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William Wistar and Connie Comfort materials

Notifications

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.1348
Repository:
Haverford College Quaker & Special Collections
Extent:
7 linear ft. (11 boxes, 7 volumes)
Language:
English
Preferred Citation:
William Wistar Comfort Papers (HC.MC 1348) Quaker and Special Collections, Haverford College, Haverford, PA.
Date:
1773-1970 (inclusive)
Creator:
Comfort family, Comfort, William Wistar, and Comfort, Howard
Form:
Correspondence
Abstract:
Collection of letters by Members of the Comfort Family, with most records covering WIlliam Wistar Comfort and William Wistar Comfort II. Topics include William Wistar Comfort's time as president of Haverford College, communications about his books and Quakerism, personal letters of William Wistar Comfort II. Includes a series of letters and small manuscript covering the Comfort Family's time in France during the start of World War One.

William Wistar Comfort II (1938-2016) was a professor of mathematics, Quaker and graduate of Haverford College. William Wistar Comfort (1874-1955) was a professor of classics and later president of Haverford College. His work included visits to Quaker missions in China and Europe.

Collection contains letters, booklets and documenting relating to the lives of WIlliam Wistar Comfort and William Wistar Comfort II, there are volumes on genealogy of Quaker families in Pennsylvania, including the Comfort family. Letters cover a range of topics, including: schooling of William Wistar Comfort II, trips of the Comfort family to France at the start of the first World War, trips by William Wistar Comfort to Italy as an employee of the US embassy, job applications and picnic invitations of William Wistar Comfort II, letters between William Wistar Comfort II and 'Syl'.

The collection is arranged in 8 series, as follows: Series 1: Correspondence, Subseries: Howard Comfort, William Wistar Comfort (d. 1955), William Wistar Comfort (d.2016), Howard Comfort, Various; Series 2 Family papers; Series 3: Genealogy, subseries: Comfort, Fales, Foulke, Hooker, Lawton, Ray, Various, Wistar; Series 4: Haverford College; Series 5: Miscellaneous; Series 6: Photographs; Series 7: Primary education; Series 8 Published works, subseries: 'Academic, Published by William Wistar Comfort (d. 1955)' , Government, Howard Comfort, newspapers, History, Book reviews.

Gift from the Estate of Wis and Connie Comfort, June 2021

Processed by Maxwell Champlin, completed July 2023

HC.MC.1195 William Wistar Comfort materials

Subject

Publisher
Haverford College Quaker & Special Collections
Finding Aid Author
Maxwell Champlin
Finding Aid Date
July, 2023
Access Restrictions

The collection is open for research use.

Use Restrictions

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

Collection Inventory

Howard Comfort letters to Grandmother, 1910-1917.
Box 1
Scope and Contents

Letters from Howard Comfort to his grandmother. Discussing life updates

Howard Comfort Letters, 1912.
Box 1
Scope and Contents

Letters regarding the death of Howard Comfort (d. 1912) sent to his widow and the board of Bryn Mawr College.

Letters, 1914.
Box 1
Scope and Contents

Letters sent by Howard Comfort and "Polly" from France and England to Howard's father and grandmother. Also includes post cards and newspaper clippings. These letters cover topics including travel, the war

Letters from Howard Comfort, 1914.
Box 1
Scope and Contents

Letters sent by Howard Comfort to his father and grandfather while he was studying at Oxford.

Letters to William Wistar Comfort, 1895-1908.
Box 1
Scope and Contents

Letters sent to William Wistar Comfort and Mary Comfort, including marriage invitation for the marriage of William Wistar Comfort and Mary Comfort.

General Letters 1, 1898-1917.
Box 1
Scope and Contents

Letters sent to William Wistar Comfort and his wife Mary Comfort most concern his family life, some concern his time at Cornell University.

General Letters 2, 1901-1917.
Box 1
Scope and Contents

Letters sent to William Wistar Comfort and his wife Mary Comfort. many congratulating his appointment as president of Haverford. Some are family related. Includes letter sent by R. Menéndes Pidal to William Wistar Comfort (d. 1955).

Comfort family letters, 1911-1954.
Box 1
Scope and Contents

Letters sent within the Comfort Family about family matters and updates.

Letters from France, 1914.
Box 1
Scope and Contents

Letter sent by Mrs William Wistar Comfort to her father from the town of Villerville France, near Le Havre. Letter documents the wartime changes in life that were enacted shortly following the start of WW1.

Comfort Family in World War I, 1914.
Box 1
Scope and Contents

Letters and a book documenting the time of the Comfort family in France. The Comfort Family had engaged on a vacation in the town of Villerville in 1914, before the war and was in the town for the prewar mobilization and then in England for the opening stages of the war, includes reports on the treatment of Americans in France during the war.

Correspondence received, 1915-1917.
Box 1
Letters of congratulation (Folder 1), 1917.
Box 1
Scope and Contents

Letters sent to William Wistar Comfort (d. 1955) congratulating him on his appointment to be the president of Haverford College

Letters of congratulation (Folder 2), 1917.
Box 2
Scope and Contents

Letters sent to William Wistar Comfort (d. 1955) congratulating him on his appointment to be the president of Haverford College

Letters of congratulation (Folder 3), 1917.
Box 2
Scope and Contents

Letters sent to William Wistar Comfort (d. 1955) congratulating him on his appointment to be the president of Haverford College

Letters of congratulation (Folder 4), 1917.
Box 2
Scope and Contents

Letters sent to William Wistar Comfort (d. 1955) congratulating him on his appointment to be the president of Haverford College

David Fales Letters, 1926-1928.
Box 2
Scope and Contents

Letters to and from David Fales regarding WIlliam Wistar Comfort 1926 trip to China as well as the difficulties had by Quaker missions in China; family updates and genealogy.

General Letters, 1937-1940.
Box 2
Scope and Contents

Household Letters to the Comfort Family. Covering topics such as talks at Friends Meetings, School trip authorization for school children, Letters from family. Most in English some in German and Spanish. Includes letter from Maurice Estrabaud requesting employment in the United States so he could escape the Nazi Regime in France.

Religious letters, 1938-1952.
Box 2
Scope and Contents

Letters sent to William Wistar Comfort regarding religion.

General Correspondence, 1941-1955.
Box 2
Scope and Contents

Letters to WWC. Topics range from christmas cards to family photos and letters from vacation.

Tributes to books, 1947-1957.
Box 2
Scope and Contents

Letters and newspaper clippings regarding book tributes to and from WWC. Includes a letter sent by WWC on a trip to visit Friends in China in 1947.

Letters of condolence after William Wistar Comfort death (Folder 1), 1955-1957.
Box 2
Scope and Contents

Letters of condolence sent to Mary Comfort, including letters from the American Friends Service Committee.

Letters of condolence after William Wistar Comfort death (Folder 2), 1955.
Box 3
Scope and Contents

Letters expressing grief after the death of WWC

Letters of condolence after William Wistar Comfort death (Folder 3), 1955.
Box 3
Scope and Contents

Letters expressing grief after the death of WWC

Letters of condolence after William Wistar Comfort death (Folder 4), 1955-1956.
Box 3
Scope and Contents

Letters of condolence sent to Mary Comfort, Including letters by Ira de A Reid, Jane Rittenhouse from the Friends Mission in Tokyo.

Tributes, 1956.
Box 3
Scope and Contents

Tributes to William Wistar Comfort and letters sent to Mary Comfort around his death.

Letters from Friends Missions, undated.
Box 3
Scope and Contents

Letters sent from Friends missions from around the world, including China, Japan, India Most in English some in Mandarin, French, and German

Letters from "Wistar Boys", 1938-1940.
Box 3
Scope and Contents

Letters sent to and from the "Wistar Boys" while they were away from home at National Parks.

Letters from William Wistar Comfort (Folder 1), 1940-1950.
Box 3
Scope and Contents

Letters from William Wistar Comfort (1933-2016, Grandson of William Wistar Comfort 1874-1955) to his parents during his time at school at the Westtown School and Haverford College.

Letters from William Wistar Comfort (Folder 2), 1945-1952.
Box 3
Scope and Contents

Letters from William Wistar Comfort (1933-2016, Grandson of William Wistar Comfort 1874-1955) to his parents during his time at school at the Westtown School and Haverford College.

Letters from 'Syl' Folder 1, 1950-1952.
Box 3
Scope and Contents

Letters sent to William Wistar 'Wis' Comfort (d. 2016). Includes discussion of 'Syl's' time at Radcliffe College; birthday and valentines cards sent to 'Wis'.

Letters from 'Syl' Folder 2, 1952.
Box 4
Scope and Contents

Letters sent to William Wistar 'Wis' Comfort (d. 2016). Includes discussion of 'Syl's' time at Radcliffe College.

Letters from 'Syl' Folder 3, 1952.
Box 4
Scope and Contents

Letters sent to William Wistar 'Wis' Comfort (d. 2016)

Letters from 'Syl' Folder 4, 1952.
Box 4
Scope and Contents

Letters sent to William Wistar 'Wis' Comfort (d. 2016)

Letters from 'Syl' Folder 5, 1952.
Box 4
Scope and Contents

Letters sent to William Wistar 'Wis' Comfort (d. 2016)

Letters from 'Syl' Folder 6, 1952-1953.
Box 4
Scope and Contents

Letters sent to William Wistar 'Wis' Comfort (d. 2016)

William Wistar Comfort Letters, 1953.
Box 4
Scope and Contents

Letters sent to William Wistar Comfort (d. 2016) covering topics such as: the actuarial exam, employment, scholarships at Haverford College, planning of events at Haverford and the running of the Founders Club.

Letters to William Wistar Comfort in Holland, 1954.
Box 4
Scope and Contents

Letters sent to William Wistar Comfort in Holland.

General Correspondence, 1954.
Box 5
Scope and Contents

Letters cover a number of subjects relating to William Wistar Comfort (d. 2016) and his preparations for travel in Europe, his life insurance and letters from his mother. Includes newspaper excerpts related to traveling cheaply in Europe.

William Wistar and Howard Comfort Letters, 1870-1910.
Box 5
Scope and Contents

Letters sent between William Wistar and Howard Comfort.

Postcards, 1885-1935.
Box 5
Scope and Contents

Postcards sent from Europe to Howard Comfort. Letters written in English, German and French.

Mary Fales Letters, 1901-1902.
Box 5
Scope and Contents

Letters sent to and by Mary Fales, including wedding invitation for the marriage Of Mary Fales and William Wistar Comfort (d. 1955).

General Letters, 1901-1905.
Box 5
Scope and Contents

Letters sent to Mr or Mrs. Howard Comfort. Letters are sent by H Milnlhs?, Ellen E. Farnham, Frank D Watoon, and others with only first names listed.

Fales Letters, 1908-1912.
Box 5
Scope and Contents

Letter to and from Mary Comfort to members of the Fales Family.

Letters to Robert Fales, 1910-1917.
Box 5
Scope and Contents

Letters to Robert Fales about family life and a brief report on WW1 in France.

Letters to Susan Comfort, 1914.
Box 5
Scope and Contents

Letters from David Falls to Susan Comfort, including bill from telegrapher.

Letters from J.N. Ratcliffe, 1941-1953.
Box 5
Scope and Contents

Letters from John Ratcliffe, topics mostly cover family updates

Letters to MacGregor.
Box 5
Scope and Contents

Letters documenting life as well as a trip to Holland and meeting of a student in Fribourg

George Flagg and James Henderson Wills, 1773-1826.
Box 5
Scope and Contents

WIlls of George Flagg (1826) and James Henderson (1773). Including disposition of their property and monetary assets, including enslaved people who were released and inherited.

Deeds and Wills, 1842-1873.
Box 5
Booklet of travel, 1872.
Box 5
Scope and Contents

Booklet of travel written in 1872 which documents a trip from Philadelphia to Cresson Pa. using the Pennsylvania Railroad.

Personal documents, 1874.
Box 5
Scope and Contents

Birth Certificate of William Wistar Comfort.

Wills, 1884-1914.
Box 5
Scope and Contents

Wills of Susan Comfort and Howard Comfort

Journals, 1884-1886.
Box 5
Scope and Contents

William Wistar Comfort Journal

Finance book, 1898-1907.
Volume 1
Scope and Contents

Book of financial records of Howard Comfort.

Finance book, 1908-1919.
Volume 2
Scope and Contents

Book of financial records of Howard Comfort.

Verses for Edward B. and Margaret Yarnall, 1888.
Box 6
Scope and Contents

Booklet of poems for Edward B. and Margarett Yarnall

William Wistar Comfort Marriage Certificate, 1902.
Box 6
Scope and Contents

Marriage certificate for William Wistar Comfort and Mary Fales.

Guest list, 1904-1955.
Box 6
Scope and Contents

Booklet of guests received by the Comforts including names and signatures as well as words regarding the events attended by guests.

Special Meeting of the Home Missionary Society, 1912.
Box 6
Scope and Contents

Special meeting of the Home Missionary Society of Philadelphia after the death of Howard Comfort, expressing bereavement to the family of Howard Comfort.

William Wistar Comfort Diary, 1931-1941.
Box 6
Scope and Contents

Diary of William Wistar Comfort (d. 1955) called "The Record"

Actuarial job applications, 1951.
Box 6
Scope and Contents

Job applications sent to William Wistar Comfort (d. 2016) after his completion of the mathematical actuarial exam.

Furniture and Antique appraisal, 1952.
Box 6
Scope and Contents

Appraisals, and certificate of authenticity of appraiser.

Retrospect and Reflections By William Wistar Comfort, 1976.
Box 6
Scope and Contents

Book of family and personal history of WWC.

Last will and testament of Howard Comfort.
Box 6
Scope and Contents

Copy of the last will and testament of Howard Comfort.

Marriage Certificate of Jeremiah Comfort and Sarah Cooper, Undated.
Box 6
Scope and Contents

Certificate of marriage of Jeremiah Comfort and Sarah Cooper, including guest list from both the Cooper and the Comfort families.

Speech advertisements, Undated.
Box 6
Scope and Contents

Speech at the coronation of a british monarch, and the Sunday Evening lecture series by William Wistar Comfort.

Epitaph of Simon Ray.
Box 6
Scope and Contents

Epitaph and notes regarding Simon Ray.

Howard Comfort lineage, 1904.
Box 6
Comfort Family Genealogy, 1908-1967.
Box 6
Comfort Family Genealogy, 1885-1902.
Box 7
Records of the Comfort Family, 1902.
Volume 3
Scope and Contents

Book of records of the Comfort family

Fales Family Genealogy, 1946-1952.
Box 7
Scope and Contents

Letters and records regarding the genealogy of the Fales family. Also includes photographs of family members.

Fales records, 1894-1912.
Box 7
Scope and Contents

Records held by the Fake family, including pamphlets from the Chicago Theological Seminary, letters received advising against protests at prudential and papers by William Wistar Comfort.

Faulk and general Pennsylvania genealogy., 1898-1947.
Box 7
Scope and Contents

Book and documents relating to the Faulke family history, 1947 publication of the Pennsylvania genealogical society, letter and photographs regarding the Tatnall Family.

Edward and Eleanor Foulke: Their Ancestry and Descendants: 1698-1898: A Memorial Volume, 1898.
Volume 4
Scope and Contents

Memorial book of Edward and Eleanor Foulke, documenting the history of the Foulke family.

Foulke Genealogical Tables, 1898.
Volume 5
Hooker/Vowell Family tree, Undated.
Box 7
Scope and Contents

Program of performance at Haverford College, family tree of the Hooker/Vowell family of Devon, England.

Polly Lawton, undated.
Box 7
Scope and Contents

A paper on Polly Lawton, written about her during her early life and briefly mentions her later life.

Ray Family Papers, 1730-1790.
Box 7
Scope and Contents

Copies of documents pertaining to the Ray family.

Copy of sketch sent to Joseph John Mills by Thomas Comfort, 1876.
Box 7
Scope and Contents

Sketch on Quaker life in pennsylvania by Thomas Wistar (d. 1876) and obituary of Thomas Wistar from the Philadelphia Bulletin.

Howard Wistar Letters, 1836-1872.
Box 7
Scope and Contents

Correspondence of Howard Wistar, topics mainly cover marriage of the Comfort and Wistar Families.

Family records - Wistar, 1895-1926.
Box 7
Scope and Contents

History of the Wistar family, applications for admission to the Pennsylvania Society of the Colonial Dames.

Wistar Family History, 1898.
Box 8
Scope and Contents

Booklets on the history of the Wistar / Wister family.

Susie S. Wistar Book, 1863.
Box 8
Scope and Contents

Memorial book of Susie S, Wistar written by Margaret S. W. Haines

Haverford College Publications, 1920-1970.
Box 8
Scope and Contents

Publications by Haverford College, Including cutouts of the Haverford 1920-21 Record, Horizons Magazine from 1970, and a cutout from an Unnamed Haverford publication labelled "now and then" which is a discussion of teaching with James Coleman Howard Comfort and other newly retired Haverford Professors.

Haverford awards and lectures, 1922-1950.
Box 8
Scope and Contents

Howard Comfort's varsity Letters for football and cricket. Award of entering the Founder's Club of Haverford College. Lectures and talks at Haverford given by Howard Comfort on classical subjects.

Haverford College, 1929-1967.
Box 8
Scope and Contents

Letters and documents relating to Haverford college, including letters from the Corporation of Haverford college, pay amounts, and commencement speech copy.

Haverford Administration, 1933-1940.
Box 8
Scope and Contents

Papers and documents relating to the administrative functioning of Haverford College. Including finances, athletics and faculty relations.

Haverford Centenary, 1933.
Volume 6
Scope and Contents

Volume 1 of the Haverford Centenary Scrapbook by William Wistar Comfort, then President of the College.

Haverford Centenary, 1933.
Volume 7
Scope and Contents

Volume 2 of the Haverford Centenary Scrapbook by William Wistar Comfort, then President of the College.

Footnotes for a centennial, 1936.
Box 8
Scope and Contents

Book of poems in honor of Haverford College's centennial celebrations. By Christopher Morley

General university papers, 1938-1939.
Box 8
Scope and Contents

Most documents undated. This collection covers records of various aspects of higher education including numerous commencement speeches by WWC and a number of document relating to management of colleges and the secularization of education.

Haverford Volume 4, 1942-1955.
Box 8
Scope and Contents

Diary of William Wistar Comfort (d. 1955) called "Haverford V. IV".

Haverford Music Program, 1978.
Box 8
Scope and Contents

Program of memorial music for William Nelson West, with opening words by Howard Comfort.

Haverford Horizons and Friends Academy, Locust Valley NJ., 1979, 1987.
Box 8
Scope and Contents

Haverford Horizons 1979 and cutouts of the Friends Academy Magazine 1987.

Miscellaneous, 1775-1955.
Box 8
Scope and Contents

Miscellaneous Items including British Shillings from 1775, a collection of stamps from the 1800s and a series of envelopes.

FBI Reports, 1936.
Box 8
Scope and Contents

Reports by James Edgar Hoover at two national police conventions regarding the impacts of crime and modern police management.

Touristic Guide to France, 1947.
Box 9
Scope and Contents

Book on the history and postwar recovery of France with a focus on promoting Tourism.

Peach Blow Silk.
Box 9
Scope and Contents

Peach Blow Silk from a wedding dress.

Delaware County Tuberculosis association 25th anniversary, 1944.
Box 9
Scope and Contents

Booklet with event plans and brief history of anti-tuberculosis efforts in the united states.

Paris Metro map, 1949.
Box 9
Scope and Contents

Map of the Paris metro and the urban and suburban busses. Includes the Pre-RER B Sceaux line.

Alcohol brand cards.
Box 9
Scope and Contents

Cards of various brands of alcohol.

theater sheet and Playbill, 1954.
Box 9
Scope and Contents

Theater information on the Japanese theater of paris and a playbill from a musical at a high school in new jersey.

Photographs, Undated.
Box 9
Scope and Contents

2 photographs of Susan and Edward Comfort.

Photos of Statues, Undated.
Box 9
Scope and Contents

Photographs of Statues likely taken by Howard Comfort while he was working at the American Embassy in Rome in 1950.

Photographs, Undated.
Box 9
Scope and Contents

Photographs of landscaping as well as Haverford College.

Wedding photos, Undated.
Box 9
Scope and Contents

Wedding photos sent to Mrs. Mary Comfort. Unknown date or participants.

Picture of William Wistar Comfort, 1884, 1971.
Box 9
Scope and Contents

Picture of William Wistar Comfort (1884) sent to WIlliam Wistar Comfort (d.2016) in 1971.

Photograph by Merrin Balban.
Box 9
Scope and Contents

Photograph of unnamed man by Merrin Balban.

Spanish Academic papers, 1876-1899.
Box 9
Scope and Contents

Papers on Spanish history and literature, written in both Spanish and English.

French Journal, 1886.
Box 9
Scope and Contents

Journal by William Wistar Comfort, in French. Includes photograph of two unnamed women.

School notes, 1950.
Box 9
Scope and Contents

School notes of William Wistar Comfort (d. 2016)

Elizabeth Comfort School Notebook, c. 1792.
Box 9
Scope and Contents

School notebook which was used by Elizabeth Comfort. The notebook also has an inscription from Moses Comfort dating it to 1792, however it is unclear when Elizabeth Comfort used the notebook.

Comfort Schoolbook and sports league table, Undated.
Box 9
Scope and Contents

Schoolbook with a sports league table and notes for courses. Other courses have sections but do not contain notes or information.

School work, Undated.
Box 9
Scope and Contents

Two written works by William Wistar Comfort (d. 2016) about a ring and a Christmas story, and works by Mary L. Comfort

Life at the old home, Undated.
Box 9
Scope and Contents

Booklet and paper on the history of the Faulkes family and their home. Includes agenda of family reunion of Edward and Eleanor Foulke. One copy of "Foulke Genealogical Tables"

European talks and papers, 1950-1952.
Box 10
Scope and Contents

Talks and papers by Howard Comfort while abroad in Italy and Switzerland. Advertisements for talks in this folder are in German, however the names of the talks are in English, these are labelled "Einladung".

History Papers, Undated.
Box 10
Scope and Contents

Papers on medieval and ancient history, with German language notes on first page of some

Byzantine papers by Howard Comfort, 1933-1936.
Box 10
Scope and Contents

Papers published in English, French and Italian on Byzantine history.

articles by William Wistar Comfort in newspapers, 1899-1914.
Box 10
Scope and Contents

Articles by William Wistar Comfort in newspapers. Articles focus on Quakerism and Quaker efforts during WW1.

articles by William Wistar Comfort in student newspapers, 1905-1916.
Box 10
Scope and Contents

Articles by William Wistar Comfort in student newspapers, including the Westonian and the Haverfordian.

Paper on history, Undated.
Box 10
Scope and Contents

Paper on 17th century spanish history. Assumed to be by William Wistar Comfort.

General Writings (folder 1), 1937-1938.
Box 10
Scope and Contents

General Academic writings by WWC, topics cover history and Quakerism.

General Writings (folder 2), 1938-1939.
Box 10
Scope and Contents

General Academic writings by WWC, topics cover history and Quakerism.

Prison industries reorganization report, 1936.
Box 10
Scope and Contents

Paper by Howard Comfort working as a consultant for the New York state Prison Industries Reorganization Committee.

In Memoriam, Howard Comfort, 1912.
Box 11
Scope and Contents

Memorial booklet and letter from the Saving Fund Society of Germantown.

The Quaker persuasion, 1955-1956.
Box 11
Scope and Contents

Letters,documents and advertisements for "The Quaker Persuasion".

Newspaper clippings, 1910-1939.
Box 11
Scope and Contents

Newspapers covering a variety of Topics from Howard and William Wistar Comfort.

Newspaper clippings, 1917-1925.
Box 11
Scope and Contents

Newspaper clippings and copies of the Friends Bulletin, friends journal, and L'echo des Amis (French language)

Memoir of Samuel Cope, 1876.
Box 11
Scope and Contents

Memoir of Samuel Cope.

Published tributes, 1955-1956.
Box 11
Scope and Contents

Published tributes of WIlliam Wistar Comfort, including obituaries in national Newspapers, transcript of the speech given at his funeral and obituaries in Quaker' and medical magazines.

Book reviews, 1941-1942.
Box 11
Scope and Contents

Reviews of books written by William Wistar Comfort

Print, Suggest