Call Number:

02

Repository:

Byberry Library

Extent:

0.5 linear feet (several volumes, several folders, and a set of borrowers cards)

Language:

English

Date:

1876-circa 2000

Creator:

Byberry Library Company.

Abstract:

Byberry Library Company was a subscription-based library in the Byberry section of Northeast Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was established on December 29, 1794. Although the stockholders were not exclusively members of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), the Library was generally under Quaker management, and occupied the schoolhouse of the Byberry Friends Meeting for most of its existence. This collection dates from about 1876-2000 and includes scattered records from the Byberry Library Company, such as acquisition/donation records, inventories of books, minutes, and circulation records. The highlight of this collection is a volume, dated 1876-1945, with circulation records of subscribers.

"Byberry Library was established on December 29, 1794, and incorporated in 1799. It opened with 63 volumes in the house of a member. In 1798, the library was moved to the Byberry Friends School House. When the School House was rebuilt in 1823, the books were temporarily removed, but replaced in the school the following year. Although the stockholders were not exclusively Friends, the Library was generally under Quaker management." (Friends Historical Library)

Among the principal promoters of the Library Company were Ezra Townsend, John Comly, Benjamin and Asa Walmsley, and James Walton. John Comly was a prominent Quaker, a teacher who ran the Byberry Friends School for a period of time, a farmer, and a proponent of the teachings of Elias Hicks.

Byberry Library Company was dissolved in 2010 when the last living member passed away, and its collection was turned over to Byberry Monthly Meeting.

Bibliography: Finding aid for Byberry Library Company Records, RG4/013, Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College.

This collection includes scattered records from the Byberry Library Company including acquisition/donation records, circa 1960; inventories of books; minutes, 1948-1968; circulation records, 1951-2002; catalogues of books, 1870- circa 2000; circulation records by person, 1876-1945; Constitution of the Byberry Library Company; and share certificates in the Byberry Library Company. The Library’s collection of approximately 5,000 books dating from the early 18th century to the present (including books owned by John Comly), as well as catalog cards, are stored in the space but not considered part of this archival collection. (2 boxes of the Company’s records were deposited at the Friends Historical Library at Swarthmore College in 1991.)

The highlight of this collection is a volume of 1876-1945 with circulation records of subscribers.