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Russell-Pownall-Walton 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:
RG5.280
Repository:
Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College
Extent:
3 linear ft. (6 boxes)
Language:
English
Preferred Citation:
[Indicate the cited item or series here], RG5/280, Russell-Pownall-Walton Family Papers, Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College
Date:
1839-1983 (inclusive)
Creator:
Russell, Ruth E., 1900-1983, Russell, Charles, 1901-1955, Walton, Gertrude A. (Anna), 1867-1943, and Pownall, Bertha, 1871-1956
Abstract:
Journals, correspondence, and miscellaneous papers of the Russell, Pownall and Walton families of Pennsylvania. Of particular interest is material relating to the Swarthmore Chatauqua and to Swarthmore College.

The Pownall and Walton were Pennsylvania Quaker families who came to reside in Delaware County. The bulk of the collection involves Charles Regnier Russell and his wife, Ruth Elizabeth Pownall. Charles (1901–1955) and Ruth (1900–1983) Russell were longtime residents of Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, and were graduates of Swarthmore College in the Class of 1923.

Charles Russell was the son of Percy Russell and Agnes O. Regnier, members of New York Monthly Meeting. After graduating from Swarthmore College, he traveled with the Swarthmore Chautauqua circuit during the summer of 1921. He married Ruth Pownall in 1922. He served as Director of the First National Bank of Delaware County in Media and operated a small auto repair shop in Swarthmore. Ruth Elizabeth Pownall was born to Vincent Stubbs Pownall (1870–1942) and Bertha Julia Walton (1871–1956) in 1900 and was raised in Swarthmore where she attended Swarthmore schools and was a member of Swarthmore Monthly Meeting. Bertha Walton's sister, Gertrude Anna Walton (1867–1943), remained unmarried.

The collection contains papers from the Russell, Pownall and Walton families as well as a few items relating to the Stubbs family. These papers include the diaries and journals of Charles Regnier Russell, Elizabeth Pownall Russell, Bertha Walton Pownall and Gertrude Walton. Together, these diaries span the years from 1918 to 1949. The collection also contains genealogical records, reunion mementos, family photographs, marriage certificates and financial records.

Of particular interest is a series of letters sent by Charles Russell to Elizabeth Pownall before their marriage in 1922. These letters were sent while Charles Russell was traveling with the Swarthmore Chautauqua during the summer of 1921. The collection also includes Chautauqua memorabilia.

Folder titles and contents have been largely retained as arranged by the Piccards. The collection is divided into seven series:

  1. Ser.1 Charles Regnier Russell and Ruth Elizabeth Pownall
  2. Ser.2 Vincent Stubbs Pownall and Bertha Julia Walton
  3. Ser.3 Pownall and Walton Family Biographical and Genealogical Papers

This collection was collected and arranged by Joan Piccard and her daughter, Elizabeth Piccard. Joan is the daughter of Charles and Ruth P. Russell and married Donald Piccard.

Gift of Elizabeth Piccard, 2012 [Accession 2012.004]

Photographs received with this collection have been catalogued separately as PA 156. These include family photographs ca. 1871-1949, a photo album compiled by Charles Russell during his travels with the Chautauqua, and people and places in Swarthmore, Pa.

People
Organization
Subject
Place

Publisher
Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College
Finding Aid Author
FHL staff
Finding Aid Date
2012
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

Journal, 1934.
Box 1
Scope and Contents

January to August

Physical Description

1 folder

Journal, 1936.
Box 1
Scope and Contents

Few entries in a spiral memo pad. Includes postcard.

Physical Description

1 folder

Boating Log, 1939.
Box 1
Scope and Contents

Log of weather conditions and charting information for boating trips. Ruth, Joan and Charles Russell lived aboard a boat in the Chesapeake during the summer.

Physical Description

1 folder

Journal, 1925.
Box 1
Scope and Contents

Contains journal entries and loose leaf entries. Includes entries from a trip to West Liberty Iowa (Charles Russell's maternal homestead).

Physical Description

1 folder

Journal, 1930/1935.
Box 1
Scope and Contents

Also contains chart of Joan Pownall Russell's growth (born on January 23rd, 1930).

Physical Description

1 folder

Journal, 1932.
Box 1
Scope and Contents

Contains mementos/photographs from trips to Florida in 1932 and 1934. Also contains a Christmas letter from 1953.

Physical Description

1 folder

Journal, 1934.
Box 2
Scope and Contents

Contains travel mementos/photographs from a trip to New England and Canada in August of 1934.

Physical Description

1 folder

Journal, 1936.
Box 2
Scope and Contents

Few entries in a spiral memo pad.

Physical Description

1 folder

Journal, 1936.
Box 2
Scope and Contents

Label card indicates that this is Ruth Pownall Russell's journal recording the events of a trip to New York City.

Physical Description

1 folder

Journal, 1937.
Box 2
Scope and Contents

Runs from August 10th to 30th and includes entries from a trip to Canada

Physical Description

1 folder

Journal, 1949.
Box 2
Scope and Contents

Contains mementos and photographs from trips taken in 1949. Appears to be one of three.

Physical Description

1 folder

Journal, 1949.
Box 2
Scope and Contents

Contains mementos and photographs from trips taken in 1949. Appears to be one of three.

Physical Description

1 folder

Journal, 1949.
Box 3
Scope and Contents

Contains mementos and photographs from trips taken in 1949. Appears to be one of three.

Physical Description

1 folder

Chautauqua Letters from Charles Russell to Ruth Pownall, 1920s.
Box 3-4
Scope and Contents

Letters sent from Charles Russell to Ruth Pownall before they were married.

Physical Description

1 folder

Miscellaneous, 1917,1938,1949-58.
Box 4
Scope and Contents

Contains a small address book belonging to Ruth Pownall Russell as well as photographs of Joan Pownall Russell and friends, insurance cards, copies of the Swarthmorean from 1938 and 1949 and other miscellaneous papers.

Physical Description

1 folder

Memorials, 1955,1983.
Box 4
Scope and Contents

Contains the obituaries and memorial notes for both Charles Regnier Russell and Ruth Elizabeth Pownall.

Physical Description

1 folder

Swarthmore College Memorabilia, 1920s.
Box 4
Scope and Contents

Contains Swarthmore mementos including dance cards and invitations, sporting event schedules, dinner menus and performance programs.

Physical Description

1 folder

Chautauqua Miscellaneous, 1920s.
Box 4
Scope and Contents

Contains Chautauqua mementos, programs and photographs. Also contains menu for a "Pompadour Tea Room" and programs from other performances. The college observatory is seen in one of the photographs.

Physical Description

1 folder

Charles Russell scrap book, 1950.
Box 4
Scope and Contents

Contains newspaper clippings including some about a controversy over an "Atomic Survival" pamphlet passed out to Swarthmore residence.

Physical Description

1 folder

Charles Russell Tax Returns, 1920s/1930s.
Box 4
Scope and Contents

Black leather Alliance Insurance Company satchel containing tax returns for 1929 through 1939.

Physical Description

1 folder

Bertha Walton Pownall Journal, 1918-1919.
Box 5
Scope and Contents

Runs from January 1st, 1918 to December 29th, 1919. Additional financial information placed in the back of the journal.

Physical Description

1 folder

Diaries of Bertha Walton Pownall, 1893-1917.
Box 5
Scope and Contents

First diary runs from 1893 to 1917. Second diary runs from January 1st, 1918 to March 31st 1932. Brief entries. Keeps track of local births, death and marriages as well as larger events, especially those surrounding World War I.

Physical Description

1 folder

Bertha Walton Journal, 1940s.
Box 5
Scope and Contents

Loose leaf journal entries, WWII events in Swarthmore.

Physical Description

1 folder

Gertrude Walton Journal, 1920-1935.
Box 6
Scope and Contents

Scattered dates, but these two journals appear to cover 1920 – 1935. Gertrude was Bertha's unmarried sister.

Physical Description

1 folder

Gertrude Walton Journal, 1936.
Box 6
Scope and Contents

One year diary

Physical Description

1 folder

Gertrude Walton Journal, 1939.
Box 6
Scope and Contents

One year diary

Physical Description

1 folder

Gertrude Walton Journal, 1942.
Box 6
Scope and Contents

One year diary

Physical Description

1 folder

"National Diary", 1943.
Box 6
Scope and Contents

Attributed to Gertrude Walton

Physical Description

1 folder

Gertrude Walton Journal, 1936.
Box 6
Scope and Contents

Contains unbound journal entries from Gertrude's trip to Yellowstone National Park

Physical Description

1 folder

Bertha Walton Pownall Journal, 1940s.
Box 7
Scope and Contents

Contains unbound journal entries, some of which discuss World War II.

Physical Description

1 folder

Pownall Estate, 1932-1958.
Box 7
Scope and Contents

Includes the will of Vincent S. Pownall and Bertha W. Pownall as well as other financial documents like an appraisal of Bertha's personal property, the contents of Vincent's safe deposit box, and property deeds.

Physical Description

1 folder

Coat of Arms (Pownell), n.a.
Box 7
Scope and Contents

Contains an image of the Pownell coat of arms.

Physical Description

1 folder

Genealogical notes and records, 1789-1946.
Box 7
Scope and Contents

These records include births, deaths and marriages of the Stubbs, Walton, Coates, Pownall and Walker families, copied from family records.

Physical Description

1 folder

Map of Early Settlements of Delaware County, n.a.
Box 7
Scope and Contents

Undated map.

Physical Description

1 folder

Marriage certificate of Moses Pownall and Susanna Walker, 1839.
Box 7
Scope and Contents

Large marriage certificate written on vellum. Moses Pownall wed Susanna Walker under the care of Sadsbury Monthly Meeting in 1839

Physical Description

1 folder

Stubbs family miscellaneous, 1904,1913,1961.
Box 7
Scope and Contents

This folder contains a commemorative book for the anniversary of the Vincent Stone Stubbs Mansion House (with genealogy), a poem by Clayton Walton, and death announcements.

Physical Description

1 folder

Print, Suggest