Main content

Elizabeth Powell Bond Papers

Notifications

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

Call Number:
RG5.014
Repository:
Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College
Extent:
5 linear ft. (10 box)
Language:
English
Preferred Citation:
[Indicate the cited item or series here], Elizabeth Powell Bond Papers, RG 5/014, Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College
Date:
1856-1958 (inclusive)
Creator:
Bond, Elizabeth Powell, 1841-1926, Swarthmore College, Alcott, Louisa May, 1832-1888, Hull, Hannah Clothier, 1872-1958, and Garrison, William Lloyd, 1805-1879
Form:
Account books
Abstract:
Elizabeth Powell Bond (1841-1926) served for four years as Matron of Swarthmore College and was appointed as its first Dean of Women in 1890. She retired in 1906. 1906. A birthright Quaker and lifelong member of the Society of Friends, she played an important role in the development of coeducation at the College. (1860-1926), diaries and journals (1856-1925), business papers, speeches and articles, pictures, and memorabilia. Correspondents include Louisa M. Alcott, Ellen Emerson, Hannah Clothier Hull, William Lloyd Garrison, and others.

Elizabeth Powell Bond (1841-1926) was the first Dean of Women at Swarthmore College, a position she held from 1890 to 1906. A birthright Quaker and lifelong member of the Society of Friends, she played an important role in the development of coeducation at the College.

Elizabeth Macy Powell was born on January 25, 1841, in Dutchess County, New York, the daughter of Townsend and Catherine Macy Powell. When she was four years old, the family moved to Macy homestead in Ghent, New York. She attended the State Normal School in Albany and became an instructor in calisthenics at Vassar College. While working in Florence, Massachusetts, she met her future husband, Henry Herrick Bond. Henry H. Bond. a lawyer in from Northampton, Mass., was not a Quaker. They had two sons, Edwin Powell Bond, born in 1874, and Herrick Tyler Bond, born in 1878 and died in infancy. Henry Herrick Bond died Oct. 22, 1881.

In 1886, Swarthmore College appointed Elizabeth Powell Bond Matron of the College. In 1890, she was named Dean. After her retirement in 1906, she was named Dean Emeritus. A member of Swarthmore Monthly Meeting, Dean Bond died at the Jeanes Home in Germantown, Philadelphia, PA, on March 29, 1926.

Much loved and respected by the College community, Dean Bond was an avid gardener, and when the old tennis courts were removed, a rose garden was established in her honor. A College guest room was also named in her honor. She was the author of two books and in her retirement, continued her interests in peace, women's rights, and racial justice. She lectured frequently and contributed poetry and prose to periodical publications.

The collection includes correspondence (1860-1926), diaries and journals (1856-1925), business papers, speeches and articles, pictures, and memorabilia relating to the personal and profession life of Elizabeth Powell Bond, first Dean of Swarthmore College. Having associated with Massachusetts literary and abolitionist circles, Dean Bond was familiar with such prominent personalities as William Lloyd Garrison, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Susan B. Alcott, and Bronson Alcott. She spent some time in the Garrison household before her marriage, and her brother, Aaron Macy Powell was active in the Anti-Slavery Society. Correspondents include Louisa M. Alcott, Ellen Emerson, Hannah Clothier Hull, William Lloyd Garrison, and others.

The collection is divided into seven series:

  1. Elizabeth Powell Bond's diaries and journals
  2. Elizabeth Bond's personal business papers, primarily financial
  3. Bbiographical and genealogical papers
  4. Correspondence
  5. Dean Bond's writings and speeches
  6. Personal memorabilia
  7. Photographs

  1. Johnson, Emily Cooper. Dean Bond of Swarthmore, a Quaker Humanist. (1927) BX 7796.B7 J6

Donors: Estate of Elizabeth Powell Bond and Hannah Clothier Hull, 1935(?)-1958 (?)

1 letter, gift of LaVerne Forbush, 1964

1 letter, gift of Elizabeth Lippincott, 1969

ca. 50 letters, gift of Philip Radley, 1972

ca. 10 items (letters, verse, pictures, etc.) gift of Wm. C. Coles, Jr., 1974

1906 Commencement speech, gift of Thomas V. Hodges, Acc. SCA 1998-007

Papers which became the nucleus of the collection were found in Dean Bond's furniture after her death, date unknown. Subsequently, related papers concerning Dean Bond from Philip Radley, and others were added to the collection, 1964-1974. The Radley letters reflect Elizabeth Bond's correspondence with the Radley family, friends who lived in England and were introduced through Rachel Hillborn, another friend and member of the Board of Managers of Swarthmore College, 1887-1913. A letter to John M. Moore at Friends Historical Library from Philip Radley (copy), included with an earlier checklist and stored with the collection, explains more about this group of papers.

In 1998, a manuscript copy of Dean Bond's 1906 Commencement speech was added to the collection. According to the donor, Thomas V. Hodge, S.C. Class of 1949, it was given to his father, Thomas V. Hodge, S.C. Class of 1906, who was befriended by Dean Bond and urged to transfer to Swarthmore College from the University of Maine for his junior and senior years.

Papers which became the nucleus of the collection were found in Dean Bond's furniture after her death, date unknown, and were processed prior to 1958. Papers relating to her brother, Aaron Macy Powell, were made into a separate collection. Subsequently, related papers concerning Dean Bond from Hannah Clothier Hull and others were added to this collection, 1964-1974. About fifty letters were given to FHL in 1972 by the Radley Family. This group of letters reflects Elizabeth Bond's correspondence with the Radley family, friends who lived in England.

  1. Aaron M. Powell Papers, RG 5/122

The following materials were removed from the collection and recatalogued as indicated:

  1. Words by the Way, by Elizabeth Powell Bond -BX7616.B71W8
  2. Words by the Way, by E.P.B., Second Series. -BX7616.B71W82
  3. Life and Labors of Elias Hicks, by Henry W. Wilbur. - BX7795.H62W7, Introduction by Elizabeth Powell Bond.
  4. Dean Bond of Swarthmore, by Emily Cooper Johnson -BX7796.B7J6
  5. Relics #'s 98 & 98a transferred to relic collection; original bible discarded after pages with notes were photocopied.

Subject

Publisher
Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College
Finding Aid Author
SKM
Finding Aid Date
1997
Sponsor
Encoding made possible by a grant by the Gladys Kriebel Delmas Foundation to the Philadelphia Consortium of Special Collections Libraries
Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research.

Use Restrictions

Some of the items in this collection may be protected by copyright. The user is solely responsible for making a final determination of copyright status. If copyright protection applies, permission must be obtained from the copyright holder or their heirs/assigns to reuse, publish, or reproduce relevant items beyond the bounds of Fair Use or other exemptions to the law. See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/UND/1.0/.

Collection Inventory

Diary, with some genealogical notes, 1888-1904.
Box 1
Diary, 1906-1910.
Box 1
Notes on visit to World's Fair and Niagara Fall, 1893.
Box 1
Marriages attended, 1890-1923.
Box 1
Journal, visit to Holland, 1907.
Box 1
Journal, visit to England, 1907-1908.
Box 1
Diary, 1918.
Box 1
Diary, with some genealogical notes, 1911-1923.
Box 1
Diary, 1923.
Box 1
Reminiscences of William Lloyd Garrison, Wendell Phillips, and Ralph Waldo Emerson, 1919.
Box 1
Scope and Contents

Read to various groups, 1919.

Physical Description

AMs, bound volume

Reminiscences of Emerson, 1918.
Box 2
Physical Description

Ms bound volume

Notes on Emerson and his writings, notes on Garrison.
Box 2
Weekly talks and advice to Swarthmore College girls.
Box 2
Scope and Contents

Given while Dean of College

Calendar for 1897 prepared by friends, 1987.
Box 2
Excerpts from books and articles, 1903-1905.
Box 2
Scope and Contents

Includes copies of some of her letters, record of letters written 1903-1905 and some business accounts

Record of flower beds.
Box 2
Record of letters sent, 1914-1921, after 1923.
Box 2
Record of books read.
Box 2
Miscellaneous jottings, Engagement books, 1856, 1894-1925.
Box 3

Account books, 1896-1916, 1913-1920, 1920-1922.
Box 4 Folder 4
Scope and Contents

Includes: miscellaneous, 1921-1924; record of contributions to various organizations and institutions, subscriptions

Physical Description

3 bound books

Miscellaneous: Memorials, Publicity.
Box 4
Scope and Contents

Includes notes for use of President Courtney Smith for his remarks at dedication of Robert Pyle Rose Garden in memory of Dean Bond, 9-10-1958.

Genealogy, family papers.
Box 4
Scope and Contents

Includes sketch of Dean Bond's life; clipping describing dedication of Elizabeth Powell Bond Guest Room in Parrish Hall, announcements of publication of Dean Bond's Words by the Way

Scope and Contents

Includes:

Physical Description

22 letters

Extract of a letter in E.P.B.'s hand, 1-24-1863.
Scope and Contents

Describes Emancipation events which she attended. Garrison, Emerson, Wendell Phillips, Longfellow, and Alcott were also present.

William Lloyd Garrison to E.P.B., 12-18-1867.
Box 4
Physical Description

ALS

Bayard Taylor to E.P.B.
Box 4
L. M. Alcott to E.P.B., 3-20-1869.
Box 4
Scope and Contents

Discusses Little Women and its sequel.

Physical Description

ALS and typed copy

Maria Mitchell to E.P.B., 1-26-1875.
Box 4
Physical Description

ALS and typed copy

Maria Mitchel to E.P.B., 6-17-1875.
Box 4
Physical Description

ALS

Letters received and written during her time at Vassar College.
Box 4
General etters, 1886-1899.
Box 4 Folder 2.
Scope and Contents

Includes her invitation from Swarthmore College to serve as matron and letters in reference to her booklet.

Physical Description

40 letters

General letters, 1900-1902.
Box 4 Folder 3.
Scope and Contents

Primarily letters from E.P.B. and Anna Rice Powell, E.P.B.'s sister-in-law, to Mary Radley

Physical Description

14 letters

General letters etters, 1903.
Box 4 Folder 4.
Scope and Contents

Primarily letters from E.P.B. to Francis E. and Mary Radley.

Physical Description

31 letters

General letters, 1904-1905.
Box 4 Folder 5.
Physical Description

22 letters

General letters, 1906.
Box 5 Folder 6.
Scope and Contents

Includes E.P.B. to Mr. and Mrs. Frank Radley, 7/1906, explaining her reason for resigning, and 11-29-1906, concerning Isabelle Josephine Meeteer, her successor at Swarthmore. Most of remaining correspondences is directed to Hannah Clothier Hull, concerning subscriptions to the Elizabeth Powell Bond Fund. The income from the Fund went to Dean Bond during her lifetime and subsequently to the purchase of books for the College Library.

Physical Description

59 letters

General letters, 1907.
Box 5 Folder 7.
Physical Description

29 ALsS

General letters, 1908.
Box 5 Folder 8.
Physical Description

14 ALsS

General letters, 1909-1910.
Box 5 Folder 9
Physical Description

15 ALsS

General letters, 1911-1913.
Box 5 Folder 10.
Physical Description

22 ALsS

General letters, 1914.
Box 5 Folder 11.
Physical Description

11 ALsS

General letters, 1915-1917.
Box 5 Folder 12.
Physical Description

22 ALsS

General letters, 1918-1919.
Box 5 Folder 13.
Physical Description

38 ALsS

General letters, 1920-21.
Box 5 Folder 14.
Scope and Contents

Includes letter 2-18-1921 E.P.B. to "My dear `Girls'," which is an brief autobiography of her early life, especially her interest in the Anti-Slavery Society.

Physical Description

38 ALsS

General letters, 1922.
Box 5 Folder 15.
Scope and Contents

Icludes AL (draft) E.P.B. to Dr. Peckham, 2-28-1922, with a brief account of her family and her life.

Physical Description

17 ALsS

General letters, 1923.
Box 5 Folder 16.
Physical Description

17 ALsS

General letters, 1924-1925.
Box 5 Folder 17
Physical Description

6 ALsS

General miscellaneous letters, n.d.
Box 5 Folder 18.
Physical Description

Approx. 59 ALsS

Correspondence with Ellen Emerson, 1875-1901.
Box 6 Folder 19.
Physical Description

14 ALsS

E.P.B. to Hannah Clothier Hall, 1892-1897.
Box 6 Folder 20.
Physical Description

24 ALsS

Letters received by Hannah Clothier Hull, 1898-1926.
Box 6 Folder 21.
Scope and Contents

Includes a letter from Aaron M. Powell and correspondence in reference to her effort to collect E.P.B. correspondence.

Physical Description

approx. 40 ALsS

Scope and Contents

Includes bound volumes, written speeches and record of talks. Arranged chronologically.

"Notes of Talks at Friends' Meetings", 1908-1911.
Box 6
"A brief record of spoken thought," in Friends meetings, etc., 1911-1923.
Box 6
"A brief record of spoken thought," notes of talks in Friends' meetings, funeral services, etc., 1918-1923.
Box 6
"Brief notes on talks "in the Library at close of Meeting", 10/13 and 10/20/1918.
Box 6
Speech given at Cheyney Training School Commencement, June 18, 1919.
Box 6
"Personal Influence," Florence, 1871-1890, 7-30-1871.
Box 6
"Spiritual Growth," Florence, 11-26-1871.
Box 6
"Leaf Transformation," Botany section of Natural History Society, 5-11-1885.
Box 6
"Two Days after Christmas, or What the Christmas Tree Thought About It", 1885.
Box 6
"Tribute to Cousin Anna Bunker", 9-3-1885.
Box 6
"Everyday Heroism," Florence, 1-3-1886.
Box 6
The Ministry of Nature, 6-27-1886.
Box 6
"Elements of Happiness," N.Y. League of Unitarian Women, Yonkers, 5-2-1890.
Box 6
"Obedience is Training for Moral Strength", 12-26-1890.
Box 6
"The Movement for Social Purity, Church at Broad and Brandywine", 1891-1896 2-5-1891.
Box 7
"The Youth of Some Eminent Americans," Washington, 11-17-1893.
Box 7
"The Harry Wadsworth Spirit," Swarthmore, 1-28-1894.
Box 7
"Friends and Good Citizenship," Young Friends' Assoc., Philadelphia, 1-14-1895.
Box 7
"The Ministry of Friendship," read to Swarthmore College, 4-14-1895.
Box 7
"A Spring Parable", 4-19-1896.
Box 7
Physical Description

printed

"The Claims of Beauty Simplicity," Woodstown Young Friends' Assoc., 11-27-1896.
Box 7
"The Root of Courtesy," Swarthmore College Students, 12-6-1896.
Box 7
"The College," Civic Club of Philadelphia, 1898 2-5-1898.
Box 7
Scope and Contents

Also notes on Importance of Primary and Secondary Schools

"Poetry as a Means of Culture," Race St. Conference, 2-12-1898.
Box 7
"Summer Days in England", 2-1?-1898.
Box 7
"Cooperation," Swarthmore College Students, 10-9-1898.
Box 7
"Epistles of John," Conference at 15th Race, 4-16-1899.
Box 7
"Blessed are the Pure in Heart," Girls' Meeting, Swarthmore College, 1901-1902 2-10-1901.
Box 7
'Queries,' First Day Evening Collection, 6-9-1901.
Box 7
"The Scope of Motherhood," Mothers' Congress, Trenton, N.J., 11-8-1901.
Box 7
"Swarthmore Day at New Century Club," Wilmington, 5-15-1902.
Box 7
"First Day Evening Collection", 6-8-1902.
Box 7
"Memorial to Howard M. Jenkins", 11-10-1902.
Box 7
"Inauguration of President Swain," Swarthmore College, 11-15-1902.
Box 7
"Memorial to Charles Thompson", 1903 3-8-1903.
Box 7
"The Modern Appeal, Friends' Equal Rights Assoc.," Race St., Philadelphia, 3-27-1903.
Box 7
"English Friends their Summer Settlement at Woodbrooke," Annual Meeting of Friends' Library Assoc., 11-13-1903.
Box 7
"Reverence," Swarthmore Mothers' Club, 4-24-1903.
Box 7
"The Guidance of Youth," Council of Unitarian Women, Philadelphia., 1904-1907 5-19-1904.
Box 7
"A Day on the Heights" (Mt. Washington, N.H.), 8-11-1904.
Box 7
Scope and Contents

Printed in "Among the Clouds"

"Joyous Living," Swarthmore Meeting, 6-4-1905.
Box 7
Scope and Contents

Printed in Friends Intelligencer, 6-17-05

"100th birthday of Wm. L. Garrison", 12-10-1905.
Box 7
"The Teaching of Morality and Religion in Public Schools," New Century Club, 2-21-1906.
Box 7
"Blest of the Gods," poem printed and read at annual meeting of Phi Beta Kappa, Swarthmore College, 1907.
Box 7
"Reminiscences of the National Arbitration and Peace Congress, 4-14-1907.
Box 7
"Introduction to Wilbur's ELIAS HICKS", 6-2-1907.
Box 7
"At luncheon of Swarthmore Girls, in Brooklyn", 1910-1915 3-5-1910.
Box 7A
"From a Present-day Journal", 11-22-1910.
Box 7A
Physical Description

2 copies

"A Penitential Pilgrimage", 10-19-1912.
Box 7A
Scope and Contents

Printed in Friends' Intelligencer

"Our Municipal Heroes", 2-1?-1913.
Box 7A
"From the INDEPENDENT'S 'Shameful Law'", 10-30-1913.
Box 7A
"To Swarthmore College Students," Friends at Race St. Conference, 3-29-1914.
Box 7A
"The Scope of the Meeting," N.Y. Yearly Meeting, 5-27-1914:.
Box 7A
"Hope for the Colored race," letter to editor of Public Ledger, 7-16-1914.
Box 7A
"The Historical Medlar Tree," Horticultural Club, Germantown, 12-14-1914.
Box 7A
Decoration Day, Memorial Meeting for Lucretia Mott and others, 1915.
Box 7A
For Swarthmore First Day School, 1-31-1915.
Box 7A
"Comparative Morality", 1916-1923 1-22-1916.
Box 7A
"Reminiscences of a Great Day as given to the Girls of Friends Central School", 2-2-1916.
Box 7A
"A Pentecostal Day Memorial to Martha Schofield," in Friends' Intelligencer, 2-12-1916.
Box 7A
"The Star of Ethiopia," letter to editor of Public Ledger, 5-19-1916.
Box 7A
"Elizabeth Lloyd, a Memorial", 6-23-1917.
Box 7A
Scope and Contents

Printed in Friend's Intelligencer

"A Presentation", 2-5-1918.
Box 7A
"That Juvenile Lynching," letter to editor of Public Ledger, 7-16-1918.
Box 7A
Physical Description

2 copies

"Start of Race Riots Laid to Slave Importation in 1620", 8-16-1918.
Box 7A
"Increase Our Faith", 9-21-1918.
Box 7A
"Thanks for Troop Pictures", 3-2-1919.
Box 7A
Speech given at Cheyney Training School Commencement, 6-18-1919.
Box 7A
"Remarks at Memorial Service for Isaac Clothier", 1-18-1921.
Box 7A
Collection, 9-21-1921.
Box 7A
Memorial to Emily Wilbut, 5-27-1922.
Box 7A
Memorial to Russell Loines, 1922.
Box 7A
"A Reminiscence of Bemerton, England," The Phoenix.
Box 8
"Celandine- An Appreciation".
Box 8
"The Children's Hour".
Box 8
"Co-education Co-education at Swarthmore College".
Box 8
"Going on Rough Ice".
Box 8
"Learning to Read".
Box 8
"The Sacredness of Motherhood".
Box 8
Scope and Contents

Includes mss. on Motherhood

"New England Reminiscences".
Box 8
"Particular Advices".
Box 8
"From the Party of Ten".
Box 8
"Torch- Bearers".
Box 8
"Vassar, the Pioneer".
Box 8
"Worship".
Box 8
Memorials, verses.
Box 8

Quotations, cards, and keepsakes.
Box 8
Special events, such as Vassar College fiftieth anniversary.
Box 9
Material removed from Bible.
Box 9
Scope and Contents

See also Relics #s 98 & 98a.

Annotated books (3).
Box 9
Pamphlets, programs, clippings.
Box 9
Guest Book, Elizabeth Powell Bond Guest Room, 1921-1956.
Box 10
Guest Room located in Parrish Hall, West, #135, 1921-1928.
Box 10
Bond Tower, Bond Memorial, 1828-1934.
Box 10
Activities Lodge, #5, 1934 -?.
Box 10

Scope and Contents

See also: Picture file: medium- portraits, Bond.

Photograph of Dean Bond sitting for portrait by English painter, Percy Bigland.
Box 10
Scope and Contents

Original now hangs in Bond Hall, Swarthmore College.

Pictures of relatives, friends, places visited.
Box 10

Print, Suggest