Box 1

Scope and Contents Mira wrote poetry on a wide variety of topics including tributes to individual family members and personal friends as well as special occasions associated with them, memorials to the deceased including two of her children who died within a week of one another, and love and friendship between herself and female friends.The major theme prevailing in her poetry is one of freedom for all oppressed peoples - enslaved people, women, Native Americans and Jewish people. The poems include...

Scope and Contents First used as a school ciphering book, circa 1815,"Simple Addition Examples in Application," by Mira Sharples, probably as a student at Friends Select in Philadelphia. While most of the content has been obscured by later newspaper clippings (80 pages of assorted newspaper clippings - slavery, women's calisthenics, humor, etc.), visible pages include notes on astronomy and electricity, a pencil sketch of a woman's head (possibly a self-portrait), original poetry and prose, and copies of her...

Scope and Contents Begun as a copy book in 1821 with a long passage on Napoleon, the journal itself begins in Feburary of 1823. Irregular entries include trips with her family to New York State (including comments on visiting the Shakers) and to Baltimore and Washington, D.C., with a visit to hear Congress in session. Extensive discussion of the events of the Hicksite separation in Philadelphia, her own experiences with courting and ambivalence toward marriage, deep love for her children and sorrow at the...

Scope and Contents This journal begins with a letter to R Myers, mostly in poetical form, dated January 1 1843. Many of the copy letters are directed or dedicated to the Myers sisters, Rebecca Hays Myers (1803-1877) and her sister Rachel Myers (1808-1862), both of Richmond, Virginia. The sisters were daughters of Boston born Jewish-American merchant, Samuel Myers (1755-1836). A poem written to daughter Emily expresses her desire that she consider the journal as a memorial to her mother. Much of the material is...

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Early entry begins with the text: "For Clara G. Townsend when her mother is sleeping the sleep that knows no waking." Album of copies of her letters in verse and other poems, including "Reflections at Cherry Street Meeting," "An Address to the Jews" (1845), and poems written to her children and husband. She explained in a poem that writing in verse helped her to distill her thoughts.

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Loose sheets with original poetry, some anti-slavery in sentiment.

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Manuscript commonplace book, circa 1835-1841 recording lessons on various world religions including Talmud and Jewish topics, Protestant and Roman Catholic Bibles, and assorted literary and history topics. A pen and ink drawing of classical architectural columns. Extract of sermon by Theodore Parker, Boston, 1841, which argued for unity in religions, excerpts from Longfellow, Emerson, etc.

Scope and Contents Identified on cover as a journal kept by Emily Sharpless Townsend on a trip to Illinois and Missouri with her parents. They travelled by stage and steamboat through Maryland, Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, the Great Lakes, Cleveland, Niagara Falls, New York, New Jersey, and Philadelphia. The sisters recorded their visits to a variety of denominational churches including the Mormon Temple in Nauvoo, notes on public buildings and accommodations. Mention was made of interesting...

Scope and Contents Correspondence addressed to Mira Sharpless Townsend and other family members; sent by family and friends, including her husband, children, and sisters. Letters dated 1827-1857 and undated. Primarily discusses recent activities, news of family and friends, and current events. One letter signed "AAT," likely sister-in-law Ann Alberston Townsend (1809-1882). Letter from Mary T. Pennock, likely Mary T. (Lamborn) Pennock (1786-1866), includes remarks on temperance. Letter from William J. Canby to...