Call Number:

1999.720

Repository:

Chestnut Hill Historical Society

Extent:

1.5 linear feet

Language:

English

Preferred Citation:

1999.720

Date:

1850-1920 (bulk) and 1798-2002 (inclusive)

Creator:

Rex family

Abstract:

The Rex family, descended from German immigrants, settled in the Chestnut Hill section of Philadelphia. The Rex family papers, 1798-2002, includes photographs, a scrapbook, a sampler, certificates, published books, and other items created by Rex family members.

The original Rex family was from Germany. Their name was changed from Ruger to Rex after arrival in America.

Hillary B. Rex was the brother of Walter E. Rex, Jr.--Husband of Barbara Clayton Rex, and father of the donor. Hillary B. Rex was killed in France in 1918, shortly before the end of the war. He was captured by the Germans, and died in a German Field Hospital of the wounds he suffered when his plane crashed. He was the brother of Walter E. Rex, Jr., husband of Barbara Clayton Rex, and father of the donor.

Hilary Baker was the Mayor of Philadelphia during the second yellow fever epidemic (1796). It is believed that he also served as a delegate to the Continental Congress in 1787. He was the great-great-grandfather of the donor. Hilary Baker had five daughters, Catherine L. Baker, Louisa E. Baker, Maria F. Baker, Susanna S. Baker, Anna Paulina Louisa Baker. Anna Paulina married John Talbert, and they were the parents of Caroline Talbert Emory. Caroline T. Emory was the wife of Charles Emory, and they were the parents of Isabel Emory Rex, mother of Walter E. Rex, and grandmother of the donor.

The exact identity of John and Hannah Tolbert is uncertain. It is possible that they were the parents of Isabella, Caroline, Hannah and Emma Tolbert. Caroline was the wife of Charles Emory Rex, and the mother of Isabel Emory Rex. Isabel Emory Rex was the grandmother of the donor.

Charles Emory Rex died at the age of five in 1891. He was the brother of Walter E. Rex, grandfather of the donor.

The identity of Albrecht is unknown. Mrs. Emory was Caroline Tolbert Emory, wife of Charles Emory, mother of Isabel Emory Rex, and grandmother of the donor.

Barbara Clayton Rex was the widow of Walter E. Rex III, a long time resident of Chestnut Hill, an author, and an outspoken social critic. She was the mother of the donor.

Caroline Tolbert was married to Charles Emory, and was the mother of Isabel Emeroy Rex, wife of W.E. Rex, father of W.E. Rex, Jr (husband of Barbara Rex), and grandfather of Dr. W.E. Rex, III, the donor.

This collection consists of:

1) Rex family leather bound photo album, 1890's;

2) Numerous Rex photos;

3) Cornell University Scrapbook of Walter Edwin Rex, Jr. 1915-1916;

4) Susanna Rex sampler, 1839;

5) Printed certificate to the memory of Hilary B. Rex, from the Republic of France. Printed Certificate to the memory of Hilary B. Rex, U.S. Army from Woodrow Wilson;

6) Six books by Barbara Clayton Rex;

7) Framed photo of Charles Emory with obituary pasted on the back;

8) Presentation Bible to Charles Emory, 1852;

9) Typescript of Emory and Rex families;

10) Two Tolbert silhouettes;

11) Music book of Miss Tolbert;

12) Framed letter to children from Hilary and Maria Baker, 1798.