Call Number:

MC.1265

Repository:

Haverford College Quaker & Special Collections

Extent:

0.75 linear ft. (11 volumes)

Language:

English

Preferred Citation:

Thomas Scattergood journals (HC.MC.1265), Quaker & Special Collections, Haverford College, Haverford, PA.

Date:

1881-1906 (inclusive)

Creator:

Scattergood, Thomas, 1841-1907

Abstract:

This collection consists of 11 volumes of Thomas Scattergood's manuscript journals, spanning the years 1881 to 1906.

Thomas Scattergood was born on October 11, 1841 to Mary McCollin and Joseph Scattergood in Philadelphia. Thomas Scattergood was a prominent Orthodox Quaker businessman, who was head of the Sharpless Dyewood Extract Company. In addition, Scattergood held positions as director of the Provident Life and Trust Company of Philadelphia, director of the Delaware County National Bank, director of the Glen Iron Furnace Company, and president of the American Water Softener Company. Thomas Scattergood was also extremely involved in Philadelphia philanthropic work. He served on the boards of Friends Asylum, the Institute for Colored Youth, the Friends Temperance Association, the Ward Charity Association, the Overseers of the Public Schools, and the Sheppard Trust. In addition, Scattergood was on the board of many schools, including Friends Select School, Westtown School, Adelphi School, Forsythe School, the William Penn Charter School, and Bryn Mawr College. Scattergood was also a founding member of the Quaker social and educational organization, the Friends Institute for Young Men. In 1868, Scattergood married Sarah Garrett, who was born in 1840. They had three children who survived infancy, Anna (b. 1873), J. Henry (b. 1877), and Alfred (b. 1879). On November 26, 1889, Sarah Garrett Scattergood died. On March 2, 1892, Thomas Scattergood married Maria B. Chase, who was born in 1856. They had two children, Margaret (1894-1991) and Arnold Chase (1898-1917). Scattergood died on April 18, 1907 in Naples, Italy while on a trip to Africa, Asia, and Europe. (Information from internal evidence, US Census data, and Michael Brown Rare Books).

This collection consists of 11 volumes of Thomas Scattergood's manuscript journals, spanning the years 1881 to 1906. The years 1885, 1889, and 1892 through 1894 are not covered. Volumes I through IX cover one year each, and have space for daily entries. Volumes X and XI both cover multiple years, and have no printed day pages. In his diaries, Scattergood recorded the weather, deaths, births, and marriages in his Quaker community, as well as details about his family and social life. Scattergood's description of Quaker life in late 19th century Philadelphia includes reflections on Quaker spirituality, and descriptions of the proceedings at Philadelphia Yearly Meeting. Scattergood also wrote extensively about the health of his friends and family. Scattergood's journals also reflect his work on behalf of numerous philanthropic organizations, including Friends Asylum, the Institute for Colored Youth, and the Friends Temperance Association. He recorded attending committee meetings for the organizations frequently, although he did not record what was talked about at those meetings. Scattergood's involvement in philanthropic work diminished as he aged, and the last two volumes of his journals reflect this. Although Scattergood traveled frequently, he did not often record his trips in his diaries. Notable events in Scattergood's journals involve the assassination of President James Garfield (Vol. I), Thomas Scattergood's trip to Florida (Vol. IV), and the treasurer of Friends Asylum, William Kinsey, defalcating around $20,000 from Friends Asylum (Vol. VI).