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Vaux collection of correspondence, documents and graphics

 Collection
Identifier: HC.MC-1167

Scope and Contents

The original accession of Vaux family papers includes letters and documents from Jonathan Backhouse, Anthony Benezet, Thomas Clarkson, Stephen Grellet, Elias Hicks, Abel James, Rebecca Jones, Deborah Logan, James Logan, Margaret Morris, William Penn, William Robinson, Marmaduke Stevenson and others. Their topics include African Americans; Westtown School; the Quaker separation of 1827-28; Daniel Wheeler, Elizabeth Fry; a memorial for Anne Parrish (Female Society for Relief and Employment of the Poor); the Virginia Exiles during the American Revolution(including the protest of the prisoners); manumission; early Quaker publishing; the will of Thomas Lloyd; Quakers and Native Americans; and women's property rights.

The addition to the Vaux family papers of correspondence, documents, and graphics most prominently reflects the research interests of George Vaux VIII and the photographic work of George Vaux Jr. and George Vaux X.

The correspondence and documents relate to Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, including the Forrest Trust, Lewis Legacy for Poor Children, Richardson Trust, Josiah White Schools, and the constituent meetings of Philadelphia Monthly Meeting for the Western District, Philadelphia Monthly Meeting for the Northern District and Philadelphia Monthly Meeting for the Southern District. Also included are topics such as Quakers in Tortola and Barbados, Quakers in Charleston, S.C., the Bible Association of Friends in America, The Emlen Institution for the Benefit of Persons of African and Indian Descent, Friends Historical Society, and Haverford College.

The graphics include glass slides of American travel views and Native American sites, and of Haverford College, especially those taken by George Vaux Jr., but also by William S. Vaux and M.M. Vaux, and photographs and other art media of Quakers and places with Quaker connections, such as meetinghouses, burial grounds, Tortola, and Barbados. There are also 2 albums of 35mm and stereoscopic slides by George Vaux X, including of meetinghouses and Quaker sites on Barbados and Tortola.

Especially prominent in the collection addition are George Vaux VIII, George Vaux IX and George Vaux X. Correspondents include: Joel Cadbury, Richard Cadbury, Harriet Durham, Amelia Mott Gummere, Henry Hartshorne, Rufus Jones, Albert Cook Myers, Norman Penney, James E. Rhoads, Charles Roberts, and Isaac Sharp.

Dates

  • Creation: 1659-1978

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research use.

Conditions Governing Use

Standard Federal Copyright Laws Apply (U.S. Title 17).

Biographical note

George Vaux VIII (1832-1915) was the son of George and Eliza Head Sansom Vaux. He was educated at Friends Select School in Philadelphia. In 1859, he married Sarah H. Morris with whom he had three children. He lived in Philadelphia, Pa., had a house in Bryn Mawr, Pa., and spent many summers in the Canadian Rockies. His business life centered around the Swatara Coal Company of which he was Secretary and Treasurer. He was for 45 years a manager of the Institute for Colored Youth, for more than 30 years a manager of Friends Select School, Philadelphia, and for many years, a manager of the Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia; also, President of the Bible Association of Friends in America and Treasurer of The Emlen Institution for the Benefit of Persons of African and Indian Descent. He had a great concern for Quaker records and the history of Philadelphia Friends and served for many years as correspondent for Philadelphia Yearly Meeting with London Yearly Meeting.

George Vaux IX (1863-1927) was born in Philadelphia. He graduated from Haverford College in 1884 and received a law degree from the University of Pennsylvania. He was a member of the law firm of P. Pemberton Morris, giving much time to prison reform. He was a manager of the board of the Eastern State Penitentiary. He was also on the board of the Academy of Natural Sciences from 1894 until his death. In 1906, President Theodore Roosevelt appointed him to the Board of Indian Commissioners, a post he retained until his death. In 1907, GV Jr. married Mary W. James with whom he had two sons. GV Jr. had a great interest in mineralogy and was a student of glacial activity. He was active in Friends' education, serving on the boards of Friends' Select School, Westtown School, Haverford College and the Institute for Colored Youth (Cheyney University).

George Vaux X (1908-1996) graduated from Haverford College in 1930, then studied at Cambridge and London Universities; he excelled in research of crystals. In 1941, he married Anne Hawks. Among other jobs, he was a manufacturer's representative for scientific equipment. He was a member of the boards of Bryn Mawr College, Ludwick Foundation, Richard Humphreys Foundation and others, and president of the Athenaeum (Philadelphia) for over 30 years.

Extent

7.5 linear ft. (18 boxes and 2 volumes)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

The collection provides insights into several issues important within the history of Quakerism, such as the abolition of slavery, education and Native American rights, as well as graphics depicting American travel views, Native American sites, Haverford College, Quaker individuals and places associated with Quakers.

Acquisition

The original materials in this collection (series 1 and 2) were donated by George Vaux and Henry J. Vaux in 1991. Subsequent materials were donated in 1999.

Separated Materials

Two items removed to Phillips collection: - Manuscript address of William Robinson and Marmaduke Stevenson, the Boston Martyrs, [6th month 1659] (https://tripod.haverford.edu/permalink/01TRI_INST/ndg42k/alma991004587659704921)

- Letter, [16]91 June 14, England to T[homas] L[loyd] (https://tripod.haverford.edu/permalink/01TRI_INST/ndg42k/alma991002752589704921)

Processing Information

Processing history is unknown

Title
Vaux collection of correspondence and documents, 1659-1978
Author
Diana Franzusoff Peterson
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
English

Revision Statements

  • May 2021: Reboxed and finding aid updated

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 Haverford College Quaker & Special Collections Library

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Haverford PA 19041 USA US