Contents
Descriptive Summary
BIOGRAPHICAL AND HISTORICAL
SCOPE AND CONTENT
Arrangement
SELECTED SEARCH TERMS Materials catalogued separately
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE RECORDS
Ser.1 Correspondence and Activities
Ser.2 Writings
Ser.3 Miscellaneous
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An Inventory of the Elizabeth A.W. Furnas Papers
Finding Aid Prepared by FHL staff
2012
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Creator:
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Furnas, Elizabeth A. W. (Elizabeth Ann
Walter), 1900-1972 |
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Title
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Elizabeth A.W. Furnas Papers |
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Dates:
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1928-1967 |
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Abstract:
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Elizabeth A.W. (Betty) Furnas was an active member of the
Society of Friends who served as a member of the Board of Pendle Hill and was a
member of the Women's Problems Group of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting and its
sucessor, Philadelphia Quaker Women. The collection includes minutes and
correspondence, particularly of the latter, as well as published and unpublished
writings and other material. |
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Extent:
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.5 linear ft. |
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Language:
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All materials in English |
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Identification:
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RG5/283 |
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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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Betty Furnas was the daughter of William Emley and Caroline Sargeant Walter. She
graduated from Vassar College and married Paul J. Furnas, son of William and Deborah
Moore Furnas, in 1923. From 1917 to 1920 Paul was the Field Secretary for the
American Friends Service Committee and Associate Director of the ACLU. The couple
moved to New Jersey and he worked for the Paulsboro Manufacturing Co. They
participated in a number of work camps affiliated with the AFSC. Both Elizabeth and
Paul also served as Board members at Pendle Hill during this period. Elizabeth also
was involved with the Women's Problems Group, a fellowship of women of the two
Philadelphia Yearly Meetings and later of the joint body; she became its Chairman in
the early 1960s when it was renamed Philadelphia Quaker Women and continued in that
role until 1966.
After 1940 Paul returned to AFSC and was appointed the Executive Secretary of
Civilian Public Service In 1946, he was named Vice-President/Comptroller at Earlham;
retired from Earlham in 1958 and died two years later. Betty married Thomas E.
Jones, President Emeritus of Earlham, in 1968, and died four years later in
1972.
Return to the Table of Contents
This collection includes the papers of Elizabeth A.W. Furnas who was active in a
number of Quaker concerns in the mid 20th century. Of particular interest are
minutes and correspondence of the Women’s Problems Group and its successor,
Philadelphia Quaker Women. There are also her manuscript writings, some notes on
lectures at Pendle Hill, as well as information on some of the work camps in which
she was involved.
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
Organized in three series:
Return to the Table of Contents
Ser.1 Correspondence and Activities
Box
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| 1 |
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Letter file: AFSC/Pendle Hill/Religious
Education
1928-1959 1 folder
As compiled, Furnas’ description from cover; contents removed from
letter file. Includes many articles/publications, especially the
American Friend and Friends Intelligencer, notes and materials for
religious educational work, AFSC letters/work camp documents, and
Pendle Hill documents. Of note is Henry Cadbury’s response to the
requirement of a Teacher’s Oath.
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Letter File: Women’s Problems Group/PQW
[Philadelphia Quaker Women]/UCW [United Church
Women]
1958-1964 1 folder
As compiled, Furnas’ description from cover; contents removed from
letter file. Primarily correspondence relevant to these groups,
budgets and membership rolls, and articles and publications. Of note
is the discussion over regarding support for Planned Parenthood.
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Philadelphia Quaker Women [binder]
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Box
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Philadelphia Quaker Women
1958-1967 1 folder
Pages removed from a small binder of minutes 1960-65 (rough with
gaps) and membership lists, notes, schedules and plans for lectures,
a small amount of correspondence, and flyers.
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Philadelphia Quaker Women
1958-1964 1 folder
Loose papers enclosed in the binder above. minutes, reports, and
correspondence of the Board of Philadelphia Quaker Women, 1964-66
(gaps). Also includes a carbon copy of a letter describing a visit
to the White House and meeting with J.F. Kennedy (1963).
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Phila.[Philadelphia] Quaker Women
1965-1967 1 folder
As compiled, loose documents. Small collection of correspondence and
reports.
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Ser.2 Writings
Box
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Notebook/Journal
n.d. 1 folder
Notebook with notes, meditations, and plans for educational work.
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Notebook/Journal
1932 1 folder
Primarily philosophical and religious musings as well as notes for her
lecture on First Day Schools.
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Miscellaneous published and unpublished writings
1934-1945 1 folder
Published articles, notes on workshops/lectures, and drafts. Of
particular interest is a summary of a Sea Girt Seminar led by both Paul
and Betty in the summer of 1934.
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Published material
1934-1959 1 folder
Primarily Wayfarer, Pendle Hill, and Religious Education Bulletin. It is
not clear whether some of the material was written by Furnas or was just
collected by her.
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Ser.3 Miscellaneous
Box
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Cutler-Sargent Family History
1949 1 folder
Manuscript (typescript carbon copy), probably assembled by Howard Harrop
Sargent (hhs) whose son married a Watson, relationship to Elizabeth
Furnas undetermined. Of interest is a section on Uncle Len" who
graduated from the Naval Acedemy in 1898 and guarded the Panama Canal in
World War I.
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Photographs
n.d. 1 folder
Undated photograph, probably of Women's Problems Group.
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