An Inventory of the Ladies Benevolent Association of New Brighton (Pa.) Records, 1846-1977
General International Standard for Archival Description
Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College. Swarthmore, Pennsylvania 19081-1399 U.S.A.
Text converted and initial EAD tagging provided by Apex Data Services, December 2000.
Encoded Archival Description
Encoded Archival Description (EAD) Version 2002
collection
Records, 1846-1977
Ladies Benevolent Association of New Brighton (Pa.)
Biographical History for: Records, 1846-1977
BIOGRAPHICAL AND HISTORICAL NOTE In 1846, a group of women, most of whom were Quakers, founded the Female Benevolent Association of New Brighton to “procure clothing and other articles of convenience for the destitute poor.” The small group (whose name was changed to the Ladies Benevolent Association before 1856) met monthly (except during July and August) in each others homes to sew clothing for the needy in the village. They formed a Visiting Committee to investigate cases and to determine the level of support. Financial records indicate that the Ladies Benevolent Association also supplied coal, milk, shoes, and other articles which were purchased through the contributions of the members. As time passed, their activities expanded to include keeping a room at the hospital and aiding other local charities. In 1907, the Ladies Benevolent Association cooperated with other organizations to engage a visiting nurse; this organization, known as the District Nurse Association (see Series 5), was disbanded five years later due to the difficulties of obtaining continuing funding. After World War II, the need for sewing declined, and the Ladies Benevolent Association began to meet quarterly and then semiannually to support the Beaver Valley General Hospital. The group was dissolved in 1977.
SCOPE AND CONTENT OF THE RECORDS Contains the records of the Ladies Benevolent Association of New Brighton, including minutes, financial records, correspondence, and other related papers, including minutes of the District Nurse Association of New Brighton, 1907-1912.
Charities -- Pennsylvania
Clothing and dress
Poor -- Services for -- Pennsylvania
Patients -- Clothing
Sick -- Services for -- Pennsylvania
Quakers -- Pennsylvania
Quakers -- Societies, etc.
Women -- Pennsylvania -- Societies and clubs
Women, Quaker -- Pennsylvania -- Societies and clubs
Women in charitable work -- Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania -- Charitable and social work
Pennsylvania -- Societies, etc. -- Charities
Pennsylvania -- Societies, etc. -- Women
New Brighton (Pa.) -- Societies, etc. -- Charities
New Brighton (Pa.) -- Societies, etc. -- Women
District Nurse Association of New Brighton
Beaver Valley General Hospital
series
Ser. 1 Historical Background
Background material
Includes various manuscript and printed histories, newspaper articles, etc.
Ser. 2 Minutes, 1846-1977
Minute books include financial reports, lists of contributors of cash and goods, officers and committee members
Minutes
Creation of Minutes
Time of Creation of Minutes
Includes Constitution and By-Laws, Minutes from 1/6/1848
Includes attendance lists to 1894.
Ser. 3 Financial and other Administrative Records, 1894-1961
Treasurer's book
Creation of Treasurer's book
Time of Creation of Treasurer's book
Roll Book
Creation of Roll Book
Time of Creation of Roll Book
Includes attendance and dues payments.
Check Stub Book
Creation of Check Stub Book
Time of Creation of Check Stub Book
Ser. 4 Correspondence, 1896-1977
Correspondence
Creation of Correspondence
Time of Creation of Correspondence
Primarily letters accepting or declining invitations to the various anniversary celebrations as well as some material concerning the dissolution of the Assoc.
Ser. 5 District Nurse Association of New Brighton, Pa., 1907-1912
Records
Creation of Records
Time of Creation of Records
Formed by a consortium of charitable organizations in the New Brighton area, this organization was disbanded after five years due to the lack of continuing funding. The remaining funds were transferred to the Ladies Benevolent Association for their use.
Ser. 6 Miscellaneous, 1896-1936
“Registrar” (Guest book for Anniversary Parties)
Creation of “Registrar” (Guest book for Anniversary Parties)
Time of Creation of “Registrar” (Guest book for Anniversary Parties)
Photographs
Invitations
Relics
Includes name tapes. Original leather purse, used to hold petty cash, catalogued as Relic #372 and transferred to Cabinet 6.