Call Number:

PA.049

Repository:

Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College

Extent:

.13 cubic ft. (half a box, stored with pa-048)

Language:

English

Preferred Citation:

[Indicate the cited item or series here], De Armand Family Album, PA 49, Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College.

Date:

1870-1890 (inclusive)

Creator:

Webster family

Abstract:

This collection consists of a family album of cartes de visite depicting prominent Friends and members of various Quaker families. The album seemed to belong to William Webster, whose family immigrated to Woodbridge, New Jersey circa 1685 and who helped in the development of Plainfield, New Jersey and the Plainfield Meeting House in the late 1700s.

William Webster and his wife, Mary Webster, settled in Woodbridge, New Jersey in approximately 1685 after leaving Scotland. They were consistent Friends as as early as 1695. Their first child, John, was born in 1718 and married Anna Taylor, granddaughter of Richard Hartshorn of distinguished Quaker stock from Middletown. John and his younger brother, Hugh Webster, were instrumental in locating the Plainfield Meeting House in 1788. The Webster family was also significant to the opening of roadways in Plainfield, New Jersey circa 1763 and thus helped localize the town of Plainfield.

This bound (but deteriorating) family album features members of various Quaker families and some prominent Quaker individuals. Although the album primarily consists of mounted cartes de visite, a few tintypes are included. Of special interest are the cartes de visite of Friends such as George Fox, William Penn, and Elizabeth Fry.