Contents


Descriptive Summary

BIOGRAPHICAL AND HISTORICAL NOTE

SCOPE AND CONTENT OF THE RECORDS

SELECTED SEARCH TERMS

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE RECORDS

Ser. 1 Constitution

Ser. 2 Minutes

Ser. 3 Work Records

Ser. 4 Correspondence

Ser. 5 Financial Records

An Inventory of the Central Employment Association (Philadelphia, Pa.) Records, 1840-1942

Finding Aid Prepared by FHL staff

Encoding made possible by a grant by the Gladys Kriebel Delmas Foundation to the Philadelphia Consortium of Special Collections Libraries

2000

Descriptive Summary

Creator Central Employment Association (Philadelphia, Pa.)
Title Records,
Dates: 1840-1942
Abstract: The Central Employment Association, a women's charity, was established circa 1840 in Philadelphia by Hicksite Quakers as the Northern Female Association for the Relief of the Sick and Infirm Poor. The collection contains the charter and by-laws, work and financial records, and correspondence, 1840-1942.
Extent: 2 boxes ; 1 linear foot
Identification: RG 4/015
Location: For current information on the location of materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.
Location:

BIOGRAPHICAL AND HISTORICAL NOTE

The Northern Female Association for the Relief of the Sick and Infirm Poor was organized in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, about 1840 by Hicksite Quaker women to distribute food and clothing to poor people. On 12 month 1, 1857, the name was changed to the Central Employment Association, and in addition to relieving the poor, the Association sought to provide employment, primarily sewing, to the poor who were able to work. Priscilla H. Henrey was appointed President, and Sallie H. Henrey, Treasurer, and Ann H. Townsend, Secretary.

The policy was for each person assisted to be visited by a member of the Association. Poor people were provided with materials to sew garments, and they were paid for the work completed. Garments were distributed without charge to those poor people unable to work, due to illness or infirmity.

The Central Employment Association was incorporated in 1874. In 1884 it was located at 4th and Green Street, Philadelphia. The Association continued to function until 1940 when it was dissolved, and it assets were given to the Female Association of Philadelphia for the Relief of the Sick and Infirm Poor with Clothing.

Organizations of this kind, of which there were several in the Philadelphia area in the late 1800's, were often referred to as “Houses of Industry.”

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SCOPE AND CONTENT OF THE RECORDS

This collection contains the records of the Central Employment Association, a women's charity established circa 1840 in Philadelphia by Hicksite Quakers as the Northern Female Association for the Relief of the Sick and Infirm Poor. The collection contains the charter and by-laws, work and financial records, and correspondence, 1840-1942.

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SELECTED SEARCH TERMS

This collection is indexed under the following headings in the catalog of the Friends Historical Library (TRIPOD). Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons, or places should search the catalog using these headings:

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The collection is organized into 5 series. The series are:

For current information on the location of materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE RECORDS

Ser. 1 Constitution


Box



1
Constitution. Volume also contains list of members (1927) 1870

Ser. 2 Minutes


Box



1
Minutes 1840-1852


Minutes 1853-1864


Minutes 1865-1876


Minutes 1929-1940

Ser. 3 Work Records


Box



2
Work Records 1857-1858


Work Records 1934-1940

Ser. 4 Correspondence


Box



2
Correspondence. Records sewing work distributed, clothing made and distributed 1926-1942

Ser. 5 Financial Records


Box



2
Treasurer's book 1936-1940


Contributions and subscriptions 1934-1942


Lists of securities 1904-1941


Correspondence 1914-1941


Receipts for interest on mortgages and securities 1923-1941