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Hicks Family Papers

 Collection
Identifier: SFHL-RG5-282

Scope and Contents

The collection contains correspondence mostly relating to Quaker concerns, received by Isaac Hicks (1815-1900) and others; genealogical research of Benjamin D. Hicks, and miscellaneous collected papers concerning the Society of Friends and Swarthmore College. Correspondents include Samuel M. Janney, Job Scott, William Willets, and William I. Hull.

Dates

  • 1784-1940

Creator

Language of Materials

All materials in English

Limitations on Accessing the Collection

The collection is open to research.

Copyright and Rights Information

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/.

Biographical / Historical

The Hicks family of Long Island, N.Y., is descended from ancestors who arrived in Massachusetts in the 17th century. Thomas Hicks (b. 1640) removed to Long Island where he married Mary Washburn. Their grandchildren became members of the Society of Friends in the mid 18th century. A descendant, Elias Hicks (1748-1830), was an important New York Quaker minister whose preaching precipitated a separation in the Society of Friends in 1827/1828.

A cousin of Elias Hicks, Isaac Hicks (1767-1820) was a successful New York Quaker merchant and traveled extensively with Elias in his ministry. Isaac Hicks married Sarah Doughty in 1790, and they had six children. A daughter, Elizabeth (1805-1865) married William T. Cock in 1831. Their eldest child, John D. Hicks (1791-1829) married Mary Rushmore. They had seven children: Lydia, Isaac, Phebe, Samuel, Stephen, Valentine, and John D. Hicks. John D. Hicks (1829-1907) was on the founding committee of Swarthmore College and served on the Board of Managers.

Another son, Isaac Hicks (1815-1900) was a Quaker horticulturalist of Long Island, NY, who founded Hicks Nursery in 1853. He married Mary F. Willis in 1836. Isaac Hicks was active in Westbury Monthly Meeting and Quaker organizations. His grandson, Henry Hicks, married Caroline V. Jackson, Swarthmore College Class of 1892, and his granddaughter, Marietta, was in the Class of 1897. Marietta Hicks was long-time Clerk of Westbury Monthly Meeting and active in Quaker organizations and concerns. A distant cousin, Benjamin D. Hicks (1836-1906) pursued family genealogy.

Extent

0.5 Linear Feet (1 box)

Overview

The Hicks family was a Long Island, New York, Quaker family with extensive connections to prominent members of the Society of Friends. The collection contains correspondence, mostly relating to Quaker concerns, received by Isaac Hicks (1815-1900) and others; genealogical research of Benjamin D. Hicks, and miscellaneous collected papers concerning the Society of Friends and Swarthmore College.

Arrangement

Organized in five series:

  1. Correspondence
  2. Writings
  3. Benjamin D. Hicks genealogical research
  4. Miscellaneous papers
  5. Photographs

Physical Location

For current information on the location of materials, please consult the Library's online catalog

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of Graham Johnson, 2012 (Acc. 2012-010)

His wife is a Hicks descendant.

Related Materials

RG5/197: Isaac Hicks (1767-1820) Family Papers. Gift of Marietta Hicks, granddaughter of Isaac Hicks (1815-1900). A graduate of Swarthmore College in 1897, she was the collector of the Swarthmore College and Quaker published material represented in RG5/282, the Hicks Family Papers.

RG5/179 Eyre Family Papers

MSS 044: Elias Hicks Manuscript Collection also includes correspondence given by Marietta Hicks

Separated Materials

Individual photographs of Marietta Hicks, Isaac Hicks, and John D. Hicks removed to PA100/Individual Portraits. Oversized photographs of the Isaac Hicks family and 15th St. Meeting/Friends Seminary removed to Groups and Meeting House photographs.

Friends’ Seminary New York booklets were removed to reference, PG2/Schools:

Friends’ Seminary New York, 1901, 1903
Two brochures describing the School. Emily Hicks, younger sister of Marietta Hicks, is listed as Kindergarten teacher.

Swarthmore College memorabilia removed to RG6/College Archives:

Invitation to the Annual Shakespeare Evening, 12th Month 19th 1896
Performed by the Class of 1897. Marietta Hicks participated in several theatrics. See also Series 6 Photographs
New York Swarthmore Association, 1901, 1902
Menu/programs for the third and fourth annual banquets of the Alumni Association.
1898 Swarthmore Class Day program, 2nd day, 6th mo. 1898
Has a card inside for Miss Mary S. Howell, a member of the graduating class and close friend of Marietta Hicks.
Title
An Inventory of the Hicks Family Papers, 1784-1940
Author
FHL staff
Date
2012
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
English

Find It at the Library

Most of the materials in this catalog are not digitized and can only be accessed in person. Please see our website for more information about visiting or requesting reproductions from Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College Library

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Swarthmore Pennsylvania 19081 USA