Main content

Kennett, Old Kennett, and Kennett Square Preparative Meetings Records

Notifications

Held at: Quaker Meeting Records at Haverford College Quaker & Special Collections and Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College [Contact Us]

This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held at the Quaker Meeting Records at Haverford College Quaker & Special Collections and Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College. 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

A meeting for worship was established at Kennett ca. 1707 as part of Newark [Kennett] Monthly Meeting. A preparative meeting was established there in 11mo 1712/13. A second preparative meeting at Kennett Square was established in 1814.

In 1831, after the Separation, Kennett Preparative Meeting (Orthodox) removed to Parkersville. The Orthodox members of Kennett Square Preparative Meeting were attached to Kennett Preparative Meeting (Orthodox). This Orthodox preparative meeting then moved from Parkersville to Kennett Square in 1906 and was merged into New Garden Preparative Meeting in 1939.

Kennett Preparative Meeting (Hicksite) was discontinued in 1904. In 1913, this preparative meeting was revived under the name, Old Kennett Preparative Meeting, but was finally laid down in 1949; all of its business was assumed by Kennett Monthly Meeting. The Hicksite meeting at Kennett Square continued until 1930.

Old Kennett Preparative Meeting's burial ground remains under care of Kennett Monthly Meeting (records described separately).

Records of Kennett Preparative Meeting (Orthodox) include: Minutes of the men's meeting and later, of joint sessions with women, 1828-1931; women's meeting minutes, 1859-1909. Records of Old Kennett Preparative Meeting (Hicksite) and the pre-Separation meeting include: minutes of the men's meeting and later, of joint sessions with women, 1879-1949; burial records, 1750-1902 and 1874-1885; membership lists, 1915-1922 and 1926 or 1927; First Day School minutes, 1876-1941; trustees' meeting minutes, 1874-1882; accounts and other financial records, 1874-1935; deeds, 1773-1938; bicentennial guest book, 1910. Records of Kennett Square Preparative Meeting: minutes of the men's meeting and later, of joint sessions with women, 1821-1829, 1871-1930; women's minutes, 1863-1892; First Day School minutes, 1882-1932; membership lists, 1915-1927; membership list of Kennett Monthly Meeting, ca. 1931; deeds and other property records, 1847-1901; minutes of Best Interests Committee, 1915-1932.

Deposit

Publisher
Quaker Meeting Records at Haverford College Quaker & Special Collections and Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College
Finding Aid Date
2011
Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research. Access may be provided via digital or microfilm copy, per repository policy.

Use Restrictions

Copyright has not been assigned to the Repositories All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted to the individual Meeting or its successor. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Repositories as the holder(s) of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by reader.

Collection Inventory

Biographical / Historical

At the time of the Separation in Philadelphia Yearly Meeting in 1827-28, pre-Separation vital records were generally retained by the branch with which the recorder was affiliated. Researchers are advised to consider vital records which span this period carefully: in many cases, the meeting without the original records may have reconstructed these records for its membership only, giving the impression that individuals in the other branch were never members.

RG2/Ph/O42 2.1. Burials at Old Kennett, 1750-1977.
Scope and Contents

Compiled ca. 1910. "Property of Kennett Preparative Meeting. Take special care of this book. Edward B. Passmore Mendenhall Pa. 1910." -- Free front endpaper. Volumes are 3.1 burals 1750-1902, 3.2 burials 1896-1977.

Existence and Location of Copies

Available on microfilm in the following location(s):

  1. Swarthmore: No Film
  2. Haverford: No Film
Physical Description

1 v.

Material Specific Details

Affiliation: Pre-Separation/Hicksite

Physical Location

Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College

RG2/Ph/O42 2.2. List of members of Kennett Preparative Meeting, 1915-1922.
Scope and Contents

Membership list, 1915 (with revisions to 8mo 8 1922). Folder also contains: membership list, 1926 or 7. On cover: list of members of Kennett Preparative Meeting, 1904.

Existence and Location of Copies

Available on microfilm in the following location(s):

  1. Swarthmore: No Film
  2. Haverford: No Film
Physical Description

1 v. in folder + 1 item.

Material Specific Details

Affiliation: Hicksite

Physical Location

Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College

RG2/Ph/K47 3.1. List of members of Kennett Square Preparative Meeting, 1915.
Scope and Contents

With: Names of members of Kennett Monthly Meeting between the ages of 16 and 24 years (1mo18 1924)--List of members of Kennett Monthly Meeting under 21 years of age (4mo16 1923).

Existence and Location of Copies

Available on microfilm in the following location(s):

  1. Swarthmore: No Film
  2. Haverford: No Film
Physical Description

1 item in folder

Material Specific Details

Affiliation: Hicksite

Physical Location

Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College

RG2/Ph/K47 3.2. Members of Kennett Square Preparative Meeting, 1923-1927.
Scope and Contents

Volume contains membership lists for the years 1923 and 1927.

Existence and Location of Copies

Available on microfilm in the following location(s):

  1. Swarthmore: No Film
  2. Haverford: No Film
Physical Description

1 v.

Material Specific Details

Affiliation: Hicksite

Physical Location

Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College

Biographical / Historical

Official records of proceedings kept for all Quaker business meetings. Only Quakers could participate. It has responsibility for care of members, authorizes removals and marriages, maintains discipline, considers the queries, manages meeting property, fosters social concerns, and reports regularly to the quarterly meeting. Beginning at the end of the 19th century, men and women ceased to hold separate business meetings, meeting instead in joint session.

RG2/Ph/K47 1.1-1.5. Minutes of Kennett Square Preparative Meeting, 1821-1930.
Scope and Contents

Minute books as follows : 1.1 5mo3 1821-4mo 1829; 1.2 3mo2 1871-2mo2 1882; 1.3 3mo2 1882-12mo31 1891; 1.4 2mo4 1892-6mo4 1914; 1.5 7mo2 1914-11mo30 1930.

General

Joint session in which men and women met together for business on 4mo28 1892.

Existence and Location of Copies

Available on microfilm in the following location(s):

  1. Swarthmore: No Film
  2. Haverford: No Film
Physical Description

5v.

Material Specific Details

Affiliation: Pre-Separation/Hicksite

Physical Location

Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College

RG2/Ph/K44 1.1-1.4. Minutes of Kennett Preparative Meeting (Orthodox), 1828-1931.
Scope and Contents

Minutes of the Orthodox men's meeting and later of the joint sessions with women as follows: 1mo 2 1828-1mo 18 1849; 3mo 1 1849-9mo 3 1868; 10mo 29 1868-1mo 2 1914; 12mo 31 1914-7mo 5 1931. Pertinent papers laid in. Volumes are 1.1 1828-1849, 1.2 1849-1868, 1.3 1868-1914, 1.4 1914-1931.

General

Joint sessions with women began on 1mo 1 1903.

Existence and Location of Copies

Available on microfilm in the following location(s):

  1. Swarthmore: No Film
  2. Haverford: No Film
Physical Description

4 v.

Material Specific Details

Affiliation: Orthodox

Physical Location

Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College

RG2/Ph/O42 1.1-1.2. Minutes of Old Kennett Preparative Meeting and of Kennett Preparative Meeting (Hicksite), 1879-1949.
Scope and Contents

Minutes of Old Kennett Preparative Meeting and of its predecessor, Kennett Preparative Meeting (Hicksite), as follows: v.1879-1939 (9mo 4 1879-3mo 31 1904; 7mo 3 1913-11mo 12 1939); v.1940-1949 (1mo 28 1949-7mo 17 1949). Volumes are 1.1 1879-1939, 1.2 1940-1949.

Existence and Location of Copies

Available on microfilm in the following location(s):

  1. Swarthmore: No Film
  2. Haverford: No Film
Physical Description

2 v.

Material Specific Details

Affiliation: Hicksite

Physical Location

Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College

RG2/Ph/K47 2.1-2.2. Minutes of Kennett Square Preparative Meeting, 1863-1892.
Scope and Contents

Minute books as follows: 2.1 1mo1 1863-4mo3 1863; 2.2 2mo29 1872-3mo31 1892.

General

Joint sessions with men began on 4mo28 1892.

Existence and Location of Copies

Available on microfilm in the following location(s):

  1. Swarthmore: No Film
  2. Haverford: No Film
Physical Description

2 v.

Material Specific Details

Affiliation: Hicksite

Physical Location

Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College

RG2/Ph/K44 2.1. Minutes of Kennett Preparative Meeting (Orthodox), 1859-1909.
Scope and Contents

Minutes from 3mo 31 1859 to 1mo 31 1909.

General

Joint sessions with men began on 1mo 1 1903 but women continued to keep separate minutes until 1mo 31 1909.

Existence and Location of Copies

Available on microfilm in the following location(s):

  1. Swarthmore: No Film
  2. Haverford: No Film
Physical Description

1 v.

Material Specific Details

Affiliation: Orthodox

Physical Location

Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College

RG2/Ph/O42 3.1. Treasurer's Account book for Old Kennett Preparative Meeting and Kennett Preparative Meeting (Hicksite), 1874-1935.
Scope and Contents

Treasurer's account book of Old Kennett Preparative Meeting (Hicksite) and of its predecessor, Kennett Preparative Meeting (Hicksite). Includes cemetery fund accounts.

Existence and Location of Copies

Available on microfilm in the following location(s):

  1. Swarthmore: No Film
  2. Haverford: No Film
Physical Description

1 v.

Material Specific Details

Affiliation: Hicksite

Physical Location

Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College

RG2/Ph/K44 3.1. Receipts, subscriptions, and other financial records , 1845-1894.
Existence and Location of Copies

Available on Microfilm in the following location(s):

  1. Swarthmore:No Film
  2. Haverford:No Film
Scope and Contents

Receipts and other financial records mostly pertaining to repairs and improvements at the Parkersville meeting house.

Physical Description

1 folder

Material Specific Details

Affiliation:Orthodox

Physical Location

Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College

RG2/Ph/K47 4.1++ and 4.2. Deeds and other papers concerning property at Kennett Square, 1847-1901.
Scope and Contents

Deeds and other papers concerning the meeting's property, 1847-1901. Included are the following (not a comprehensive list): Deeds of trust, 1870 5mo 11 (recorded 1870 Aug. 19); 1873 12mo30 (recorded 1874 Jan. 13); Deed for lot of land in Kennett Sq., 1875 11mo9 (recorded 1875 Dec.4); An act to authorize the sale of the meeting house and lands belonging to Kennett Square Preparative Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, 1872 April 9; receipt for fees pertaining to said act, 1872 Apr. 23; Deed, 1847. Also included is extract of deed for Friends' Meeting property in Kennett Sq. taken from deed book in the recorders office in West Chester, Chester City, Pa. 1847 5mo31.

Physical Description

1 oversize folder and 1 regular folder

Material Specific Details

Affiliation: Hicksite

Physical Location

Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College

RG2/Ph/O42 5.1++. Deeds and indentures related to Old Kennett Meetinghouse property, 1773-1931.
Folder RG2 OVERSIZE
Scope and Contents

Contains: 1773 deed for 100 acres in Kennett; 1913 indentures for the property then transfered to "Old Kennett Preparative Meeting;" a 1931 "list of papers to be placed at Swarthmore."

Physical Description

1 oversize folder

Material Specific Details

Pre-Separation / Hicksite

RG2/Ph/O42 4.1. Secretary's book of the trustees of Old Kennett: 5th mo 1st 1874, Chester County, Penna., 1874-1933.
Scope and Contents

Volume includes the following: Rules and regulations for the improvement and care of the burial grounds and copy of certificate for sale or transfer of cemetery lots [1874]; minutes of meetings of trustees (1874 1mo10-1882 3mo6); assessment lists (1892-1933); record of burials at Old Kennett Cemetery (1874-1885). Announcement of Old Kennett Meeting House bicentennial celebration (1710- 1910) laid in.

Existence and Location of Copies

Available on microfilm in the following location(s):

  1. Swarthmore: No Film
  2. Haverford: No Film
Physical Description

1 v.

Material Specific Details

Affiliation: Hicksite

Physical Location

Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College

RG2/Ph/O42 5.1-5.14. Minutes of Old Kennett Preparative Meeting First Day School and its predecessor, Kennett Preparative Meeting First Day School, 1876-1946.
Scope and Contents

Minute books of Old Kennett Preparative Meeting First Day School and its predecessor, Kennett Preparative Meeting First Day School, as follows: 5.1 1876 -1882, 5.2 1883-1887; 5.3 1887-1889; 5.4 1889-1890; 5.5 1891-1892; 5.6 1892-1901 and 1911; 5.7 1911 -1916; 5.8 1916-1918; 5.9 1918-1920; 5.10 1920-1923; 5.11 1924-1926; 5.12 1926-1930; 5.13 1930-1936; 5.14 1936-1946. Volume 1936-1941 includes the following note added to the last minute for 1941: "[First day school continued to be held every First day (weather permitting) until 1946. Beginning with that year meeting, and consequently First day school, was held on only the first First day of each month (June, July, August and September). L.C.P.]".

Existence and Location of Copies

Available on microfilm in the following location(s):

  1. Swarthmore: No Film
  2. Haverford: No Film
Physical Description

14 v.

Material Specific Details

Affiliation: Hicksite

Physical Location

Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College

RG2/Ph/K47 5.1-5.2. Minutes, 1915-1932.
Scope and Contents

Minute books as follows : 5.1 1915-1920 & 5.2 1920-1932. Includes lists of members of Kennett Square, Old Kennett, Marlboro, and Unionville, ca. 1931.

Existence and Location of Copies

Available on microfilm in the following location(s):

  1. Swarthmore: No Film
  2. Haverford: No Film
Physical Description

2 v. ; 24 cm.

Material Specific Details

Affiliation: Hicksite

Physical Location

Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College

RG2/Ph/O42 6.1. Old Kennett Meeting House Bi-centennial guest book, 1910 9mo. 24.
Scope and Contents

Contains names and addresses of those who attended the event.

Existence and Location of Copies

Available on microfilm in the following location(s):

  1. Swarthmore: No Film
  2. Haverford: No Film
Physical Description

1 v.

Material Specific Details

Affiliation: Hicksite

Physical Location

Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College

Print, Suggest