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Charles and Priscilla Townsend 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:
RG5.350
Repository:
Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College
Extent:
1 linear ft. (2 boxes)
Language:
English
Preferred Citation:
[Indicate the cited item or series here], Charles and Priscilla Townsend Family Papers, RG5/350, Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College.
Date:
1811-1858 (bulk) and 1793-2020 (inclusive)
Creator:
Townsend family
Abstract:
Members of the Charles and Priscilla Townsend family were active in the Society of Friends in Philadelphia and in Quaker concerns, especially penal reform, abolition, and the natural sciences. The collection includes journals, correspondence, and writings in addition to transcripts and reference material on family members. Much of the material is available in published form.

Charles Townsend (1777–1859), a Philadelphia watch and clockmaker, and Priscilla Kirk (1785–1862) of York County, Pennsylvania, were married at Darby Meeting House in 1803. Charles was the son of John Townsend and Hannah Cox Townsend, and Priscilla was the daughter of Elisha Kirk and Ruth Miller Kirk. Priscilla gave birth to twelve children, only seven of whom lived to adulthood. These were Elisha (1804-1858), Edward (1806-1896), Charles (1807-1866), John Kirk (1809-1851), Hannah (1812-1851), Mary (1814-1851), and Elizabeth (1824-1869). Priscilla and Charles Townsend were prominent members of Green Street Monthly Meeting and in 1833 were among the founding members of Spruce Street Monthly Meeting. Priscilla was a recorded minister in the Society of Friends.

The children of Charles and Priscilla Townsend continued their parents' legacy of accomplishment and social concern. The eldest, Elisha Townsend (1804-1858) married Elizabeth Haydock in 1826 and was a prominent dentist. Edward Townsend (1806-1896) married Ann Albertson Townsend in 1833. He was a dentist but best known for his work in penal reform. His wife was an acknowledged Quaker minister, and they had five children. Charles Townsend (1807-1866), also a dentist, married Elizabeth Fawcett, and they had five children. The youngest son, John Kirk Townsend (1809-1851) was a prominent naturalist and ornithologist. He married Charlotte Holmes. Neither daughter Hannah (1812-1851) or Mary (1814-1851) married, and both dealt with fragile health. The sisters were writers and active in the abolitionist movement. The youngest daughter, Elizabeth "Lizzie" (1834-1869), married Mahlon Kirk in 1854, and they had three children.

Members of the Charles and Priscilla Townsend family were active in the Society of Friends in Philadelphia and in Quaker concerns, especially penal reform, abolition, and the natural sciences. The collection includes journals, correspondence, and writings in addition to transcripts and reference material on family members.

Series 1: Family papers.

Series 2: Reference and copies

The letters and writings were preserved by the descendants of Edward Townsend and Elizabeth Townsend Kirk.

Much of the material has been edited and published. See book catalog for copies.

Gift of Dana Dunbar King, FHL 2023.018

Sorted into two series, manuscripts and reference.

Published volumes: A collection of Townsend family letters, 1810-1858 : letters provided by Charles Townsend Spackman, Frederick Townsend Spackman and Donald Townsend Little; The diary of Priscilla Kirk Townsend in fourteen small books, 1848-1861; A collection of Townsend family letters, 1776-1957.

Mary Townsend's Life in the Insect World : or, Conversations Upon Insects Between an Aunt and Her Nieces (Philadelphia: Lindsay & Blakiston, 1844); 2 copies of Hannah Townsend's History of England in Verse (Philadelphia: Lindsay & Blakiston, 1852) one signed by Mahlon Kirk, 1882 and one signed by Priscilla Townsend 1832 and Mary T. Kirk; Poems of the late Elizabeth Fawcett Townsend (Philadelphia: C. Sherman & Son, 1862); John K. Townsend's Narrative of a Journey across the Rocky Mountains to the Columbia River (Philadelphia: Henry Perkins, 1839)

People
Subject

Publisher
Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College
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

William Lavery, Philadelphia, to Ruth Kirk, York Town, Pa., 1793.
Box 1
Scope and Contents

Signed autograph letter to Ruth Kirk, mother of Priscilla. Condolences on death of her husband Elisha Kirk

Copy of letter to Priscilla Townsend, concerning deathbed of unknown person, undated.
Box 1
Scope and Contents

Deathbed conversation sent to Priscilla by Emma Parke

Priscilla Townsend to Charles Townsend, 1811, 1821.
Box 1
Scope and Contents

2 signed autograph letters, with photocopies.

Charles Townsend to Priscilla Townsend, 1811,1833.
Box 1
Scope and Contents

2 signed autograph letters; the 1833 letter sent from Poughkeepsie, New York

Priscilla Townsend to her children , 1838, 1849.
Box 1
Scope and Contents

A signed autograph letter written onboard a boat traveling on the Canal, 1838. A signed autograph letter, 1849 sent from Fishing Creek.

Composite letter from Townsend family, Philadelphia, to Mary B. Kirk, Sandy Spring, Maryland, 1842.
Box 1
Scope and Contents

Oversized signed autograph letter and written by members of the family to Cousin Mary, Brown Kirk, with individual notes and a poem by Elizabeth

Charles Townsend to daughter Elizabeth, 1846.
Box 1
Benjamin Ferris to Charles Townsend, 1853.
Box 1
Scope and Contents

Note of congratulations on his wedding anniversary

Priscilla Townsend to her daughter Elizabeth, 1850-1858.
Box 1
Scope and Contents

5 Signed autograph letters. Affectionate letters, one (1854) from her father, Charles Townsend. Family news and concerns

Priscilla Townsend, Philadelphia, to My dear Cousin, 1859-09-19.
Box 1
Scope and Contents

Written after the death of her husband with an account of deaths in her family and birth and deaths of her children.

Elisha Townsend poem for sister Mary, undated.
Box 1
Scope and Contents

Christmas wishes. Mary died in 1851

Elisha Townsend letters, 1852, 1858.
Box 1
Scope and Contents

Signed autograph letter to his mother and father, 1852. 1858 letter is a handwritten copy of letter to his sister, describing his illness and hoping for some relief

Anniversary wishes from Elisha and wife to his parents, 1853.
Box 1
Letter of introduction for John Kirk, undated.
Box 1
Scope and Contents

In Japanese.

John Kirk, Washington, D.C., to Priscilla Kirk, Philadelphia., 1842, 1844.
Box 1
Scope and Contents

2 signed autograph letters, health concerns and his current projects

Maria Lowell to Mary Townsend, 1847, 1851.
Box 1
Scope and Contents

Short notes of appreciation

Note to Elizabeth from T.H., 8mo 27.
Box 1
Elizabeth Townsend, Philadelphia, to Mary B. Kirk, Sandy Spring, 1843-08-21.
Box 1
Scope and Contents

To cousin Mary B. Kirk, and others. Signed autograph letter describing visit to Cape May, New Jersey, enjoying the ocean. Family news

Elizabeth Townsend, Sandy Spring to sister Mary Townsend, 1849-09-25.
Box 1
Scope and Contents

Long letter with family news

Elizabeth Townsend, Sandy Spring, to sister, 1849-10-21.
Box 1
Scope and Contents

Family news

Elizabeth Townsend, Philadelphia, to "My dear friend", 1850-01-31.
Box 1
Scope and Contents

Includes an account of visit of Frederica Bremer. Also photocopy of a typed copy of a letter from James Russell Lowell to Elizabeth Townsend

Elizabeth Townsend to Mahlon Kirk, II, 1850s.
Box 1
Scope and Contents

"Dear cousin," her future husband

Letter from John ?, Washington, DC, undated.
Box 1
Scope and Contents

A copy? The author of the letter defended slavery and argued for a gradual end rather than immediate. Also included, a printed petition from women of [blank] Pennsylvania for immediate end of slavery in D.C., etc. Mary and Elizabeth Townsend were strong supporters of abolition.

Hannah Townsend diaries, 1833.
Box 1
Scope and Contents

Journal of a steamship trip to New York City; she commented on raucous 4th of July celebration. The the trip continued to New Rochelle and up the Hudson, returning on the Delaware River. She mentioned visits from Elias and Willett Hicks, Isaac T. Hopper, Edward Hopper and other prominent Friends. Also a draft typed transcript

"Letters and Diaries - H. Townsend", 1836-ca. 1849.
Box 1
Scope and Contents

Bound volume contains a copies of her "letters' written in verse. Antislavery sentiments, "Diary" in verse of the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, 5 month 1840, including her reactions to queries and Committee reports. Letter to Grace Anna Lewis, 3 month 9, 1845. "Characters written for dolls sold at the Antislavery Fairs," including cook, housekeeper, fugitive slave.

"The Falls Song", undated.
Box 1
Scope and Contents

Narrative poem by Hannah and Elizabeth Townsend

"Flowers", 2023-06-10.
Box 1
Scope and Contents

Botanical Emblems volume 1 1834 (dried flower inside)

Poem by Mary Townsend, 1846.
Box 1
Scope and Contents

Manuscript and photocopies

Hannah Townsend, account of her grandmother, 1850.
Box 1
Scope and Contents

Very faded account in small notebook together with handwritten copy by her sister Elizabeth and a typed transcription. Romantic telling of her grandmother's courtship.

"Housekeeper's report".
Box 1
Scope and Contents

In verse by Elizabeth Townsend

Elizabeth Townsend album, 1832-1838.
Box 1
Scope and Contents

Note inside cover: "To Mahlon Kirk, Jr. This album belonged to thy dear Mother....January 1882, MK"

Printed biographical sketch of Elisha Townsend, circa 1900.
Box 2
Scope and Contents

Includes published portrait drawing. Elisha was trained as a watchmaker, tried his hand on stage, and in 1832 turned to dentistry. He was a founder of the American Society of Dental Surgeons AND THE Philadelphia College of Dental Surgeons, among other achievements.

John Townsend biographical reference.
Box 2
Scope and Contents

Photocopies: Dictionary of American Biography, an excerpt from his brother Edward Townsend Memoirs; John Kirk Townsend by Witmer Stone, Cassinia: Proceedings of the Delaware Valley Ornithological Club; extract from Audubon and Xanus (1992)

John Townsend family letters at the National Academy of Science, Philadelphia (photocopies), 1834-1836.
Box 2
Scope and Contents

John Townsend family letters at the National Academy of Science, Philadelphia

John Townsend publications.
Box 2
Scope and Contents

Title pages

Edward Townsend obituary.
Box 2
Scope and Contents

Typed copy of obituary in The Progress (Darby, Pennsylvania)

Memoirs of Edward Townsend.
Box 2
Scope and Contents

Typed manuscript by granddaughter Elizabeth S. Hoadley

Warden's Report, Edward Townsend, 1871.
Box 2
Scope and Contents

Annual Report of the Inspectors of the State Penitentiary for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania to the Senate and House of Representatives.

Transcript of journal of Charles Townsend (1773-1859), 1838, 1835.
Box 2
Scope and Contents

Journey by steamboat to New York to attend Yearly Meeting, with details of the meetings. He and Priscilla stayed with Hannah Corlies. Mention in particular of sermons of George Truman and approval of memoranda to Congress regarding abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia. Their journey continued Upstate, visiting Friends and Meeting. Priscilla spoke. Mention of Lydia and Lucretia Mott, the case of Harvey Fink, and efforts to avoid products of enslaved workers.

Transcript of journal of Charles Townsend (1773-1859), 1838.
Box 2
Scope and Contents

Journey with wife Priscilla Townsend through Pennsylvania Canal and west to Pittsburgh and Ohio. Attended Indiana Yearly Meeting. Daniel Quimby urged that Friends should not mingle with other denominations in the cause of abolition.

Will and estate inventory of Charles Townsend, 1775-1776.
Box 2
Scope and Contents

Photocopies and transcripts. Charles Townsend (1706-1776) was the grandfather of Charles Townsend (1773-1859) who married Priscilla Kirk. His Will was executed by Benjamin Chew.

Print, Suggest