Box 6

Correspondence between children of William and Rebecca Webster Smedley: James, Samuel, Thomas, Rebecca, Deborah. 1857 (?) from Thomas Smedley, Rockland, to his father. Miscellaneous including receipt to Westtown School for tuition for Samuel and Thomas, 1847. William Smedley had inherited the Middletown farmstead, and the children were raised at the homestead he named "Social Retreat."

Letters from second wife of William Smedley, Harriett Jones Smedley (1797-1882). They married in 1849, Philadelphia Monthly Meeting of the Northern District.

Thomas Smedley's widow. She was the mother of Lydia, Harriett, Walter, Horace, Rebecca and Emma Smedley and outlived her husband by almost fifty years.

Her note of 12mo 30 1877 from home mentions that they did not hang their stockings at Christmas so will do it on New Year's Eve instead..

Deborah L. Smedley (1841-1922), from Westtown where she is part of a group to create Westtown Female Literary Society. Deborah Lightfoot Smedley in 1869 married George B. Allen under the care of Chester Monthly Meeting. He was an Elder at the Meeting and died in 1922. Deborah's unmarried sister Rebecca (1839-19180, an Elder at Chester Monthly Meeting died at their home, "Social Retreat," in Media.

Written from her residence,"Social Retreat," Middletown, with description of a visit to Westtown. Typed copy.

To her friend Lizzie (Elizabeth Sharpless who married her brother Edward G. Smedley in 1865. At home in Lima (Media) at "Social Retreat." Her letters expressed her anxiety as brother Edward and their cousin George were drafted and not granted exemption as conscientious objectors.

Deborah wrote about the Rebel invasion of Pennsylvania, return of the body of Charles Fox who died a prisoner of war in Nashville. Quaker and family news. She expressed hHorror at the death of Lincoln and attempted assassination of Seward. "Lizzie" married her brother 1865. Deborah married George Allen in 1869.

Also includes an undated poem by Deborah on joys and sorrow of life

Quaker meeting and family news. Temperance meetings, mention of Indian Maiden school" (Carlisle Indian School) in 1893. Deborah served as an Overseer at Middletown Meeting.