Contents


Descriptive Summary

Administrative Information

BIOGRAPHICAL AND HISTORICAL

SCOPE AND CONTENT

Arrangement

SELECTED SEARCH TERMS Materials catalogued separately

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE RECORDS

Series 1. Ogden Collection: Autographs, Photographs and Original Papers of the Society of Friends Collected by Charles Smith Ogden and his son Henry Corbit Ogden

Series 2. Historica Genealogica [in five volumes]

Series 3. Scrapbook #2

Series 4. Scrapbook #3: Our United States Consulate, Quebec, Canada

Series 5. Charles S. Ogden Correspondence

Series 6. Miscellaneous

An Inventory of the Charles Smith Ogden Family Papers, ca. 1732-1938

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

2009

Descriptive Summary

Creator Charles Smith Ogden (1822-1904)
Title Charles Smith Ogden family papers,
Dates: ca. 1732-1938
Abstract: Charles Smith Ogden (1822-1904) was a Quaker businessman, genealogist, and civic leader. He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, educated in Friends' schools, and married Emma Corbit in 1848. He worked as a wholesale druggist before the Civil War, was active on the committee to elect Abraham Lincoln, and served as Consul to Quebec, Canada, 1860-1864. In 1886, he began a tour around the world, which is recounted in his travel letters, 1886-1891. This collection contains genealogical material, family correspondence, scrapbooks and memorabilia. Of particular interest are letters collected by Charles S. Smith from prominent Quaker correspondents including Elias and Edward Hicks, Lucretia Mott, Benjamin Ferris, and John Comly.
Extent: 4 boxes; 2 linear ft.
Identification: RG 5/108
Location: For current information on the location of materials, please consult the Library's online catalog
Location:

Administrative Information

Related Material

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BIOGRAPHICAL AND HISTORICAL

Charles Smith Ogden (1822-1904) was a Philadelphia Quaker businessman, genealogist, and civic leader. He was born in Philadelphia, the son of John Melchior and Harriet (Middleton) Ogden, into a prominent family involved in philanthropic and reform activities. He was educated in Friends' schools and married Emma Corbit (1827-1874) in 1848 under the care of Philadelphia Monthly Meeting (Hicksite). She was the daughter of Henry Cowgill Corbit and Sarah Bolton Corbit. Her mother was an intimate friend of Lucretia Mott. They had two children, Henry Corbit Ogden and Middleton Ogden. Charles Ogden worked as a wholesale druggist before the Civil War, was active on the committee to elect Abraham Lincoln, and served as Consul to Quebec, Canada, 1860-1864. In 1886, he began a tour around the world, which is recounted in his travel diaries, 1886-1891, composed as letters to his son. The trip ended abruptly with the death of his son, H. Corbit Ogden, in July 1891.

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SCOPE AND CONTENT

This collection contains a collection of Quaker correspondence, family correspondence, genealogical research, and memorabilia compiled by Charles Smith Ogden, a Philadelphia Quaker businessman, genealogist, and civic leader.

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SELECTED SEARCH TERMS Materials catalogued separately

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: Researchers are advised to search by subject and author, when applicable.

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Arrangement

The colleciton is divided into six series:

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE RECORDS

Series 1. Ogden Collection: Autographs, Photographs and Original Papers of the Society of Friends Collected by Charles Smith Ogden and his son Henry Corbit Ogden

Note: The collection was mounted in an oversized bound volume presented to Swarthmore College. At that time, it was designated "Scrapbook Number 4" by staff at Friends Historical Library. In 1984, the items were placed in folders which are arranged in the order created by the donor.


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Title page of Ogden Collection ca. 1935 1 folder
Removed from a leather bound album in which the documents were mounted

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Scrapbook inventories 1984 1 folder
In 1984 FHL staff removed the contents from the oversized volume in order to better preserve the documents. Each item was numbered in the order it was attached to the acidic album. Detailed inventories were created, organized alphabetically and according to type of document.


George Fox images 1 folder
Images of George Fox and his homes. Includes a photograph purchased by Ogden in 1891 of Fox's birthplace before it was dismantled


Edward Hicks to Richard Price n.d. (second day) 1 folder
ALS, with thanks for the bottles of wine and offer to mention to his father-in-law a painting that includes a flock of sheep and bull with an image of Joseph John Gurney. (Photocopy - original SAFE)


Elias Hicks to Samuel R. Fisher 1799, 2 mo 11 1 folder
Send his regards to friends and their families in Philadelphia. (Photocopy - original SAFE)


Poem written after hearing a sermon delivered by Elias Hicks 12 mo 12th 1822 1823, 1 mo, 1 1 folder
Poem by Joseph Gill, copied by Henry C. Corbit


Clippings about the life of Elias Hicks 1 folder
Carte de visite of Hicks, with an account of the Hicks death mask


Penn family 1 folder
Images of Thomas Penn, Penn home and grave, and a leaf and bark from Penn's Treaty Elm. Bark mounted on a watercolor painting of the elm by Charles S. Ogden. Bark presented by Thomas Cowperthwait, 1836

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Documents concerning Richard Penn estate 1737-1809 1 folder
Inventories, receipts, etc. Removed to oversize

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Proprietary records 1732-1788 1 folder
Receipts, accounts addressed to Thomas Penn and Thomas Penn, Jr.


George M. Justice to Charles S. Ogden 1851, 5 mo 1 folder
Note refutes the allegation that William Penn was a slave owner at the time of his death. Carte de visite removed to FHL pictures


Lucretia Mott to Sarah [Corbit] 1851, 4 mo 25 1 folder
Letter reports that she had selected from her letters samples for the autograph collection that Sarah's son-in-law was compiling. "The time will come when the names of the ultra abolitionists, now 'cast out as evil' will be held in everlasting remembrance.'" Expresses sympathy for all the losses that Sarah has suffered. (Photocopy, original MSS 035)


Benjamin Lundy to Lucretia Mott 1835, 9 mo 19 1 folder
Written from Philadelphia Prison. (Photocopy, original MSS 035)


Richard Mott to James Mott 1849, 2 mo, 8 1 folder
From Dublin. (Photocopy, original MSS 035)


William Rotch, Jr., to Lucretia Mott 1848, 6 mo 1 folder
"Dear Cousin." Visited the mountains of Pennsylvania, with plans to travel to Burlington and New York - in his 87th year. (Photocopy, original MSS 035)


Moses Brown to Lucretia Mott 1836, 7 mo 9 1 folder
Letter notes the death of Dr. John Moore which reminds him of the recent death of his son-in-law William Almy, New England Yearly Meeting minister. An account on their conversation concerning Elias Hicks. (Photocopy, original MSS 035)


Lydia P. Mott to James and Lucretia Mott 1851, 3 mo 4 1 folder
Introducing Francis Rattle who had recently visited


Mott clippings and photographs 1 folder
Articles on the life of Lucretia. Photographs of James and Lucretia removed to FHL pictures


Nicholas Waln to Archibald Darrah 1802, 3 mo 9 1 folder
Expresses the opinion that that Government should pick up the expenses for the Indian who have been removed to reservations.


John Comly to Naomi (Hunt) Passmore 1845, 2 mo 24 1 folder
Condolences on the death of her mother, Quaker minister Rachel (Gibbons) Hunt of Darby Monthly Meeting


Susanna Jewett to Naomi (Hunt) Passmore 1845, 11 mo 25 1 folder
Mentions recently attended Warrington Quarterly Meeting and therefore missed seeing Naomi's brother, John Passmore, at Concord Quarterly.


Moses Brown to Naomi (Hunt) Passmore 1848, 12 mo 28 1 folder
Written from Mobile, AL, and mentions cholera epidemic in New Orleans and elsewhere which has limited his travels in the ministry


Harriet J. Moore to Naomi Passmore 1852, 9mo 10 1 folder
Mentions visit to Moorestown Meeting where Naomi's brother John Hunt was also in attendance and the travels of other Quakers in the ministry. Images removed to FHL pictures


Receipts with autographs 1 folder
David Rittenhouse (1783), Isaac Hopper (1813, 1821), Samuel Morris (1765)


Anna Morris to Naomi Passmore 1853, 7 mo 25 1 folder
Praises for Naomi's mother, Rachel Hunt


Mary L. Lippincott to Naomi Passmore 1853, 10 mo 2 1 folder
Religious exhortations. Mentions attending Baltimore Yearly Meeting and the ministry of Naomi's brother, John Hunt


Mary G. Allen to Naomi Passmore 1854, 1 mo 11 1 folder
Encouragement in the Faith, mentions meetings and visitors


Joseph A. Dugdale to Naomi Passmore n.d. 1 folder
Regret that was not able to visit


Mary Pike to Naomi Passmore 1855, 10 mo 12 1 folder
ALS. Plans a visit


Photo prints of Stephen Grellet travel minutes 1814 1 folder
Gift to Marie Francke from Henry Haydock, together with typed transcript, booklet, and a letter from Henry Haydock, dated 1935


Rachel W. Barker to Joseph T. Thomas 1849, 1 mo 1 1 folder
ALS. Writing from Poukeepsie where many are sick with cholera, dysentery, and typhus


Copy of a report concerning ministry of Rachel Wilson Moore 1858, 5 mo 27 1 folder
Written by Elders of New York Yearly Meeting, disapproving of her visit. Clipping of her speech in Philadelphia wherein she expressed her opinion that the Bible was not meant to be taken literally and her support for equality for women. Photographs of her and her second husband, Dr. John Wilson Moore, of Philadelphia


Debby Norris to Sally Fisher 1779, Nov. 10 1 folder
ALS


Hannah William silhouette and memorabilia 1820-1845 1 folder
Silhouette taken at the Peale Museum, Philadelphia (Peale Museum stamp). Notice of her funeral and an invitation to John M. and Harriet Ogden to visit, 1844


J. J. Gurney to daughter Anna 1844, 2 mo (?) 1 folder
ALS


Miscellaneous articles 1 folder
Article on Elizabeth Fry, engraving of her brother, booklet "Friends Disused Burial Grounds in Lancashire"


Ogden family papers 1 folder
Memorabilia


Mary Pike to Henry C. and Sarah Corbit 1839, 11 mo 30 1 folder
ALS. Mary Pike, Quaker minister and wife of Henry Pike. Also a 1837 receipt signed by Henry Pike


Receipts and autographs 1 folder
Receipt signed by Abraham Lower, 1834. Donor's note indicates that he was a Quaker minister of Green Street Monthly Meeting and built a cabinet for Harriet Middleton. George Freeman photo removed to FHL pictures


Isaac Townsend to Charles S. Ogden 1849, 2 mo 2 1 folder
ALS. An affectionate letter in which he quotes from a letter written by Samuel Fothergill concerning marriage. Note from donor that Townsend had married into the Ogden family and was the father of Edward Townsend, warden of Eastern Penitentiary.


Benjamin Ferris to Charles S. Ogden 1855, 5 mo 3 1 folder
ALS. Responding to Ogden's inquiry for information about John C. Ogden, referring him to Bonsalls living in Darby.


Jane Johnson to Harriet Ogden 1856, 6th day 1 folder
ALS. Asking Harriet's advice on bill due from Samuel Darlington for one of their charges, as well as his offer to continue the child's studies at half price


Dillwyn Parrish to Charles S. Ogden 1866, 2 mo 23 1 folder
ALS referring to an accompanying letter which he is glad to provide, possibly from his father who died in 1840.


Richard Price to Charles S. Ogden n.d. 1 folder
ALS offering financial advice regarding Ogden's creditors. Carte de visit glued to letter.


George F. White to Richards Price 1844, 5 mo 8 1 folder
ALS expresses the awkwardness with some members in the Society of Friends, created by his staying at the Prices' home in Philadelphia


Mary A. Smith to Harriet Ogden 1851, 12 mo 13 1 folder
ALS. Remembers fondly the times they worshipped together at Green Street, but chides her for not visiting more often.


Deborah F. Wharton to Caroline Perot 1874, 1 mo 25 1 folder
ALS, letter of sympathy. Clippings on her life.


Lydia Longstreth to John M. Ogden 1875, 6 mo 18 1 folder
Signed postcard committing $40 towards the brick meeting house at Fair Hill in hopes that there soon will be a meeting held there.


Carolena M. Wood to Marie Francke 1936 1 folder
Thank you note when hospitalized for Francke's get well message from the worship meeting. Clippings regarding her death, note from Henry Haydock concerning the funeral service where Rufus Jones spoke


Duck Creek Monthly Meeting papers 1790-1824 1 folder
Including original certificates of transfer and testimonies, printed epistle from London Yearly Meeting (1824)


Henry Drinker and William Savery to Herman Updegraff and Ruth Kirk 1790, 10 mo 18 1 folder
ALS concerning the estate and survivors of Elisha Kirk


To the Men Elders of Green Street Monthly Meeting n.d. 1 folder
ALS from members of Green Street Monthly Meeting advising against the preaching of Thomas William Stuckey (d. 1888). According to his obituary in Friends Intelligencer, he was a former English Baptist who requested membership in the Society of Friends, but was rejected.


Miscellaneous Quaker papers 1 folder
Including typed "Extracts from the History of Dover," and published Quaker catechism


Marie Ogden Francke correspondence and memorabilia 1935 1 folder
Includes ALS from Henry Haydock expressing thanks for the invitation to attend meeting at her apartment; Typed and signed "Sonnet of Spring (for Mrs. Francke" by Philip Blackburn; ALS from J. Russell Hayes of Friends Historical Library expressing pleasure at eventually receiving her scrapbook.


Proprietary documents, Penn 1733-1771 1 folder
Receipts


Quaker Miscellaneous ca. 1840-1938 1 folder
Includes autographs from John Wilbur, receipt for John M. Ogden for Chesterfield Boarding School, 1840. Cartes de visite of Henry and Elizabeth Ridgway transferred to FHL pictures.


Marie Ogden Francke correspondence and memorabilia ca. 1934-1938 1 folder
Letters received concerning the meetings held at her apartment in New York City and inspirational writings the group circulated. Published 1849 epistle from London Yearly Meeting removed to Oversize

Series 2. Historica Genealogica [in five volumes]

Note: Genealogical research compiled by Charles S. Ogden, with the volumes partly de-constructed. When the collection was processed before 1967, an attempt was made to follow Ogden’s table of contents and an inventory of the items drawn up.


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Typed inventory of the contents 1 folder
Created by FHL staff before 1967


Historica Genealogica, Vol.1 1 folder
Contains: "Ogden: Name and Family prior to A.D. 1682; Thomas Ogden, clockmaker of Sunderland, England; Orthographic changes in family name, from 1150; Extracts from minutes of Brighouse Monthly Meeting, 1701-1740; Extracts from Bradford Parish Church records, 1558, 1562, 1563; Ogden hearth list, 1666; Parish church of Rochdale, County of Lancaster, Eng., concerning Ogden family.


Historica Genealogica, Vol.2 1 folder
Descendants of David Ogden in Pennsylvania


Additional notes on the Ogden family 1 folder
Notes on Ogden family taken from The Digested Copy of The Records of Births, of The Society of Friends, Quarterly Meeting of Yorkshire, Eng.


Biographical and genealogical by J. M. Ogden of Ilkley, Eng. 1 folder


Copy of Third Item of Will of Chas. S. Ogden 1 folder
8-14-1905 from Provident Life and Trust Company. regarding Chas. S. Ogden's bequest to Swarthmore College.


Chas. S. Ogden's commission as Postmaster of Oakdale, 1866 1 folder
Oakdale Post Office, Springfield Township, Delaware County, Pa.


Additional David Ogden material 1 folder
Copies of land purchase in Chester County from William Penn, Will, inventories, biographies


H. Corbit Ogden instructions for executors of his estate, 1891 1 folder
"Information for My Executors, Lizzie Ogden, Curtis A. Darling"


Historica Genealogica, Vol.2. (Scrapbook No.1) 1 folder
Genealogical scrapbook compiled by Charles S. Ogden, including some cartes de visite, clippings. Detailed list of contents in folder


Historica Genealogica, Vol.5. Meng. J. Christopher 1 folder
Chart of descendants of John Christopher Meng, born 1697, to H. Corbit Ogden, b.1849.


Historica Genealogica, Vol.5. Meng. J. Christopher 1 folder
"Descendants of Johann Christoph Meng in America"


Historica Genealogica, Vol.5. Meng. J. Christopher 1 folder
Article from The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, Vol. 6, No .4, 1882, on Germantown, and genealogical correspondence


Notes on Ming (Meng) genealogy 1 folder
With accompanying letter from Hannah Zell to Corbit Ogden, 6-4-1891


"Ogden and Corbit" 1 folder
Chart starting with H. Corbit and Middleton Ogden and extending back six generations


Historica Genealogica, Vol. II 1 folder
Bound volume with manuscript entries on Ogden genealogy, early settlement of Pennsylvania, Quaker meetings. Pages 124-125 holds information on life and career of Charles S. and Emma Ogden. Notes that Lucretia Mott spoke at Emma's funeral in 1874


Loose notes inserted into Vol. II 1 folder
Townsend and Abbott family.

Series 3. Scrapbook #2

Charles S. Ogden's scrapbook of memorabilia. The contents removed from acidic covers and foldered in sections. Contains clippings of contemporary events and persons of interest including Abraham Lincoln, Charles Willson Peale's museum, and Pennsylvania Hall.


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Miscellaneous clippings, death of Henry C. Corbit 1840s-1850s 1 folder
pp. 1-5, includes letter of thanks to Mrs. Charles S. Ogden, President of the Ladies Association from Tenth Ward Relief Association Resolution, 1858 (p. 4)


Clippings concerning election of Abraham Lincoln, War, Ogden's appointment as Consul to Quebec annotated with notes by Charles S. Ogden 1850-1860s 1 folder
pp. 6-36, Tenth Ward People's Campaign Club ribbon, signed A. Lincoln (p. 9). Ogden was active in Lincoln's campaign and a delegate from the Tenth Ward at the Republican Convention in Philadelphia; also Clippings concerning Ogden's gift of a study of George Washington to the Historical which he purchased the Charles Willson Peale portrait at the sale of the Peale gallery in 1854


Clippings and memorabilia, Philadelphia Monthly Meeting and Union League 1 folder
pp. 28-35, Letter from the Monthly Meeting accepting Ogden's explanation for his business failure; Notification of his election to the Union League of Philadelphia, 1864. He notes that he served in various capacities until his resignation in 1886 when he went abroad


Clippings 1 folder
pp. 36-55, Death of his brother-in-law, Charles Corbit, and clipping on Pennsylvania Hall with a note by Ogden that he was present at the opening of Pennsylvania hall and at its destruction


Wedding of H. Corbit Ogden and Lizzie C. Bowman 1877 1 folder
pp. 56-62. Married at Saint Stephen's Church, Wilkes Barre. Family photographs


Family genealogy and visits to Quaker Sites 1 folder
pp. 104-116, Bowman, Low, Middleton families and visits to homes of George Fox, William Penn, and Benjamin West


Clipping announcing Ogden's visit to Ogden, Utah 1893 1 folder


Photograph of Ogden's Nile cruise companions, clippings 1 folder
Pages 109-114

Series 4. Scrapbook #3: Our United States Consulate, Quebec, Canada

A bound volume contains primarily letters written by Emma Ogden, wife of Charles S. Ogden, to her sister Carrie, 3 month 14, 1862 to 3 month 20, 1864, written during period in which Charles was United States Consul in Quebec. These letters give a detailed picture of their life as members of the diplomatic circle, religious holiday observances, comments on persons of note, living conditions, fashions, social and political matters, weather. Scattered throughout are clippings and photographs of Canada and Canadians. Plan of the City of Quebec in 1845 and Wolfe military plans are included at the end.


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Pages 61-124 March 14, 1862-March 20, 1864 1 folder
Washington, D.C., to Florida


Pages 154-155 1 folder
Clipping on espionage in Quebec during United States Civil War. Quebec had many Confederate sympathizers


Inserted between 155 and 157 1 folder
Letters from William Seward, Secretary of State, with Ogden’s synopsis of communications sent by Consulate to Seward


Pages 43-49 1 folder
Series of four cartoons on John Bull and War

Series 5. Charles S. Ogden Correspondence

Diary notes of a five-year around-the-world trip taken by Charles S. Ogden, 1886-1891, written as letters to his son, H. Corbit Ogden. The trip was abruptly ended with news of Corbit's death and Charles S. Ogden's return from Scotland.


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Letters 1-25 1886, October through Feb, 9. 1887 1 folder
Washington, DC., to Florida


Letters 22-41 1887, February 14 to April 4 1 folder
Havana, Cuba; then Mexico to California and Yosemite


Letters 42-60 1887, May 9 to August 13 1 folder
San Francisco and a steamer on the Pacific


Letters 61-68 1887, Sept. 5 -October 23 1 folder
Japan and China


Letters 69-79 1887 - 1888, Jan. 6 1 folder
Hong Kong, Singapore, British Burma


Letters 80-88 1888, Jan. 4-Mar. 20 1 folder
India and Ceylon


Letters 89-100 1888, April-August 1 folder
Egypt and Middle East, then Russia


Letters 101-117 1888, August -Feb. 1889 1 folder
Sweden, Germany, Austria-Hungary


Letters 118-131 1889, Feb.-July 1 folder
Italy


Letters 132-150 1889, July-Oct. 1 folder
Switzerland, Germany


Letters, 151-164 1889, Oct.-Dec. 1 folder
France


Letters, 165-184 1889, Dec. - April 1890 1 folder
Monte Carlo and Africa, including trip down the Nile


Letters 185-200 1890, April - June 1 folder
Italy, Sicily, Corsica


Letters 201-227 1890, July - Nov. 1 folder
France, Switzerland, Germany


Letters 228-237 1890, Nov. - Dec. 1 folder
Netherland and Belgium


Letters 238-254 1891, Jan-April 1 folder
France


Letters 255-[274] 1891, April - July 1 folder
England


Unnumbered 1891, July 1 folder
Scotland. On July 29, Corbit Ogden died suddenly in New York


Concerning Corbit’s death 1891, July-August 1 folder
Final letter to Corbit and his letter to his father, telegrams, etc. concerning his death


Ogden's record of letters received and sent 1888-1891 1 folder
Lists which appear to be a record of dates on which Corbit wrote to his father, and dates on which he, Corbit, received photographs, newspapers, cases of curios, etc., from his father. Also map of Scotland, clippings


Letter received 1887, 1 mo 14-9 mo 1891 1 folder
Correspondence from relatives and friends


Genealogical correspondence 1886-1894 1 folder

Series 6. Miscellaneous

These certificates were donated to the Pennsylvania State Archives, provenance unknown. They were offered to Friends Historical Library because it holds other Ogden family papers.


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Certificate for H. Corbit Ogden, membership in the Historical Society of Pennsylvania April 12, 1869 OE folder


Certificate for Charles S. Ogden, donation of a book to the Carpenter’s Company of Philadelphia n.d. OE folder


Certificate honoring John M. Ogden for his donation from the Board of Managers of the House of Refuge May 9, 1872 OE folder


Certificate honoring John M. Ogden for his contribution to the Pennsylvania Hospital January 1, 1859 OE folder


Certificate bestowing life membership to Charles S. Ogden for the PA Training School for the Feeble-Minded September 25, 1859 OE folder


Certificate bestowing life membership to John M. Ogden for the Northern Home for Friendless Children January 1, 1859 OE folder


Certificate of Charles S. Ogden as a member of the Mercantile Beneficial Assoc. of Philadelphia April 1852 OE folder


Certificate bestowing life membership to John M. Ogden for the House of Refuge April 14, 1857 OE folder