Fisher-Whitson Family Papers
Scope and Contents
The bulk of this collection is a series of thematically arranged genealogical binders which contain both original manuscripts and photocopies. It also includes family photographic albums, artwork, and memorabilia such as guest and autograph books. There is also family correspondence, predominantly from the Samuel Smedley family of Pennsylvania during the ninteenth century. The focus of all the collection is on the families in donors' direct lines, including the Fishers, Pennells, Jacobs, Smedleys and Whitsons. Of particular interest is a journal and photographic album of Esther Whitson, later Cope, who served with the AFSC in Russia in the 1920s, and the correspondence of Sam Smedley who was killed during the Civil War in the US.
Dates
- Creation: 1778-2011
Creator
- Schneider, Rebecca Fisher (Person)
- Smedley, Otto, 1827-1882 (Contributor, Person)
- Smedley, Benjamin D. (Contributor, Person)
- Smedley, Sam (Samuel Fothergill), 1839-1864 (Contributor, Person)
- Fisher, Alfred William (Contributor, Person)
- Pennell, Clarence (Contributor, Person)
- Jacob, Caroline M. (Contributor, Person)
- Cope, Esther Whitson, b.1900 (Contributor, Person)
- Whitson, T. (Thomas Barclay), b.1894 (Contributor, Person)
- Whitson, Benjamin F., 1867-1957 (Contributor, Person)
- Fisher, Thomas S., b.1928 (Contributor, Person)
Language of Materials
All materials in English
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open to researchers. Due to its extremely fragile condition, access to Esther Whitson Cope's journal is by photocopy, except by permission of Curator.
Conditions Governing Use
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
Thomas S. Fisher and Anna M. Whitson were descended from a long line of Quakers from Delaware and Chester Counties in Pennsylvania. Anna M. Whitson was the daughter of T. Barclay Whitson and Elizabeth Owen Pennell. Her aunt, Esther M. Whitson, married Elmer F. Cope.
Extent
6 linear ft. (10 boxes (and folder))
Abstract
This collection contains manuscripts and other materials relating to the Whitson, Smedley, Fisher and other Quaker families of southeastern Pennsylvania. Along with commonplace books, correspondence, and photographs are a series of thematically arranged genealogical binders assembled by the donors. Of particular interest are the battlefield correspondence of Sam Smedley who was killed in the American Civil War and the journal of Esther Whitson, later Cope, who served as a nurse with the AFSC in Russia in the early 1920s
Arrangement
The collection is divided into five series:
- Ser.1 Genealogical Binders
- Ser.2 Photographic Albums
- Ser.3 Correspondence
- Ser.4 Albums & Commonplace Books
- Ser.5 Other Manuscripts & Family Memorabilia
Physical Location
For current information on the location of materials, please consult the Library's online catalog
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Donor: Gift of Thomas S. Fisher, 2005 and 2012 (Accession numbers: 2005-016, 2012-015)
Processing Information
This collection has been kept largely intact in folders as arranged by the donor and his daughter, Rebecca Fisher Schneider. The binders contain original and photocopied material, with some duplication elsewhere in the collection.
Subject
- Cope, Esther Whitson, b.1900 (Person)
- Whitson, Margaret (Person)
- Whitson, T. (Thomas Barclay), b.1894 (Person)
- Fisher family (Family)
- Smedley family (Family)
- Whitson family (Family)
- Pennell family (Family)
- Title
- An Inventory of the Fisher-Whitson Family Papers, 1778-2011
- 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
Revision Statements
- 2020: Updated outdated, harmful terminology related to enslavement, except where it appears in a title, quotation, or subject heading.
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 repoductions from Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College Library
