Papers relating to Woodbourne Orchard

Of particular interest are the letters of Laura Towne and Ellen Murray, two women who operated a school for African American children, the Penn School, on St. Helena, S.C. sent to Francis R. Cope.

The earliest letter from Towne is written from Oakshade, probably January 1897 reports she would soon return south, and had attended a meeting of the Benezet Society. In February 1897, she wrote again from Frogmore, S.C. reporting that Penn School on St. Helena, S.C.was flourishing, though they had little income. Her third letter in August 1889 was written from Ashbourne in PA, stating that the school had grown, especially the Industrial department, to which end Ellen Murray had contributed $150 as had the Benezet Fund for a new schoolroom and other funds. Cope was entrusted with handling the school's funds. She concludes with political statements about Republicans and Democrats and the southern vote, including the Bourbons.

In August 1889, Murray relays information on the use of buildings at the Penn School and where funds for additional teaching space would come from. She discusses the "self-control" of African-Americans deprived of political rights and living side-by-side with oppressors, and the Women's Christian Temperance Union's refusal to admit Black women.

In addition, there are extracts from letters by Arthur Sumner to Joseph Clark, Lieut. 1st Mass. Heavy Artillery Co in Washington D.C. during the Civil War possibly, made by Francis R. Cope Jr. They describe some of his work with Black students at his school whom he generally considers intelligent and handsome and give some interesting details of life at the school and on St. Helena Island, S.C. at the time.

Finally, there are copies of letters from Penn School students and others connected with the school sent to Francis R. Cope Jr. in 1928.