Contents
Descriptive Summary
BIOGRAPHICAL AND HISTORICAL
SCOPE AND CONTENT
Arrangement
SELECTED SEARCH TERMS Materials catalogued separately
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE RECORDS
Ser. 1. Charles Regnier Russell and Ruth Elizabeth
Pownall
Ser.2 Vincent Stubbs Pownall and Bertha Julia Walton
Ser.3 Pownall & Walton Family Biographical and Genealogical
Papers
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An Inventory of the Russell-Pownall-Walton Family Papers,
1839-1983
Finding Aid Prepared by FHL staff
2012
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Title
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Russell-Pownall-Walton Family Papers |
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Dates:
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1839-1983 |
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Abstract:
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Journals, correspondence, and miscellaneous papers of the
Russell, Pownall and Walton families of Pennsylvania. Of particular interest is
material relating to the Swarthmore Chatauqua and to Swarthmore College. |
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Extent:
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6 boxes; 3 linear ft. |
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Identification:
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RG 5/280 |
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Location:
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For current information on the location of materials, please
consult the Library's online catalog |
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Location:
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The Pownall and Walton were Pennsylvania Quaker families who came to reside in
Delaware County. The bulk of the collection involves Charles Regnier Russell and his
wife, Ruth Elizabeth Pownall. Charles (1901–1955) and Ruth (1900–1983) Russell were
longtime residents of Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, and were graduates of
Swarthmore College in the Class of 1923.
Charles Russell was the son of Percy Russell and Agnes O. Regnier, members of New
York Monthly Meeting. After graduating from Swarthmore College, he traveled with the
Swarthmore Chautauqua circuit during the summer of 1921. He married Ruth Pownall in
1922. He served as Director of the First National Bank of Delaware County in Media
and operated a small auto repair shop in Swarthmore. Ruth Elizabeth Pownall was born
to Vincent Stubbs Pownall (1870–1942) and Bertha Julia Walton (1871–1956) in 1900
and was raised in Swarthmore where she attended Swarthmore schools and was a
member of Swarthmore Monthly Meeting. Bertha Walton’s sister, Gertrude Anna Walton
(1867–1943), remained unmarried.
Return to the Table of Contents
The collection contains papers from the Russell, Pownall and Walton families as well
as a few items relating to the Stubbs family. These papers include the diaries and
journals of Charles Regnier Russell, Elizabeth Pownall Russell, Bertha Walton
Pownall and Gertrude Walton. Together, these diaries span the years from 1918 to
1949. The collection also contains genealogical records, reunion mementos, family
photographs, marriage certificates and financial records.
Of particular interest is a series of letters sent by Charles Russell to Elizabeth
Pownall before their marriage in 1922. These letters were sent while Charles Russell
was traveling with the Swarthmore Chautauqua during the summer of 1921. The
collection also includes Chautauqua memorabilia.
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: Researchers are
advised to search by subject and author, when applicable.
Return to the Table of Contents
Folder titles and contents have been largely retained as arranged by the Piccards.
The collection is divided into seven series:
Return to the Table of Contents
Ser. 1. Charles Regnier Russell and Ruth Elizabeth
Pownall
Box
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| 1 |
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Journal
1934 1 folder
January to August
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Journal
1936 1 folder
Few entries in a spiral memo pad. Includes postcard.
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Boating Log
1939 1 folder
Log of weather conditions and charting information for boating trips.
Ruth, Joan and Charles Russell lived aboard a boat in the Chesapeake
during the summer.
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Box
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| 1 |
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Journal
1925 1 folder
Contains journal entries and loose leaf entries. Includes entries
from a trip to West Liberty Iowa (Charles Russell’s maternal
homestead).
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Journal
1930/1935 1 folder
Also contains chart of Joan Pownall Russell’s growth (born on January
23rd, 1930).
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Journal
1932 1 folder
Contains mementos/photographs from trips to Florida in 1932 and 1934.
Also contains a Christmas letter from 1953.
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Box
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Journal
1934 1 folder
Contains travel mementos/photographs from a trip to New England and
Canada in August of 1934.
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Journal
1936 1 folder
Few entries in a spiral memo pad.
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Journal
1936 1 folder
Label card indicates that this is Ruth Pownall Russell’s journal
recording the events of a trip to New York City.
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Journal
1937 1 folder
Runs from August 10th to 30th and includes entries from a trip to
Canada
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Journal
1949 1 folder
Contains mementos and photographs from trips taken in 1949. Appears
to be one of three.
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Journal
1949 1 folder
Contains mementos and photographs from trips taken in 1949. Appears
to be one of three.
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Box
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Journal
1949 1 folder
Contains mementos and photographs from trips taken in 1949. Appears
to be one of three.
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Box
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| 3-4 |
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Chautauqua Letters from Charles Russell to Ruth
Pownall
1920s 1 folder
Letters sent from Charles Russell to Ruth Pownall before they were
married.
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Box
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Miscellaneous
1917,1938,1949-58 1 folder
Contains a small address book belonging to Ruth Pownall Russell as
well as photographs of Joan Pownall Russell and friends, insurance
cards, copies of the Swarthmorean from 1938 and 1949 and other
miscellaneous papers.
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Memorials
1955,1983 1 folder
Contains the obituaries and memorial notes for both Charles Regnier
Russell and Ruth Elizabeth Pownall.
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Swarthmore College Memorabilia
1920s 1 folder
Contains Swarthmore mementos including dance cards and invitations,
sporting event schedules, dinner menus and performance programs.
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Chautauqua Miscellaneous
1920s 1 folder
Contains Chautauqua mementos, programs and photographs. Also contains
menu for a “Pompadour Tea Room” and programs from other
performances. The college observatory is seen in one of the
photographs.
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Charles Russell scrap book
1950 1 folder
Contains newspaper clippings including some about a controversy over
an “Atomic Survival” pamphlet passed out to Swarthmore residence.
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Charles Russell Tax Returns
1920s/1930s 1 folder
Black leather Alliance Insurance Company satchel containing tax
returns for 1929 through 1939.
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Box
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Bertha Walton Pownall Journal
1918-1919 1 folder
Runs from January 1st, 1918 to December 29th, 1919. Additional
financial information placed in the back of the journal.
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Diaries of Bertha Walton Pownall
1893-1917 1 folder
First diary runs from 1893 to 1917. Second diary runs from January
1st, 1918 to March 31st 1932. Brief entries. Keeps track of local
births, death and marriages as well as larger events, especially
those surrounding World War I.
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Bertha Walton Journal
1940s 1 folder
Loose leaf journal entries, WWII events in Swarthmore.
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Box
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Gertrude Walton Journal
1920-1935 1 folder
Scattered dates, but these two journals appear to cover 1920 – 1935.
Gertrude was Bertha’s unmarried sister.
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Gertrude Walton Journal
1936 1 folder
One year diary
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Gertrude Walton Journal
1939 1 folder
One year diary
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Gertrude Walton Journal
1942 1 folder
One year diary
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“National Diary”
1943 1 folder
Attributed to Gertrude Walton
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Gertrude Walton Journal
1936 1 folder
Contains unbound journal entries from Gertrude’s trip to Yellowstone
National Park
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Ser.2 Vincent Stubbs Pownall and Bertha Julia Walton
Box
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Bertha Walton Pownall Journal
1940s 1 folder
Contains unbound journal entries, some of which discuss World War II.
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Pownall Estate
1932-1958 1 folder
Includes the will of Vincent S. Pownall and Bertha W. Pownall as well as
other financial documents like an appraisal of Bertha’s personal
property, the contents of Vincent’s safe deposit box, and property
deeds.
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Ser.3 Pownall & Walton Family Biographical and Genealogical
Papers
Box
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Coat of Arms (Pownell)
n.a. 1 folder
Contains an image of the Pownell coat of arms.
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Genealogical notes and records
1789-1946 1 folder
These records include births, deaths and marriages of the Stubbs, Walton,
Coates, Pownall and Walker families, copied from family records.
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Map of Early Settlements of Delaware County
n.a. 1 folder
Undated map.
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Marriage certificate of Moses Pownall and Susanna
Walker
1839 1 folder
Large marriage certificate written on vellum. Moses Pownall wed Susanna
Walker under the care of Sadsbury Monthly Meeting in 1839
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Stubbs family miscellaneous
1904,1913,1961 1 folder
This folder contains a commemorative book for the anniversary of the
Vincent Stone Stubbs Mansion House (with genealogy), a poem by Clayton
Walton, and death announcements.
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