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Joseph Brinton 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

Joseph Brinton, an outspoken member of the Society of Friends from southeastern Pennsylvania, was active in the Wilburite schisms of the 1850s and 1860's in New Englnd. Born in 1828, the son of William and Gulielma Cooper Brinton of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, he attended Westtown School from 1837 and was an assistant teacher there in 1849. Brinton moved to Newport, Rhode Island, in 1851; he lived in the household of Thomas B. Gould, a prominent Wilburite minister, and was employed in his mill.

Joseph was appointed Clerk of Rhode Island Monthly Meeting (Conservative) in the early 1860's, but returned to Pennsylvania in 1863. He continued to meet for worship and business in his own home and retained the records of the Meeting until after 1867. He was disowned by Nantucket Monthly Meeting in 1866 although he disputed the authority of the Annual Meeting in New England which had laid down Rhode Island into Nantucket.

Before he moved south, Joseph married Mary Homans Howland in a Friends ceremony in Newport. Mary was the daughter of David P. and Anna Robinson Howland of Vassalboro, Maine. Mary H. Brinton died in 1870 after the birth of her fifth child. A year later, Joseph married her sister, Anna M. Howland, despite initial disapproval by his own family; Joseph and Anna had five children of their own. The family first lived near Gap in Lancaster County and then at Spring Hope near Ercildoun, in Chester County, Pennsylvania. He was a dairy farmer and operated a mill. Joseph rejoined Friends at Ercildoun from 1882 with a certificate from South Kingston Monthly Meeting, but resigned again in 1896 due to the fact that he felt Philadelphia Yearly Meeting was too conciliatory to the Gurneyites. He died of a stroke in 1917 at the age of 89.

The collection consists primarily of the journals of Joseph Brinton, his correspondence, and that of his wives, Mary H. and Anna H. Brinton. Although the latter spans the entire period, the bulk is from two time periods, 1857-68 and from the later 1880's to about 1900.

Joseph's journals document his experiences and religious philosophy. The earlier books, 1848-49 and 1849-50, focus on his early time at Westtown and other local schools, including a detailed chart of hours spent in sleep, study, and "idleness." The 1850-56 manuscript includes his daily bible readings. The later journals are rich in details of the Wilburite separations, with comments on personalities, events, and justification of his own actions. There are in-depth accounts of the General Meetings of Primitive Friends at Fallsington and Baltimore, including description of meetings for worship. The last journal, 1878-1916, relates contemporary events but also includes Joseph's reflections on the earlier events in his life.

Of particular interest in Series 2 is the communication between Joseph and other Wilburite Friends in New England in the 1850's and 1860's. This correspondence stops after Joseph's disownment in 1867 from Nantucket Monthly Meeting (Conservative). The year before Joseph himself was disowned two "dear Friends," Thomas Lamborn, a Wilburite minister from Poplar Ridge, and James Kite from Fallsington (Primitive), were also disowned. Joseph W. Maule and a portion of Ohio General Meeting ceased communication with Fallsington, Poplar Ridge, New England, and Nottingham as many of the Wilburite groups splintered. Joseph Brinton continued to hold a meeting for worship in his own home for family and friends.

Letters written between 1882 and 1884 from George Pollard and David C. Henderson, both of Norwich Monthly Meeting in Canada, describe some of the difficulties of Canadian Friends during this period.

There is a particularly long series of letters from Jacob Dingee, Jr. Dingee was granted a certificate from New Garden Monthly Meeting in Pennsylvania to Linn Monthly Meeting in Iowa in 1857. While there, he had particularly public marital problems, culminating in a letter from his Quaker neighbors to Joseph Brinton documenting his side of the dispute. By 1876 he was back in Pennsylvania where he was disowned in 1877 for "getting divorced from his wife; also marrying her again in a manner not according to our discipline; and is lately separated from her again; and has contracted debts."

Series 3 contains documents which relate to the Wilburite struggle, primarily in New England. Letters and other writings were contained in two envelopes marked "Letters of T.B.Gould" and "New England Friends - John Wilbur etc." In the 4th series, Charles Brinton's Creamer account book includes detailed information on the residents of the area around Ercildoun: births & deaths, schooling, and data about employment and land ownership.

Organization: Arranged into series: 1. Journals; 2. Correspondence; 3. Other Writings; 4. Financial records; 5. Miscellaneous.

Gift, Christopher Brinton, 2002, 2003, 2008.

Christopher Brinton is a direct descendent of Joseph Brinton.

Correspondence was enclosed in the original envelopes although it was clear that a few of the letters had been misplaced in different envelopes. Occasional comments in the journals by later family members.

Family bible. Trenton, NJ: Isaac Collins, 1791. Originally owned by Joseph and Susannah Brinton, later by Joseph Brinton.

Publisher
Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College
Access Restrictions

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

Commonplace book of Joseph Brinton, 1842-1847.
Box 1
Scope and Contents

Includes mostly school notes and essays as well as lists of Westtown students, 1842-43 & 1846-47, and "memoranda"

Physical Description

1 volume

Journal, 1848-1849.
Box 1
Physical Description

1 volume

Journal, 1849-1850.
Box 1
Physical Description

1 volume

Journal, 1850-51, 1854, 1856.
Box 1A
Physical Description

1 volume

Journal, 1861-1863.
Box 1A
Physical Description

1 volume

Journal, 1864-1866.
Box 1A
Physical Description

1 volume

Journal, 1866-1874.
Box 1A
Physical Description

1 volume

Journal, 1868-1916.
Box 1A
Physical Description

1 volume

[Memories], 1863.
Box 1A
Scope and Contents

Manuscript written in Newport and dated 6mo19 1863 which details the events which led to a schism in New England Yearly Meeting from 1859.

Physical Description

1 volume

Visit to Lydia A. Gould, 1875.
Box 1A
Scope and Contents

Small journal of his visit, including expenses.

Physical Description

1 volume

Family, 1854-1860.
Box 2
Scope and Contents

Letters sent home by Joseph Brinton from Rhode Island: 1854-56, 1857-59, and 1860.

Physical Description

3 folders

Draft of letter to Peleg Michell and James Austin about their unease concerning his "activity", 1866.
Box 2
Physical Description

1 folder

Anna, 1857-1902.
Box 2
Physical Description

1 folder

Mary, 1864-1866.
Box 2
Physical Description

1 folder

Unsent letters and fragments, 1884 and n.d.
Box 2
Physical Description

1 folder

Jesse Mary Ann Tucker family, 1867.
Box 2
Physical Description

1 folder

"My Dear One", 1863.
Box 2
Physical Description

1 folder

Anna, 1858-1863.
Box 2
Physical Description

1 folder

Anna, 1863-1867.
Box 2
Physical Description

1 folder

Joseph, 1864 & n.d.
Box 2
Physical Description

1 folder

Cynthia Hanson, n.d.
Box 3
Physical Description

copy

Mary, 1859-70 & n.d.
Box 3
Physical Description

1 folder

Joseph, 1884 & n.d.
Box 3
Physical Description

1 folder

Other Family, 1764-1957 & n.d.
Box 3
Scope and Contents

Correspondence received & sent

Physical Description

1 folder

Susanna Brinton, b. 1833, 1857-97 & n.d.
Box 3
Scope and Contents

Correspondence received & sent

Physical Description

1 folder

Jane Smith Brinton, b. 1874, 1898-1944 & n.d.
Box 3
Scope and Contents

Received & sent

Physical Description

1 folder

J.W. (Joseph William) Howland, b. 1839, 1857-95.
Box 3
Scope and Contents

Sent

Physical Description

1 folder

Mary B. Hopkins, b. 1831, 1860-1915.
Box 4
Scope and Contents

Received & sent

Physical Description

1 folder

Charles Brinton, b. 1876, 1894-95.
Box 4
Scope and Contents

Received & sent

Physical Description

1 folder

David Brinton, b. 1864, 1885-1924 & n.d.
Box 4
Scope and Contents

Received & sent

Physical Description

1 folder

Elma Brinton, b. 1872, 1905-47 & n.d.
Box 4
Scope and Contents

Received.

Physical Description

1 folder

David P. Anna R. Howland, 1809-1852, 1846-52 & n.d.
Box 4
Scope and Contents

Received & sent

Physical Description

1 folder

William Brinton, 1785-1878, Gulielma C. Brinton, 1794-1879, Cassandra Brinton, 1809-77 & n.d.
Box 4
Scope and Contents

Received & sent, primarily from the Joseph Brinton family. See also: Correspondence Received from Thomas B. Gould.

Physical Description

1 folder

Edward Brinton, 1901 & n.d.
Box 4
Scope and Contents

Received & sent>

Physical Description

1 folder

Jane B. Smith, 1836 & n.d.
Box 4
Scope and Contents

Received & sent

Physical Description

1 folder

William Brinton Jr., b. 1869, 1897-1908 & n.d.
Box 4
Scope and Contents

Received & sent

Physical Description

1 folder

Miscellaneous, 1845-1905.
Box 5
Scope and Contents

Includes letters from Thos. M. Harvey, Pennock Passmore, David Evans, Isaac C. Fallis, "Coz" JHC, and T.C. Battey.

Physical Description

1 folder

Sarah L. Wilson, 1860.
Box 5
Physical Description

1 folder

Joshua Maule, b. 1806, 1861.
Box 5
Physical Description

1 folder

Jacob Dingee, d. 1919, 1863-1909.
Box 5
Physical Description

1 folder

L.A. (Lydia Ann) Gould, 1863-64.
Box 5
Physical Description

1 folder

William C. Meader, 1863-65.
Box 5
Physical Description

1 folder

Levi Chase, 1863-65.
Box 5
Physical Description

1 folder

John L. (John Letchworth) Kite, 1798-1878, 1863-65 & n.d.
Box 5
Physical Description

1 folder

James D. (James Davis) Otis, William Hampton, b. 1826, Louisa M. Doudna, 1818-1898, Esther Austin, 1864.
Box 5
Physical Description

1 folder

Joseph E. Maule, 1817-1902, 1864.
Box 5
Physical Description

1 folder

Samuel Morris, 1864.
Box 5
Physical Description

1 folder

Thomas H. Whitson, d. 1907, 1864, 1894.
Box 5
Physical Description

1 folder

Ebenezer Esther Austin, 1864-65.
Box 5
Physical Description

1 folder

Thomas Lamborn, 1821-1892, 1865-67, 1888.
Box 5
Physical Description

1 folder

George Pollard, d. 1918, 1882-84.
Box 5
Physical Description

1 folder

David C. Henderson, 1882-84.
Box 5
Physical Description

1 folder

James Kite, d. 1917, 1883-97 & n.d.
Box 5
Physical Description

1 folder

John C. Dillingham, 1889-94.
Box 5
Physical Description

1 folder

N.B. (Narcissa Battey) Coffin, 1891.
Box 6
Physical Description

1 folder

Julia A. Sargent, d. 1902, 1893-94.
Box 6
Physical Description

1 folder

Nathan Martha G. Cook, 1894.
Box 6
Physical Description

1 folder

Joseph Walton, 1817-1898, 1895.
Box 6
Physical Description

1 folder

Ellwood B. Conrad, 1895.
Box 6
Physical Description

1 folder

Rebecca E. Lippincott, 1895-96.
Box 6
Physical Description

1 folder

Ella C. James, 1902-03.
Box 6
Physical Description

1 folder

Rowland H. Hazard, 1905.
Box 6
Physical Description

1 folder

Susie W. Tucker, 1839-45.
Box 6
Physical Description

1 folder

Miscellaneous, 1850-67 & n.d.
Box 6
Physical Description

1 folder

Louise D. Campbell, 1852-57.
Box 6
Physical Description

1 folder

L.A. White, 1853-57.
Box 6
Physical Description

1 folder

Abby L. Chase, 1854-68.
Box 6
Physical Description

1 folder

Rebecca H. Smiley, b. 1832, 1855-65.
Box 6
Physical Description

1 folder

Mattie Buck, 1858-60.
Box 6
Physical Description

1 folder

Peace (b. 1815) Mary E. Jones, 1858-62.
Box 6
Physical Description

1 folder

Miscellaneous, 1856-96.
Box 7
Physical Description

1 folder

L.A. White, 1858-70.
Box 7
Physical Description

1 folder

Jesse R. Tucker, 1859-62.
Box 7
Physical Description

1 folder

Abby L. Chase, 1860-1900 & n.d.
Box 7
Physical Description

1 folder

Susie W. Tucker, 1860-73.
Box 7
Physical Description

1 folder

Rebecca H. Smiley, b. 1832, 1862-1909.
Box 7
Physical Description

1 folder

L.A. Gould, 1862-66.
Box 7
Physical Description

1 folder

Sarah E. Mitchell, 1863-98.
Box 7
Physical Description

1 folder

William C. Meader, 1864-65.
Box 7
Physical Description

1 folder

Anna Chase, 1869-98.
Box 7
Physical Description

1 folder

Thomas B. Gould, 1852.
Box 7
Physical Description

1 folder

Scope and Contents

Removed from an envelope marked "Letters of T.B. Gould;" at least one was published by William Hodgson in his Selections from the Letters of Thomas B. Gould (1860)

From T.B. Gould concerning theology, 1842.
Box 8
Scope and Contents

To "My Dear Friend" from T.B. Gould concerning theology and news from the Quarterly Meeting at Providence

Physical Description

1 folder

T.B. Gould concerning theological issues, 1844.
Box 8
Physical Description

1 folder

Israel Buffinton, 1850.
Box 8
Scope and Contents

Israel Buffinton concerning the suit against the Gurneyites by the "smaller body" of Friends

Physical Description

1 folder

T.B. Gould concerning the memorial for Seth Davis, 1851.
Box 8
Physical Description

1 folder

John Wilbur about the illness of the former's wife, 1853.
Box 8
Physical Description

1 folder

Charles Perry (sp?) about John Wilbur's essay and other related issues, 1855.
Box 8
Physical Description

1 folder

Scope and Contents

Removed from an envelope with the slip: "New England Friends - John Wilbur etc."

Draft concerning the visit of Thomas (Gould) and Israel (Buffinton) to "the boarding school" (Mt. Pleasant) and Ohio Yearly Meeting, [1854].
Box 8
Scope and Contents

Draft concerning the visit of Thomas (Gould) and Israel (Buffinton) to "the boarding school" (Mt. Pleasant) and Ohio Yearly Meeting, with penciled remark: "James I thought this might interest thee please return it"

Physical Description

1 folder

Copy of letter from Joseph John Gurney, 1844.
Box 8
Scope and Contents

Copy of letter from Joseph John Gurney (To the Editors of the Friend) copied by L.A. Purinton and sent to David P. Howland

Physical Description

1 folder

Copy of John Wilbur's letter to Ann Jones, 1848.
Box 8
Physical Description

1 folder

Copy (by Chas. E. Hill) of letter of Joseph Edgerton to William Hill, 1847.
Box 8
Physical Description

1 folder

Letter from Rachel Rickerson to "my beloved friend", 1845.
Box 8
Physical Description

1 folder

Letter from Ann Jones to "My Dear afflected Friends and brother", 1845.
Box 8
Physical Description

1 folder

Copy of Stephen Grellet's Sermon, 1829?.
Box 8
Physical Description

1 folder

Letter (fragment) from John Harrison to John Wilbur, aa.1845.
Box 8
Physical Description

1 folder

Letter (fragment to John Wilbur) from Manchester [different hand from previous fragment], 1845.
Box 8
Physical Description

1 folder

David Purinton - Ledger (David Purinton), 1758-59.
Box 8
Scope and Contents

Ledger of lumber sales; also includes mathematics notebook (1785) and genealogical information.

Physical Description

1 volume

Joseph Howland Estate Papers, 1840.
Box 8
Physical Description

1 folder

Charles Brinton - Spring Hope Creamery - Milk Account, 1900-1902.
Box 8
Scope and Contents

Includes detailed lists of voters, school children, births, and deaths, 1905-1906, of individuals in the Ercildoun area.

Physical Description

1 volume

Joseph Brinton - Newport Bank record, 1858-1861.
Box 8
Physical Description

1 volume

Joseph Brinton -Receipts financial correspondence, n.d.
Box 8-9
Scope and Contents

Includes 1848-56, 1857, 1858, 1859, 1860 1mo-5mo, 1860 6mo-8mo, 1860 9mo-12mo, 1861, 1862, 1863, 1864-69, 1870-79, 1880-89, 1890-99,

Physical Description

1 folders

David Brinton: Day Book A, 1886-1892.
Box 9
Physical Description

1 folder

Ther. Account (weather), Charles Brinton, 1892-1893.
Box 9
Physical Description

1 folder

"The Young Endeavor" of Spring Hope School, 1891-94.
Box 9
Poetry, n.d.
Box 9
Physical Description

1 folder

Funeral Notices and Obituaries, 1886-1917.
Box 9
Physical Description

1 folder

Miscellaneous writings of Joseph Brinton and letters marked "not sent", 1888-1916 & n.d.
Box 9
Physical Description

1 folder

Fragments, including an account of a visit to Lancaster Meeting (Pa.) in 177?, n.d.
Box 9
Physical Description

1 folder

Marriage certificate, 1835.
Folder chart case M
Scope and Contents

Moses Moore to Mary Kirkwood, Lampeter (Sadsbury)

Physical Description

1 folder

Extracts and Miscellaneous Meeting Records, 1847-1858.
Box 9
Scope and Contents

Includes extracts, 1847-58 (NEYM, RIMM, RIQM), a disciplinary report for Rhode Island Monthly Meeting, 1847, and miscellaneous 1855.

Physical Description

1 folder

Almanacs, 1829-1888.
Box 9
Physical Description

1 folder

Deed: Swaffer to Cooper, Sadsbury, 1734.
Box 9
Physical Description

1 folder

Print, Suggest