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Hopkinson family papers

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Held at: University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts [Contact Us]3420 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6206

This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held at the University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts. 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

Call Number:
Ms. Coll. 1542
Repository:
University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts
Extent:
2.25 linear feet (3 boxes)
Language:
English
Preferred Citation:
Hopkinson family papers, 1700-1971, Ms. Coll. 1542, Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts, University of Pennsylvania.
Date:
circa 1700s-1970s (inclusive) and 1905-1971 (bulk)
Form:
Family papers
Abstract:
The Hopkinson family was a prominent political family of Philadelphia and Bordentown. Descendants include: merchants, lawyers, diplomats, authors, musicians, soldiers, congressmen and a signer to the Declaration of Independence. The Hopkinson family papers comprise original documents as well as reproductions of: biographical and genealogical research, clippings, certificates, correspondence, diaries, indexes, wills and estate documents, photographs, sheet music, school and birth records, and report cards. Orignal materials primarily document the life and career of Edward Hopkinson Jr. (1885-1966).

Francis Hopkinson (1737-1791) was "a signer of the Declaration of Independence; a jurist; an inventor; an artist; an essayist; a scholar; a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania's first class (1757); an organist; a psalmodist; and a harpsichordist." (Library of Congress). Hopkinson is credited with designing the American flag of 1777, designing currency, and having composed the earliest surviving American secular composition, "My Days have been so Wondrous Free."

Joseph Hopkinson (1770-1842) was a US Congressman. Elected as a Federalist to represented Pennsylvania's 1st District in the United States House of Representatives, he served from 1815 to 1819. In 1798 he wrote the lyrics to the song "Hail Columbia!", which served as the unofficial anthem of the United States until the "Star Spangled Banner" was officially adopted in 1931.

Oliver Hopkinson (1812-1905), son of Joseph, served in the Union Army during the Civil War as a Lieutenant Colonel of the 1st Delaware Volunteer Infantry. He commissioned on October 15, 1861 and was wounded at the Battle of Antietam, 1862. On July 10, 1863 he was commissioned as Colonel and commander of the 51st Pennsylvania Militia, which was raised to counter the Confederate Invasion of Pennsylvania in June 1863.

Edward Hopkinson (1850-1935), son of Oliver Hopkinson, was an attorney and president of the Philadelphia and Gray's Ferry Passenger railroad Company. His son, Edward Hopkinson Jr. (1885-1966) was a Philadelphia investment broker. He succeeded the late E.T. Stolesbury as the senior partner in Drexel & Co. Hopkinson was a significant leader in civic affairs and served as the first chairman of the City Planning Commission, established in 1942. The commission was credited with physical improvements to the city of Philadelphia.

The Hopkinson family papers comprise original documents as well as reproductions of: biographical and genealogical research, clippings, certificates, correspondence, diaries, indexes, wills and estate documents, photographs, sheet music, school and birth records, and report cards.

The bulk of the material is related to Edward Hopkinson Jr.; other family members documented in the collection are: Elsa, Martha, Joseph, Joan, Judge, Frances, Elisa, Olivia, Emily, Thomas, and Edward Hopkinson Sr.

Folders are arranged alphabetically by title. Dates and names of identified family members provided when available.

Sold by William Bunch auctions, 2020.

Accessioned as 2020.000024. Samantha Dodd processed, wrote and encoded the finding aid, 2023. Materials, acquired through William Bunch auctions, arrived in a large trunk suitcase, with no existing order or arrangement. Rather than a cohesive representation of the Hopkinson family, the documents within this collection represent an assorted selection of individual items. Duplicate materials removed from collection. Photostatic copies of diplomas transfered to the Univeristy of Pennsylvania archives. Materials rehoused in acid free folders and boxes. Staff arranged materials alphabetically by folder title.

At Historical Society of Pennsylvania: Hopkinson family papers, 1736-1941, Collection 1978.

At University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts: Hopkinson and Dale family collection, 1779-1870, Ms.Coll. 1503, https://findingaids.library.upenn.edu/records/UPENN_RBML_PUSP.MS.COLL.1503.

At University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts: Hopkinson collection of music, https://franklin.library.upenn.edu/catalog/FRANKLIN_9922677353503681.

At University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts: Ann Borden Hopkinson Collection, 1770-1775, UPT 50 H797, https://findingaids.library.upenn.edu/records/UPENN_ARCHIVES_PU-AR.UPT50H797.

Subject

Publisher
University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts
Finding Aid Author
Samantha Dodd
Finding Aid Date
2023 August 18
Access Restrictions

This collection is open for research use.

Use Restrictions

Copyright restrictions may exist. For most library holdings, the Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania do not hold copyright. It is the responsibility of the requester to seek permission from the holder of the copyright to reproduce material from the Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts.

Collection Inventory

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Affidavit, Pennsylvania Society of Sons of the Revolution, Edward Hopkinson Jr., 1926.
Box 1 Folder 1
Alterations to house, Edward Hopkinson Jr., 1925-1927.
Box 1 Folder 2-3
Appraisement of contents of house, 1424 Spruce St., Elsa Hopkinson Estate, 1912 April 18.
Box 1 Folder 4
Bank, currency exchange notes, Edward Hopkinson Jr. [illness in Germany], 1956.
Box 1 Folder 5
Biographical, Edward Hopkinson Jr. (1885-1966), 1967 June 15.
Box 1 Folder 6
Biographical, Hopkinson, undated.
Box 1 Folder 7
Birth certificate, Martha Hopkinson, 1921 December 19.
Box 1 Folder 8
Catalog of old letters, index of the Hopkinson papers volume 1-14, 1736-1882.
Box 1 Folder 9-22
Certificate, The Athletic Association, University of Pennsylvania, Edward Hopkinson Jr., 1906.
Box 3 Folder 1
Certificate, Greater Philadelphia Magazine, Edward Hopkinson Jr., 1957 June.
Box 3 Folder 2
Chestnut Hill house appraisals, 1926-1952.
Box 1 Folder 23
Citation, retirement of Edward Hopkinson Jr., 1944 March.
Box 1 Folder 24
Clippings, Joseph Hopkinson, 1919, undated.
Box 1 Folder 25
Clippings, Martha Hopkinson, 1946.
Box 1 Folder 26
Clippings, Joan Hopkinson, 1944.
Box 1 Folder 27
Coat of arms, Hopkinson, undated.
Box 3 Folder 3
Coat of arms, various, undated.
Box 3 Folder 4-6
Colonial Society of Pennsylvania certificate of membership, Edward Hopkinson Jr., 1951 January 5.
Box 1 Folder 28
Committee of stockholders of the Insurance Company of America, Edward Hopkinson Jr., 1887 January 15.
Box 1 Folder 29
Copies of letters to Mrs. Mary Morgan, letters date 1780-1820 [copies], undated.
Box 1 Folder 30-35
General

Typescript copies of letters to and from Mary Hopkinson Morgan (1742-1785). Includes correspondence with her husband Dr. John Morgan, Benjamin Franklin, Charles Inglis, and members of the Duche family.

Copy of fragments of diary of Mrs. Judge Joseph Hopkinson [Emily Mifflin Hopkinson, 1774-1850], 1836.
Box 1 Folder 36
Correspondence from Oscar Sonneck to Edward Hopkinson Jr., 1927-01-11.
Box 1 Folder 37
General

Formerly pasted into Edward Hopkinson Jr.'s copy of "The Life and Works of Francis Hopkinson" (1926)

Correspondence, Edward Hopkinson Jr., 1951-1960.
Box 1 Folder 38
Correspondence, Edward Hopkinson Jr. re; illness abroad, 1956 April-August.
Box 1 Folder 39-42
Correspondence, re: city planning commission, Edward Hopkinson Jr., 1951-1956.
Box 1 Folder 43
Correspondence, re: Doctor of Law degree, University of Pennsylvania, Edward Hopkinson Jr., 1953 June.
Box 1 Folder 44
Correspondence, re: Francis Hopkinson (signer) portraits, 1971.
Box 1 Folder 45
Correspondence, re: gifts to Philadelphia Museum of Art, Edward Hopkinson Jr., 1950-1951.
Box 1 Folder 46
Correspondence, re: Hopkinson collection at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, 1838-1938.
Box 1 Folder 47
Correspondence, re: St. Joseph's College, Edward Hopkinson Jr. [includes program and bio notes], 1960.
Box 1 Folder 48
Correspondence and notes, 1700s-1960s.
Box 1 Folder 49-51
Deed, Francis Hopkinson's wife to Michael Kales, 1850.
Box 1 Folder 52
Expenses, receipts for Edward Hopkinson, illness abroad, 1956.
Box 1 Folder 53
Estate of Mrs. Elisa Hopkinson, 1911.
Box 1 Folder 54
Extracts from diaries of Olivia and Elisa Hopkinson, 1920.
Box 1 Folder 55
Family of James Johnson: Successively Bishop of Gloucester and Worchester, Walter Money, F.S.A., undated.
Box 1 Folder 57
Family record marriages.
Box 1 Folder 56
Francis Hopkinson and the American Flag, George E. Hastings [reprint], 1939 July.
Box 1 Folder 58
Frances Hopkinson: Musician, Poet, and Patriot 1737-1937, Dr. Otto E. Albrecht [reprint], 1938 March.
Box 1 Folder 59
Franklin Fire Insurance, Adam Iseminger, 1858-1912.
Box 1 Folder 60
Genealogy, undated.
Box 1 Folder 61
Hopkinson documents index, undated.
Box 1 Folder 62
"Increasing problems of rate of return," address by Edward Hopkinson Jr. at the Maryland Utilities Association fall conference, 1952 September 5.
Box 2 Folder 1
Index, "Contents of the Hopkinson papers;" contains copy of gift agreement with the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, undated.
Box 2 Folder 2
Insurance Company of North America, directors inspection trip, Edward Hopkinson Jr., 1956 April.
Box 2 Folder 3
Last will and testament, Ann Hopkinson, 1827 February 10.
Box 2 Folder 4
Last will and testament, Elizabeth Borden, 1803 September 13.
Box 2 Folder 5
Last will and testament, Emily Hopkinson, 1848 November 24.
Box 2 Folder 6
Last will and testament, Joseph Bordens, 1787 April 19.
Box 2 Folder 7
Last will and testament, Francis Hopkinson [copy], 1791.
Box 2 Folder 8
Last will and testament, Thomas Hopkinson [copy], 1751.
Box 2 Folder 9
Letter, Mrs. Mary Morgan to her mother Mrs. Hopkinson (later ms. copy), 1776 November 16.
Box 2 Folder 10
Letters regarding death of Edward Hopkinson [copy], undated.
Box 3 Folder 7-8
Letters from Francis Hopkinson to his mother and Samuel Stringer Coale (1754-1798). Later ms. copies in a small notebook., 1776-1785.
Box 2 Folder 11
The Life and Works of Francis Hopkinson, George E. Hastings, 1926.
Box 2 Folder 12
List of guests to be present at the Roland Holst-Franco Mendes tea in Amsterdam, 1956 April 16.
Box 2 Folder 13
Memorandum regarding qualifications of Edward Hopkinson Jr. [biographical], undated.
Box 2 Folder 14
Memorial monument design for Edward Hopkinson [copy], undated.
Box 3 Folder 9
Moore Institute of Art, Science, and Industry, 1951.
Box 2 Folder 15-17
National Cyclopedia material, Edward Hopkinson Jr. [biographical], 1966-1967.
Box 2 Folder 18
Netherlands Trading Society, Amsterdam, annual reports, 1954.
Box 2 Folder 19
Newspaper tributes to the memory of Oliver Hopkinson, 1905 March.
Box 2 Folder 20
Notebook, Emily Mifflin [covers only, no contents], 1791.
Box 2 Folder 21
Notebook listing Hopkinson family silver and furniture, 1891.
Box 2 Folder 22
Official debutant list, Dreka, 1936-1937.
Box 2 Folder 23
Official record of remarks upon the passing of John J. Sullivan, 1958 May 1.
Box 2 Folder 24
Painting [lithograph] of Judge Hopkinson; artist T. Sully (P.A.); Childs and Inman Lithographers, undated.
Box 3 Folder 21
Passports, 1937.
Box 2 Folder 25
Penn Charter alumni society award of merit dinner, Edward Hopkinson Jr., 1965 May 4.
Box 2 Folder 26
Pennsylvania Bar Association certificate, Edward Hopkinson Jr., 1966 January 21.
Box 2 Folder 27
The Pennsylvania Society 66th annual dinner, award, Edward Hopkinson Jr., 1964.
Box 2 Folder 28-29
Philadelphia Saving Fund Society, 1966.
Box 2 Folder 30
Pictures hanging in Mr. Hopkinson's office property of Mr. Hopkinson, 1961 June.
Box 2 Folder 31
Plaques, Edward Hopkinson Jr., 1951-1954, 1957.
Box 2 Folder 32
Photographs, dinners, 1940s-1950s.
Box 2 Folder 33
Photographs, family, 1958 August.
Box 2 Folder 34
Photographs, Edward Hopkinson, undated.
Box 3 Folder 10
Photographs, Edward Hopkinson Jr., undated.
Box 3 Folder 11-13
Photographs, Edward Hopkinson Jr., fishing, undated.
Box 2 Folder 35
Photographs, Edward Hopkinson Jr., friends, colleagues, family, undated.
Box 2 Folder 36
Photographs, Edward Hopkinson Jr., portraits, undated.
Box 2 Folder 37
Photographs, Edward Hopkinson Jr. posing with group of men and trains, undated.
Box 2 Folder 38
Photographs, Francis Hopkinson, undated.
Box 3 Folder 14
Photographs, Joseph Hopkinson, undated.
Box 3 Folder 15
Photographs, meetings, undated.
Box 2 Folder 39
Photographs, O. Hopkinson, undated.
Box 3 Folder 16
Photographs, Thomas Hopkinson, undated.
Box 3 Folder 17
Photographs, unidentified portrait of man, undated.
Box 2 Folder 40
Photographs, unidentified men, undated.
Box 3 Folder 18-19
Photographs, unidentified woman, undated.
Box 3 Folder 20
Photostatic copies of music sent to Yella Pessl (1906-1991), 1948 April 1.
Box 2 Folder 41
Photostatic copies, various documents , undated.
Box 3 Folder 22
Postcard house at Bordentown, New Jersey, home of Francis Hopkinson, undated.
Box 2 Folder 42
Program Republican National Convention, 1940 June 24.
Box 2 Folder 43
Saint Joseph's College commencement, 1960.
Box 2 Folder 44
Scarborough and Pomfract Castle [copy of letter from pamphlet collection at British Museum], undated.
Box 2 Folder 45
Sheet music for "Echo" and "Absence", undated.
Box 2 Folder 46
Song adapted to the President's march [reprint], composed by Joseph Hopkinson, undated.
Box 2 Folder 47
"So wondrous free: a story of Francis Hopkinson and his times," Hazel Gertrude Kinscella, undated.
Box 2 Folder 48
Springside report cards, Joan Hopkinson, 1926-1932.
Box 2 Folder 49
Springside report cards, Martha Hopkinson, 1929-1932.
Box 2 Folder 50
University of Pennsylvania, commencement, 1953 June 10.
Box 2 Folder 51
U.S. Government thrift cards, war-savings certificates, 1918-1919.
Box 2 Folder 52
"Walk Proudly Here, Americans: Independence Hall," Raymond Pitcairn, 1940.
Box 2 Folder 53
William Penn Charter School report book, Edward Hopkinson Jr., 1896-1897.
Box 2 Folder 54
William Swaim copper plate, image, undated.
Box 2 Folder 55

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