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Frazer-Willets Family Papers

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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

Call Number:
RG5.208
Repository:
Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College
Extent:
2 linear ft. (5 boxes)
Language:
English
Preferred Citation:
[Indicate the cited item or series here], RG5/208 Frazer-Willets Family Papers, Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College
Date:
1756-1995 (inclusive)
Creator:
Frazer, John E., 1885-1960, Willets, Lila K. (Eliza Keese), 1873-1965, and Lapham, Anna W. (Anna Willets), 1878-1956
Abstract:
The Willets family were members of Westbury Monthly Meeting and lived at their farm, Homewood, from the mid 19th century until 1965. Eliza K. Willets, the last resident, was the daughter of Thomas Whitson Willets and Hannah Keese; known affectionately as Aunt Lila, she graduated from Swarthmore College in 1893. Her sister, Anna, married Edward Morgan Lapham of Chicago in 1908. In 1940, their daughter, Anne Willets Lapham, married E. Wayne Frazer, the son of John E. and Elizabeth Gamber Frazer, and moved to Pennsylvania.

The Willets family were members of Westbury Monthly Meeting and lived at their farm, Homewood, from the mid 19th century until 1965. Eliza K. Willets, the last resident, was the daughter of Thomas Whitson Willets and Hannah Keese; known affectionately as Aunt Lila, she graduated from Swarthmore College in 1893. Her sister, Anna, married Edward Morgan Lapham of Chicago in 1908. In 1940, their daughter, Anne Willets Lapham, married E. Wayne Frazer, the son of John E. and Elizabeth Gamber Frazer, and moved to Pennsylvania.

Papers of the Frazer and Willets families of Long Island, New York, and Delaware County, Pennsylvania.

Gift of Janet Frazer, 2000 (2000-013)

The following deeds, which were received with this collection, have been filed alphabetically by grantor in the FHL Deeds file:

  1. Deed. Andrew D. Cash releases lot on Westminster Avenue and Meeting house lane to John C. Cash for $1500.00. May 2, 1854
  2. Deed. Branson Vanleer and others release two lots on 8th street, first secured by William Branson to George and Benjamin Vanleer. December 3, 1789
  3. Deed. Branson Vanleer and others sell 99x170 ft lot on Chestnut and 8th street, Philadelphia, for 120 pounds in Gold and Silver, to George Vanleer and Benjamin Vanleer. June 14, 1782
  4. Deed. Dr. Benjamin Vanleer releases 151+ acres to his son Joseph Vanleer. January 24, 1811
  5. Deed. Dr. Charles Evans releases lot on South East corner of Haverford road and Westminster Avenue, Blockley Twp. Philadelphia, to Edward P. Hawkins for a fee of $300.00 per year. November 30, 1853
  6. Deed. Edward P Hawkins and Wife release lot on South East corner of Haverford road and Westminster Avenue, Blockley Twp., Philadelphia, to Elizabeth Vanleer (Wife of Branson Vanleer) for $2000.00 June 1, 1854
  7. Deed. George Mcgee releases premise Stiles and 18th streets to Elizabeth Vanleer for $5.00. 1857
  8. Deed. George Moore and Wife release 5000 acres of land in New Jersey to Benjamin Vanleer. June 9, 1786
  9. Deed. George Vanleer releases 2 lots of 8th street, to his brother Dr. Benjamin Vanleer for 5 shillings. December 31, 1789
  10. Deed. John Salkeld releases lot in Philadelphia 99ft x 178ft to William Branson for 50 pounds. 1730
  11. Deed. Major John C Cash releases premises on the South side of Westminster Avenue, Philadelphia, to Thomas Erskine for $650.00. June 7, 1864
  12. Deed. Samuel Allen releases premises on the South side of Stilus street, to Charles M. Wagner and his wife Mary for $50.00. September 17, 1855

People
Subject

Publisher
Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College
Finding Aid Author
FHL staff
Finding Aid Date
2008
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

Bible Entries, Willets-Frazer, Vanleer, and Keese families, 1756-1966.
Box 1
Scope and Contents

Photocopied from two family Bible, and originals from two family Bibles.

Physical Description

1 folder

Obituaries and funeral invitations, 1848-1927 and n.d.
Box 1
Physical Description

1 folder

Ancestral Tablets, ca.1912.
Box 1
Scope and Contents

Genealogical record complied by Ann Willets Lapham Frazer.

Physical Description

1 folder

Homewood, A Brief History, 1969.
Box 1
Physical Description

1 folder

Genealogical notes, n.d.
Box 1
Physical Description

1 folder

Edmund Willets passport, 1864.
Box 1

Gamber family Correspondence, 1828-1866.
Box 1
Scope and Contents

Removed from needlework pocketbook. The pocketbook has been removed and stored with FHL Relics.

Physical Description

1 folder

Anna Willets, received, 1871-1910 and n.d.
Box 1
Physical Description

1 folder

Miscellaneous correspondence, 1863-1881.
Box 1
Physical Description

1 folder

Hannah K. Willets, received and sent, 1871-74.
Box 1
Physical Description

1 folder

Martha W. Willets to Anna Willets, 1842.
Box 1
Physical Description

1 folder

Lila K. Willets, Mystic letter, 1890-91.
Box 1
Physical Description

1 folder

Lila K. Willets, Letter of condolence received from Elizabeth P. Bond, 1891.
Box 1
Physical Description

1 folder

Lila K. Willets, Kappa sisters circulating letter, 1895.
Box 1
Physical Description

1 folder

Willets Manufacturing Company Correspondence, 1909-10.
Box 1
Physical Description

1 folder

Lila K. Willets, received from Great Aunt Phebe, 1913.
Box 1
Physical Description

1 folder

Joseph Lapham to Edward M Lapham, 1920.
Box 1
Physical Description

1 folder

Miscellaneous correspondence, 1892-1970 and n.d.
Box 1
Physical Description

1 folder

John E Frazer, received, 1922-1989.
Box 1
Physical Description

1 folder

Elizabeth Frazer, received, 1929-1934.
Box 2
Physical Description

1 folder

Naomi Frazer, received, 1935-1974.
Box 2
Physical Description

1 folder

John E. Frazer Jr. Travel Correspondence, 1951-52.
Box 2
Physical Description

1 folder

John E Frazer, received, India Correspondence, 1955-1979.
Box 2
Scope and Contents

He wrote a number of articles including India's Energetic Sikhs (National Geographic, Oct. 1972)

Physical Description

1 folder

John E. Frazer, received, Greeting Cards, 1957-1973.
Box 2
Physical Description

1 folder

John E. Frazer, received, Telegrams, 1959-1961.
Box 2
Physical Description

1 folder

Estate of Stephen Willets: Indenture, 1862.
Box 2
Physical Description

1 folder

Mortgage. William B Vanleer to Elizabeth Vanleer, April 1, 1867.
Box 2
Scope and Contents

$8000.00, $4000.00 with interest and lot (Westminster Avenue, 54th street)

Physical Description

1 folder

The Last Will and Testament of Edmund Willets (copy), 1873.
Box 2
Physical Description

1 folder

Estate of Edmund Willets: Final Accounting, 1878.
Box 2
Physical Description

1 folder

Indenture, 1879.
Box 2
Physical Description

1 folder

Indenture, 1876.
Box 3
Physical Description

1 folder

Executors Deed, 1877.
Box 3
Physical Description

1 folder

Indenture, 1877.
Box 3
Physical Description

1 folder

Indenture, 1896.
Box 3
Physical Description

1 folder

Release of mortgage, 1901.
Box 3
Physical Description

1 folder

Warranty deed, 1901.
Box 3
Physical Description

1 folder

Transfer of Trustees, 1917.
Box 3
Physical Description

1 folder

Appraisal, 1927.
Box 3
Physical Description

1 folder

Release of Mortgage, 1955.
Box 3
Physical Description

1 folder

Estate of Anna Willets: Tax Documents, 1917.
Box 3
Physical Description

1 folder

Estate of Anna Willets: Deceased Trustee, 1925.
Box 3
Physical Description

1 folder

Estate of Henry G. Willets: Will, 1919.
Box 3
Physical Description

1 folder

Account book: List of Stocks, Bonds, etc. Owned by the Estate of Anna Willets, Eliza K. Willets, and Anna W. Lapham, 1929-1995.
Box 3
Physical Description

1 folder

Estate of Anna W. Lapham: General, 1951-1962.
Box 3
Physical Description

1 folder

Estate of Anna W. Lapham, 1956-1958.
Box 3
Physical Description

1 folder

Estate of Anna W. Lapham: Tax documents, 1956-1962.
Box 3
Physical Description

1 folder

Deed. West Laurel Hill Cemetery Company releases lot number 160, Worchester section to Elizabeth G. Frazer for $45.45., March 9, 1928.
Box 3
Physical Description

1 folder

The Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company, 1965-1982.
Box 4
Scope and Contents

Policy Information for John E Frazer Jr.

Physical Description

1 folder

Homeowners Policy. INA Underwriters Insurance Company, Los Angeles, CA., 1/10/1984-1/10/1985.
Box 4
Scope and Contents

Insured: John E. Frazer, 7102 Hilltop Road, Upper Darby, PA 19082

Physical Description

1 folder

Catherine Robinson: Commonplace Book, 1832-39.
Box 4
Physical Description

1 folder

Aaron Gamber: Travel Notes, 1845, 1851.
Box 4
Physical Description

1 folder

[Commonplace book] Scriptural Album with Floral Illustrations, for Anna., 1846-1851.
Box 4
Physical Description

1 folder

Diary/Datebook. John Frazer., 1901.
Box 4
Physical Description

1 folder

Scope and Contents

Alonzo Brown, a Quaker educator, was married to Elizabeth Van Leer.

Miriam. By North America Brown, 1900.
Box 4
Physical Description

2 copies in 1 folder

The Shadow of Tiresias. Alonzo Brown. Philadelphia: Leeds and Biddle Co., 1903.
Box 4
Physical Description

2 copies in 1 folder

Antoinette: A Wreath of Autumn Leaves. By Alonzo Brown. Philadelphia: Westbrook Publishing, 1904.
Box 4
Physical Description

2 copies in 1 folder

Broadax Chips from Woodland Township. Alonzo Brown. Philadelphia: Westbrook Publishing, 1904.
Box 4
Physical Description

2 copies in 1 folder

Children of the Sea and Marble Swan. Alonzo Brown. Philadelphia: Westbrook Publishing, 1905.
Box 4
Physical Description

2 copies in 1 folder

The Polypunch Papers. Edited by Jeremiah Dry-as-Dust, D.D. Philadelphia: Westbrook Publishing, n.d.
Box 4
Physical Description

2 copies in 1 folder

Miscellaneous family memorabilia, 1832, 1893 and n.d.
Box 4
Physical Description

1 folder

Writers Club of Delaware County, reminder and program cards., 1938-40.
Box 4
Physical Description

1 folder

Almanac. Pennsylvania Almanac for 1848. Philadelphia: Thomas Davis, 1848.
Box 4
Physical Description

1 folder

Miscellaneous Articles and Newspaper Clippings, 1970 and n.d.
Box 4
Physical Description

1 folder

The World Through Frazer-Colored Glasses or There's a Fjord in his Future.
Box 4
Scope and Contents

Hand-painted storybook

Physical Description

1 folder

Print, Suggest