Series I. "Julia and Arthur Biddle and descendants" includes papers of Arthur Biddle (1852-1897); his wife Julia Biddle (1858-1952); their children, Edith Frances Biddle (1881-1938), Alfred Alexander Biddle (1885-1967), and Julian Cornell Biddle (1890-1917); their daughter-in-law, Gertrude Heckscher Biddle (1894-1942), who was married to Alfred; and their grandchildren, the children of Alfred and Gertrude: Constance Monica Biddle (1923-2005), Anne Gertrude Biddle (1925-2006), Julian Cornell Biddle (1929-2008), and Edith Sheila Biddle (born 1931). There are also a few documents from Gertrude Heckscher Biddle's family documenting her parents, Maurice and Constance Spencer Heckscher, and her sisters Constance (1893-1909) and Eleanor (1895-1897). This series is arranged into seven subseries, one for each of the main groups documented in the collection. Within the series (and the collection as a whole) letters have been arranged by recipient in order to reassemble what a family member might have had in his or her possession. All members of the family represented in this series are also represented in Series V. Images.

Arthur Biddle was born on September 23, 1852, the son of George Washington Biddle (1818-1897) and Maria Cox McMurtrie (1818-1901). He was educated at Faires Classical Institute and Yale University. Following his graduation from Yale, he studied and traveled in Europe for two years before beginning to work in his father's law office. In addition to working in two law firms, Biddle and Jayne and Biddle and Ward, Arthur authored several papers/books on legal subjects, including Treatise on the Law of Warranties in the Sale of Chattels, which was used as a text book by Harvard Law School; The Law of Stockbrokers, which he co-authored with his brother George; and The Law of Insurance. He was active in his community, serving as a member of the American Philosophical Society, on the school board, and as the 1896 Democratic candidate for city solicitor. He married his cousin Julia on November 18, 1880 and they were the parents of Edith, Alfred, and Julian. He died March 8, 1897, after a severe attack of influenza." [pages 71-73, Faires Classical Institute] There is only a small amount of material directly related to Arthur in this collection--a few letters, his marriage certificate, a few documents from his time at Yale, and his writings. There are also a number of memorials created following his unexpected death in 1897 at age 45. Researchers will find letters from Arthur in I. B. "Julia Biddle (1858-1952)," C. "Edith Frances Biddle (1881-1938)," and D. "Alfred Alexander Biddle (1885-1967);" and III. B. "George Washington Biddle (1818-1897)" and C. "Maria Cox McMurtrie Biddle (1818-1901)."

Julia Biddle was (1858-1952) married her cousin Arthur in 1880. She was the daughter of Thomas Alexander (1814-1888) and Julia Cox (1819-1896) Biddle. At the time of her husband's death, her children were aged 16, 12, and 7. Her papers document her role as a single parent, with financial records; letters from a large group of family and friends (including some from Arthur prior to his death as well as an impressive number from her son, Alfred); some travel documentation largely related to a trip to Japan, probably with her son Julian, circa 1912; scrapbooks documenting her family history and her life with Arthur and her children; and a limited amount of collected ephemera. Letters are largely personal and provide a researcher with a clear picture of the Biddle family lifestyle and Julia's own life at The Crossways in Gwynned Valley and at 1812 Delancey Street in Philadelphia. Of particular interest may be the letters written to Julia following the death of her daughter Edith in 1938. Letters from Julia can be found in I. E. "Julian Cornell Biddle (1890-1917)," II. D. Julia Cox Biddle (1819-1896)," and III. C. "Maria Cox McMurtrie Biddle (1818-1901)."

Edith Frances Biddle was the oldest child of Arthur and Julia Biddle. She was born in 1881 and during World War I, worked at the Galsworthy House in London, a hospital for wounded Belgian soldiers. According to obituaries (box 8, folder 8), she was decorated by the Belgian Government for her efforts. Later, she attended the Inter-Allied Conference which was called to address methodologies of rehabilitating the wounded. On her return to the United States, Edith served as manager and/or director of the Orphan Society of Philadelphia near Media. She lived at the Crossways, her home in Gwynned Valley, and died of pneumonia on June 10, 1938 at the age of 55. The bulk of Edith's material consists of letters from family and friends; but there are also a few financial documents. her passport; and a small number of documents relating to her World War I service. Letters from Edith can be found in I. B. "Julia Biddle (1858-1952)," D. "Alfred Alexander Biddle (1885-1967)," E. "Julian Cornell Biddle (1890-1917)," and G. "Children of Alfred A. and Gertrude Heckscher Biddle;" II. D. "Julia Cox Biddle (1819-1896);" and III. C. "Maria Cox McMurtrie Biddle (1818-1901)."

Alfred Alexander Biddle (1885-1967) was the second child of Arthur and Julia Biddle. He was educated at Saint Mark's School and graduated from Yale University in 1909. He also studied at Balliol College, Oxford University. During World War I, he attended Officer Training Camp in Fort Meyer, Virginia from May 8 to August 15, 1917, from which he graduated as Captain and was assigned to the 4th Company 2nd Battery. From September 1 to March 1, 1918, he was at Camp Lee, Virginia; and from March 1 to September, 1918, he served as Aide-de-Camp to Major-General Biddle, Commanding General, Base Section No. 2, AEF. From September to December, 1918, he was at the Saumur Artillery School, AEF, and from December 1918 until June 1919, he served with the Ammunition Train, 88th Division and as Assistant G-1, 88th Division, AEF. He worked as a stockbroker for Biddle, Whelan and Co. until the company was dissolved in 1953. He married Gertrude Heckscher in 1922 and they were the parents of Constance, Anne, Julian, and Edith. He died on August 25, 1967 at the age of 81. His records include financial records, information regarding horses and horse breeding (one of his greatest interests), letters from family and friends (particularly from Balliol College, Oxford), records and letters from his World War I service (including many references to General Pershing, writings and talks relating to education and the economy, a poem and short story, and records related to his time at Yale University. Letters from Alfred can be found in I. B. "Julia Biddle (1858-1952)," C. "Edith Frances Biddle (1881-1938)," E. "Julian Cornell Biddle (1890-1917)," and G. "Children of Alfred A. and Gertrude Heckscher Biddle;" and II. A. "Anna Sitgreaves Biddle Blair (1850-1932) and Andrew Blair (1849-1932)," B. "John Cox Biddle (1846-1865); Henry Williams Biddle (1848-1923); and William Lyman Biddle (1852-1920)," and D. "Julia Cox Biddle (1819-1896)."

Julian Cornell Biddle (1890-1917), the youngest of Arthur and Julia's children, was born April 19, 1890. He was educated at St. Mark's School in Southboro, Massachusetts, and graduated from Yale in 1912. He served as a secretary at the American Embassy in Tokyo, Japan, for six months following his graduation from Yale. When he returned to Philadelphia, he began working for the banking house Montgomery, Clothier & Tyler. In 1916, he earned his pilot's license; and by 1917, he was enlisted in the Foreign Legion, sent to the French Military Aviation School at Avord, sent to Pau for training; and assigned as a battle pilot to Escadrille No. 73, Groupe de Combat No. 12. On August 18, on a practice flight, his plane went down and once his body washed to shore 8 days later, it appeared that he had been shot down. He appears to have been the first American who volunteered after the United States entered the war to be killed at the front. Documents related to Julian C. Biddle include letters from family and friends and a small amount of information from his time at both St. Mark's and Yale University. Letters from Julian can be found in I. B. "Julia Biddle (1858-1952)," C. "Edith Frances Biddle (1881-1938)," and F. "Gertrude Heckscher Biddle (1894-1942)."

Gertrude Heckscher (1894-1942) married Alfred Alexander Biddle in 1922. She was the daughter of Maurice and Constance Heckscher. Her father died at age 39, and her sisters died at age 15 and 1; as a result, she and her mother appear to have traveled together to Europe and lived together at Box Mead Farm. Prior to her engagement to Alfred, Gertrude appears to have enjoyed an active social life. She corresponded with several World War I soldiers (her letters are not present, only the letters addressed to her). She and Alfred married in 1922 and children quickly followed: Constance was born in 1923, Anne in 1925, Julian in 1929, and Edith in 1931. The family lived at Box Mead Farm. She died in 1942 at age 52. Her papers include journals from a trip to Europe, some family material including Bibles and financial material, and letters, mostly from friends and soldiers in World War I. Letters from her can be found in B. "Julia Biddle (1858-1952)" and D. "Alfred Alexander Biddle (1885-1967)."

The final subseries in this series contains limited information regarding three of Alfred and Gertrude's four children, Anne, Constance, and Julian. Constance M. Biddle, the oldest of the children is best documented with academic records and a letter, but there is also a newspaper clipping regarding Anne and Julian's baby book. Their letters can e found in I.B. "Julia Biddle (1858-1952)" and C. "Edith Frances Biddle (1881-1938)."

Series II. "Julia Biddle's siblings and ancestors" documents Julia's siblings Anna Sitgreaves Biddle Blair (1850-1932), John Cox Biddle (1846-1865), Henry Williams Biddle (1848-1923), and William Lyman Biddle (1853-1920); her uncle Henry Jonathan Biddle (1817-1862) and his wife Mary D. Baird Biddle (1829-1900); her uncle Clement Biddle (1810-1879); her mother Julia Cox Biddle (1819-1896), her father Thomas Alexander Biddle (1814-1888); her grandmother Christine Williams Biddle (1780-1861), her grandfather Thomas A. Biddle (1776-1857); and her great-grandfathers General Jonathan Williams (1751-1815) and William Lyman (1755-1811). This series is arranged into ten subseries, one for each of the main individuals or family groups documented in the series. Within the series (and the collection as a whole) letters have been arranged by recipient in order to reassemble what a family member might have had in his or her possession. Many of the members of the family represented in this series are also represented in Series V. "Images."

Anna Sitgreaves Biddle Blair was born in 1850 and was Julia Biddle's only sister. In 1872, she married Andrew Blair (1849-1932), the son of Major General Francis "Frank" Blair (1821-1875) and Appoline Agatha Alexander (1828-1908). She was the mother of two adopted sons, Frank and John. Before and after her marriage to Andrew Blair, she received many letters from her mother, Julia Cox Biddle (1819-1896). In fact, with the exception of a few letters from her cousin, Florence, and a few empty envelopes addressed to her husband from her nephew Alfred A. Biddle (1885-1967), all letters in this subseries were sent by Anna's mother. Letters from Anna can be found in Series I. B. "Julia Biddle (1858-1952)" and Series II. D. "Julia Cox Biddle (1819-1896)."

Julia had five brothers, three of whom are represented in this collection: John Cox Biddle, Henry Williams Biddle, and William Lyman Biddle. John Cox Biddle, the son of Thomas Alexander and Julia Biddle, was born on April 21, 1846, and was educated at Faires Classical Institute and the University of Pennsylvania. During the Civil War, he enlisted in Landis' Battery and "behaved with great gallantry in the Battle of Carlisle, where he had charge of the caisson commanded by Mr. C. Stuart Patterson (Cohen, page 86). According to Charles J. Cohen, "he was generally called 'Little Johnny,' as he was small and did not look strong." His health suffered in the army and he was sent home after only a few months. It appears that he returned to the University of Pennsylvania, but left after his junior year. He began working for Thomas A. Biddle Co., but died on January 29, 1865, at the age of eighteen. Documents relating to John Cox Biddle include a few academic records from Faires Classical Institute and the University of Pennsylvania, a few financial records, a few items documenting his Civil War Service, and letters and resolution written and made at the time of his death. Letters from John Cox Biddle can be found in Series II. D. "Julia Cox Biddle (1819-1896)" and E. "Thomas Alexander Biddle (1814-1888)." Henry Williams Biddle, brother of John Cox and Julia Biddle, was born on April 7, 1848. He, too, was educated at Faires Classical Institute and the University of Pennsylvania, graduating in 1866 at age 18. Following his graduation from the University of Pennsylvania, Henry worked at Thomas A. Biddle Co., becoming a partner in this brokerage/banking business. He married Jessie Duncan Turner and they were the parents of two daughters. He died on July 2, 1923, at the age of 75. There are a few compositions from one of his schools, a letter from his nephew, Alfred Alexander Biddle, and his obituary. Letters from Henry Williams Biddle can be found in Series II. G. "Christine Williams Biddle (1780-1861)." William Lyman Biddle, was born on October 8, 1853. He was educated at Faires Classical Institute, St. Paul's in Concord, New Hampshire, and Princeton University, graduating in 1874. Following graduation, he traveled through Europe; and on his return, he began working first for F.W. Gilley, Jr. and Company in New York, and then for Thomas A. Biddle Co. where he remained until the time of his death on July 5, 1920. There are only a few letters relating to William Lyman Biddle, from Dr. Henry A. Cort and his nephew, Alfred Alexander Biddle.

Henry Jonathan Biddle, Julia's uncle, was born on May 16, 1817 and was educated at the University of Pennsylvania, graduating in 1834. Prior to the Civil War, he worked as a stockbroker, probably for Thomas A. Biddle Co. On August 3, 1861, he enlisted in the United States Volunteers, became a captain, and died on July 20, 1862 at the Battle of Glendale, Richmond City, Virginia. In 1854, he had married Mary D. Baird (1829-1900) and they were the parents of at least five children: Lydia Biddle (who married Moncure Robinson), Jonathan William Biddle, Spencer Biddle, Christine Williams Biddle, and Henry Jonathan Biddle. Letters from Henry Jonathan Biddle can be also be found in Series II. E. "Thomas Alexander Biddle (1814-1888)" and H. "Thomas Alexander Biddle (1776-1857)." Letters from Mary Baird can also be found in Series II. D. "Julia Cox Biddle (1819-1896)."

Julia Cox Biddle (1819-1896), Julia's mother, was the daughter of John and Martha Cox and the granddaughter of William Lyman. She was born in 1819 and married Thomas Alexander Biddle (1814-1888) in 1845. They were the parents of John Cox Biddle, Henry Williams Biddle, Anna Sitgreaves Biddle Blair, Alfred Biddle, William Lyman Biddle, Francis Biddle, and Julia Biddle. She appears to have maintained close relationship with her children and extended family--the bulk of the material in her subseries is correspondence. There are also annual diaries for intermittent years during the 1860s through the early 1880s which contain short, concise descriptions of daily activities. Letters from Julia Cox Biddle can be found in Series I. B. "Julia Biddle (1858-1952)" and Series II. A. "Anna Sitgreaves Biddle Blair (1850-1932) and Andrew Blair (1849-1932)," E. "Thomas Alexander Biddle (1814-1888)," and G. "Christine Williams Biddle (1780-1861)."

Thomas Alexander Biddle (1814-1888), the son of Thomas Alexander (1776-1857) and Christine Williams (1780-1861) Biddle, was born on August 22, 1814. According to John W. Jordan, he was a broker and established the Thomas A. Biddle Co. firm (although records at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania indicate that the business may have been formed by his father, Thomas A. Biddle (1776-1857)). His marriage to Julia Cox Biddle occurred on July 1, 1845, and they were the parents of seven children who lived into adulthood. He died on February 1, 1888. His papers consist largely of correspondence from family and friends. There are many letters written from the Hankey family (Appoline Alexander, Barnard, George, John Alexander, Philip F., Thomson, Sr. and Thomson, Jr.). While Appoline's letters are largely social and full of news, the letters of Thomas, Jr., a British banker and politician, are almost entirely business and financial in nature. It appears that Thomas traveled to Europe in 1836 and 1856 and there are numerous letters of introduction written on his behalf for his trip to Paris in 1836. Letters from Thomas Alexander Biddle can be found in Series II. B. "John Cox Biddle (1846-1865); Henry Williams Biddle (1848-1923); and William Lyman Biddle (1852-1920)" and G. "Christine Williams Biddle (1780-1861)."

Clement Biddle (1810-1879) was Julia's uncle (brother to her father Thomas Alexander Biddle). He was born on September 14, 1810 and was considered a prominent Philadelphia lawyer, although his obituary states that "having inherited wealth, he had not practiced his profession for many years" before his death (Philadelphia Press, March 18, 1879, page 6). At the outbreak of the Civil War, he volunteered as a private in Landis' Battery, Pennsylvania Militia Light Artillery, serving first from September 15 to September 26, 1862, and again from June 27 to July 30, 1863. His obituary states that he was artistic in nature, and was skilled both as a painter and as an author. He died, never having married, on March 11, 1879. His material includes a few letters as well as a published version of his poems, Airdrie and other poems. Letters from Clement can be found in Series II. D. "Julia Cox Biddle (1819-1896)" and E. "Thomas Alexander Biddle (1814-1888)."

Julia's grandmother, Christine Williams Biddle, was born in 1780 and was the daughter of General Jonathan Williams (1751-1815). She married Thomas Alexander Biddle (1776-1857) in 1806 and they were the parents of five sons: Clement, Thomas Alexander, Henry J., Alexander W., and Jonathan W. Biddle. The bulk of the letters addressed to her were written from Julia Cox Biddle, her daughter-in-law, indicating a warm relationship between the two. Letters from Christine can be found in Series II. D. "Julia Cox Biddle (1819-1896)" and E. "Thomas Alexander Biddle (1814-1888)."

Thomas Alexander Biddle, Julia's grandfather, was born on June 4, 1776. He was the son of Clement (1740-1814) and Rebekah Cornell (1755-1831) Biddle and was educated at the University of Pennsylvania, graduating in 1791. He worked as a broker and banker, and it is unclear if he or his son, Thomas A. Biddle, established the firm, Thomas A. Biddle Co. He died in 1857. There are only two letters in the collection that were addressed to him, one from his niece and one from a son. Letters from him can be found in Series II. E. "Thomas Alexander Biddle (1814-1888)" and Series III. D. "Clement Biddle (1784-1855)."

Jonathan Williams, Julia's great-grandfather, was the father of Christine Williams. He was born on May 20, 1751, in Massachusetts and was a nephew of Benjamin Franklin. During the Revolutionary War, he served as an agent to the United States Commission in France. Following the war, he served as the first Superintendent of the United States Military Academy at West Point. He also served in the New York State Militia, and was elected to Congress, but died on May 18, 1815, before taking office. This collection contains two letters from him, one to his father and one to his mother.

William Lyman, Julia's great-grandfather and Julia Cox Biddle's grandfather, was born on December 7, 1755 in Northampton, Massachusetts, the son of William and Jemima Lyman. He was educated at Yale University, graduating in 1776, and served in the militia during the American Revolution and as an aide to General William Shepherd during Shay's Rebellion. He served as a representative for the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 1787, as a senator in the Massachusetts Senate in 1789, and as a representative for Massachusetts in the United States Congress from 1793 to 1797. He also served as United States Consul in London from 1804 until his death. He married Jerusha Welles and they were the parents of ten children, including William Lyman Jr. and Jerusha Lyman, both of whom appear to have died the same year he did, 1811. Material relating to Lyman includes a bond/loan agreement; letter to Jerusha Lyman, Jr., his daughter; letter from James Madison, serving as Secretary of State under Jefferson; appointment of William Lyman, Captain in Regiment of Light Artillery, signed by James Monroe, President and J.C. Calhoun, Secretary of War; and letters to his son, William Lyman, Jr.

Series V. "Images" in arranged in three subseries: A. "Photographs," B. "Prints," and C. "Other." Researchers will find a significant number of family photographs which are arranged alphabetically by subject. There are also a number of photographs where the subjects are unknown--no labeling on the photographs was present and the processor was unwilling to make guesses as to the identity of the subjects. If a researcher is looking for a particular individual who is not in the alphabetical listing, he or she should consult the unidentified photographs.

B. "Prints" consists of formal portraits that appear to have been printed in volumes. The subjects of these prints predate photographs and appear to have been collected intentionally in order to document the family's history. Some of the connections to the Biddle family is unknown. These prints are arranged alphabetically by subject. There are a few prints which were not labeled and the identity of the subject is unknown.

C. "Other" contains only two items: an original painting of Eleanor Heckscher, sister of Gertrude Heckscher Biddle, who died at only one year old (she is also represented in A. "Photographs"); and a lithograph of Gertrude Heckscher Biddle.