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Thomas Wistar and 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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Thomas Wistar (1765-1851), son of Richard and Sarah Wyatt Wistar married Mary Waln in 1786 with whom he had 13 children. A Quaker, he was an Elder in his Meeting, Philadelphia Monthly Meeting for the Western District. He was also a clerk of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting Indian Committee.
Thomas Wistar (1798-1876), son of Thomas and Mary Waln Wistar, married (1) Elizabeth Buckley Morris (d. 1863) in 1822 with whom he had 2 children, and (2) Mary Richardson (d. 1894). Wistar lived at Stanley Farm in Abington near Philadelphia, Pa., which is today known as Fox Chase Farm, a working farm administered by Fairmount Park Commission and the School District of Philadelphia that provides educational opportunities for school children. In 1868, three Friends, Clarkson Sheppard, Thomas Scattergood and Thomas Wistar carried a memorial regarding Native Americans to President-Elect Grant out of which grew President Grant's Peace Policy by which Friends took charge of the Central Superintendency, including the Indigenous Nations in Kansas, together with the Kiowas, Comanches and other tribes in "Indian Territory," as well as the Northern Superintendency, including the various Nations of Nebraska. Thomas Wistar was appointed Indian Commissioner. Prior to that, government policy related to Indigenous Peoples had been the provence of the War Department. Also, with the aid of James Rhoads, later president of Bryn Mawr College, Thomas Wistar formed the Indian Aid Society. Wistar never received any remuneration for his services as Indian Commissioner. He was a member of the Free Produce Association Board in the Civil War period.
Caspar Morris Wistar, M.D. (1801-1867), son of Thomas and Mary Waln Wistar, married Lydia Jones in 1826 and had 10 children. A Quaker, he was a member of Philadelphia Monthly Meeting for the Western District. He donated the ground for Tulpehocken Reformed Church in Myerstown.
Caspar Wistar, M.D. (1761-1818), son of Richard and Sarah Wyatt Wistar, married (1) Isabella Marshall in 1788 and (2) Elizabeth Mifflin in 1798. He received a Bachelor of Medicine from the College of Philadelphia in 1782. In 1792, he conceived of the idea of exploration of the American northwest, and as he was friend of Thomas Jefferson, his idea resulted in the Lewis and Clark expedition. From 1792-1818, he was Prof. of Anatomy at the Philadelphia Medical College and the University of Pennsylvania. He was president of the American Philosophical Society from 1815-1818 and president of the Abolition Society. He established the Academy of Natural Sciences in 1812, and published A System of Anatomy for the Use of Students of Medicine in 1811 and 1814. He held what became the Wistar Association, but were originally called "Wistar parties" at his house, inviting members of American Philosophical Society.
Edward Morris Wistar (1852-1941) was the son of Thomas Wistar (III) and Priscilla Foulke and married Margaret Cooper Collins in 1876. He graduated from Haverford College in 1871 and was in banking, life insurance and the real estate and cotton yarn businesses. The "Thomas Wistar and family papers" were originally collected by Thomas Wistar, Jr. (1798-1876) and later by his grandson, Edward Morris Wistar (1852-1941).
(Information from internal evidence, the Dictionary of Quaker Biography, Rayner Kelsey's Friends and the Indians, obituary notices and other newspaper clippings)
The collection has its roots in the Revolutionary War, but is concentrated in the period of Indian Commissioner Thomas Wistar (1798-1876) and his work among Native Americans, especially the Comanche, Kiowa and Osage Nations, of the mid-19th century, offering detailed views on Indigenous relations with the US government, and with many references to Enoch Hoag and other commissioners. It ranges widely due to the many activities of the Waln and Wistar families, including Edward M. Wistar's work in Turkey and Armenia and while visiting Quaker missions among Native Americans and travel in Switzerland. There are graphics including a photograph of the Northwestern Indian Commissioners, including Thomas Wistar (1798-1876) and an engraving by Samuel Sartain of Caspar Wistar (1761-1818). Journals include numerous school materials, particularly from Westtown School. People represented in the collection include: Cyrus Beede, John Cox, John Garrett, James Pemberton, Jonathan Richards, Richard Waln, Edward M. Wistar, Mary Waln Wistar, Thomas Wistar (1765-1851), Thomas Wistar (1798-1876), Thomas Wistar (1826-1862) and Thomas Wistar (1877-1960) and Asher Wright. There is also a copy of President Andrew Johnson's letters appointment of Thomas Wistar as Indian Commissioner in 1865 on official stationery and other related documents from the Dept. of the Interior.
Biographical, Genealogical, Legal and Miscellaneous Papers Correspondence Financial Journals Graphics Miscellaneous
All dates are standardized rather than transcribed, viz: yr mo/day. Though not all letters are listed individually, those that are highlighted are done so on the basis of content of the letter or historical importance of the letter writer.
Gift of Caroline Wistar and Elizabeth Wistar Little through Charles W. Ufford Jr., September 2003.
Accession # 6854
There are two donations of materials present in this collection.
Originally processed in 2004.
MATERIALS REMOVED • Crawford, Charles, Essay on the propagation of the Gospel. Phila.: Humphreys, 1801 - to Q. Rare; • Prospectus for North American Indian … written, ill. and pub. / Edward S. Curtis, 1907 - to Magill; • 5 books - to Q. stacks; • 1 book - to Q. duplicates; • 6 marriage certificates of Thomas Wistar and Mary Waln, 1786; Thomas Wistar and Elizabeth Morris, 1822; Edward M. Wistar and Margaret Collins, 1876; Thomas Wistar and Priscilla Foulke, 1849; Anne M. Wistar and Henry Haines, 1888; facsimile of certificate for Caspar Wistar and Katherine Johnson, 1726 - to 990B; • 3 certificates for 25th anniversary, 1903 and 50th anniversary, 1926 of Edward M. and Margaret Wistar; membership for E.M. Wistar - to 990B; • 1 descendant chart of Coope/Cope family - to 990B • 6 items, including the Boreal Budget, 1898 - to Haverfordiana; • 1 book of clippings re cricket - to C.C. Morris Cricket Library • 1 item of ephemera – to PG
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Standard Federal Copyright Law Applies (U.S. Title 17)
Collection Inventory
Genealogical information primarily about the Wistar family; legal information, including a receipt from B. Wistar Morris, Bishop of Oregon, for his share of the estate of Sally M. Waln, inventory of items in the estate of Thomas (1826-1862) and Priscilla F. Wistar by daughter, Elizabeth B. Wistar in 1863 and a living will executed by Edward M. Morris in 1937. Biographical information about Thomas Wistar (1798-1876), biographical accounts of the Wistar family by Esther F. Wistar, 1888. Anne M. Wistar's album of the sentiments of Wistar family members and other Quakers, 1870s-1880s; Thomas Wistar's Latin homework, 1921; hand-drawn coats of arms; proposed answers to queries, 1912; facsimile of the Germantown Protest against Slavery, 1688; signatures of some Cope, Haines and King family members.
Included are: I. letters not to or from Wistars, II. manumissions and indentures, III. Pennsylvania Society for Promoting Abolition of Slavery, IV. deeds, indentures of servitude and miscellaneous, V. unattributed poems I. Letters not to or from Wistars (11 items)Letter writers include: John Cox, Denniss De Bert, Sarah Dodge, H-, M-, David S. Jordan, James Kenny, James Pemberton, Sansom family. Highlights include: Cox, John to Roberts Vaux. Oxmead, 1818 5/19. [sending on letters of Anthony Benezet (not present) which he feels may be of interest to Thomas Wistar and others; also encloses letters of John Pemberton relating to Indian affairs (not present) about the people who have been "robb'd and spoiled" for nearly a century] De Bert, Denniss to Committee of Correspondence. London, 1776 5/5. [grateful for honor of being chosen agent of their assembly; Lord Howe to America as Commander in Chief to smooth differences without violence and that he is authorized to make compromises] contemporary copy. H., M. to children. [Philadelphia, 1793]. [calamity arising from Yellow Fever epidemic; Rebecca Jones sends love] Jordan, David Starr to Walter Haviland. 1912 1/17. [has returned from Japan where he gave 64 addresses on international peace; Gilbert Bowles' Peace Society influencing Japanese public opinion; two Japanese men better fitted for peace work: Baron Sakane and Saburo Shimada. Other testimonials about the good work of Gilbert Bowles] typed copy Kenny, James to Israel Pemberton. Wrights Ferry, 1738? 12/27. [transportation] Pemberton, James to John Stephenson. 1762 12/7. [relating to matters pending before Meeting for Sufferings on the state of society and that admonition from London to New England Friends thinking to settle in Nova Scotia where neutrals had moved at the beginning of the war] draft of letter. Pemberton, James to D and J Barclay. Philadelphia, 1774 11/6. [favors avoiding any action on the part of Friends relating to resolutions of Congress; sending four journals of John Woolman] Sansom, William to Hannah Sansom. Philadelphia, 1784 10/25. [mob violent and destructive, broke into their house, but all are well] II. Manumissions and indenture (3 items) Manumissions, 1776 signed by Richard Wistar, Richard Wistar Jr. et al, and 1788 signed by Richard Waln et al III. Pennsylvania Society for Promoting Abolition of Slavery (1 item) Harrison, Thomas, Thomas Parker and Benjamin Say to Richard Waln. Philadelphia, 1790 7/22. [re trial of African Americans unjustly detained under John Horsefield's will in New Jersey] IV. Deeds, Indentures of Servitude and Miscellaneous (11 items) Deeds: Edmd Lovett to John Brown. Bristol, N.J., 1722 and Stephen Paschall to John Schreiber. Philadelphia, 1781 Indentures: 1705, 1786 and [18--?] Miscellaneous: Certificate for Richard Waln Jr. from Barbados Monthly Meeting, 1759; Poem by Margaret Wistar, 1822; Sermon preached by J.J. Gurney, 1838. copy; Epistle to South Kingston Monthly Meeting, signed by David Buffum et al, 1841 Program of concert held on board R.M.S.P. "Orbita," 1924; Speech of Thomas Wistar before members of the Osage Tribe and AECOFIA, Oklahoma, 1941. typed copy. V. Poems, unattributed (12 items)
Autograph album, dated Westtown, 1842 2/21, including poems and signed by his classmates ALS by Wistar to his mother. Westtown, n.d. (1840s?).
Account of Priscilla F. Wistar, administrator of the estate of Thomas Wistar, listing debits and credits
Waln, Richard to Col. Joseph Ellis. Philadelphia, 1777 12/28. [requests a pass to obtain goods for his ailing wife] Waln, Richard to Lindley and Hartshorne. Philadelphia, 1778 1/20. [tells of the difficulties of shipping, the army's situation under Washington] Smith Robert to Richard Waln. Burlington, [17]96 10/11. [believing Waln to be sympathetic, alerts to the printing of a petition by NJ Abolition Society on subject of slavery, and is sending 15 copies to Waln for circulation]
Included are: I. correspondence, II. deed, III. manuscripts, IV. memberships, V. miscellaneous and VI. poems. I. Correspondence (4 items) Highlights include: Wistar, Edward M. 1897 3-4. Letterbook and journal kept while visiting Quaker missions to various Native American tribes and work in Turkey and Armenia Wistar, Edward M. to Thomas and Beatrice Wistar. Wilderswyl, Switzerland, [19]22 4/22. [travelogue in Switzerland; invited to Meeting and picked up by Dr. Nitobe's auto, then later to League of Nations where Mary Elkinton Nitobe awaited; in an attached letter from Margaret C. Wistar, she tells of the celebrities, such as Princess Radziwill, and the Russian Bolshevik, who are there] II. Deed (3 items) Deed for property partitioned among Ellen C. Wood, Horatio C. Wood and Annabella C. Wood and Margaret C. Wistar and Edward M. Wistar in Germantown, Phila., 1902; typed copy; hand-drawn plot plan. III. Manuscripts (1 item) "William Penn, proprietor and founder of Pennsylvania" / E.M. Wistar. 1931. V. Certificates, diplomas and memberships (5 items) Diplomas from Westtown Boarding School, Haverford College and certificate from Loganian Society Historical Society of Pennsylvania, 1905 National Geographic Society, 1907 V. Miscellaneous (3 items) Permission for W.T. Wister to sketch inside Christ Church, Oxford, 1824 Contemporary copy of Yearly Meeting minute concerning Ministers and Elders and Queries, 1755 Invitation to 50th wedding anniversary of Edward Morris Wistar and Margaret Wistar VI. Poem (1 item) "Hope On" / E.M. Wistar, Westtown Boarding School, 1868
Papers include Wistar's letters, 1796-1843 and n.d. written to various family members, and particularly to her son, Thomas Wistar Jr., primarily on daily life, health, including some medical remedies, religion, family members, attending Meeting; also, poems and a prayer. Highlights of the letters include: to Thomas Wistar. Roaring Creek Valley, 1812 10/14. [glimpses of the nature of travel and lodging in this period] to Thomas Wistar Jr. 1818 3/? [admonition to son about proper behavior] to Thomas Wistar Jr. 1834 11/15. [German Friends who have arrived from New York and on their way to Ohio] to Thomas Wistar Jr. n.d. [account of an unsettling time at Meeting when E.H., W.H. and a "number of friends from the country" attended; Thomas Wistar spoke saying the Society of Friends had always believed in the authenticity of the holy scripture etc., and there was much commotion]
Letters are primarily to family. Many express religious devotion. In 1869, the letters are greatly detailed with his mission as an Indian Commissioner, and the great burden of responsibility he feels it to be. Many references to Enoch Hoag and other commissioners. I. Letters, 1809-1875 Highlights include: to Father. Stanley (Philadelphia), 1834 12/9. [visited Henry Sheets, a director of the poor in the County who will help support an inmate in "the Asylum] to Samuel Garden. Abington, 1835 11/6. [asks to be remembered to Chief Black Snake [Tah-won-ne-ahs or Chainbreaker of the Seneca Nation], whom he loves; asks if they have thought more about the division of their lands; if the railroad passes through their lands, fears that white men will see the land and covet it] to Caspar Wistar. Stanley, 1838 3/7. [concern for the Seneca Nation; at last Indian Committee meeting, several Chiefs appointed to prepare a memorial to Congress] to James Henlon? Ft. Laramie, 1844 6/18. [several councils have been held with the Sioux; some members are "going further from us," which weakens hope of a satisfactory treaty; the situation is that land the Native Americans inhabit is unfit for agricultural purposes, game diminishing; alternative that they must be fed by the Government, resort to farming or disappear -- which is unlikely; reflects on bad situation] to Father. 1844 11/? [despite a wish to think otherwise, disagrees with views of Joseph John Gurney, as set out in pamphlet he read; not surprised by troubles in New England] to William Forster. Abington, 1848 2/12. [re African Americans in Ohio, and has been requested by Emlen Institution board to look for successor to Augustus Wattles, the present superintendent; people formerly enslaved by the late John Randolph; improvement of situation by extension of Miami Canal which connects Lake Erie to Ohio River] to Wife and family. Green Bay (Wis.), 1849 6/15. [at an assembly of 40-50 Native American Chiefs, wives, and children, how events proceeding; battle in which General Brown, a Quaker, was wounded] to Cousin. Washington, 1866 5/10. [has had satisfactory interviews with Secretary Harlan and Stanton, Gen. Townsend, the Commissioner of Indian Affairs and others; there will be two parties, the Northwestern of which he is a part, they are to counsel with the Brule and Oglala Sioux, Arapaho and Cheyenne Tribes and try to include as many as possible in negotiations] to Wife. Elmira, [NY], 1868 12/2. [soon to reach Council House, though Taylor unlikely to be there] to Wife. Laramie, 1869 7/17. [many people want Indigenous land, Native Americans "who are by many looked on as nuisances and only tolerated for the sake of the money to be made from them;" reference to corruption] to Wife. Laramie, 1869 7/20. [business in which they are engaged, and travel between points] to Wife. Laramie, 186[9?] 7/23. [has been at the Shawnee mission] to Wife. Laramie, 1969 7/31. [at a Shawnee Council; someone brought a keg of whiskey and bad results were anticipated, so it was disposed of; mention of L(aurie) Tatum; will go on to Sac and Fox Nation] to Wife. Kiowa and Arapaho Agency, 1870 2/16. [the luxury of a bed and blankets after 400 miles of travel on the windswept plains; Council held at Agent Darlington's, but not well-attended; search for Bull Bear's [Mantau-Tathonca, Ogala Sioux chief] camp; food distribution to various Nations; mention of other Quakers involved; events that cannot be put to paper] to [Associated Executive Committee of Philadelphia on Indian Affairs?] Lawrence, KS, 1870 4/8. Report to "Dear Friends" mentioning Dr. James E. Rhoads, Enoch and Joseph Hoag and others; one of chief objects of journey was to attend a peace council of the different tribes who had recently been at war with U.S. or each other; present peaceful situation and "nothing amounting to hostilities will occur, if the Indians are justly treated by the fulfillment of their treaty"; Agency building being erected; new reservation for the Cheyenne and Arapaho; work of civilization about to begin] to P.R. Freas? Abington, 1870 5/12. [although government has a desire to deal generously with Native Americans, actual treatment has been unjust and iniquitous -- with a great deal of detail on same; men who incite wars for their own profit; description of new reservation; position of Jonathan Richards] to Enoch Hoag. Alleghany Reservation, NY 1871 1/? [working to assist Seneca at Cornplanter reservation to secure a remnant of their land in Pa. through legislative process] to Sister. 1872 2/22. [has met with the "Carr Indians" who are in danger; his health] to Wife. Laramie, n.d. [some differences arise between Friends, such as Enoch Hoag and others] II. Papers, 1819-1865 Prayer, 1848, 1 page. A.D. in Thomas Wistar's hand. Report of Thomas Wistar Jr., Commissioner to the Menomonee, 1849. Directed to "Thomas Ewing, Secretary of the Home Department of the United States." 10 pages. Signed by Thomas Wistar, but written in another hand. Fragment on St. Augustus and another fragment on government payment to some group. Petition to President Abraham Lincoln on the condition of living of Native Americans, n.d. 4 pages. A.D., not signed. Judge not by the Coat: a reflection, n.d. In Thomas Wistar's hand. Thomas Wistar's journal (diary) entries for 8/21/1849 and 9/26/1849. 11 poems, 1819-65 and undated
Letter writers include: Thomas Arnett, John Barrie, Cyrus Beede, Emma Bockins, Mary W. Brown, John Butler, Benjamin Cadwallader, P. Clayton, A. Cope, Dept. of the Interior (H.R. Clum), Dept. of the Interior (D.N. Cooley), Dept. of the Interior (Vincent Colyer), Dept. of the Interior (James Harlan), Thomas Evans, Charlotte Wistar Friedland, John B. Garrett, Andrew Johnson, Ada Le Count, Franklin Maltby, E. Wistar Miller, Isaac Newton, Charles Rhoads, Jonathan Richards, Thomas J. Saunders, Ephraim Shaler, E.R. Shoemaker, H.B. Whipple, Samuel Whitson, Ann Wistar, Bartholomew Wistar, C. Wistar, D.C. Wistar, Edward M. Wistar, Elizabeth B.M. Morris, Elizabeth W. Wistar, John Wistar, Asher Wright, unattributed. Highlights include: Arnett, Thomas. New York, 1834 5/29. [after Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, traveling widely around Meetings] Beede, Cyrus. Lawrence, KS, 1875 4/16. [Members of Comanche Nation who had promised a path of peace to Beede and Wistar have gone on war path; trouble at Cheyenne Agency with prisoners escaped; work of Agent Pickering among Sac and Fox Nation] Bockins, Emma. Lorraine, 1872 1/1. [spiritual life which has prevented her from having a social life] Brown, Mary W. 183-. [asks if brother Thomas Wistar will join her and Stephen Grellet for breakfast] Cadwallader, Benjamin. Lower Makefield. 1838 4/10. [lengthy description of road vehicle] Dept. of Agriculture (Isaac Newton). Washington, D.C., 1865 8/12. [glad Wistar and others are investigating frauds against the Indians Dept. of the Interior (H.R. Clum). Washington, D.C., 1871 11/4. [Wistar instructed to proceed to Native American Territory, along with George Howland and John Garrett as Commissioners to arrange for the Little Osage tribe to remain in possession of the entire tract of country set aside for their future use and occupation by direction of the Secretary of the Interior; it is policy of the U.S. government to remove all Indigenous Nations from Kansas, but to provide them with other reservations, in this case 560,000 acres, (with specific location given), but requiring approval of the Cherokee Nation, and if this is not hastily accomplished, members of the Osage Nation might return to Plains; if such arrangement cannot be made, Commissioners are to examine another piece of Cherokee Nation country] Dept. of the Interior (D.N Cooley). Washington, D.C., 1965 August 14. [$200 for expenses of Wistar and friend on mission to Southwestern Native American nations] Dept. of Interior (Vincent Colyer). N.Y.,. 1871-72. 2 items. [1870 2/15: news of possible disagreements with members of Kiowa Nation; blankets should be exchanged for Buffalo robes for warmth, which will please many; other clothing to bring to the field; current issue of Harper's Weekly has some of his pictures of Wrangel, Alaska] Dept. of Interior (James Harlan). Washington, D.C. 1865 8/12. [official appointment of Thomas Wistar as Indian Commissioner] Garrett, John. Philadelphia, 1869 3/13. [Pres. Grant's desire for cooperation of Friends in the solution of the future of Native Americans has led to questions re duties of Native American agents toward "civilization and Christianization" of Native Americans by Friends] Johnson, Andrew. Copy. Executive Mansion, [Washington, D.C.], 1865 8/12. [official appointment of Thomas Wistar as (Indian) Commissioner to negotiate treaty with all or any Indigenous Nations in Indiana, Kansas, Plains, along with other Commissioners] Le Count, Ada. Philadelphia, 1864 10/14. [addressing her teacher, writer is sorry for her bad behavior] Note on verso indicates Le Count is a student at Lombard St. school Maltby, Franklin. Kiowa and Comanche Agency, I.T., 1874. 2 items. [relates how he and other are bringing Christianity to Native Americans] Richards, Jonathan. Lawrence, KS, 1875 8/22. [going to Leavenworth to purchase needed materials for the school, also wagons and other goods; depredation by grasshoppers; crops named; if Native Americans are cared for, they will become useful; he (Richards) would like to earn some money] Whipple, H.B. Faubault Inn?, 1863-1869. 2 items. [hopes fraud committed against Native Americans will be rectified, as feels great commiseration for them] Wistar, Ann. Stanley, 1846 5/30. [much domestic and health information; epistle received and returned by New York Yearly Meeting] Wistar, Bartholomew. Flushing, 1827 6/28. [states that Elias Hicks spoke "untruths" in Philadelphia; other issues relating to the Quaker Meeting split, especially with New York Meetings] Wistar, Elizabeth B.M. Stanley, n.d. [fires in Philadelphia killing many people and destroying property] Wistar, Elizabeth W. (sister) 1820 3/7. [passing of the law in favor of slavery; entreats Wistar to stop chewing raw tobacco leaves] Wright, Asher. 1866-1871. 6 items. On issues relating to Seneca Nation. [12/22/1866: Seneca requesting material assistance from benevolent Friends; building being made ready for additional orphans; 2/115/1869: has heard that Congress may turn over its responsibility for Western Native Americans to Friends which may avoid extinction of these tribes; 7/13/1869: members of Cornplanter family interested in land reclamation at Oil Creek; has seen the deed for land from the State of Pa. to Cornplanter et al; Solomon O'Beil, alias Cornplanter (not original holder of Cornplanter name) requests through Wright that Wistar stop the Legislature from dividing the Cornplanter Reservation among inhabitants; n.d.: description of "the Asylum," including financial]
Letters are primarily from Thomas Wistar and almost exclusively to family, and mostly to his son, Thomas Wistar Jr. offering solicitous advice, concern for health, business. I. Letter writers include: John Cox, Richard Vaux, Catherine Wistar and Thomas Wistar. Highlights include: Wistar, Catherine (Kitty) to "Tommy" Wistar. Pennsbury, 1784 2/24. [author of book she read apparently thinks he is another (Laurence) Sterne; wants to read The Vicar of Wakefield] Wistar, Thomas to Brother. Philadelphia, 1784 2/2. [has visited (Anthony) Benezet and S(amuel) Emlen; death of Joseph Fox; extraordinary fire described; devastation of the icy river] Wistar, Thomas to Father. 1789 3/21. [sends garden seeds and graft of the butter pear tree] Wistar, Thomas to Son. 1831 6/4. [boarding horses as a profitable business; meeting on subject of improving the condition of the descendants of African Americans] Wistar, Thomas to Peter Bedford. Philadelphia, 1839 9/2. [thinks Friends should submit ideas for publication about the Society to a group appointed by the Society, rather than publishing at will] Wistar, Thomas to Son. n.d. [banks have suspended issuing silver and City Council has issued small notes to lessen difficulty in trade; failures at New York (banks?) exceed 300] Wistar, Thomas to Son. n.d. [sorry he has lost his house, but it could be worse] II. Thomas Wistar diary One-page entry for June 28, 1839
Letters to Thomas Wistar from his mother, Margaret C. Wistar. 1881-1883. 2 items. Wistar, Thomas, "Haverford's Cricket Team on Shipboard," Oct. 28, 1896. Manuscript written apparently by Wistar for school assignment with comments in the margin in another hand.
Letters to Edward M. Wistar from Margaret C. Wistar, summer 1886. Mostly written from New Hampshire.
Letters of Edward M. Wistar. Mostly written from Westtown School to family members. 1866-1890
Letters to Edward M. Wistar. Correspondents include Howard Comfort, James Biddle Cope, Sue Cope, Minnie I. Corson, Caspar Wistar Haines, Benjamin Taltham, Laurie Tatum, Sally M. Waln, E. Warner, Charles Wistar, Mary Waln and Lizzie Wistar, Thomas Wistar, and Sue Wistar
Letters of Thomas Wistar
Letters to Thomas Wistar. Letter writers include Timothy Coon, Haverford School Association, Andrew Irvine, Simon Kinney, Jacob and Joseph Linton, and Thomas Sheppard. 1820s and undated.
Letters of Thomas Wistar
Various financial materials of Thomas and Richard Wistar
Notes from geometry at Westtown School. The back of the notebook also contains poetry which Wistar copied out.
Westtown School, 1863. Includes poems and signatures of classmates.
On the deaths of Israel Cope (1770- 1855), along with the sympathies of others, and of Lydia Cope (1817-1856)
Photographs: Northwestern Indian Commissioners: Col. Meynadier, Col. Taylor, Secretary Bouls, Col. MacClain and Thomas Wistar, Jr., Fort (Lawrence?) Native American territory,1866 Tacy Jones Foulke Annie M. Wistar Raquel Wistar Edward M. Wistar, 1936 9 snapshots taken at the home of Asa S. Wing of (Edward M. Wistar?), group of people and the home Engravings: 2 engravings of Caspar Wistar (1761-1818), one engraved by Samuel Sartain from a painting by Samuel Waugh after B. Otis, the other engraved by J.B. Longacre from a painting by B. Otis.
Daguerrotype
Album inscribed to Margaret Collins from her Aunt Mary, 1863. Includes CDV photos.
Includes photos of the US government officials who signed a peace treaty with the Tsistsistas (Cheyenne) Nation and Dakota (Upper Platte Sioux) Nation. Also photos of Indigenous Chiefs, including (as identified in the album): "No-co-han-go, or the 'Crazy Bear', Principal Chief of the Seminoles. Has also the name 'Long John' Joseph Paw-ne-no-pashe, Chief of the Big Hill Band of the Osages Ok-tov-hor-sos-hor, English 'Lands,' Principal Chief of the Creek Nation Wo-ha-av-bar-so Li-ow-tou, George Washington, Principal Chief of the Cad-ows Disloyal Osage brave No-pah-wal-la, Osage brave Chow-to-soppa or the 'Black Dog' Chief of two t[--?] in the Clamore Band of the Osages" Comanche woman Her daughter Various other portraits, some identified. Most of the remaining portraits are family or other Philadelphia-area Quakers.
Letters from mother to Priscilla Foulke Wistar, 1862-3 Letter from S. Emlen to Priscilla Foulke Wistar Lng poem from BSJ to Priscilla Foulke Wistar J.C. Lettson to Dr. Cullen, London, 1784 Two poems 1758 letter from "The Indians at the Allegeny, to their Children the Friends in Philadelphia" Last will and testament of William Cooper, 1691 Printed poem about Thomas Wistar Poster announcing auction of farm tools at Stanley Farm Memorial for Mary Wistar