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Pemberton Manuscripts
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Held at: Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College [Contact Us]500 College Avenue, Swarthmore, Pennsylvania 19081
This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held at the 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
The Pembertons were a distinguished Philadelphia Quaker family, successful merchants and active in the Society of Friends. Phineas Pemberton arrived in America in 1682 and settled in Bucks County, Pa. His son Israel (1684-1754) moved to Philadelphia, began a successful business, and married Rachel Read in 1765. They had ten children, but most didn't survive childhood. The three surviving sons were: Israel Pemberton (1715-1779), James Pemberton (1723-1809), and John (1727-1795). Israel Pemberton expanded the family business and served on the Pennsylvania Assembly. He was active in the Society of Friends, serving as Clerk of the Yearly Meeting. He married first Sarah Kirkbride (1714-1746) and secondly Mary (Stanbury) Jordan. Mary Pemberton served as Clerk of the Womens Meeting of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting.
James Pemberton (1723-1809) also was a successful merchant, philanthropist, and leader in the Society of Friends in Philadelphia. He was a founder of Pennsylvania Hospital and the Pennsylvania Abolition Society and active in other civic and educational organizations. James Pemberton served on the Pennsylvania Assembly for Philadelphia Co. and was elected to the American Philosophical Society in 1768. He married Hannah Lloyd (1734-1764) in 1751. They had four children; Phineas (1753-1778); Rachel (1754-1783) who married Thomas Parke, M.D.; Hannah (1785-1788) who married Robert Morton; and Sarah (1756-1819) After his first wife's death, he married Sarah Smith who died in 1770 after the birth of a daughter, Mary (1770-1808, later wife of Anthony Morris.) In 1775, he married Phebe (Lewis) Morton, the widow of Samuel Morton.
The youngest brother was John Pemberton (1727-1795). He left the family business to devote his life to Quaker ministry, travelling to England and Europe. John Pemberton married Hannah Zane, daughter of Isaac and Sarah Zane, in 1766.
In accordance with the peace testimony of the Society of Friends, the brothers refused to take an oath of allegiance during the American Revolution or to bear arms. Eighteen prominent members of the Quaker community were arrested in August 1777 and imprisoned in Winchester, Va. from September 1777 to early 1778. They included the Pemberton brothers, John Hunt, Henry Drinker, Thomas Fisher, Thomas Gilpin, and Abel James.
The manuscripts are from two sources which were retained as series.
- Series 1: Family Correspondence, 1777-1812
- Series 2: Pemberton Correspondence, 1756-1778
Purchase, 1959
Gift of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, 1975
Series 1, Family Correspondence, 1777-1812, between James Pemberton and his third wife Phebe, was purchased in 1959. The letters include typed transcripts. Series 2, Pemberton Correspondence, 1756-1778, was given to Friends Historical Library by Philadelphia Yearly Meeting in 1975. Most of the letters were written during the Pembertons' Virginia exile, 1777-1778, and include correspondence from the brothers, their spouses, and others. The two manuscript groups were retained in their original order, but cataloged as a single manuscript collection ca. 1980. In 2016 acidic folders were replaced and a more detailed inventory created.
People
- Pemberton family
- Pemberton, John, 1727-1795
- Pemberton, James, 1723-1809
- Pemberton, Israel, 1715-1779
- Pemberton, Phebe, d. 1812
Organization
Subject
- Quakers -- Social life and customs
- Quakers -- Pennsylvania
- Quaker conscientious objectors -- Pennsylvania
- Quakers -- Virginia
- Society of Friends -- United States
- Lay ministry -- Society of Friends
Place
- Pennsylvania -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783 -- Conscientious Objectors
- Philadelphia (Pa.) -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783 -- Conscientious Objectors
- United States -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783 -- Concientious objectors
- Virginia -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865
- Publisher
- Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College
- Finding Aid Author
- Finding Aid Prepared by FHL staff
- Finding Aid Date
- 2016
- Access Restrictions
-
The collection is open for research.
- Use Restrictions
-
Friends Historical Library believes all of the items in this collection to be in the Public Domain in the United States, and is not aware of any restrictions on their use. However, the user is responsible for making a final determination of copyright status before reproducing. See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-US/1.0/.
Collection Inventory
Purchased from Clifford Lewis, 3rd. Includes transcriptions.
He writes that the English fleet is off the coast of New Jersey and expected to arrive in Philadelphia. He urges his wife to hurry home soon.
Physical Description1 folder
Written from exile in Winchester, Va.,to his step-son, urging him to piety. He notes that that James addresses letters from his mother and asks him for personal updates on property, etc., of non-political nature. Signed "Thy loving parent."
Physical Description1 folder
"#23," written from Winchester, Va. Mentions death of John Hunt, letter from Congress, and visit of Susanna Lightfoot to Lancaster concerning the release of the prisoners.
Physical Description1 folder
Reports on a trunk of merchandise that had been shipped in 1780 and delayed in St. Kitts. Recounts a conversation with his son's teacher, Robert Proud, who had beaten the boy severely.
Physical Description1 folder
Notes that Friends of several monthly meetings in Philadelphia appeared before City Council to oppose the opening of a theater.
Physical Description1 folder
Notes the Quakers traveling in England and ministers visiting in Western Quarter. Assures her that he passed along his wife's message to her black maid
Physical Description1 folder
Describes the on-going issue of allowing a theater in Philadelphia; a time of poverty and hardship
Physical Description1 folder
Long letter with details about his travels after flooding rains in the Delaware Valley, the bridge over the Schuylkill river washed out. Friends and ministers visiting, and he doesn't allow musicians in his house.
Physical Description1 folder
Writes about the efforts to purchase an enslaved woman to be employed as a servant for his wife.
Physical Description1 folder
One of his tenants is in debtors prison, leaving wife and 5 children destitute
Physical Description1 folder
Susanna Wharton buried, mentions that minister Samuel Emlen returned from England and spoke eloquently at the graveside. Writes of other ministers' travels. Phebe had visited the Ephrata Cloister
Physical Description1 folder
Account of marriage service with visiting ministers speaking and other Friends news
Physical Description1 folder
Family and local news
Physical Description1 folder
Visiting Quakers
Physical Description1 folder
Planning a visit to join his wife
Physical Description1 folder
Visiting Friends, business concerns
Physical Description1 folder
Sermon by T. Colley, visiting minister, and visits from other Friends
Physical Description1 folder
Phebe is visiting the Brethren in Ephrata; James disagrees with their separation from society. An account of the prison riot at the new jail.
Physical Description1 folder
Personal concerns
Physical Description1 folder
Details of his return trip to Philadelphia, death of Joyce Benezet and Anthony Benezet estate matters, especially the legacy to fund school. Phebe Pemberton was responsible for distribution of the widow's personal items.
Physical Description1 folder
Meeting for Sufferings, other Quaker concerns
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The return of yellow fever which had been a scourge in 1793
Physical Description1 folder
Short letter of concern and affection
Physical Description1 folder
Condolence on death of James
Physical Description1 folder
Includes the disposition of personal property bequeathed to her from first husband Samuel Morton.
Physical Description1 folder
Gift of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, 1975
Seeking alternative teaching position since the school where he is at present cannot pay his salary
Physical Description1 folder
Ms copies of 1759 correspondence.
Physical Description1 folder
6 AlsS. Letter to his first wife's mother, Hannah Lloyd, mentions the company of minister John Hunt and the meetings held with him. Awaiting result of petition to Congress
Physical Description1 folder
8 ALsS with family news
Physical Description1 folder
2 ALsS to his son-in-law.
Physical Description1 folder
ALS (draft)
Physical Description1 folder
11 ALsS to his wife. John Parrish, John James and other Friends visiting. A. White unsuccessfully presented their petition.
Physical Description1 folder
1 ALS, "Dear Cousin."
Physical Description1 folder
9 ALsS to her husband. George Churchman, Thomas Lightfoot, and other ministers attended Buck Quarterly. Other Friends visiting and a letter from Elizabeth Robinson from London. The Select Meeting held at their home in 10 month, many buildings and schools taken over by military. In January, their neighbor Anthony Benezet informed her that he had heard the exiles would soon be released. Also an ALS from their daughter.
Physical Description1 folder
5 ALsS to his wife Hannah (Zane) Pemberton. Letter dated 1778, 1 mo, 17, includes note added by Henry Drinker.
Physical Description1 folder
4 ALsS with affection
Physical Description1 folder
1 ALS from his father-in-law, and 1 ALS from his brother-in-law.
Physical Description1 folder
2 ALsS to Prisoners in Frederick County (2 copies, second with added notation). The petition to the Governor refused; they would not interfere with the War Department. 1 ALS from Edward Stabler concerns proposed suitable accommodations for the prisoners if they are transferred to Staunton.
Physical Description1 folder
Introducing White to speak on behalf of the exiles; addressed to James Pemberton, i
Physical Description1 folder
3 ALsS describing his efforts on their behalf. Assured them that they would not be moved to Staunton until Congress had the opportunity to review that matter and urges them not to give the appearance that they are giving information to the enemy. Also, copy of his letter to Hannah Pemberton explaining his efforts on behalf of the Exiles..
Physical Description1 folder
AL from the prisoners to be presented by Alexander White
Physical Description1 folder
Typed ms about the life and death of Pemberton
Physical Description1 folder