Gift of the Grundy Foundation, 1965-1966; 1 letter, gift of the Wolcott Shop. Skaneateles, N.Y.
These papers are mainly the correspondence of Joseph Tallcot, b.ca.1768, d.1853, with family, friends, and other leading Quakers, on subjects including religious education, Friends' schools and publications, the Separation of 1827-1828, the Wilburite Separation, the African American colony at Wilberforce, Canada, African American slavery, and others. They also include essays, sermons, epistles, and articles by Joseph Tallcot; correspondence of Gaius Tallcot, d. ca.1773, and Sarah (Cause-ten) Tallcot, parents of Joseph; legal and financial papers connected with property in New Milford, Conn., 1724-1810; other.
Joseph Tallcot's correspondents include Samuel Battle, b.1775, d.1861; Anna Braithwaite, b. ca.1788, d.1859; Moses Brown, b.1738, d.1836; Mahlon Day, b.1790, d.1854; George Dillwyn, b.1738, d.1820; Thomas Eddy, b.1758, d.1827; Sarah Moore Grimké, b.1792, d.1873; Caleb McComber; Richard Mott, b.1767, d.1856; John Murray, b.1758, d.1819; Samuel Parsons, b.1774, d.1841; Samuel Rhoads, b.ca.1806, d.1868; Martha Routh, b.1743, d.1817; Thomas Willis, b.1771, d.1864.
For further details, see table of contents, which follows.
Joseph Tallcot (1768-1853) was born near Nine Partners, N.Y., the son of Quakers Gaius Tallcot and Sarah Causeten Tallcot. He was educated at Nine Partners School and later entered into the apothecary business with his father. Tallcot established a school which later became the Friends School at Nine Partners. He was the author of
Biographical information from the
[Discusses starting of Friends School]
(This letter, with large deletions and some changes, appears in
[Discusses Friends publications]
[Discusses Friends' publications]
[Discusses Separation of 1827-1828]
[Discusses Friends' publications and schools]
[Discusses admission of non-Friends to Leeds Friends School; also formation of a Yearly Meeting; also need of Friends to avoid extremes of lawlessness and apathy in supporting such measures as abolition and temperance]
[Concerns his acting as agent for
[Gives news of Indiana Yearly Meeting]
[Tells of establishment of Friends School at Lynn; praises
[Speaks of peace education among Friends and formation of Auxiliary Bible Society in Canandaigua]
[discusses care of insane among Friends, work of the Tract Association of Friends, work of Bible Association of Friends in America]
[Speaks of Wilburite controversy in New England and its divisive effect on Friends in New York and elsewhere]
[1st. letter refers to periodicals sent her, and appears in part in
[Quoted in
[Letter of
[Concerns subscriptions to
[Concerns a mistake in large book order for the New York Free School Society]
[Discusses problems arises in trying to obtain wider distribution of Bible and other Friends' books and more support of religious education]
[Praises his American catechism]
[Concerns settling of bill with Friends School]
[Asking help in promoting sale of
[Tells of Indiana Yearly Meeting, schools, and family situation]
condoling over death of Joseph Tallcot
[Discusses work of Bible Association of Friends, institution of a Chapter in New York Yearly Meeting work of Philadelphia Friends, religious education, etc.]
[Letter of
[Condoles with her over death of Joseph Tallcot]
[Discusses Joseph Tallcot's publications, possibility of using some of George Dillwyn's writings; mentions recent publications in Philadelphia he might find useful]
[Concerns publishing of two small books, other matters relating to Friends publications]
[Says Joseph Tallcot has been accused of advocating “formal, vocal passages at set times in Friends' families;” asks him to clear himself]
[Concerns procedure to be followed by Friends in petitioning Congress against slavery]
[Letter, with some changes, appears in
[Gives detailed answers to Joseph Tallcot's questions on banishment of African Americans from Ohio to Canada, their situation and needs in their new settlement (Wilberforce Colony)]
[Concerns sales of Joseph Tallcot's
[Letter quoted in part, with some changes in
[Expresses fear of imminence of another war with European nations. (Letter, so garbled as to be almost unrecognizable, quoted in
[Concerns religious education.(Letter, with some changes, appears in
[Amusing description of Friends at a Presbyterian funeral]
[Tells of Quarterly Meeting at Ferrisburgh, Vt., in which Wilburites attempted to take over]
[Letter, with slight changes, appears in
[Tells of travels in the ministry]
[Tells of spreading use of Joseph Tallcot's
[Concerns pamphlet sales; discusses two storied not sufficiently authentic for publication]
(Letter, in edited form, appears in
[Concern plan for founding of Friends school of higher learning (Haverford?), the problem of what to do about minor children of Hicksites; the Wilburite controversy]
(on back: Notes [by Joseph Tallcot?] on an Address to Friends who have the care of young children)
Signed by Mary Hughes, Clerk. (Edited version of 1820 letter appears in
[Concern distribution of tracts and Catechisms]
Edited version appears in
[Mentions Hicksites at Stroudsburg]
[Long, explicit argument for Hicksite position]
[Concerns religious education]
Letter of
[Tells of life in new settlement of Whitestown; accepts offer of company on trip to New England; mentions Friends' publications]
[Concerns goods sent by Friends to Wilberforce Colony (African American) in Canada, and held up by weather at Buffalo]
[Concerns spelling books, sent to him by Joseph Tallcot, to be sold]
[Concerns religious education]
[Speaks of abolition, religious education, short-comings of Friends, their reluctance to support causes and principles they profess to agree with, women's preaching]
[Concerns religious education and formation of a Free Produce Society at Farmington]
[Tells of her brother Matthew's visit to Comfort Collins, in Maine] (Also filed here: Undated, unsigned letter, folded like a small book, which was written by a female Hawxhurst, possibly Phebe)
[Discusses family and Meeting news, religious education, and difficulties in getting Friends to support Friends' publications]
[Discusses plan for publishing Friends' periodical; also, religious education]
[Tells of Wilburism in North Carolina, New England, Indiana, and elsewhere; offers encouragement to Scipio Monthly Meeting]
[Tells of brother William's illness and death]
[Sends copy of letter to treasurer of Yearly Meeting, asking for copy of Meeting's accounts, in connection with dispute in Scipio Monthly Meeting over raising assessments of Preparative Meetings: committee wished to examine expenditures of Meeting in paying traveling costs for Thomas Shillitoe and Anna Braithwaite]
[discusses Hicksite Separation and problems of disownment]
[Tells of pranks he played on other boys at Christmas and plans for more at New Year's Eve]
[Concerns sale of Joseph Tallcot's land in Peru]
[Concerns payment by Friends at Spiceland, Ind., for subscription to
[Congratulates him on opening of School; wishes it well; speaks of Meeting matters and of best way to govern the young; disapproves of large boarding schools under Meeting control, like Westtown; mentions four, small, private ones he thinks are better]
[Defends John Wilbur against Joseph Tallcot's criticism]
[Speaks of Friends' deaths; recommends John P. Balderston as agent for
[Thanks her for gift copy of
[In 1834, speaks of starting a Bible School, donation of tracts from Joseph Tallcot; in 1836, reports progress, describes three Schools, speaks of popularity of
[Sends list of his published works with prices]
[Tells of land sales around Norwich; also of effect on the Meeting of Joseph Tallcot's advice about settling differences between Orthodox and Hicksites]
[Speaks of travels in the ministry, Meeting affairs, news of Friends, etc. (Letter of 9mo. 16, 1807, with changes and deletions, appears in
Edited version of letter appears in
[Answers letter of Joseph Tallcot, of
[Tells of death of husband; discusses female preaching, other matters. (Both letters, in edited form, appear in
[Letter of
Also filed here: Acrostic on Anne Merritt, by her uncle, William Moore,...1805, and Verses written by a friend after setting out on a religious visit to the western parts of the State of New York, 1mo., 1806.
Some of the Expressions of Consider Merritt during his Illness...first month, 1801, to the 12th. of 3rd. mo., 1802.
[Speaks of Sarah and Angelina Grimkés' fears they are headed for trouble; appreciates his advising them]
[Sends him a copy of book of Scripture Questions compiled by young Friends in Philadelphia and printed for circulation in remote areas, Canada, etc.; asks his approval and advice]
[Gives news of travels in ministry, Meeting affairs, other matters]
[Approves his plan of a general catechism; makes suggestions. (Edited version of this letter appears in
Both letters, with large deletions and some changes, appear in
[Discusses religious education, Friends' publications, including Joseph Tallcot's, situations of African Americans and Indians, women's preaching, doubtful value of missionary work, other subjects]
with minor changes and deletions, appears in
[Speaks of need to avoid narrowness in Quakerism, need for stricter observance of First Day, importance of First Day Schools, upset condition of Society of Friends, Wilburite rebellion in Scipio Quarterly Meeting, situation in various other Meetings, etc.]
[Sends some tracts; suggests merger between Joseph Tallcot's Tract Association and the one in New York. Back of letter bears notes by [Joseph Tallcot] for letter or essay, “To my grandchildren,” speaking of the importance of knowing the history of the Society and saying that he will furnish them with sketches of important Friends; begins with George Fox (incomplete)]
Letters of 11mo.21, 1809, 4mo. 9, 1817, and 4mo. 30, 1817, with some changes and deletions, appear in
[Sends books and pamphlets for distribution; tells of establishment and progress of Tract Association in New York; speaks of Friends' duty to help Indians, need for uniformity of Discipline among Friends; suggests Convention, with delegates from each of the Yearly Meetings, to work for more uniformity of code and conduct]
[Charges Joseph Tallcot with advocating formal family prayers (Gurneyism). Pencilled draft of Joseph Tallcot's denial, 3mo. 19, follows letter.]
Edited version of this appears in
[Speaks of mutual concern for founding Auxiliary Bible Associations; 1st. letter discusses First Day and other Schools, the Hicksite Separation, other matters; 2nd. letter discusses operations of New York Friends and North Carolina Friends to help African Americans escape slavery; also, religious education.
[Requests information on action of Scipio Quarterly Meeting regarding wilburite Separation; tells of related events elsewhere; says Phila. Free Produce Association has cotton goods ready for sale and inquires whether any stores in New York State would like some.]
[Tells about First Day School and Friends Manual Labour School of which he is in charge]
[Discusses Wilburism]
[Thanks him for gift of children's books; tells of how he became a Friend.]
Edited version of 1st. letter appears in
[Second letter condoles over death of Joseph T.]
[Tells of mother's death]
[Tells him about the regulations in her School; discusses admission of non-Friends.]
[Discusses religious education and publishing of Friends' books.]
[Tells of death of daughter Olive, last surviving of their eight children.]
Letter appears in
[Thanks him for sending pamphlets on abolition of war; approves the effort. ]
[Tells of work in First Day School; asks if he could help her get books for it at low rate.]
[Speaks of distributing his little books; discusses religious education; describes Philadelphia Yearly Meeting of 1852, which John Wilbur attended, causing considerable conflict; takes gloomy view of state of the Yearly Meeting.]
[Tells about First Day School.]
[Letter, with minor changes, appears in
Letter of
[Discusses educational matters; appoints Joseph Tallcot a School Visitor for Cayuga Co.
Letter with changes and additions appears in
[Thanks him and other Friends for clothing and money; boxes delayed in arriving, by winter; says planning a school; thanks him for tracts]
Edited version of letter appears in
[1st. letter,
[Visiting his Underhill relatives; tells of bankruptcy and liquidation of father's foundry business and hopes to reestablish it.]
(Rough draft of this, on back of letter from Robert H. Mott) (Bowdlerised version appears in
(Edited version, in
[n.d.] (Edited version, in
(Edited version in
(Edited version in
(Edited version in
(Edited version in
(Edited version in
[Tells of travels in ministry]
(Edited version in
(Edited version in
To: his aunt. 8mo. 1814 York Town
(Edited version, in
(copy) (Bowdlerised version in
[Discusses need for more religious education in schools]
(Edited version in
(Edited version, with 2 inaccuracies, p. 199 of
[Discusses book sales, education of Friends' children, conditions found in different parts of country, need for more Friends' Schools]
[Lengthy discussion of education, both temporal and religious. (Severely cut version - more than half deleted - in
[Expresses concern over spread of dangerous doctrines]
[Discusses conflicts in the Society]
(Bowdlerised version, with one change in meaning, in
[Takes issue with his views on Quakers]
[Thanks him for his help in starting
(Edited version, with some inaccuracies, in
[Speaks of division in the Society. Daughter Phebe finishes letter for him]
[Discusses importance of religious education, need for First Day Schools; mentions division in Scipio Preparative Meeting]
[Tells of his visiting schools]
[Deplores increase of light reading among Friends]
(Edited version in
[Tells of grandson, Benjamin Howland, being sent to Haverford; asks him to look him up. ]
(Edited version in
[Concerns arrangements for sale of
(Bowdlerized version in
[Asks help in disposing of a new edition of
[Concerns education]
(copy)(Written on back of copy of letter to William Wood concerning same matter)
[Gives instructions for distribution of gift copies of
(Edited version, in
[Joseph Tallcot's last letter, written to wife while she was at Yearly Meeting in New York]
[Minutes of the Education Association of Scipio Quarterly Meeting] 6mo. 1834 - 4mo., 1839. (Laid in: Circular about lessons for family of First Day Schools):
[Record of Subscriptions to Friends' Publications] ca. 1847. (Laid in: 7 related items)
[Comments on lack of piety among Haverford boys]
(Letter from [sister?] R., to both parents, on back page)
[discusses their proposed removal to Scipio]
[Alludes to imminent bankruptcy of Daniel Tallcot's business]
[Reports on Yearly Meeting of 1847, action in regard to Scipio Quarter; education, the Nine Partners Boarding School, etc.; journey to Ohio and Indiana, to buy hams, etc., for sale at home; trip to Hartford, to hunt for records of ancestors; other matters]
Letter of
[letter of
(copy) Her first letter to him, before their marriage
[Concerns payment for books and tracts]
[Says he will present Joseph Tallcot's petition to New York Legislature]
[Interesting example of changes wrought by education, from one generation to the next]
(Edited version of letter of 10mo. 10, 1807, in
[Mentions movement afoot to displace Samuel Parsons from the Clerkship of New York Yearly Meeting]
[expresses appreciation of his tracts; discusses parents' duties in instructing children]
[Confirms his proposal of marriage. (Sarah, widow of Gaius Tallcot, mother of Joseph, married him and moved her family to Hudson, N.Y.)]
[Fatherly affection and advice]
[Speaks of building of new Meeting houses and quota system of assessing older Meetings for it]
[Speaks of difficulties encountered in trying to sell Joseph's publications,
[Tells of commotion stirred up in Westbury Quarterly Meeting and Flushing Select Meeting by preaching of Elias Hicks; tells J.T. to be on his guard]
[Discusses difficulties in and importance of religions education; says his periodical publications have not been getting through in the mails; wishes for unity in the Christian faith]
Edited version in
[encourages him in moving to new settlement]
[lamentation for his endeared wife Margaret Weekes, who died the 21st. of 2nd. mo. 1813].
[Sends anecdote for
[Letter from African American settlers, telling how the money he sent them was divided; complains of unfairness of Austin Steward; asks him to designate someone else to divide clothing being sent]
[Speaks of Wilburite controversy in Scipio Quarterly Meeting; tells of New York Yearly Meeting decision in regard to it; advises him on strategy to be pursued in Quarterly Meeting; deplores unruliness of Wilburites; tells of visit of Yearly Meeting Committee in the Quarter, after Quarterly Meeting]
[Reports on First Day School]
[Tells of organisation of Bible - School Association of Friends, for purpose of promoting Bible study and taste for religious books among young Friends]
[Speaks of books, need for better religious education, possibility of a periodical; distribution of
Edited version of last letter, in