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British Friends' letters

 Collection
Identifier: HC.MC-861

Scope and Contents

Letters of English Friends containing information on Quaker history as well as religious and cultural activities.

The collection includes many letters sent to John Barclay in regard to his 1833 publication of The diary of Alexander Jaffray ...; letter (1820) of Isaac Braithwaite (1781­-1861) which discusses his strong objections to the position of Elias Hicks; 14 letters(1844­-1884) of John Bright (1811­-1889) on political matters; letters and papers relating to John Broadhead (1762-­1830) on the Seneca indigenous peoples and their visit to England in 1818; 18 letters (1853­-1854) of John Candler to his wife while he traveled in America; eight letters (1817­-1854) of Josiah Forster (1782­-1870); five letters (1754­01757) of Robert Foster telling of Friends' visits; seven letters (1765­-1782) of Ann Fothergill (1718­1802); letters (1826-­1842) of Elizabeth Fry (1780­-1845), sister of Joseph John Gurney; papers, including circular letters (1896) of James Rendel Harris (1852­-1941), telling of Friends' work in Armenian relief; letters of Mary Botham Howitt and William Howitt; letters (1881­-1901) of Henry Stanley Newman on publication of works documenting Friends' missionary activities; and 23 letters (1806-­1851) of poet Amelia Opie (1769-­1853).

The collection also includes letters relating to the activities of early Friends, including a 1690 letter from Robert Barrow (d. 1697), telling of the death and burial of George Fox; an epistle of William Caton (1636-1665); two letters (1661) of William Dewsbury (1621-­1688), written while he was imprisoned in York castle; letter (1654) from Richard Farnsworth (d. 1666), to Jacob Bottomley; letters and papers related to Margaret Askew Fell (1614­-1702); letter (1687) to Friends in Holland from Robert Sandilands; letter (1664) from William Smith (d. 1673) to George Fox, written while imprisoned; arrest warrant (1716) for Thomas Story (1662-­1742) for preaching in Kilkenny.

Dates

  • 1650 - 1985

Creator

Access Restrictions

The collection is open for research use.

Use Restrictions

Standard Federal Copyright Laws Apply (U.S. Title 17).

Historical Note

Quakers, also known as Friends, comprise a Christian religious movement called The Religious Society of Friends. The Religious Society of Friends was founded in England in the mid-17th century by George Fox, among others, and was one of many Protestant groups which broke from the Church of England in the years following the English Civil War (1642-1651). Quakers, despite their growing numbers in Britain, were persecuted by the state, causing many to move to North America.

Extent

1.25 Linear Feet (3 boxes)

Language

English

Overview

Letters of English Friends containing information on Quaker history as well as religious and cultural activities. The collection also includes letters relating to the activities of early Friends.

Arrangement

Letters are arranged alphabetically by author. In many cases, a brief indication of topics discussed in the letter(s) has been included as an aid to the researcher.

Processing Information

Original processing information unknown. Revised by Allison Hall; completed June, 2020.

Title
British Friends' letters, 1650-1985
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

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 Haverford College Quaker & Special Collections Library

Contact:
370 Lancaster Ave
Haverford PA 19041 USA US