Call Number:

RG5.067

Repository:

Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College

Extent:

1.5 linear ft. (3 boxes)

Language:

English

Preferred Citation:

[Indicate the cited item or series here], Howland-Kirby Family Papers, RG5/067, Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College

Date:

circa 1790-circa 1973 (inclusive)

Creator:

Howland, Weston, 1852-1878, Howland, Abigail Hathaway, 1774-1867, Howland, Rebecca Kirby, 1825-1895, Howland, Weston, 1815-ca. 1901, Kirby, Abigail H. Smith, 1798-1861, Howland, Rachel, 1853-1934, Garrett, Alice H. Howland, b. 1867, and Kirby, George, 1794-1882

Abstract:

Howland and Kirby families were Quakers of Dartmouth, Fairhaven, and New Bedford, Mass. The collection contains primarily transcripts and photocopies of their papers. Of particular interest are dairies of Weston Howland, Jr., with notes on the arrival of whaling ships in New Bedford and details of a controversy over the New Bedford-Fairhaven bridge; those of Abby S., and Rachel, which describe a trip taken by Abby to New York, N.Y., and Washington, D.C. (1888) and women preaching at Friends meetings; and papers of George Kirby including town records (1827-1849) of Dartmouth, Mass., particularly relating to his duties as town treasurer; and genealogical materials.

Weston Howland (1815-ca. 1901) was a birthright Quaker and a prominent businessman involved in the whale oil industry. The Howland Family lived in and around New Bedford, Dartmouth, and Fairhaven, MA. The collection includes his will, correspondence, as well as papers related to his business. Weston married Rebecca Kirby (1825-1895), the daughter of George and Abigail Kirby. George Kirby (1794-1882) was both treasurer and tax collector for the town of Dartmouth. His financial and personal papers are included in the collection. Weston Howland, Jr. (1852-1878), son of Weston and Rebecca Howland, joined the family whale oil business. His correspondence with his parents as well as his journals are included in the papers. The journals of his sister, Rachel (1853-1934), are also included in the collection. One of his other sisters, Alice (b. 1867) was the mother of the donor of the collection, Elizabeth Howland Jordan.

The collection contains primarily transcripts and photocopies of the papers of George Kirby (1794-1882), farmer and local official, of Dartmouth, Mass.; his wife, Abigail H. (Smith) Kirby (1825-1895); their daughter, Rebecca (Kibry) Howland (1825-1895); her husband, Weston Howland (1815-ca. 1901), businessman and merchant, of Fairhaven and New Bedford, Mass.; and their children, Weston, Jr. (1852-1878), Rachel (1853-1934), and Abby S. (1861-1950) Howland, and Alice H. (Howland) Garrett (b. 1867). Chiefly includes personal diaries (1820-1891) of Howland family members and Abigail H. (Smith) Kirby, containing observations on the weather, trips taken, social activities, and daily and family affairs. Diaries of Weston Howland, Jr., include notes on the arrival of whaling ships in New Bedford and details of a controversy over the New Bedford-Fairhaven bridge; those of Abby S., and Rachel describe a trip taken by Abby to New York, N.Y., and Washington, D.C. (1888) and women preaching at Friends meetings; and diaries of Abigail H. (Smith) Kirby reflect her philosophical and religious life as well as involvement in the Dartmouth Friends meeting. Also contains correspondence, diaries, poems, property records, and other papers of Weston Howland, his wife, daughter, Alice H. (Howland) Garrett, and his mother, Abigail (Hathaway) Howland (1774-1867); papers of George Kirby including town records (1827-1849) of Dartmouth, Mass., particularly relating to his duties as town treasurer; and genealogical materials.

The collection is divided into six series:

1. Biographical and genealogical
2. Weston Howland
3. Howland family
4. Hathaway family
5. Kirby family
6. Miscellaneous