Call Number:

SC.191

Repository:

Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College

Extent:

.1 linear ft. (.1 linear feet (1 folder.))

Language:

English

Preferred Citation:

Cite as: Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College, Alsop family papers, 1795-1830.

Date:

1795-1830 (inclusive)

Creator:

Alsop family, Alsop, Othniel, 1770-1836, Alsop, Hannah, d. 1820, Alsop, Robert, 1777-1850, and Alsop, Ann, b. 1774

Abstract:

This collection contains the correspondence of the Alsop and Brown families, particularly Othniel Alsop, Hannah Brown Alsop, and Othneil's English siblings, Ann and Robert Alsop. Other correspondents include Alice Jackson, Mary Coffin, and Ann Douglas. Also included are Othniel's naturalization documents, various wills, and calling cards from friends. Of particular interest is a letter dated 1799 from Othniel Alsop to sister in England, describing the "contagious fever" (yellow fever), a letter dated 1803 from John Ives describing sickness in Philadelphia, and one dated 1815 from R. Redman writing to his cousin Hannah Brown Alsop"a good account of Quakers helping one another in time of need." Also included is a letter dated 1828 from Othniel Alsop to wife Sarah, describing travels as a Quaker minister, a letter dated in 1829 from Othniel to his brother Robert, describing religious journeys and societies in New Jersey, Ohio, Indiana, and N.Y., and an undated letter from Othniel Alsop to brother Robert, discussing Quaker and Christian doctrine.

Othniel Alsop, a Quaker minister in the Philadelphia area, was born in 1770 in England to Scrivener and Mary Alsop. In 1795, he came to the United States, and in 1806 got a certificate to Philadelphia Monthly Meeting to marry Hannah Brown, daughter of Samuel and Rebecca Brown. That same year, the couple transferred to Northern District Monthly Meeting. Between 1806 and 1818 they had five children, Rebecca, Robert, George Morris, Samuel, and Hannah. Hannah Alsop Sr. died in 1820, and in 1824, Othniel went to Abington Monthly Meeting to marry Sarah Coeman Waring, widow of Elijah Waring.

Arranged in chronological order.