Scope and Contents note

- opinion on anticipated boom in trade with China, many missionaries and traders headed that way, need to stop opium traffic first "Opium and the Bible cannot enter China together," visit of Elizabeth Fry to the Chinese Collection

Paris, to Hannah C. Dixey, 10/1/1843.
Scope and Contents note

- comments of news of sister Rhoda and Mr. Lamb

London, to Benjamin W. Richards, 2/3/1844.
Scope and Contents note

- case of Thomas v. Dunn to come up in Court of Common Pleas (forgery case), discusses case at length

London, to Benjamin W. Richards, 6/21/1844.
Scope and Contents note

- Dunn wins forgery case, discusses case and aftermath, receives anonymous letter in verse in Thomas's hand, which mentions gift to Haverford

3. "Memoranda for Mr. Dunn - List of articles - wanted 3 mo. 18, 1829".
Scope and Contents note

[notebook re: packing of Chinese Collection, also Chinese articles wanted for collection, (and items needed to exhibit collection?)]

4. Laurel Hill Cemetery papers,, 1836-1840.
Scope and Contents note

Includes: 2 account books, copies of deeds and legal documents, extracts from minutes of meeting of the proprietors, printed act of incorporation for Laurel Hill Cemetery (1836, managers are Nathan Dunn, Benjamin W. Richards, John J. Smith Jr., Frederick Brown, William M. Meredith, Edward Coleman, George N. Baker, Henry Toland and Nicholas Biddle)

5. Land papers,, 1838-1839.
Scope and Contents note

Includes: "Map of Lots in exchange of land between Nathan Dunn and William Russell" (1838) and "Deed, Absalom H. Smith and wife to Nathan Dunn for a lot of land in Mt. Holly" (1839)

6. "The last will and testament of Nathan Dunn, late of the city of Philadelphia, deceased." with annotations in a contemporary hand [possibly Isaac Collins?, one of Dunn's executors], 1844,.
7. Miscellaneous Nathan Dunn and Dunn family papers,, 1744-1841.
Scope and Contents note

Includes: receipt (1744) and bond (1753) of Zaccheus Dunn, "Copy of account, Rhoda Dunn and John Barnes Execrs. of Nathan Dunn Decd." (1786), 1759 Deed (Silver and Shivers), receipt, several 1832 letters to Nathan Dunn related to building a house

Ann Bellangee, ALS, "Santcla[]swell", to Rhoda Osborn, (w/ brother James Bellangee) , 1834,.
Scope and Contents note

re: religious thoughts (are they traveling in the ministry?)

M. F. Bellangee, ALS, Bordentown, to friend Rhoda, 1867,.
Leah Blackman, ALS, Little Eggharbor, to Rhoda Lamb, 1868,.
Scope and Contents note

re: family information for use in her book

R. S. Bogan Jr., ALS, Tuckertown, to Uncle Gideon [M. Birdsall], 1884,.
Richard Bogan, 8 ALS, Osborn's Island, to Rhoda and Restore S. Lamb, Gideon Birdsall re: running farm on Osborn's Island, 1850-1871,.
Scope and Contents note

re: running farm on Osborn's Island

Frederick Brown, 5 ALS, Philadelphia, to Phebe Osborn, Rhoda Lamb, 1845-1865,.
Scope and Contents note

re: funeral and estate of Nathan Dunn

Rachel Bullock, funeral notice for, 1846.
Nathan Dunn Birdsall, 2 ALS, to Aunt [Rhoda Osborn] and Aunts Phebe and Rhoda Osborn, 1844-1848,.
Thomas O. Birdsall, 9 ALS, to family, 1877-1885,.
Zephaniah Birdsall (1823-1849), ALS, to Aunts Phebe and Rhoda Osborn, 1844,.
3. Papers of: Gideon M. Birdsall, miscellaneous items, memoranda, receipt, certificate from Marlborough Monthly Meeting, 1871 to Burlington and Little Eggharbor Monthly Meetings, 1882-1884,.
Scope and Contents note

in regard to visit of GMB, bankbook

General Physical Description note

2 p., 9 tintypes of [GMB?]

Rhoda Ann (Birdsall) Coffin (daughter of Gideon M. Birdsall), 9 ALS, to family (includes letters w/ brother Nathan Dunn Birdsall and Gideon M. Birdsall), 1839-1885,.
Lewis R. [Cavilear], ALS, to Gideon M. Birdsall, 1884,.
Offingham Cock [or Dock?], to R. Lamb, 6/1/ no year,.
Isaac Collins, 2 ALS, to Phebe and Rhoda Osborn,, 1844,.
Scope and Contents note

re: estate of Nathan Dunn

D. Colson, 2 ALS, to cousins Phebe and Rhoda Osborn, 1841, 1844,.
Phebe Coutant, ALS, to brother Gideon M. Birdsall, encloses funeral notice of Job Atkinson, 1885,.
Hannah R. Cox, funeral notice for, 1849.
S. W. Doughten, ALS, to Mordecai W. Bryant (on behalf of Rhoda Lamb) with reply of Mordecai W. Bryant to RL on reverse, 1872.
Ann Eliza Dunn (daughter of Josiah Dunn and niece of Nathan Dunn), 2 ALS, to Aunts Phebe and Rhoda Osborn, 1839-1842,.
Nathan Dunn Jr. (son of Josiah Dunn and nephew of Nathan Dunn), ALS, to Aunts Phebe and Rhoda Osborn, 1842,.
B. C. Duplaine, ALS, to Restore Lamb, 1849,.
7. Letters of: William Folwell (Nathan Dunn was apprenticed to a William Folwell in 1803), 4 ALS, to Phebe and Rhoda Osborn and later, to Rhoda Lamb, 1840-1868,.
Margaret Haines, funeral notice for, 1845.
Jane L. Harvey, ALS, to Gideon M. Birdsall, 1885,.
William Haywood, funeral notice for, 10/16/ no year.
Samuel B. Headley, ALS, to friends Phebe and Rhoda Osborn, 1846,.
Lydia L. Hewlings, funeral notice for, 1841.
Benjamin M. Hollinshead, cover sheet addressed to him.
Rhoda O. Lamb, 4 ALS, to sister Phebe Osborn and to G. & B. [Orul?], also a few misc. mss, including copy of appraisal of personal effects of Rhoda Lamb, 1842-1850,.
William B. Langdon, ALS, to Rhoda, 9/9/1841,.
James Logan, ALS, to Rhoda S.[?] Lamb, 11/28/1849,.
P. McCall, ALS, to Restore S. Lamb, 4/21/1847,.
George McHenry, notice of funeral for, sent to R. S. Lamb, 3/3/1864,.
Rebecca Merritt, funeral notice for, sent to Restore S. Lamb, 8/12/1851,.
Richard Osborn (father of Thomas Osborn), ADS (bond),, ca 1765-1769.
Thomas Osborn (d. ca. 1827) (2nd husband of Rhoda (Silver) Dunn), 7 items, (receipts, legal documents), 1777-1822.
George Pancoast, funeral notice for, sent to Restore S. Lamb, 2/25/1862,.
Nathan Dunn Pancoast (nephew of Nathan Dunn), 2 ALS, invitation and letter to Aunts Rhoda and [Phebe Osborn], 1839, 1868,.
Sadie A. Pancoast, ALS, to cousin, 3/10/year?,.
Amos J. Peaslee, ALS, to Rhoda O. Lamb, 1/16/1872,.
Jacob S. Pedrick, ALS, to Restore Lamb, 4/25/1860,.
Scope and Contents note

re: death of Hannah Pedrick

Joseph B. Pedrick, ALS, to cousin Rhoda O. Lamb, 6/20/1879,.
William S. Perot, ALS, to Restore S. Lamb, 1/11/1847,.
Joseph W. Pharo, ALS, to Phebe and Rhoda Osborn, 3/14/1839,.
Phebe B. Pharo (m. Allen R. Pharo), ALS, 2nd day (30th), to Restore Lamb.
Timothy Pharo, ALS, to Phebe and Rhoda Osborn, 2/16/1842,.
Pharos & Ridgway, ALS, to Rhoda O. Lamb, 5/1/1873,.
Elwood Reeves, ALS, to Restore S. Lamb, 2/7/1853,.
Mrs. Richards and daughters, AD (acceptance of invitation), Tues., to Mrs. Osborn and Mr. Dunn, 8/6/ no year,.
Benjamin W. Richards, 9 ALS, to Phebe and Rhoda Osborn, Restore Lamb, 1844-1846,.
Scope and Contents note

re: estate of Nathan Dunn

D. A. [Deborah Ann] Risley (daughter of Hannah C. Dixey?), ADS,, 5/26/1848,.
Scope and Contents note

recipe for medicine (St. Vita's Dance)

Sarah Roberts, ALS, to Phebe and Rhoda Osborn, no date,.
Daniel Schut, ALS, to Mrs. R. S. Lamb, 8/24/1858,.
Mary Ann Shourds, 2 ALS, to cousin Rhoda Lamb, 1849, 1852,.
William Shourds, funeral notice for, sent to Rhoda Osborn and family, 6/18/1840,.
R. C. Smith, ALS, to Rhoda and Phebe Osborn, no date,.
Henry Sutton, ALS, to Gideon M. Birdsall, 3/20/1885,.
Isaac Sutton, ALS, to Gideon M. Birdsall, 12/16/1883,.
Daniel Townsend, ALS, to "Pheeby & Rhody Osborn", 1/14/1839,.
Thomas Walton, ALS, to Restore Lamb, 8/9/1850,.
James Weeks and Phebe Weeks, ALS, to Rhoda and Phebe Osborn, 3/17/1847,.
Barclay White, ALS, to "Mother Rhoda O. Lamb", 6/1/1850,.
Susan C. White, ALS, to [?], 2/6/1877,.
Scope and Contents note

re: death of Susan's mother

William C. White, ALS, to cousin Rhoda, also memorandum, not dated, 1878,.
Rebecca Ann Wilkins, funeral notice for, sent to Restore Lamb, 10/6/1848,.
Sarah E. Willits, ALS, to Mrs. Rhoda Lamb, 5/5/1849,.
Stephen Willits Jr., ALS, to Phebe and Rhoda Osborn, 6/6/1839,.
Georgia B. Wood, 8 pages of bequests,, ca. 1927.
Benajah B. Woodward, ALS, to Phebe and Rhoda Osborn, 10/18/1845,.
Franklin Woolman, ALS, to Restore S. Lamb, 8/16/1852?,.
Mary Woolman, funeral notice for, 7/4/1860,.
Catharine R. Zelley, sent to Rhoda Osborn, 3/28/1841,.
Scope and Contents note

funeral notice for Catharine R. Zelley

6. Unidentified correspondents,, 1832-1878.

7. Meeting minutes,, ca. 1848-1863.
Scope and Contents note

Includes: handwritten extracts from Yearly Mtg. (ca. 1848); printed subscription form for a Friends' school (1854); minutes of Marlborough Preparative Meeting of Minsters and Elders, Cornwall Preparative Meeting of Ministers and Elders, Cornwall Quarterly Meeting of Ministers and Elders

8. Poetry, photographs, memorandum, almanac, clippings.

1. Receipt book, of Phebe and Rhoda Osborn., 1834-1845.
2. Receipts, bills, [undated].
3. Receipts, bills,, 1820-1839.
4. Receipts, bills,, 1840-1849.
5. Receipts, bills,, 1850-1859.
6. Receipts, bills,, 1860-1869.
7. Receipts, bills,, 1870-1879.
8. Receipts, bills,, 1880-1889.
Nathan Dunn's China trade financial accounts,, 1826-1830.
Scope and Contents note

Includes: General ledger balances, transactions within China and with England and Philadelphia business associates by Nathan Dunn on cloth cargo sent by the ships "Tobacco Plant" and "Isabella" and received by Dunn in Canton, China. The first ledger book was also used in the 1890s by Ella Birdsall Wright to practice her writing

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