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Robinson Family papers

 Collection
Identifier: HC.MC-1136

Scope and Contents

Papers consist of approximately 500 letters written by Mary Robinson Morton (1757-1829) in the period 1790-1829 and transcripts of these letters. She wrote most often to her parents, Thomas Robinson and Sarah Richardson Robinson, sisters Abigail Robinson and Amy Robinson Bowne (who married Robert Bowne of New York), and brothers Thomas and Rowland. The letters are primarily of a personal and family nature, reflecting the social and cultural attitudes of the day, touching occasionally on the Hicksite controversy within the Society of Friends, the yellow fever epidemic of 1793 in Philadelphia and its continued ravages in 1798, as well as on the dreaded effects of smallpox.

In addition, there are transcripts of other Robinson family correspondence, including that written by the French officer Vicomte de Noailles to Mary Robinson while he was stationed in Newport, which are currently housed elsewhere; abstracts of selected letters; genealogical information; poetry of Mary Morton and Amy Bowne and other miscellany; [The Robinson Family Letters], in typescript, edited by Deborah Smith Lutman, a direct descendant, ca. 1980.

Dates

  • Creation: 1723 - circa 1980

Creator

Limitations on Accessing the Collection

The collection is open for research use.

Copyright and Rights Information

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

Biographical / Historical

Mary Robinson Morton (1757-1829) was a minister in the Society of Friends. Born in Rhode Island, she moved to Philadelphia with her husband, John Morton, whom she married in 1793.

Extent

3.25 Linear Feet (6 boxes, 3 volumes)

Language

English

Overview

Primarily the letters of Mary Robinson Morton (1757-1829), a member of the Society of Friends, reflecting the social and cultural attitudes of the day.

Related Materials

An extensive Robinson collection is located at the Rokeby Museum in Ferrisburgh, VT. Silhouettes of Mary and John Morton, Amy and Robert Bowne at American Philosophical Society in Philadelphia; Deborah Smith Lutman has a silhouette of Abigail Robinson. A similar collection of materials is to be found at the Newport Historical Society in Newport, R.I.

Processing Information

Original processing history is unknown. Reboxed and finding aid revised March, 2022 by Sakina Gulamhusein.

Title
Robinson Family papers, 1723-1980
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Revision Statements

  • March 2022: Reboxed and finding aid updated
  • June 2022: by Nathaniel Rehm-Daly, Harmful Language Revision Project

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