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Dunn - Osborn - Battey Family Papers, 1744-1927

Ms. Coll. 1163
9 boxes

Table of contents

Biographical background

Dunn and Osborn families

Nathan Dunn (1782-1844) was the son of Nathan Dunn (d. 1782, age 39) and his second wife, Rhoda Silvers (m. 11/4/1773). After the death of Nathan Sr., Rhoda (Silvers) Dunn m. 1788 Thomas Osborn (d. ca. 1827) of Burlington Co. Thomas Osborn was the son of Richard Osborn (Osborn's Island, Burlington Co., N.J.). Nathan Jr.'s siblings from his mother's first marriage included Deborah Dunn (m. Caleb Pancoast), William Dunn and Josiah Dunn. Nathan's half-siblings from his mother's second marriage were Phoebe Osborn (d. 1848), Palmyra Osborn (m. 1818 Gideon M. Birdsall of N.Y.) and Rhoda Osborn (ca. 1794-1881, m. Restore S. Lamb (d. ca. 1867?)). Rhoda and Restore S. Lamb were noted Friends ministers (Hicksite).

Nathan Dunn (1782-1844) was disowned by Philadelphia Monthly Meeting in 1816 for bankruptcy. In 1818 he went to China and traded under the firm of Nathan Dunn & Company. He returned to Philadelphia in 1832 and paid off all of his creditors. While in China, Dunn collected Chinese objects, which were exhibited here and in Europe. He built a "cottage" in Mt. Holly, N.J., which was run by his half-sisters Phoebe and Rhoda for many years. Dunn gave Haverford College a gift of over $20,000 in 1840 and was a financial supporter of other charitable endeavors.

(Sources for above:Dictionary of Quaker Biography; Arthur W. Hummel, "Nathan Dunn," Quaker History ,59 (1970), p. 34-39; will of Nathan Dunn in collection; History of Little Egg Harbor Township, Burlington County, N.J., from its first settlement to the present time, ... by Leah Blackman).

Battey family

Smith Battey (d. 1858) m. Ruth Muzzey Aldrich (ca. 1801-1884). Their children were Avis Battey (ca. 1830-1906, m. Isaac Steere), Phebe Battey (ca. 1834-1919, m. Dr. John Barns (ca. 1818-1895)), Nancy S. Battey (ca. 1837-1865) and Thomas Jesse Battey (1842-1931) who m. 1865 Mary Augusta Heaton (1838-1923, "Gussie," daughter of Samuel and Lydia Heaton). Thomas and Gussie's children included Charles Heaton Battey (1868-1941, m. 1895 S. Edith Thompson), Edward Heaton Battey (b. 1873, died young) and William Aldrich Battey (b. 1876, m. 1901 Rhoda Amelia Birdsall).

(Sources for above: Dictionary of Quaker Biography; Haverford College matriculate catalog; Quaker Necrology files; Battey papers).

Using links

In order to aid navigation within this finding aid, links have been provided at the beginning of each box description: to the table of contents, collection summary and to all other boxes in the collection .

Links to images

The following list brings together all of the image links found throughout this finding aid.

Scanned Image One page with no date, salutation, place or signature. Must be after April 1865. White people returning to stripped homes with no money for re-furnishing. Colored people going to Richmond to seek missing members of their families. Troops have arrived across river for protection of people returning. "eventful 6 months that I have been down here". Page 1 | Page 2 (approximately 59K each).
 
Scanned Image 11/23/1838 Philadelphia, to Phebe and Rhoda Osborn - working on setting up exhibit of Chinese Collection (approximately 59K).
 
Scanned Image "Restore [Lamb] & Ira". (approximately 20K).

Summary of collection

Correspondence, account books, receipts, bills and other financial papers, notebook, printed items, and other miscellaneous papers. Primarily correspondence of Dunn, Osborn and Battey families. Also related families of Barns, Birdsall, Brownell, Coffin, Coutant, Heaton, Lamb, Pancoast, Steere and others.

Letters of Nathan Dunn (1782-1844) discuss trade with China and his experiences there (ALS, 4/13/1824, describes elaborate dinner at which he was a guest), his Chinese Collection, a forgery court case "Thomas v. Dunn" (ALS, 2/3 and 6/21/1844 describes case in detail); also a copy of his printed will with annotations, legal and land papers (some related to Laurel Hill Cemetery of which he was a manager), notebook regarding his Chinese Collection.

Household and farming bills and receipts of Restore S. Lamb, Rhoda O. Lamb and Phebe Osborn (Dunn's half sisters, Rhoda and Phebe, took care of Dunn's "cottage" in Mt. Holly, N.J., they also managed the farm on Osborn's Island, inherited by Thomas Osborn from his father).

Letters, 1833-1856, of David Battey discuss farm life in Indiana, ill health and loneliness, implication that he is with the Hicksite branch of Friends

Letters of Nancy S. Battey, 1864-1865, some while teaching free black children in Yorktown, others give advice to her brother.

Ruth M. Battey letters and estate papers, 1858-1887.

Smith Battey letters, 1840-1857, discuss travel to Michigan to visit sister Phebe and husband Elijah Brownell in 1840, also family news and advice.

Letters, 1830-1882, of brothers Elijah Brownell and Sands Brownell discuss family business difficulties in Michigan.

Letters, 1856-1858, of George W. Taylor (1803-1891) to Smith Battey and Isaac Steere, discuss his free produce business in Philadelphia (includes some invoices on letterhead of the company).

Other topics discussed in correspondence are Society of Friends matters, (Separation of 1827 - implication in several letters (David Battey, Job Battey, Nicholas Battey) that choices made as result of Separation have led to some estrangement from other relatives), health concerns and illness (many cases of consumption), slavery and education.

Noteworthy individual items are: ALS, 1868, of Leah Blackman to Rhoda Lamb asking questions about family history for her book on Little Egg Harbor; ALS, 12/1/1884, of William Otis Crosby (1850-1925), to [Thomas J. Battey] re: mineral specimens; ALS, 11/7/1889, of Sallie Coutant Jones (1st wife of Rufus M. Jones) telling of their first year experience in running Oak Grove School; postcard, 2/2/1879, from John G. Whittier.

Other persons represented in the collection include: Thomas J. Battey, Phebe (Battey) Barns, Hannah M. Boadle, Samuel Heaton, Amos Hoag, and others.

Arrangement and description of collection

Arrangement:

There are three main groups of papers within this collection: the Battey family papers, the papers of Nathan Dunn and the Osborn family papers.

Within the Battey family section, letters written by Batteys come first (boxes 1 and 2), followed by letters written by others to the Battey family (boxes 3, 4 and 5). Letters are arranged alphabetically by author within each group and chronologically within an individual author. Box 5 also includes some miscellaneous Battey family papers.

Box 6 contains the papers of Nathan Dunn (1782-1844), as well as some miscellaneous Dunn family papers.

Boxes 7 and 8 contain correspondence of the Osborn and Lamb families, these are primarily letters to Rhoda and Restore Lamb and Phebe Osborn. Box 8 also includes some miscellaneous Osborn family papers. Box 9 contains financial papers (chiefly household and farming bills and receipts) of Rhoda and Restore S. Lamb and Phebe Osborn.

Table of contents:

  • Box 1 - Battey family - letters by Batteys, Amos - Nicholas
  • Box 2 - Battey family - letters by Batteys, Richard - Thomas J.
  • Box 3 - Battey family - letters to Batteys, Adams - Crosby
  • Box 4 - Battey family - letters to Batteys, Day - Little
  • Box 5 - Battey family - letters to Batteys, Mayberry - Winslow
  • Box 6 - Nathan Dunn papers - letters, memoranda, will, etc.
  • Box 7 - Osborn family - letters, Ballinger - Lamb
  • Box 8 - Osborn family - letters, Langdon - Zelley
  • Box 9 - Osborn family - bills, receipts, 1820-1889

The following links will link back to the Table of contents, Summary, etc. and are put before the beginning of individual boxes in the descriptive part of the finding aid.

Battey family papers

Box 1 | Table of contents | Summary | Box 1 | Box 2 | Box 3 | Box 4 | Box 5 | Box 6 | Box 7 | Box 8 | Box 9

Letters:
Battey, Amos - Battey, Nicholas

Folder 1

  • Letters of: Amos Battey, 3 ALS, Monkton, 1842-1844, to cousin Smith Battey (also w/ Nicholas Battey to nephew SB) re: discusses family, Society of Friends, 1842 death of Aunt Sarah Battey and settlement of her estate
  • Amos P. Battey, 2 ALS, Me., 1845, 1849, to cousin Smith Battey re: family, his travels in ministry, Aunt Sarah's estate settlement

Folder 2

  • Letters of: Benjamin H. Battey, 3 ALS, Albion [Pa.], 1848, to uncle Smith Battey (also w/ J. R. Battey) re: family
  • C. A. Battey, ALS, Danielsonville, 1850, to cousin Smith Battey re: learning shoemaking
  • Charles H. Battey (1868-1941), 4 ALS, Haverford and Brooklyn, to parents re: difficulties of starting out in business, finding life's work

Folder 3

  • Letters of: Daniel Battey, ALS, Rochester, 1832, to brother Smith Battey re: family, illness of Job (TB?)
  • David Battey, 19 ALS, New Holland, Ind. and elsewhere, 1833-1856, 1869, to brother Smith Battey (1 to nephew TJB) (also 1842 w/ Marmaduke Battey, to uncle SB) re: family, travel, farming, 1852 refers to loss of all property and debts, ill health, loneliness, implication that he is with Hicksites

Folder 4

  • Letters of: Jesse Battey (executor of estate of Joseph Chase), 2 items 1818 receipt and 1819 account of above estate
  • Job Battey, ALS, Rochester, 1829, to brother Smith Battey re: ill health, family, wonders if he is neglected by relatives as he not of "Arthodox" branch of Friends
  • Job T. Battey, 4 ALS, Elkhorn and elsewhere, 1855-1856, to uncle Smith Battey and cousin Thomas J. Battey re: family news
  • Joel Battey, 2 ALS, Peru [N.Y.], 1855-1856, to cousin Smith Battey re: family news
  • Jonathan Battey, ALS, Juliet, Erie Co., Pa., n.d., to uncle Smith Battey re: going to school, family news

Folder 5

  • Letters of: Mary Battey, LS, Raisin, Mich., 1849, to son Smith Battey (in hand of and w/ ALS of Sands Brownell to brother Smith Battey) re: health, family news
  • M. [Mary] Augusta (Heaton) Battey ("Gussie") (1838-1923), 9 ALS and fragment, "Home," 1864-1865, to Thomas J. Battey re: love letters, she is teaching; also an essay on Society of Friends (n.d.)
  • Mary E. Battey, ALS, Pike Twp., Clark Co., Ohio, 1842, to cousin Smith Battey re: inquiring after share in estate of Aunt Sarah, send reply to stepfather Stephen Hester

Folder 6

Scanned Image One page with no date, salutation, place or signature. Must be after April 1865. White people returning to stripped homes with no money for re-furnishing. Colored people going to Richmond to seek missing members of their families. Troops have arrived across river for protection of people returning. "eventful 6 months that I have been down here". Page 1 | Page 2 (approximately 59K each).
  • Letters of: Nancy S. Battey (1837-1865), 13 ALS and 1 fragment, Yorktown and elsewhere, 1864-1865, to brother Thomas J. Battey and father Smith Battey re: teaching, her school in Yorktown teaching free black children, advice to her brother; also 2 estate receipts, 1866
  • Nicholas Battey (w/ wife Thankful Battey), 2 ALS, Monkton, 1843, to nephew Smith Battey and nephew Richard Battey re: Aunt Sarah's estate, health, daughter of Benjamin with them as parents went with Hicksites

Box 2 | Table of contents | Summary | Box 1 | Box 2 | Box 3 | Box 4 | Box 5 | Box 6 | Box 7 | Box 8 | Box 9

Letters:
Battey, Richard - Battey, Thomas J.

Folder 1

  • Letters of: Richard Battey (ca. 1809-1895), ALS , N.Y. Yearly Meeting (either 1834 or 1845 or 1851?), to brother Smith Battey, also telegram 1865 w/ news of death of Nancy Battey, postcard 1878 w/ news of death of Elizabeth A. Osborn
  • Ruth M. [Muzzey] (Aldrich) Battey (ca. 1801-1884), 14 ALS, Burrillville and elsewhere, 1858-1869, to son Thomas J. Battey (1 w/ letter of Thomas's sister, Avis Battey) re: family news (Thomas is at Haverford College, 1859-1863)

Folder 2

  • Estate papers of Ruth M. [Muzzey] (Aldrich) Battey (ca. 1801-1884), 1863-1887.Includes: letters and memoranda (1885), receipts re: to settling estate (1884-1887), account book (1884-1886), several receipts found with above (1863-1868)

Folder 3

  • Letters of: Saloma [Battey?], 3 ALS, Northbridge and elsewhere, 1841?-1858, to family (including "brother Thomas" re: teaching school, advice of a spiritual nature, refers in letter to "Father and Mother Battey")
  • Smith Battey (d. 1858), 8 ALS, Burrillville and elsewhere, 1840, 1854-1857, to wife Ruth (1840) and son Thomas J. Battey re: trip to Michigan (1840) to visit sister Phebe and husband Elijah Brownell, family news and advice (1854-1857, TJB at school)
  • Thomas J. [Jesse] Battey (1842-1931), 9 ALS, 1853-1889, chiefly to parents, (also an accompanying ALS, 1889, of Elizabeth to her uncle TJB) re: news of school (1 letter while at Haverford). Also certificate of admittance to Haverford College, 1860.

Folder 4

  • Papers, 1880-1881, of Thomas J. Battey (1842-1931) as Treasurer of the Missionary Committee appointed at the Bible School Conference of Rhode Island Quarterly Meeting.
  • Includes: letters of committee secretary Phebe S. Aydelott and others related to donations, receipts of donations, report labeled "Report to Conference on Missionary Committee 5 mo. 1880" and "Other documents relating to Quarterly Collections"

Box 3 | Table of contents | Summary | Box 1 | Box 2 | Box 3 | Box 4 | Box 5 | Box 6 | Box 7 | Box 8 | Box 9

Letters:
Adams, P. R. - Crosby, William Otis

Folder 1

  • Letters of: P. R. Adams, 4 ALS, Tecumsah, Mich., 1841-1843, to Smith Battey re: mortgages
  • Mary Atwater, 2 ALS, Providence, ca. 8/19 and 8/9/no year, to son Edward Atwater (at school) and to Smith Battey and wife

Folder 2

  • Letters of: J. H. B., ALS, no date, to "friend"
  • Mary G. B., ALS, 5/28/1865, Rockway, to cousin "Gussie" [M. Augusta Heaton Battey]
  • H. [Hannah?] J. Bailey, ALS, Winthrop, Me., 3/26/1884, to Augusta [Battey]
  • Dr. John Barns (ca. 1818-1895), 3 ALS, Milford, 1881-1887, to brother Thomas [J. Battey], also drawing of internal structure of ear copied from a plate
  • Phebe (Battey) Barns (ca. 1834-1919) (daughter of Smith Battey), 25 ALS, "Home," 1862-1889 (some no year), to family
  • George W. Benson, LS, Providence, 5/2/1840, to Smith Battey re: anniversary of National Anti-Slavery Society
  • B. F. Blair, ALS, Archdale, N.C., 6/1/1887, to Thomas J. Battey, re: an accompanying ALS of Mattie Greenwaid to "Mrs. Thomas Battie" requesting financial help (fraudulent?)

Folder 3

  • Letters of: Hannah M. Boadle (aunt of M. Augusta Battey), 10 ALS and fragments, Poughkeepsie, 1882-1891, to Clemmie and Augusta Battey re: family
  • M. W. Buffum, ALS, Newport, 12/15/1884, to cousin Augusta [Battey]

Folder 4

  • Letters of: Charles S. Brownell (son of Elijah Brownell), 5 ALS, Raisin, Mich. and elsewhere, 1854-1864, to Uncle Smith Battey, mother, and cousin Thomas J. Battey, also IOU to Smith Battey
  • Elijah Brownell (ca. 1806-1853), 10 ALS, Raisin, Mich. and elsewhere, 1838-1850, to brother Smith Battey re: family business difficulties, includes letters of William A. Brownell to "Uncle" and of Phebe Brownell to brother Smith Battey
  • Phebe (Battey?) Brownell (sister of Smith Battey), 3 ALS, Raisin, Mich., 1853-1854, to family (brother and sisters)

Folder 5

  • Letters of: Sands Brownell (brother of Elijah Brownell), 9 ALS, Rollin, Mich. and elsewhere, 1830-1882, to brother Smith Battey re: family business difficulties and 1 ALS to Lewis Thompson
  • Thomas Brownell, ALS, Rollin, Mich., 10/26/1842, to brother Smith Battey
  • William A. Brownell, 2 ALS, Macedon, N.Y. and elsewhere, 1846, to Uncle Richard Battey

Folder 6

  • Letters of: J. Cartland, ALS, Providence, 5/3/1859, to Thomas [J. Battey]
  • Ann E. Chamberlain, ALS, Southbridge, Mass., 3/14/1840, to Aunt Sarah Battey
  • Buffum Chase, 2 ALS, Yarmouth and elsewhere, 1855, to Smith Battey
  • William L. Chase, ALS, Anthony's Village, 10/11/1851, to "friend"
  • [Wm. M. Chase] DS, Boston, May 1840, to Smith Battey re: transportation arrangements to upcoming meeting of the American Anti-Slavery Society in New York City
  • J. A. Collins, D [printed letter], 4/28/1842, to Smith Battey re: annual meeting of American Anti-Slavery Society
  • S. A. Comstock, ALS, Nasonville, 11/8/1851, to Smith Battey
  • Arnold Congdon, ALS, Providence, 3/25/1841, to Ruth M. Battey
  • [Coutant - see following folders)
  • William Otis Crosby (1850-1925), ALS, M.I.T., 12/1/1884, to "Mr. Battey" [Thomas J. Battey] re: on mineral specimens sent to him by Battey

Folder 7

  • Letters of: Clementine S. Coutant (ca. 1826-1915), 9 ALS, 1867-1891 and no date, to sister H. J. Battey and to brother

Folder 8

  • Letters of: Elizabeth [Coutant?] (sister of Clemmie Coutant], 2 ALS, 1889-1890, to sister
  • Mary M. Coutant, ALS, 11/26/1872, to Phebe

Box 4 | Table of contents | Summary | Box 1 | Box 2 | Box 3 | Box 4 | Box 5 | Box 6 | Box 7 | Box 8 | Box 9

Letters of:
Day, Rachel H. - Little, Mary E.

Folder 1

  • Letters of: Rachel H. Day (niece of M. Augusta Battey), ALS, no date, to ? [signed "niece"]
  • Nancy H. (Battey) Disbrow, 6 ALS, 1839-1853, to Uncle Smith Battey and Aunt Ruth Battey
  • Nathan Disbrow, ALS, 1/1/1855, to Smith Battey
  • A. E. Douglass, ALS, 12/2/1884, to Thomas J. Battey, Esq.

Folder 2

  • Letters of: Edith M. Farr, 4 ALS, 1885-1889, to Mrs. Thomas J. Battey
  • Hannah B. Farr, 2 ALS, 1884-1885, to Mrs. Thomas J. Battey
  • M. Feltham, ALS, date?, on letterhead of Friends Hospital, Mt. Lebanon [Lebanon], to [] re: tells of mission work, hospital, Boys and Girls Homes, dispensary
  • Harvey Fink, 2 ALS, 1833-1834, to Smith Battey

Folder 3

  • Letters of: Elizabeth H. Gerow (cousin of M. Augusta Battey), 7 ALS, 1884(or 6?)-1890, to Augusta [Battey]
  • Emily Gerow, ALS, 6/11/1885, to M. Augusta Battey
  • S. A. Gerow, 12 ALS, 185?-188?, to M. Augusta Battey

Folder 4

  • Letters of: Mary Amy (Collins) Gifford (wife of Seth Kelley Gifford of Haverford College), 9 ALS, 1883-1889, to Augusta [Battey]
  • R. P. Gifford, ALS, 5/23/1858, to T. Battey
  • Thomas Grover, 2 ALS, 1851-1853, to Smith Battey

Folder 5

  • Letters of: Adna Heaton, ALS, 3/13/1859, to "sisters"
  • Alpha [Heaton?], 3 ALS, 1881-1883, to "Gusta" and cousin (Mrs. Thomas Battey) and "Cousin" [all to Augusta Battey?], also recipe for medicine
  • Daniel L. Heaton, 2 ALS, 1889, to cousin Augusta [Battey]
  • E. [Eliza?] Heaton (wife of Daniel Heaton), ALS, 10/6/1889, to cousin Augusta Battey
  • Phebe [Heaton?] [?] (who m. George [?]), 7 ALS, ca. 1865-1867 an no date, to "Sister" and to "Gussie"
  • Samuel Heaton (ca. 1801-1869) (father of M. Augusta Battey), 11 ALS, 1865-1869, to "children" (Thomas J. Battey and "Gussey")

Folder 6

  • Letters of: Huldah Hester, ALS, 2/15/1843, to cousin Smith Battey
  • Amos Hoag, 17 ALS, 1844-1851, to Smith Battey (1 to "Friend")

Folder 7

  • Letters of: Samuel Jones, ALS, 10/21/1850, to Smith Battey
  • Wilmot R. Jones, ALS, 3/28/1887, to "friend Augusta Battey" re: in mourning for his wife
  • Henry G. Knowles, ALS, 5/30/1849, to Smith Battey
  • Mary E. Little, 2 ALS, 1882-1885, to "sister friend"
  • Sarah (Coutant) Jones (wife of Rufus M. Jones), ALS, 11/17/1889, to "ones at home" re: written from Oak Grove School, tells of their experiences in running the school (Rufus's first year as principal)

Box 5 | Table of contents | Summary | Box 1 | Box 2 | Box 3 | Box 4 | Box 5 | Box 6 | Box 7 | Box 8 | Box 9

Letters:
Mayberry, Alice F. - Winslow, Clara A.
Unidentified correspondents
Misc. Battey family papers

Folder 1

  • Letters of: Alice F. Mayberry, 2 ALS, Maine, 1886-1887, to Thomas Battey (encloses ALS of Belle Nuttall to AFM) re: "Teachers Alumni Association"
  • Joanna M. Miller, ALS, Oskaloosa, 3/3/1856, to "cousins"
  • Mattie R. Moore, 7 ALS, Indiana and elsewhere, 1883-1889, to Augusta Battey
  • John Osborne, ALS, Smithfield, 10/18/1851, to Smith Battey re: admission of Albert Smith to Friends School

Folder 2

  • Letters of: Susan Peckham, ALS, Providence, 7/24/1883, to Augusta Battey
  • Joseph Potts, ADS, 3/9/1863, to Thomas J. Battey, "The Coopertown First Day School - for last season - Extracts"

Folder 3

  • Letters of: Rhode Island Anti-Slavery Society (Providence), DS [Wm. Aplin], 12/1839, to Smith Battey re: fund raising appeal
  • Samuel Robinson, ALS, Providence, 12/1/1849, to Smith Battey
  • Isaac Sharpless, ALS, Haverford College, 3/28/1887, to "friend" [Thomas J. Battey] re: scholarship money for Battey's son
  • Albert K. Smiley, ALS, Providence, 7/31/1867, to Thomas J. Battey
  • E. Smith, ALS, Providence, 1839, to Smith Battey
  • Abner K. Sprague, ALS, Uxbrige, date?, to Smith Battey
  • Avis (Battey) Steere (ca. 1830-1906) (daughter of Smith Battey), 3 ALS, Mansfield and elsewhere, 1852-1866, to father and brother and sister
  • Isaac Steere, ALS, "Institution," 11/26/1847, to Smith Battey re: news of the boy's school, death of a student
  • Smith [B. Steere] (ca. 1863-1889) (son of Isaac and Avis Steere), 3 ALS, Burrillville and elsewhere, 1888-1889, to Aunt Augusta and brother re: chiefly his health
  • George W. Taylor, 10 ALS and , Philadelphia, 1856-1858, to Smith Battey and Isaac Steere re: Taylor is operating a "Free Labor Ware-House" [Free Produce] and letters tell of business (some invoices on letterhead included in letters)
  • [Miss] A. Thurber, ALS [postcard], "Green River, 846 miles West Omaha," 5/23/no year
  • Samuel Boyd Tobey, DS, 1853, to Smith Battey re: printed minute signed by Tobey appointing Battey to visit subordinate meetings

Folder 4

  • Letters of: Mary Walden and Philip Walden, ALS, 3/25/1838, to Smith Battey
  • F. C. Walton, ALS, Chicago, 9/6/1882, to "friends" (Thomas J. Battey)
  • Phebe Weeks, ALS, Weekstown, 11/19/1867, to cousin
  • Prince A. Weeks, ALS, Fair Haven, Ma., 4/5/1856, to Thomas J. Battey
  • Lena L. Wells, ALS, Berlin, Germany, 12/9/1888, to Mrs. Battey
  • John G. Whittier, ALS (postcard), Danvers, Ma., 2/2/1879, to Thomas J. Battey re: refers to an unnamed poem
  • Mattie Williamson, ALS, Brooklyn, 3/8/1883, to Aunt Gussie
  • Mary E. Wing, 2 ALS, 1887, 1889, to Augusta Battey
  • Clara A. Winslow, ALS, Waterville, Me., 7/4/1887, to Thomas J. Battey, encloses document from "Friends' School Alumni Association"

Folder 5

Unidentified correspondents:

  • [?], to Gussie re: baby of Martha Birdsall
  • Emma [?] to Thomas J. Battey
  • Edna [?], 7/22/1889, to uncle Thomas J. Battey
  • John [?Steere?], 7/10/1889, to uncle Thomas J. Battey re: illness of Smith B. Steere
  • [unknown woman], 10/21/1866, to "Gussie" [M. Augusts Battey]

Folder 6

  • Receipts, etc., 1796-1868
  • Includes: memorandum (1796) of who will sweep Meeting House for 1797-1800; receipts (1799-1815) estate of Joseph Battey (guardianship of son John); receipts, etc. (1804-1841) related to estate of Sarah Battey (d. 1842); receipt (1819) estate of Benjamin Battey; papers (1820) estate of James [Clemme?]; receipts (1863-1868) Ruth Battey

Folder 7

  • Notes on births, deaths, marriages of families of Southwick, Mussey, Remington, Aldrich and others: date span covers 1684-1861.

Folder 8

  • Poetry, penmanship papers, not dated.

Folder 9

  • Meeting minutes, 1793-1850.
  • Includes: "Coppy of a minute setting off gloucester Preparative Meetg, 8th mo. 1793"; "Minutes of organization of [Friends Prov.] First Day School, established 3d mo. 1850"; p

Folder 10

  • Printed items, 1845-1849.
  • Includes: Free produce meeting minutes (1849); circular to members of School Committee [Providence Public Schools] (1845); 2 time tables

Box 6 | Table of contents | Summary | Box 1 | Box 2 | Box 3 | Box 4 | Box 5 | Box 6 | Box 7 | Box 8 | Box 9

Nathan Dunn papers

Folder 1
Letters by Nathan Dunn, 1821-1839 (13 ALS as follows)

  • 11/19/1821 Liverpool - about to sail to Canton
  • 4/13/1824 Canton, to niece Hannah C. Risley - government restrictions on their interactions with Chinese merchants, tells of elaborate dinner banquet
  • 1/6/1828 Canton, to brother and sister - thoughts on Separation within Society of Friends, gives gifts of money to relatives
  • 8/29/1832 to sisters Phebe and Rhoda Osborn
  • 3/26/1833 Philadelphia, to Phebe and Rhoda Osborn
  • 6/18/1833 Philadelphia, to Phebe and Rhoda Osborn
  • 2/21/1834 Philadelphia, invitation to Thomas Dixey
  • 7/2/1834 Niagara Falls, to Hannah C. Risley - traveling in New York State, Niagara Falls, etc.
  • 3/31/1837 Philadelphia, to Phebe and Rhoda Osborn
  • 7/27/1838 Philadelphia, to Phebe and Rhoda Osborn
Scanned Image 11/23/1838 Philadelphia, to Phebe and Rhoda Osborn - working on setting up exhibit of Chinese Collection (approximately 59K).
  • 3/29/1839 Philadelphia, to Phebe and Rhoda Osborn
  • 4/12/1839 Philadelphia, to Phebe and Rhoda Osborn

Folder 2
Letters by Nathan Dunn, 1841-1844 (7 ALS as follows)

  • 3/21/1841 Philadelphia, to Phebe and Rhoda Osborn
  • 5/4/1841 Philadelphia, to Phebe and Rhoda Osborn
  • 8/29/1842 London, to Hannah C. Dixey - in London with Chinese Collection
  • 3/3/1843 London, to niece Hannah C. Dixey - opinion on anticipated boom in trade with China, many missionaries and traders headed that way, need to stop opium traffic first "Opium and the Bible cannot enter China together," visit of Elizabeth Fry to the Chinese Collection
  • 10/1/1843 Paris, to Hannah C. Dixey - comments of news of sister Rhoda and Mr. Lamb
  • 2/3/1844 London, to Benjamin W. Richards - case of Thomas v. Dunn to come up in Court of Common Pleas (forgery case), discusses case at length
  • 6/21/1844 London, to Benjamin W. Richards - Dunn wins forgery case, discusses case and aftermath, receives anonymous letter in verse in Thomas's hand, which mentions gift to Haverford

Folder 3

  • "Memoranda for Mr. Dunn - List of articles - wanted 3 mo. 18, 1829" [notebook re: packing of Chinese Collection, also Chinese articles wanted for collection, (and items needed to exhibit collection ?)]

Folder 4
Laurel Hill Cemetery papers, 1836-1840.

  • Includes: 2 account books, copies of deeds and legal documents, extracts from minutes of meeting of the proprietors, printed act of incorporation for Laurel Hill Cemetery (1836, managers are Nathan Dunn, Benjamin W. Richards, John J. Smith Jr., Frederick Brown, William M. Meredith, Edward Coleman, George N. Baker, Henry Toland and Nicholas Biddle)

Folder 5
Land papers, 1838-1839.

  • Includes: "Map of Lots in exchange of land between Nathan Dunn and William Russell" (1838) and "Deed, Absalom H. Smith and wife to Nathan Dunn for a lot of land in Mt. Holly" (1839)

Folder 6

  • "The last will and testament of Nathan Dunn, late of the city of Philadelphia, deceased." 1844, with annotations in a contemporary hand [possibly Isaac Collins?, one of Dunn's executors]

Folder 7
Miscellaneous Nathan Dunn and Dunn family papers, 1744-1841.

  • Includes: receipt (1744) and bond (1753) of Zaccheus Dunn, "Copy of account, Rhoda Dunn and John Barnes Execrs. of Nathan Dunn Decd." (1786), 1759 Deed (Silver and Shivers), receipt, several 1832 letters to Nathan Dunn related to building a house

Box 7 | Table of contents | Summary | Box 1 | Box 2 | Box 3 | Box 4 | Box 5 | Box 6 | Box 7 | Box 8 | Box 9

Osborn and Lamb family letters:
Ballinger, William - Lamb, Rhoda

Folder 1

  • Letters of: William Ballinger 1857 funeral notice for
  • Ann Bellangee, ALS, "Santcla[]swell", 1834, to Rhoda Osborn, (w/ brother James Bellangee) re: religious thoughts (are they traveling in the ministry?)
  • M. F. Bellangee, ALS, Bordentown, 1867, to friend Rhoda
  • Leah Blackman, ALS, Little Eggharbor, 1868, to Rhoda Lamb re: family information for use in her book
  • R. S. Bogan Jr., ALS, Tuckertown, 1884, to Uncle Gideon [M. Birdsall]
  • Richard Bogan, 8 ALS, Osborn's Island, 1850-1871, to Rhoda and Restore S. Lamb, Gideon Birdsall re: running farm on Osborn's Island
  • Frederick Brown, 5 ALS, Philadelphia, 1845-1865, to Phebe Osborn, Rhoda Lamb re: funeral and estate of Nathan Dunn
  • Rachel Bullock, 1846 funeral notice for

Folder 2

  • Letters of: Albert Birdsall, ALS, 1872, Newburgh, to Aunt [Rhoda Lamb?]
  • Nathan Dunn Birdsall, 2 ALS, 1844-1848, to Aunt [Rhoda Osborn] and Aunts Phebe and Rhoda Osborn
  • Thomas O. Birdsall, 9 ALS, 1877-1885, to family
  • Zephaniah Birdsall (1823-1849), ALS, 1844, to Aunts Phebe and Rhoda Osborn

Folder 3

  • Papers of: Gideon M. Birdsall, miscellaneous items, memoranda, receipt, certificate from Marlborough Monthly Meeting, 1871 to Burlington and Little Egg Harbor Monthly Meetings in regard to visit of GMB, bankbook (1882-1884, 2 p. used), deed of release from Gideon and Palmyra Birdsall to Joseph Davis, March 12, 1831, 9 tintypes of [GMB?], 2 cartes-de-visite, one of Gideon Birdsall, one of Palmyra Osborn Birdsall.
  • Marriage certificate for Gideon and Palmyra Osborn Birdsall, 1818. Removed to 990 B-R.

Folder 4

  • Letters of: E. A. Coffin, ALS, 1877, St. Louis, to his mother Rhoda Ann (Birdsall) Coffin
  • Rhoda Ann (Birdsall) Coffin (daughter of Gideon M. Birdsall), 9 ALS, 1839-1885, to family (includes letters w/ brother Nathan Dunn Birdsall and Gideon M. Birdsall)

Folder 5

  • Letters of: Jane [Carr], ALS, 1841, to Phebe Osborn
  • Lewis R. [Cavilear], ALS, 1884, to Gideon M. Birdsall
  • Offingham Cock [or Dock?], 6/1/no year, to R. Lamb
  • Isaac Collins, 2 ALS, 1844, to Phebe and Rhoda Osborn, re: estate of Nathan Dunn
  • D. Colson, 2 ALS, 1841, 1844, to cousins Phebe and Rhoda Osborn
  • Phebe Coutant, ALS, 1885, to brother Gideon M. Birdsall, encloses funeral notice of Job Atkinson
  • Hannah R. Cox, 1849 funeral notice for

Folder 6

  • Letters of: Hannah C. (Pancoast) Dixey (previously Risley, daughter of Deborah Dunn Pancoast), 3 ALS, 1834-1855, to Aunts Phebe and Rhoda Osborn, children (Deborah Ann Risley)
  • S. W. Doughten, ALS, 1872 to Mordecai W. Bryant (on behalf of Rhoda Lamb) with reply of Mordecai W. Bryant to RL on reverse
  • Ann Eliza Dunn (daughter of Josiah Dunn and niece of Nathan Dunn), 2 ALS, 1839-1842, to Aunts Phebe and Rhoda Osborn
  • Nathan Dunn Jr. (son of Josiah Dunn and nephew of Nathan Dunn), ALS, 1842, to Aunts Phebe and Rhoda Osborn
  • B. C. Duplaine, ALS, 1849, to Restore Lamb

Folder 7

  • Letters of: William Folwell (Nathan Dunn was apprenticed to a William Folwell in 1803), 4 ALS, 1840-1868, to Phebe and Rhoda Osborn and later, to Rhoda Lamb

Folder 8

  • Letters of: Barclay Haines and Lydia Haines, 1875 invitation to wedding of their daughter, Mary to William C. Parry
  • Margaret Haines, 1845 funeral notice for
  • Jane L. Harvey, ALS, 1885, to Gideon M. Birdsall
  • William Haywood, 10/16/no year funeral notice for
  • Samuel B. Headley, ALS, 1846, to friends Phebe and Rhoda Osborn
  • Lydia L. Hewlings, 1841 funeral notice for
  • Benjamin M. Hollinshead, cover sheet addressed to him

Folder 9

  • Letters of: Restore S. Lamb, 1 ADS, "Conditions" [of sale of cedar timber, 1847]
  • Rhoda O. Lamb, 4 ALS, 1842-1850, to sister Phebe Osborn and to G. & B. [Orul?], also a few misc. mss, including copy of appraisal of personal effects of Rhoda Lamb

Box 8 | Table of contents | Summary | Box 1 | Box 2 | Box 3 | Box 4 | Box 5 | Box 6 | Box 7 | Box 8 | Box 9

Osborn and Lamb family letters:
Langdon, E. - Zelley, Catharine R.
Miscellaneous Meeting minutes

Folder 1

  • Letters of: E. Langdon, ALS, 8/24/1842, to Mrs. Thomas Dixey
  • William B. Langdon, ALS, 9/9/1841, to Rhoda
  • James Logan, ALS, 11/28/1849, to Rhoda S.[?] Lamb
  • P. McCall, ALS, 4/21/1847, to Restore S. Lamb
  • George McHenry, 3/3/1864, notice of funeral for, sent to R. S. Lamb
  • Rebecca Merritt, 8/12/1851, funeral notice for, sent to Restore S. Lamb

Folder 2

  • Papers of: Phebe Osborn (d. 1848) (daughter of Thomas Osborn), account book (cash book) [no dates?]
  • Richard Osborn (father of Thomas Osborn), ADS (bond), ca 1765-1769
  • Thomas Osborn (d. ca. 1827) (2nd husband of Rhoda (Silver) Dunn), 7 items, 1777-1822 (receipts, legal documents)

Folder 3

  • Letters of: Deborah Dunn Pancoast (sister of Nathan Dunn), 6 ALS, 1839 and no date, to family
  • George Pancoast, 2/25/1862, funeral notice for, sent to Restore S. Lamb
  • Nathan Dunn Pancoast (nephew of Nathan Dunn), 2 ALS, 1839, 1868, invitation and letter to Aunts Rhoda and [Phebe Osborn]
  • Sadie A. Pancoast, ALS, 3/10/year?, to cousin
  • Amos J. Peaslee, ALS, 1/16/1872, to Rhoda O. Lamb
  • Jacob S. Pedrick, ALS, 4/25/1860, to Restore Lamb re: death of Hannah Pedrick
  • Joseph B. Pedrick, ALS, 6/20/1879, to cousin Rhoda O. Lamb
  • William S. Perot, ALS, 1/11/1847, to Restore S. Lamb
  • Joseph W. Pharo, ALS, 3/14/1839, to Phebe and Rhoda Osborn
  • Phebe B. Pharo (m. Allen R. Pharo), ALS, 2nd day (30th), to Restore Lamb
  • Timothy Pharo, ALS, 2/16/1842, to Phebe and Rhoda Osborn
  • Pharos & Ridgway, ALS, 5/1/1873, to Rhoda O. Lamb

Folder 4

  • Letters of: [Ira] Quigley, ALS, 7/12/1845 to [] Rhoda
  • Elwood Reeves, ALS, 2/7/1853, to Restore S. Lamb
  • Mrs. Richards and daughters, AD (acceptance of invitation), Tues., 8/6/no year, to Mrs. Osborn and Mr. Dunn
  • Benjamin W. Richards, 9 ALS, 1844-1846, to Phebe and Rhoda Osborn, Restore Lamb re: estate of Nathan Dunn
  • D. A. [Deborah Ann] Risley (daughter of Hannah C. Dixey?), ADS, 5/26/1848, recipe for medicine (St. Vitas Dance)
  • Sarah Roberts, ALS, no date, to Phebe and Rhoda Osborn
  • Daniel Schut, ALS, 8/24/1858, to Mrs. R. S. Lamb
  • Mary Ann Shourds, 2 ALS, 1849, 1852, to cousin Rhoda Lamb
  • William Shourds, 6/18/1840, funeral notice for, sent to Rhoda Osborn and family
  • R. C. Smith, ALS, no date, to Rhoda and Phebe Osborn
  • Henry Sutton, ALS, 3/20/1885, to Gideon M. Birdsall
  • Isaac Sutton, ALS, 12/16/1883, to Gideon M. Birdsall
  • Daniel Townsend, ALS, 1/14/1839, to "Pheeby & Rhody Osborn"

Folder 5

  • Letters of: R. C. Wainwright, ALS, 10/2/1843, to Rhoda Osborn
  • Thomas Walton, ALS, 8/9/1850, to Restore Lamb
  • James Weeks and Phebe Weeks, ALS, 3/17/1847, to Rhoda and Phebe Osborn
  • Barclay White, ALS, 6/1/1850, to "Mother Rhoda O. Lamb"
  • Susan C. White, ALS, 2/6/1877, to [?] re: death of Susan's mother
  • William C. White, ALS, 1878, to cousin Rhoda, also memorandum, not dated
  • Rebecca Ann Wilkins, 10/6/1848, funeral notice for, sent to Restore Lamb
  • Sarah E. Willits, ALS, 5/5/1849, to Mrs. Rhoda Lamb
  • Stephen Willits Jr., ALS, 6/6/1839, to Phebe and Rhoda Osborn
  • Georgia B. Wood, 8 pages of bequests, ca. 1927
  • Benajah B. Woodward, ALS, 10/18/1845, to Phebe and Rhoda Osborn
  • Franklin Woolman, ALS, 8/16/1852?, to Restore S. Lamb
  • Mary Woolman, 7/4/1860, funeral notice for
  • Catharine R. Zelley, 3/28/1841, funeral notice for, sent to Rhoda Osborn

Folder 6

  • Unidentified correspondents, 1832-1878.
  • Miscellaneous Osborn and Lamb family material:

Folder 7

  • Meeting minutes, ca. 1848-1863.
  • Includes: handwritten extracts from Yearly Mtg. (ca. 1848); printed subscription form for a Friends' school (1854); minutes of Marlborough Preparative Meeting of Minsters and Elders, Cornwall Preparative Meeting of Ministers and Elders, Cornwall Quarterly Meeting of Ministers and Elders

Folder 8

  • Poetry, photographs, memorandum, almanac, clippings.
    Scanned Image "Restore [Lamb] & Ira". (approximately 20K).

Box 9 | Table of contents | Summary | Box 1 | Box 2 | Box 3 | Box 4 | Box 5 | Box 6 | Box 7 | Box 8 | Box 9

Osborn and Lamb family
Accounts, bills, receipts

Folder 1

  • Receipt book, 1834-1845 of Phebe and Rhoda Osborn.

Folder 2

  • Receipts, bills [undated]

Folder 3

  • Receipts, bills, 1820-1839.

Folder 4

  • Receipts, bills, 1840-1849.

Folder 5

  • Receipts, bills, 1850-1859.

Folder 6

  • Receipts, bills, 1860-1869.

Folder 7

  • Receipts, bills, 1870-1879.

Folder 8

  • Receipts, bills, 1880-1889.

Return to: Table of contents

Contact Diana Franzusoff Peterson (dfpeters@haverford.edu or 610-896-1284) for more information about this collection. Please include the manuscript collection number in your request.

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