Call Number:

DG.042

Repository:

Swarthmore College Peace Collection

Extent:

1.6 linear ft. (1.6 linear ft.)

Preferred Citation:

[Identification of item], in the Wisbech Local Peace Association Records (DG 042), Swarthmore College Peace Collection.

Date:

1880-1931 (inclusive)

Creator:

Peckover, Priscilla Hannah, 1833-1931 and Bajer, Fredrik, 1837-1922

Abstract:

Priscilla Hannah Peckover (1833-1931) devoted much of her life toward mobilization for peace. In 1879 she formed the Wisbech Peace Association to promote the development of women in work for peace. This group of men and women became a center for peace activity in Great Britain. They concentrated on establishing peace by means of arbitration and disarmament, based on Christian theology.

Priscilla Hannah Peckover (1833-1931) devoted much of her life toward mobilization for peace. She believed that every person had a duty to perform in consolidating public opinion against war. In 1879 she formed the Wisbech Peace Association to promote the development of women in work for peace. This group of men and women, eventually growing from hundreds to thousands, became a center for peace activity. They concentrated on establishing peace by means of arbitration and disarmament. The organizers of the Wisbech Peace Association condemned war based on Christian theology.

To further mutual understanding and internationalism the Wisbech Local Peace Association [W.L.P.A.] published many tracts of short moral tales and worked with peace organizations in other countries. Through a member of the society they were joined by a Baptist congregation in the north of France and by a group of German Baptists at Wiesbaden. Priscilla Peckover also contacted groups in Scandanavia, Italy, Switzerland, Spain, and Denmark.

The records of the Wisbech Local Peace Association contain membership blanks, annual reports of the organization's activities, tracts and other publications issued by the group, writings by Priscilla Peckover, and correspondence between Peckover and other peace leaders.

Many of the tracts and other forms of literature, the annual reports, and other organizational items were arranged into five scrapbooks, most likely by Priscilla Peckover (Boxes 1-3). These scrapbooks date from 1880 to 1931. Other materials, such as correspondence, biographical items on Peckover, and miscellaneous peace material are organized into Box 4. The material in Box 4 has been microfilmed. The scrapbooks have not been filmed.