circa 1900

J.H., Ford, & Co. (engravers), fl. 1900

Engraving Signed

Title: Engraving of John Whittier

One engraving of John Whittier dated circa 1900. Bust portrait of Whittier.

GLC08878.0873

circa 1900

Johnson, T., fl. 1860-1900

Engraving Signed

Title: Engraving of John Whittier

One engraving of John Whittier dated circa 1900. Bust portrait of Whittier.

GLC08878.0874

circa 1880

Engraving Signed

Title: Engraving of Martha Coffin Wright

One engraving of Martha Coffin Wright dated circa 1880. Bust portrait of Wright.

GLC08878.0986

1777

Pemberton, Israel, fl. 1777

Pamphlet

Title: An Address to the inhabitants of Pennsylvania, by those freemen, of the city of Philadelphia, who are now confined in the Mason's lodge.

Title continues: "by virtue of a general warrant, signed in council by the Vice President of the council of Pennsylvania." Signed on p. 52 by Pemberton and twenty-one others. Includes copies of orders of the Supreme Executive Council, remonstrances addressed to the Council, and other papers upon the state's arrest of Quakers (including himself) on suspicion of Loyalist sympathies during the Revolutionary War, and their confinement without a hearing or trial. Printed by Robert Bell. Evans 15496.

GLC06258

1803

Murray, John Jr., fl. 1803

Pamphlet

Title: [To the Citizens of the United States of America].

Agreed upon at a meeting of Quakers on March 1, 1803 in New York City and issued by the clerk to the meeting, John Murray, Jr. The pamphlet attacks alcohol consumption, taverns, theatres, horse racing, cockfighting, and duels. Printed by Isaac Collins and Son.

GLC05943

3 July 1695

Penn, William, 1644-1718

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Friends, Bretheren and Sisters.

In a sermon-like letter quoting the words of the apostle Paul, Penn instructs his flock: "You see by wh[ich] way God began his election. It was by tryals, yea great tryals, but promesses accompanied you, & strong faith." Written from Worminghurst, his estate in England.

GLC05806

14 April 1782

Greene, Nathanael, 1742-1786

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written by Major General Greene to Major General Knox. References two letters from Knox. Congratulates him on the birth of his son. Asks how his godson is. In reference to the godchild says, "Such a set of responsers I believe never happened before. A quaker and Roman Catholick for the same Child. Which will you chuse[?]" Asks questions about the other Knox children. Says Mrs. Greene has arrived and given him an update on the social life in Philadelphia. Had not seen his wife in 2 years. Says, "She is kinder to me than I am just to her." Says the military situation is gloomy with the enemy…

GLC02437.01388

17 April 1790

Gorham, Nathaniel, 1738-1796

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Says he has been laid up for the past week with the gout. Discusses a proposed congressional bill to regulate proceedings with the Indians. Gorham wants this to be extended to the Six Nations, stating "it is of great consiquence [sic] that more Indians should be kept in good temper - The more Southern Indians made application to them last Autumn to joyn with them in hostilities - but after a long consultation they refused - More overtures will undoubtedly be renewed & if some attention is not paid to them they may be successfull [sic]..." Says his son plans on settling down in that…

GLC02437.04588

27 March 1784

Hull, William, 1753-1825

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Hull, commandant of West Point, thanks Knox for resolving the disagreement between Hull and artillery officer Sebastian Bauman. Reports on the case of two soldiers arrested for breaking into the home and store of David Sands, a Quaker. Complains about the lack of clothing among troops, noting "... instead of that uniformity of Dress, so essential to the good appearance of Troops, we have not in many instances even a shirt to cover the soldiers' nakedness..." Relates news of other matters related to West Point and the surrounding area.

GLC02437.02985

1805

Wood, Samuel, 1760-1844

Broadside

Title: Injured Humanity; Being A Representation of What the Unhappy Children of Africa Endure from Those Who Call Themselves Christians

Printed broadside on terrible conditions of slavery and the slave trade in the West Indies. Wood, a prolific Quaker-reformist publisher, printed and sold the broadside out of his office at 362 Pearl Street in New York. Describes the sale, horrendous working conditions, and punishments of the slaves. Seven graphic vinettes depict slaves being whipped, sold, and tortured. There is no date of creation on the broadside, but the printing date was discovered as 1805 through research.

GLC05113

21 October 1814

Evans, Jonathan, fl. 1814

Broadside

Title: To Our Fellow Citizens of the United States.

Quotes a Philadelphia newspaper article that characterizes opposition to War of 1812 discussed at a Quaker meeting as treason. The Quakers charge that the article is both false and a fabrication. They claim that political subjects are not discussed at their religious assemblies. They also reaffirm Quaker pacifism, but note that they are bound to live peaceably under the government, even if that means submitting to fines and imprisonment for refusing to bear arms. Issued from a Quaker meeting by the meeting clerk, Jonathan Evans. With Ex-lib stamp.

GLC07331

1797

Book

Title: To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States...

Printed Quaker petition, containing letters and what is apparently the first printing of the first petition brought before Congress by free Blacks (p. 7) appealing for intervention against the Fugitive Slave Act, which is called "a Flagrant proof of how far human beings, merely on account of color and complexion, are through prevailing predjudices excluded from common justice and...humanity."

GLC07442

23 September 1772

Sharp, Granville, 1735-1813

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Anthony Benezet

Written by the British abolition leader Sharp to the American Quaker abolition leader Benezet. References Benezet's letter of 14 May 1772. Sends him (not included here) a short answer he "drew up to check the insinuations of those persons who pretend to excuse the practice of Slaveholding by some particular passages of Scripture." Says this is only a small part of what he hopes to write if he can find the leisure. Also sends a copy of a letter he wrote to a friend in Glasgow (not included here) trying to dissuade "the late Highland Emigrants" from going to America, but he was too late. He…

GLC07483.03

10 February 1784

Hull, William, 1753-1825

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Hull, commandant of West Point, describes his conflict with Major Sebastian Bauman, in charge of the artillery at West Point. Bauman refused to carry out Hull's orders requiring artillery to carry out regular garrison duties with infantry. In defense of his order, Hull states, "... it appears to me Troops forming a Garrison are in a very different situation from an Army in the Field, and that there are general duties in which all the Corps of every designation are interested, and consiquently ought to bare [sic] a part." Transmits correspondence pertaining to the disagreement (refer to…

GLC02437.02948

February 13, 1784

Hull, William, 1753-1825

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Transmits the proceedings of a recent court martial (GLC02437.02949). Reports that soldiers Samuel Sanders and Samuel R. Andrews, are sentenced to death for raiding the home and store of Quaker David Sands. The other participants are to receive 100 lashes each. Awaits Knox's confirmation of the men's sentence, writing "The crime was of so daring and atrocious a Nature, that I have nothing to plead in favor of those who are condemned."

GLC02437.02953

December 1, 1853

Ogden, Sarah Perot, 1831-?

Document signed

Title: Quaker marriage certificate for Edward H. Ogden and Sarah M. Perot

Large vellum marriage certificate signed by the bride and groom as well as members of the meeting.

GLC06559.160

1849

Mott, Lucretia, fl. 1849-1860

Pamphlet

Title: A Sermon to the medical students

First edition. 12mo. Printed gray wrappers. An important speech on anti-slavery and women's rights. Described on the cover as a "revised Phonographic Report." Mott rejects the doctrine of original human depravity, credits the birth of reform movements to "people... thinking and acting for themselves." Other topics include abolition (which caused some people to leave the meeting), capital punishment, and peace. DAB notes that Mott was acknowledged as a minister among the Quakers. The Feminist Companion pp. 766-777 notes this sermon as especially noteworthy.

GLC06857

December 31, 1782

Baron, Asa, fl. 1783

Autograph document signed

Title: [Three letters regarding the furlough of Seth Warren, requested so he can settle his father's estate]

Baron writes 31 December 1782 on behalf of the heirs of the estate of Samuel Warren, a "shaking quaker," to ask that Warren's eldest son, Seth, a soldier, receive a furlough to return to the estate to help settle his inheritance. On page two, in an autograph note signed 4 January 1783, John Doughty replies that General Henry Knox has no objection to Seth Warren taking a furlough, but since many men from the Corps of Invalids have already taken furloughs and left, he has referred the case to the Commander in Chief. Also on page two, in an autograph note signed 5 January 1783, David Humphreys…

GLC02437.01792

22 July 1851

Clay, Henry, 1777-1852

Letter signed

Title: to Thomas Robinson Hazard

Clay writes from Ashland, his estate, to Hazard, the noted reformer. Declines an invitation to visit Hazard in Rhode Island, relating that he will not be able to leave home this summer due to ill health. Also due to his health, this letter is written by an amanuensis. Notes that though the climate and sea bathing of Rhode Island would aid his health, "the journey, the cities, the crowds, and the company which I should encounter would neutralize any advantage that I should derive from visiting Newport." Agrees with Hazard on African colonization, remarking, "Its success and prosperity are…

GLC05721

1789

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Broadside

Title: [The Address of the Religious Society called Quakers, from their Yearly Meeting for Pennsylvania, New York, Delaware...].

Also represents Quakers in western Maryland and Virginia. Composed at a September 9, 1789 meeting and issued by the meeting's clerk, Nicholas Waln. Addressed to the President of the U.S. The Quakers offer support and prayers for Washington's Presidency, and note freedom of religion "among the choicest of blessings." Washington's undated reply appears at the bottom. It expressing thanks, praises the Quakers, and supports the idea of religious freedom. Printed by Daniel Humphreys.

GLC05329

18 December 1790

Waln, Nicholas, fl. 1790

Broadside

Title: [Explaining why Quakers refuse to pay a fee for their pacifism]

Quakers explaining why they refuse to pay a fee to the government for their pacifism.

GLC05326

February 11, 1784

Gibbs, Caleb, fl. 1748-1818

Autograph document signed

Title: [Court martial of soldiers from Constitution Island]

Major Gibbs serves as president. Contains the detailed proceedings of the trial of a group of soldiers from Constitution Island who broke into the home and store of David Sands, a Quaker. According to GLC02437.02948, they "abused his Wife, and plundered his Store," stealing goods and money. The Court rules that two of the soldiers must suffer death (Samuel E. Andrews and Samuel Sanders), three other participants are to receive "one hundred lashes on their naked backs at four different times," and the other participant should receive "one hundred lashes on his naked back."

GLC02437.02949

January 24, 1795

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses building a store in the Eastern lands. Notes the establishment would be created to serve the people and to add to "their happiness, ease, & comfort." Describes the traits and qualities the person in charge of the project should possess. Writes, "A young Quaker of good talent or other plain person… possessing honest & virtue principles a good accountant & understanding business..." Also discusses in great length Knox's time as a public servant and where his next place of residence should be. Advises Knox to keep his children close until they marry and suggests which…

GLC02437.06321

November 20, 1816

Madison, James, 1751-1836

Autograph document signed

Title: [Presidential pardon of a group of Quakers for refusing to bear arms in militia].

Countersigned by Secretary of State James Monroe. Intended for Joseph Hollingsworth, William Ellicott Jr. and Sr., Thomas Hartley, Levi Hartley, Samuel Hartley Jr., and Seneca Parry, who were arrested in Maryland. Partially filled out.

GLC00043.02

November 13, 1816

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Letter signed

Title: to Thomas Rutter

Secretary of State Monroe asks the Marshal of Maryland for details of the cases against Joseph Hollingsworth, William Ellicott Jr. and Sr., Thomas Hartley, Levi Hartley, Samuel Hartley Jr., Seneca Parry. These men were Quakers who had refused to bear arms and been arrested, and consequently petitioned for a presidential pardon.

GLC00043.06