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Livezey-Laughlin Family Papers, 1746-1948
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
Thomas Livezey (1723/4-1790) married Martha Knowles in 1748 at Abington Monthly Meeting. He was a miller and expanded the family property along the Wissahicken and Cresheim Creeks. He and Martha had at least ten children. Sons John (1753-1826) and Joseph (1764-1841) were in business together, including the mill and real estate investments. John married Abigail Ridgway (1763-1854), a Quaker minister, and they had two sons, John and Thomas. Abigail was a charter member of Frankford Monthly Meeting, but was disowned for joining the Hicksites in 1831. She became a member on request at Frankford Monthly Meeting in 1844. Thomas married Ann Louise Phillips out of unity, but acknowledged and remained a member of Green Street Monthly Meeting.
This collection includes correspondence and legal and financial papers of the Livezey and Laughlin families. Of particular interest are business and property records of the Livezeys in the Roxborough area of Philadelphia. Series 6, Publications, contains a particularly rich collection of nineteenth century printed ephemera that was retained in this archival collection because of its unusual breadth.
Gift of Herb Lapp, 2008-2019, and Jane Livezey Laughlin, 2010.
Photographs of the Livezey and Laughlin families have been stored separately in PA
People
Subject
- Publisher
- Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College
- Finding Aid Author
- FHL staff
- Finding Aid Date
- 2008
- Access Restrictions
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Collection is open for research.
- Use Restrictions
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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
Thomas [4-11] (1723/4-1790) married Martha Knowles in 1748 at Abington Monthly Meeting. He was a miller and expanded the family property along the Wissahicken and Cresheim Creeks; later his children expanded this to 911 Allens Lane to a house called Fairview. He and Martha had at least ten children. Sons John [5-44] (1753-1826) and Joseph [5-50] (1764-1841) were in business together, including the mill and real estate investments. Their investments included property in Westmoreland County. John married Abigail Ridgway (1763-1854), a Quaker minister, and they had two sons, John [6-106] and Thomas [6-107] (See Series 2). Abigail was a charter member of Frankford Monthly Meeting, but was disowned for joining the Hicksites in 1831. She became a member on request at Frankford Monthly Meeting in 1844. Joseph did not marry, and his nephew, Thomas [6-107], inherited the family mill. Thomas married Ann Louise Phillips out of unity, but acknowledged and remained a member of Green Street Monthly Meeting.
This series includes the papers of Livezey family members in the fourth and fifth generations, as described by Smith. Prominant among these are Thomas [4-11] and Martha Livezey as well as their sons, John [5-44] and Joseph [5-50], as well as John's wife, Abigail Ridgway Livezey.
Arranged chronologically.
Description of his property along the Wissahicken
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From London.
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Concerning road.
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Cargo of flour beonging to John and Joseph Livezey.
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Removed from Thomas Livezey's 1818 copybook and 1821 journal; includes appreciation for her cousin taking in her two younger brothers.
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Property concerns. Considering moving to Northwest Territory.
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From Virginia
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Offers to give advice on taking up farming.
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Invitation to come for breakfast, along with her husband.
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John's copies of letters to Ann Mifflin, Thomas Evans, and John Purdon [?].
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Arithmetic problems
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Arithmetic problems
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Includes a poem.
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Part book by A.L., probably Abigail Livezey
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Attributed to Abigail Livezey
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Damages to property
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Endorsed by Thomas Livezey
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Thomas Livezey (1689-1759)
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Property of Thomas Livezey, deceased [4-11]
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Mortgages, bonds, etc.
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John Livezey [5-44], one of Overseers of the Poor for the Township
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Vs. Benjamin Gorgas and others
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John Livezey was requested to help Barbara Evans write her will in 1812 and was an executor. The will was contested by Barbara's daughter
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His defense of his actions
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Abigail Ridgway Livezey, wife of John
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Front Cover: "Wheat 1773;" back cover: "Indian Corn Book, 1791"
Account book
"Roxborrow Township" inscribed on cover
"Roxborrow" inscribed on front cover
No cover, possibly belonging to John Livezey.
No cover, possibly belonging to John Livezey.
Contains undated letter recounting an incident of debt collection.
Also contains receipts for both John Boldy's and Thomas Livezey's estates.
Livezey was Mifflin's agent. Also contains loose draft letter to John Pudon concerning night school, sent from Glen Fern in 1814.
Also contains farm accounts
"Miller, Rowborow Township."
Contains receipts from Thomas Livezey's Mill near Germantown. Inscribed on the reverse cover: "This book belongs to John Livezey, Roxborow Township."
"Miller, Roxborrow Township"
Front includes purchase of mill from Thomas Shoemaker and separate accounts for physical improvements like building bridge, cooper shop, water house, and "The Expense of an addition [to] and the Repairs of Roxborrow Mill in the Tenure of Thomas Livezey for the year 1754" et. al. In back, opposite: Ginger Book for the Year 1804 (1803-1825).
Leonard Dorsey and John Livezey. Opposite side of book: Hauling accounts 1791-1797.
Book later used as a scrapbook, some pages obscured.
John and Thomas were the sons of John [5-44] and Abigail (Ridgway) Livezey. John (1798-1878) attended Westtown School married Sarah Marshall. He and his uncle, Joseph [5-50] Livezey, ran the family mill which was inherited by his brother Thomas. Thomas Livezey (1800-1884) was married out of unity to Ann Louise Phillips in 1836. He made acknowledgement to the Meeting and remained a member of Green Street Monthly Meeting. The Livezey property was acquired by the City of Philadelphia in 1869 to be part of Fairmount Park.
This series includes the papers of Livezey family members in the sixth generation, as described by Smith. Prominant among these are John [6-106] and Thomas [6-107] and Anna Louise [Phillips] Livezey. Additional correspondence of the latter to their daughter, Anna Louise, may be found in Series 3.
Arranged chronologically.
A schoolmate at Burlington
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Interesting travelogue.
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Withdrawing an offer
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Concerning the admission of his nephews to Haverford.
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Invitation to her wedding
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Business letterbook concerning sale of jeans and other goods. At back of book are accounts with Barstow and Carlisle, 1864-65, and a list of (household?) expenses for 1870. Also included is a letter from John Livezey to Thos Roberts concerning his wish to go into the cotton trade.
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Shipping speed trials
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Note asking if family is ill because they have not attended meeting regularly
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Reminiscing of hunting chestnuts along Wissahicken with his father
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Fragments of letters not sent?
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Becomes very rough draft after first few sentences. Two other very rough accounts, fragments
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More legible, but undated journal on oversized paper. Has a fragment of a letter addressed to Esteemed Cousin from Albany
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First paragraph copied into bound journal
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Some of the poetry in this file may be attributable to Thomas Livzey [4-11].
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R. Evans and others
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Note in pencil "Written by Mother the day she died December 20, 1900 (rattle from snake enclosed)
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Concerning adjustment of property line
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For mill on Cresheim Creek
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New Mount Pleasant
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John Livezey [7-173] was surviving executor and trustee in 1917
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Concerning flooding from Fairmount dam
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Removed from 1869-89 book
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Includes John Livezey estate, receipts to sons John and Thomas. Also contains loose note concerning a warning about trespassing.
Inside back cover says "Wheat book 1790"
Burlington Boarding School
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Burlington Boarding School
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Burlington Boarding School
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Was stored with art portfolio
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"Began at the Publick School of Germantown"
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Germantown School
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Germantown
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Germantown
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Includes, at end, copies of the deed and acknowledgement of Thomas [6-107] and Anna Louise Livezey granting land to the City of Philadelphia for Fairmount Park.
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Burlington School
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ca. 1816
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1819 receipts
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Burlington Boarding School
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Includes loose sketches (1847-8 by Thomas and John) and poems by Thomas Livezey [4-11 or 6-107]
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Essays on the kings of England
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With clippings glued on part
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Anna Louise Livezey was the oldest daughter of Thomas [6-107] and Anna Louise Laughlin. She married George Laughlin, a medical doctor, in 1871 or 1872 without the foreknowledge of her parents.
Includes the papers of the seventh generation of Livezeys, viz. George W. and Anna Louise Livezey [7-176] Laughlin, her brother, Thomas Livezey (1844-1916) [7-175], and sister, Sarah Marshall (Livezey) [7-177] Firth (1855-1930).
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The son of Thomas and Ann Louise Livezey, he attended Haverford College in 1858.
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John Livezey, Title Papers to Stable Lot on Buddens Alley [Estate of John Livezey (copy) to S.M.L. Firth Collateral inheritance on 1123 Arch Stret, Stable on Buddens Alley, Stable and coach house, Cherry Street, No.1128; Searches of John Grigg; Deed for premises north side of Buddens Alley, 125 ft. east of 12th St., Philadelphia, J.M. Kennedy, Geo. G. Barclay and A.C. Barclay (Executors) to Lewis J. Carre; Survey (copy) of Stable property of Elizabeth Stott, north side of Buddens Alley between 11 and 12th St., Mutual Assurance; Searches of Lewis J. Carre (Philadelphia); Brief title to premises N. side of Buddens Alley 125 ft. east of 12th St., Philadelphia 1782-1877
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For Anna Livezey
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Requests that he ask his father (Thomas) to pay subscription for Germantown meeting
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Including development of Cresheim Valley Road
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Concerning Buddens Alley.
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211 No. Juniper Street, Philadelphia, Mrs. Firth Zineman to James F. McNaman; 1328 Pearl, Philadelphia, Alfred W. Ott to John McKenna; 1643 Waverly Place, Philadelphia, Thomas Livezey to Julia Ellis; Court House Point (?), Philadelphia, S.M.L. Firth to George W. Jones; Allens Lane, Philadelphia, S.M.L. Firth to James Passetty
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Includes documentation of debt of Margaret Seery (Mrs. McDermott), 1905-07.
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12 Good St., 73 and 75 E. Phil Ellena St., 110 E. Phil Ellena St., 16 Good St., E.S. Wayne Avenue (S.E. Allens Lane), 6536 and 6538 Germantown Avenue
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Contains estate information for Anna L. Laughlin (7-176), John Livezey, William H. Phillips, and Thomas Livezey (7-175)
Contains newspaper clippings, the invitation, and information about the event.
Thomas Livezey Laughlin (1873-1946), an Ohio physician, was the son of George and Anna Louise Laughlin. His son, Thomas L. Laughlin Jr. (1907-1973) was also a medical doctor.
The papers of Thomas L. Laughlin [8-159] and his son, Thomas L. Laughlin Jr. [9-163]. The bulk of the material is included in a file of biographical information, correspondence, and related clippings which document the life and career of Thomas L. Laughlin Jr. This file was formerly mounted in a loose-leaf binder.
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Includes identification cards, military discharge papers, clippings and other materials documenting the life of Thomas L. Laughlin Jr. (1907-1973), a physician who served in the army in a number of capacities from 1926 to the end of World War II. Dr. Laughlin received his MD from Hanneman Medical College in Philadelphia in 1933, and practiced in the Cleveland area after 1936.
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Treatise copied by John Livezey.
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Contains two unidentified photos pasted inside and loose ephemers
Contains two undated booklets, "Chain of Colonial Houses" and "Guide to the Wissahickon Valley"
Includes newspaper clippings and informational pamphlet.
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"P. Beck, Philadelphia. Patent Shot No. 3"
Files are arranged by their original containers (envelopes, packages, folders, etc), except for the last two, which are arranged by subject as they were not held in a container.
Includes images of Thomas Laughlin family, home, and George Laughlin's place of employment
Contained in envelope addressed to Janie Laughlin from Dr. and Mrs. Victor C. Laughlin and taken from envelope addressed to Anna Livezey Laughlin. Includes photographs of Stratford-on-Avon (William Shakespeare's birthplace) and Brighton Beach. A Miss Burch, Richman, and Galden are photographed in various places.
Born 1876. Son of George Washington Laughlin and Anna Louise Livezey Laughlin. "Never married. Am told he was a gay man."
Glass plate negative of Thomas Laughlin and negative of Thomas Laughlin and mother Anna Louise Livezey Laughlin. "Taken on River Street in Dayton, Ohio."
Includes photographs with Anna Louise Philip Livezey Laughlin and unidentified children
Originally contained in a "Victor O'Neill" photograph folder. Written on back: "Thomas Livezey Laughlin III - son of Gertrude Gaul Laughlin and Thomas Livezey Laughlin II. After return from Africa summer 1966"
Includes images of hotels on the Wissahickon; Livezey Old Hall in Cheshire, England; and "Allen's Lane Living Room."
Contains photographs of various Laughlin family members as well as some unidentified people.
This remarkable collection of printed ephemera was kept with this collection to document the range of domestic reading. It has been divided into subseries by Library staff for the convenience of the resercher.
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Missing cover
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Stamped: Thomas Firth
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Stamped: Andrew J. Bracken, grocer.
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Stamped: F. Firth
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2 copies, one with ms. answers; labeled Thomas Livezey [6-107].
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Signed Joseph Livezey
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"Songs and sketches arranged by E. Nesbit and Robert Ellice Mack compilers of 'Seasons' Songs and Sketches." Published by E.P. Dutton and Company and printed by Ernest Nister.
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Contains ticket stub and letter to "Anna" from "John"
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Missing cover.
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No cover
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Missing cover
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Pamphlet (incomplete) on prostitution.
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Pamphlet (incomplete) on prostitution.
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Missing front pages, copy begins on page 15.
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First article discusses Livezey home.
"Thomas Livezey" on first page, missing covers and title page
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Plan of Cabins on reverse.
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Includes Bradshaw's Map of Railways, n.d.; The Cross and the Crescent Harpers Pictoral Map of the Seat of the War in the East, 1877; and An Improved Map of the Hudson River, 1836.
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Inscribed John Livezey/Haverford College
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(2) copies, one with Sartain's engraving of Haverford School tipped-in, inscribed Joseph R. Livezey, 11mo 4th 1852.
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