Box 1

Scope and Contents

Dated and undated correspondence from Samuel Townsend to his wife Mira Sharpless Townsend; A00185850 includes a letter by daughter Clara G. Troth. Discusses recent activities and news of family and friends.

Scope and Contents

Clara G. Troth letters to her parents Mira Sharpless Townsend and Samuel Townsend, with an addition by her brother George C. Townsend, dated 1850-1853 and undated. Discusses recent activities, news of family and friends, and current events.

Scope and Contents Isaac Townsend letters to various family members, including his daughter-in-law Mira Sharpless Townsend, dated 1839-1843 and undated; one undated letter signed "Bell," possibly Samuel Townsend's sister-in-law Annabella Laing (Willson) Townsend (1805-1880). Discusses recent activities, news of family and friends, and current events. Isaac offers sympathy over the death of Mira and Samuel's son Edwin Townsend (1837-1839). In 1843-01-10, Isaac writes to Mira that while always in sympathy with...

Scope and Contents

Correspondence sent to her family including mother, daughter, and husband. Includes 1825 letter to her mother describing in detail her visit to upstate New York and a visit with the Shakers and another undated letter describing a visit to New York and to a Jewish synagogue.

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Primarily letters to family while travelling. Subjects include criminal justice reform and abolition. Two 1848 letters include description of a visit to New York City and to the Moral Reform Office, the Tombs, and other institutions, sometimes in company with Abby Hopper Gibbons.

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Correspondence to family, some written in poetical form. Letter dated June 8, 1850, from Philadelphia to daughter Clara notes that she visited Camden, N.J., regarding the possibility of a Temporary Home. In 1851, she wrote to Clara that in cases of out-of-wedlock pregnancy, the man easily can abandon the woman who then unfairly has no recourse. Also includes Valentine poems to her husband and daughters.

Scope and Contents

Undated letters written by Mira Sharpless Townsend to her family, with additions by accompanying family members. A00185832 likely dated 1856-11-17. Discusses recent activities, news of family and friends, and current events. An undated fragment describes the founding of the Rosine and plans to create a Temporary Home Society.

Scope and Contents Family correspondence written by Mira Sharpless Townsend, with additions by accompanying family members. Discusses recent activities, news of family and friends, and current events. Mira attended Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, visited Rachel Jackson at Darby. She visited the Rosines and Moyamissing Prison with Jackson, Deborah Wharton, and sister Ann. She also visited Fair Hill Cemetery where it had been decided to divide the burial ground into family plots. A letter dated 1855, 9 month 9,...

Scope and Contents Family correspondence written by Mira Sharpless Townsend, with additions by accompanying family members. Discusses recent activities, news of family and friends, and current events. Mira visited Eastern Penitentiary. Involvement with the Prison Society and work related to Rosine. She was encouraged by the growing Anti-Slavery activities. She wrote that Dr. Wilson Moore and Rachel Barker were engaged, a development she had expected. [After Mira's death, her husband married the widowed Rachel...

Scope and Contents

Primarily family correspondence written by Mira Sharpless Townsend, with additions by accompanying family members. Discusses recent activities, news of family and friends, and current events. Mira discusses the Rosine, including preparing the Annual Report of the Rosine in March 1857. She followed the news of the Society of Friends and was very busy with family and the Rosine.