Contents
Descriptive Summary
BIOGRAPHICAL AND HISTORICAL NOTE
SCOPE AND CONTENT OF THE RECORDS
SELECTED SEARCH TERMS Materials catalogued separately
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE RECORDS
Ser. 1. Biographical and Genealogical, 1912, n.d.
Ser. 2. Correspondence, 1868-1887
Ser. 3. Financial, 1864-1883
Ser. 4. Subscribers Lists, 1874-1883, n.d.
Ser. 5. Miscellaneous, 1860-1890
Ser.6. William P. Bancroft George School Correspondence
|
An Inventory of the Joseph Bancroft Family Papers, 1868-1989 [bulk,
1868-1914]
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
2012
|
|
|
|
|
|
Creator
|
Joseph Bancroft (1803-1874) |
|
Title
|
Joseph Bancroft Family Papers, |
|
Dates:
|
1868-1989
[bulk, 1868-1914] |
|
Abstract:
|
Joseph Bancroft (1803-1874) was Hicksite Quaker and cloth
manufacturer from Wilmington, Delaware, who worked for the reunification of the Society of
Friends in the 1860's and 1870's. He wrote a number of religious tracts and published a
book, A Persuasive To Unity, which he published in 1874. At his death, Bancroft established
a trust fund to secure the free circulation of this book among Quakers. This collection
includes materials which relate to Joseph Bancroft's writing and other religious activities,
particularly to the efforts regarding the circulation of A Persuasive To Unity. His son,
William Poole Bancroft (1835-1928), continued to promote its distribution. He was active on
the George School Committee 1888-1928 and served as Clerk of the Committee,
1896-1919. |
|
Extent:
|
3.5 linear ft. |
|
Identification:
|
RG 5/007 |
|
Location:
|
For current information on the location of materials, please consult
the Library's online catalog. |
|
Location:
|
|
Joseph Bancroft (1803-1874) was a Hicksite Quaker who worked for the reunification of the
Society of Friends in the 1860's and 1870's. He wrote a number of religious tracts and
published a book, A Persuasive To Unity, in 1874. His son, William P. Bancroft ((1835-1928)
was a long-time Clerk of Wilmington Monthly Meeting and the Clerk of the George School
Committee, 1896-1919.
Joseph Bancroft, a birthright Friend, was the son of John and Elizabeth Bancroft. Born in
Manchester, England, he attended the Ackworth School and was apprenticed to his uncle, Jacob
Bright, at the age of 14 years. In 1824 he emigrated to Wilmington, Delaware, to join his
family which had preceded him and were engaged in the manufacture of cloth.
Joseph Bancroft married Sarah, daughter of William and Sarah Poole in 1829. They had two
sons, William Poole (1835-1928) and Samuel Jr. (1840-1915), who became his partners in 1865,
forming the firm of Joseph Bancroft & Sons, manufacturers of cotton goods.
During the Separation of 1827-28, Joseph retained membership in the Hicksite branch of the
Society of Friends, but devoted most of his efforts in the latter years of his life to
effecting a reconciliation and reunion. After 1855 he became increasingly involved in a
group of Quakers, “Friends of Truth,” which met at Bethany Mission School House at 15th and
Brandywine Streets and elsewhere in Philadelphia, and signed his name as Clerk of “Some
Friends Who Met in Philadelphia” after 1865. He also wrote a number of religious tracts,
and, in the last months of his life, published a book on this subject, "A Persuasive to
Unity." Joseph Bancroft left a trust fund to secure the free circulation of this book among
members of the Society of Friends after his death. His son, William Poole, continued to
promote its distribution until at least 1890.
William P. Bancroft devoted much of his life to philanthropic causes for the City of
Wilmington and the Society of Friends. He married Emma Cooper in 1876. Bancroft was one of
the primary benefactors of the George School, a Quaker boarding school near Newtown, Pa. He
served on the School Committee from 1888-1928 and as Clerk of Committee from 1896-1919.
Bancroft also served as the Wilmington Park Commissioner and established the Woodlawn
Company.
Return to the Table of Contents
This collection includes materials which relate to Joseph Bancroft's writing and other
religious activities, particularly to the efforts regarding the circulation of A Persuasive
To Unity. His son, William Poole Bancroft, continued to promote its distribution until at
least 1890. William P. Bancroft's correspondence, mostly excerpted copies, as a member of
the George School Committee constitutes Series 6 and illustrates his involvement all phases
of planning and operation of the School.
Return to the Table of Contents
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:
Return to the Table of Contents
The collection is divided into six series:
Return to the Table of Contents
Ser. 1. Biographical and Genealogical, 1912, n.d.
|
|
Biographical and genealogical material
1912, n.d.
Includes 4 ALsS from Susan M. Bell to “Cousin William” [Bancroft] concerning
genealogical and historical matters and a 1912 list of records compiled by William P.
Bancroft.
|
Ser. 2. Correspondence, 1868-1887
Records kept before 1874 are written in the hand of Joseph Bancroft; after his death,
they were maintained by William P. Bancroft, except where specifically noted.
|
|
Letter books
1868-1874
Includes Journal entries after 1869 concerning correspondence and some Friends
matters.
|
|
|
Correspondence received, 1876-1885
Chronologically arranged.
|
|
|
Correspondence received
1874-1875
|
Box
|
|
|
| 2 |
|
Correspondence received
1876-1879
|
Box
|
|
|
| 3 |
|
Correspondence received
1880-1885, n.d.
|
Ser. 3. Financial, 1864-1883
Records kept before 1874 are written in the hand of Joseph Bancroft; after his death,
they were maintained by William P. Bancroft, except where specifically noted.
Box
|
|
|
| 4 |
|
Account Book
1864-1874
|
|
|
Inventory of Books and Expenses to the Estate
1874-1883
|
Ser. 4. Subscribers Lists, 1874-1883, n.d.
Records kept before 1874 are in the hand of Joseph Bancroft; after his death, they were
maintained by William P. Bancroft, except where specifically noted.
Box
|
|
|
| 4 |
|
Subscribers list
1874
Includes some Journal entries of Joseph Bancroft
|
|
|
List of Subscribers, chronologically arranged by
month.
1878
|
|
|
List of Subscribers by State
1881 and n.d.
|
|
|
List of Subscribers, alphabetically
arranged
1883 and n.d.
|
|
|
List of Subscribers, by monthly meeting
n.d.
|
Ser. 5. Miscellaneous, 1860-1890
Box
|
|
|
| 4 |
|
[Joseph Bancroft] “A List, or Index, of Publications put forth by some
Friends from the year 1858”
Also includes “List of Books belonging to Rebecca W. Bancroft received from her 10th
mo 12th 1868”
|
|
|
Publications regarding “Meeting of Some Friends”
1865-1874
Also includes “Friends of Truth,” 1866, n.d.
|
|
|
Publicity for “Persuasive to Unity”
1883,
1890
|
|
|
Checklist of Religious Correspondence of Joseph Bancroft in the Collections of the Eleutherian Mills Historical Library.
1860-1868
|
Ser.6. William P. Bancroft George School Correspondence
The correspondence was deposited by the George School in 2009. It consists mainly of
typed excerpts, and also includes carbon copies of some original correspondence. The
typed excerpts were probably done for George Walton, headmaster of the George School,
1912-1914; they illustrate Bancroft's deep involvement with all phases of the building
and staffing of the School.
Box
|
|
|
| 5 |
|
Thompson, Charles N. correspondence
1897-1900
Thompson was the treasurer, book-keeper, and purchasing agent for the George School
1896-1905
|
|
|
Thompson, Charles N. correspondence
1901-1903
|
|
|
Maris, George correspondence
1903
Maris served as the first headmaster of the George School. He had been superintendent
of Friends' schools under Philadelphia Yearly Meeting and taught part-time at
Swarthmore College. He was replaced in 1901 by Joseph Walton. In his correspondence,
Maris advises against having a junior school, thinks that George School should not
compete with elementary schools operated by local meetings.
|
|
|
Webster, Edmund correspondence
1903
Concerning planting trees on the campus
|
|
|
Joseph Walton, et al, from Bancroft
1910
On subject of appointing a principal of the School. Joseph Walton served as
headmaster 1901-1912.
|
|
|
Walton, George A. correspondence
1913-1914
George Walton succeeded his father as headmaster, 1912-1948. Of particular interest
is Bancroft's reservation about having boys under the age of fourteen for boarding
school, reflecting his own unhappy experience between ages of 9 and 11 years old.
|
|
|
Typed copies of letters from Bancroft to/concerning George Maris,
1894-1903
n.d.
Apparently excerpted from Letter Books, file labeled "Sensitive in Bus. Off.
Safe"
|
|
|
Typed copies of letters from Bancroft concerning staffing issues,
1911
n.d.
Apparently excerpted from Letter Books, file labeled "Sensitive in Bus. Off.
Safe"
|
|
|
Typed copies of letters from Bancroft concerning staffing issues,
1912
n.d.
Apparently excerpted from Letter Books, file labeled "Sensitive in Bus. Off.
Safe"
|
|
|
Typed copies of letters from Bancroft concerning his will and other issues,
1918, 1923
n.d.
Apparently excerpted from Letter Books, file labeled "Sensitive in Bus. Off.
Safe"
|
|
|
[Walton?], George to McFeely, Richard
1950
Carbon copy of TLS to McFeeley, headmaster who succeeded George Walton, explaining
that typed copies of sensitive notes from Bancroft were kept in Walton's safe deposit
box. He notes that these unedited notes from Bancroft reflect his advice as Committee
member, not official notes as Clerk of Committee.
|
|
|
Typed copies excerpted from Bancroft’s letter books, arranged
chronologically, 1881-1887
n.d.
1881, he warns Maris against antagonizing public school. 10 month 1881, Bancroft
pledged money towards rebuilding of Swarthmore College
|
|
|
Typed copies excerpted from Bancroft’s letter books, arranged
chronologically, 1888
n.d.
Concerning location for George School
|
|
|
Typed copies excerpted from Bancroft’s letter books, arranged
chronologically, 1889
n.d.
|
|
|
Typed copies excerpted from Bancroft’s letter books, arranged
chronologically, 1890
n.d.
Concerning location for George School
|
|
|
Typed copies excerpted from Bancroft’s letter books, arranged
chronologically, 1891
n.d.
|
|
|
Typed copies excerpted from Bancroft’s letter books, arranged
chronologically, 1892
n.d.
|
|
|
Typed copies excerpted from Bancroft’s letter books, arranged
chronologically, 1893
n.d.
Building and other committees
|
|
|
Typed copies excerpted from Bancroft’s letter books, arranged
chronologically. 1894
n.d.
Hiring staff
|
|
|
Typed copies excerpted from Bancroft’s letter books, arranged
chronologically. 1895
n.d.
|
|
|
Typed copies excerpted from Bancroft’s letter books, arranged
chronologically, 1896
n.d.
|
|
|
Typed copies excerpted from Bancroft’s letter books, arranged
chronologically, 1897
n.d.
|
|
|
Typed copies excerpted from Bancroft’s letter books, arranged
chronologically. 1898
n.d.
|
|
|
Typed copies excerpted from Bancroft’s letter books, arranged
chronologically, 1899
n.d.
|
|
|
Typed copies excerpted from Bancroft’s letter books, arranged
chronologically,1900
n.d.
|
|
|
Typed copies excerpted from Bancroft’s letter books, arranged
chronologically, 1901
n.d.
|
|
|
Typed copies excerpted from Bancroft’s letter books, arranged
chronologically, 1902
n.d.
|
Box
|
|
|
| 6 |
|
Typed copies excerpted from Bancroft’s letter books, arranged
chronologically, 1903
n.d.
|
|
|
Typed copies excerpted from Bancroft’s letter books, arranged
chronologically, 1904
n.d.
|
|
|
Typed copies excerpted from Bancroft’s letter books, arranged
chronologically, 1905
n.d.
|
|
|
Typed copies excerpted from Bancroft’s letter books, arranged
chronologically, 1906
n.d.
|
|
|
Typed copies excerpted from Bancroft’s letter books, arranged
chronologically, 1907
n.d.
Willing to contribute bulk of funds needed to build a swimming pool
|
|
|
Typed copies excerpted from Bancroft’s letter books, arranged
chronologically, 1908
n.d.
|
|
|
Typed copies excerpted from Bancroft’s letter books, arranged
chronologically, 1909
n.d.
|
|
|
Typed copies excerpted from Bancroft’s letter books, arranged
chronologically, 1910
n.d.
|
|
|
Typed copies excerpted from Bancroft’s letter books, arranged
chronologically, 1911
n.d.
|
|
|
Typed copies excerpted from Bancroft’s letter books, arranged
chronologically, 1911
n.d.
|
|
|
Typed copies excerpted from Bancroft’s letter books, arranged
chronologically, 1912
n.d.
|
|
|
Typed copies excerpted from Bancroft’s letter books, arranged
chronologically, 1914
n.d.
|
|
|
Typed copies excerpted from Bancroft’s letter books, arranged
chronologically, 1915
n.d.
|
|
|
Typed copies excerpted from Bancroft’s letter , books, arranged
chronologically, 1916
n.d.
|
|
|
Typed copies excerpted from Bancroft’s letter books, arranged
chronologically, 1917-1923
n.d.
Includes a copy of letter to President Wilson urging that the country not go to
war
|
|
|
TLS (carbon) to Charles N. Thompson regarding Woodlawn Company
1903
Bancroft sent Thompson a copy of the letter he sent to Alfred D. Sharpless, asking
for suggestions for a manager of the Woodlawn Company. Also, 1922 Equitable Trust
Company Monthly newsletter featuring the Woodlawn Trustees, Inc.
|
|
|
William P. Bancroft speech at George School banquet
1913
Remarks at the George School Association banquet, representing the School
Committee
|
|
|
Miscellaneous: William P. Bancroft's gifts to the George School
1989
List of donations between 1891-1927. 1933, income from trust.
|
|