Call Number:

000.018

Repository:

Haverford College Quaker & Special Collections

Extent:

0.01 linear ft. (1 folder )

Language:

English

Preferred Citation:

Josiah Tatum letter to Thomas Kimber (HCS.000.018) Quaker and Special Collections, Haverford College, Haverford, PA.

Date:

1830 October 15

Form:

letters (correspondence)

Abstract:

This collection contains a single letter from Tatum to Kimber, dated October 15, 1830.

Josiah Tatum (1790-1853) was born in Deptford Township, Gloucester Co., New Jersey to John Tatum and Elizabeth Cooper. He grew up in a Quaker family, spending much of his earlier years working on the family farm. In 1814, Tatum married Rachel Offley and the couple had eight children. Upon the death of his first wife, he remarried to Elizabeth Whitall in 1838. After moving his family to Philadelphia, Tatum became a member of the Haverford College Board of Managers, serving in this position from 1844 to 1853. Tatum served in a number of capacities for the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, including as a clerk and as a messenger to Ohio on behalf of the Yearly Meeting. He died on April 2, 1853 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

This collection contains a single letter from Tatum to Kimber, dated October 15, 1830. The letter primarily covers a concern over the importance of religion in a liberal education. Tatum considers religion to be fundamental in the education experience, and argues for its place as a foundation upon which all other learning can be built. Though he was not serving on the Haverford Board of Managers at this time, Tatum was a representative for the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, and sent this letter to argue for their interests.