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SFHL/FHL/MSS. Assembled Collections

 Record Group Term
Identifier: SFHL/FHL/MSS
Included in this record group are manuscript collections that were assembled by the Friends Historical Library or assembled by other collectors (not the creator of the material). Major genre collections include: Account Books (MSS 001), Albums (MSS 002), Journals (MSS 003), and Miscellaneous Manuscripts (MSS 004). In this section you will also find topical collections assembled over time to document prominent Quakers like Lucretia Mott.

Found in 41 Collections and/or Records:

Burton Alva Konkle Manuscripts

 Collection
Identifier: SFHL-MSS-033
Abstract

The collection contains unpublished writings by Burton Alva Konkle, author and historian. The bulk of the material concerns James Wilson, signer of the Declaration of Independence and one of the six original justices appointed by George Washington to the Supreme Court of the United States. Also included is a manuscript on David Lloyd, William Penn's personal lawyer, Attorney General of Pennsylvania, and Chief Justice of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.

Dates: Undated. Circa 1940

Friends Historical Library Collection of Sermons

 Collection — Othertype MSS-047
Identifier: SFHL-MSS-047
Abstract

Collected sermons received from miscellaneous sources.

Dates: 1737 - 1870

Friends Historical Library manuscript epistles collection

 Collection
Identifier: SFHL-MSS-006
Abstract

The term "epistle" is used to refer to letters exchanged between Quaker organizations, especially from one yearly meeting to another. Epistles are often used to articulate Quaker doctrine and discipline. This collection of various manuscript (handwritten) epistles was compiled from the Friends Historical Library from different sources.

Dates: 1688 - 1973

Rogerenes of New England Collection

 Collection
Identifier: SFHL-MSS-053
Abstract

The Rogerenes of New England collection contains research materials and some original manuscript and published works by the Rogerenes which were collected by Ellen Starr Brinton during her tenure as Curator of the Swarthmore College Peace Collection, 1935-1951. She wrote several articles on the sect and compiled an extensive bibliography of sources.

Dates: 1817 - 1991

Public Friends manuscripts collection

 Collection
Identifier: SFHL-MSS-045
Abstract While the Society of Friends is a "ministry of all believers," historically certain members have been recognized for their spiritual gifts. Those who undertake to travel and preach with the approbation of their home meeting are known as Public Friends. Especially in the 17th, 18th, and 19th century, traveling ministers served a key role in forming Quaker social and theological networks, fostering unity within the Society of Friends, and providing spiritual enrichment to Quakers across the...
Dates: 1656 - 1899

Robert Barclay Manuscripts Collection

 Collection — Othertype MSS-050
Identifier: SFHL-MSS-050
Abstract

Robert Barclay (1648-1690) was a Scottish Quaker and arguably the most influential theologian in the history of the Religious Society of Friends. This small collection consists of manuscript documents by or about Robert Barclay and his works, written during his lifetime.

Dates: 1678 - 1704

John Woolman Manuscripts Collection

 Collection — Othertype MSS-068
Identifier: SFHL-MSS-068
Abstract John Woolman (1720-1772) was one of the most influential ministers in the history of the Religious Society of Friends. He was particularly active in opposing slavery and encouraging Quakers to disavow the practice. His journal, published posthumously, is still considered an important document in the fields of religion, history, and literature. The Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College holds several versions of Woolman's manuscript journal, letters written by Woolman, and other...
Dates: 1720 - 1939

Friends Historical Library collection of miscellaneous queries

 Collection — Othertype MSS-057
Identifier: SFHL-MSS-057
Abstract

Early in their history, Quakers developed "queries," a series of questions, to assess the state of the religious society and guide personal and communal self-reflection. Queries are formulated by the Yearly Meetings for their constituent meetings, who in turn give reports to Yearly Meeting. This collection consists of miscellaneous loose queries and answers, from various Yearly Meetings, accumulated by the Friends Historical Library over time.

Dates: 1749 - 1902

Friends Historical Library collection of memorials

 Collection — Othertype MSS-056
Identifier: SFHL-MSS-056
Abstract Memorials are brief biographical essays which testify to the spiritual values of a Quaker's life. Early meetings only wrote memorials for ministers, but today some meetings continue the practice to memorialize all deceased members. In the 19th century, in particular, some Yearly Meetings periodically published compilations of memorials. This collection consists of miscellaneous memorials, from various meetings and regarding various Friends, collected by the Friends Historical Library over...
Dates: 1760 - 1920

Friends Historical Library collection of certificates of removal

 Collection — Othertype MSS-054
Identifier: SFHL-MSS-054
Abstract

A certificate of removal is a document given to persons who are transferring their membership from one monthly meeting to another. Their removal testifies that they are members in good standing with the meeting they are leaving. This collection consists of miscellaneous certificates of removal, from various meetings and regarding various Friends, collected by the Friends Historical Library over time. It contains a mix of original documents and copies.

Dates: 1685 - 1850