An Inventory of the Joseph Bancroft Family Papers, 1868-1989 [bulk, 1868-1914]
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
Joseph Bancroft Family Papers, 1868-1989 [bulk, 1868-1914]
Joseph Bancroft (1803-1874)
Biographical History for: Joseph Bancroft Family Papers, 1868-1989 [bulk, 1868-1914]
BIOGRAPHICAL AND HISTORICAL NOTE 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.
SCOPE AND CONTENT OF THE RECORDS 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.
Quakers -- Delaware
Quakers - controversy
Publishers and publishing
Bancroft, Joseph, 1803-1874. A persuasive to unity.
George School
Bancroft, William P. (William Poole), 1835-1928
Bancroft, Joseph, 1803-1874
Bancroft family
series
Ser. 1. Biographical and Genealogical, 1912, n.d.
Biographical and genealogical material
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
Letter books1868-1874
Includes Journal entries after 1869 concerning correspondence and some Friends matters.
Letter books1876-1879
Letter books1880-1887
Correspondence received, 1876-1885
Chronologically arranged.
Correspondence received1874-1875
Correspondence received1876-1879
Correspondence received1880-1885, n.d.
Postcards 1879-1883
Ser. 3. Financial, 1864-1883
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.
Subscribers list1874
Includes some Journal entries of Joseph Bancroft
1878 List of Subscribers, chronologically arranged by month.
1881 and n.d. List of Subscribers by State
1883 and n.d. List of Subscribers, alphabetically arranged
n.d. List of Subscribers, by monthly meeting
n.d. Memorandum Book
Ser. 5. Miscellaneous, 1860-1890
[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 1860-1868 in the Collections of the Eleutherian Mills Historical Library.
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.
Thompson, Charles N. correspondence
Creation of Thompson, Charles N. correspondence
Time of Creation of Thompson, Charles N. correspondence
Thompson was the treasurer, book-keeper, and purchasing agent for the George School 1896-1905
Maris, George correspondence
Creation of Maris, George correspondence
Time of Creation of Maris, George correspondence
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
Creation of Webster, Edmund correspondence
Time of Creation of Webster, Edmund correspondence
Concerning planting trees on the campus
Joseph Walton, et al, from Bancroft
Creation of Joseph Walton, et al, from Bancroft
Time of Creation of Joseph Walton, et al, from Bancroft
On subject of appointing a principal of the School. Joseph Walton served as headmaster 1901-1912.
Walton, George A. correspondence
Creation of Walton, George A. correspondence
Time of Creation of Walton, George A. correspondence
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
Apparently excerpted from Letter Books, file labeled "Sensitive in Bus. Off. Safe"
Typed copies of letters from Bancroft concerning staffing issues, 1911
Typed copies of letters from Bancroft concerning staffing issues, 1912
Typed copies of letters from Bancroft concerning his will and other issues, 1918, 1923
[Walton?], George to McFeely, Richard
Creation of [Walton?], George to McFeely, Richard
Time of Creation of [Walton?], George to McFeely, Richard
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
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
Concerning location for George School
Typed copies excerpted from Bancroft’s letter books, arranged chronologically, 1889
Typed copies excerpted from Bancroft’s letter books, arranged chronologically, 1890
Typed copies excerpted from Bancroft’s letter books, arranged chronologically, 1891
Typed copies excerpted from Bancroft’s letter books, arranged chronologically, 1892
Typed copies excerpted from Bancroft’s letter books, arranged chronologically, 1893
Building and other committees
Typed copies excerpted from Bancroft’s letter books, arranged chronologically. 1894
Hiring staff
Typed copies excerpted from Bancroft’s letter books, arranged chronologically. 1895
Typed copies excerpted from Bancroft’s letter books, arranged chronologically, 1896
Typed copies excerpted from Bancroft’s letter books, arranged chronologically, 1897
Typed copies excerpted from Bancroft’s letter books, arranged chronologically. 1898
Typed copies excerpted from Bancroft’s letter books, arranged chronologically, 1899
Typed copies excerpted from Bancroft’s letter books, arranged chronologically,1900
Typed copies excerpted from Bancroft’s letter books, arranged chronologically, 1901
Typed copies excerpted from Bancroft’s letter books, arranged chronologically, 1902
Typed copies excerpted from Bancroft’s letter books, arranged chronologically, 1903
Typed copies excerpted from Bancroft’s letter books, arranged chronologically, 1904
Typed copies excerpted from Bancroft’s letter books, arranged chronologically, 1905
Typed copies excerpted from Bancroft’s letter books, arranged chronologically, 1906
Typed copies excerpted from Bancroft’s letter books, arranged chronologically, 1907
Willing to contribute bulk of funds needed to build a swimming pool
Typed copies excerpted from Bancroft’s letter books, arranged chronologically, 1908
Typed copies excerpted from Bancroft’s letter books, arranged chronologically, 1909
Typed copies excerpted from Bancroft’s letter books, arranged chronologically, 1910
Typed copies excerpted from Bancroft’s letter books, arranged chronologically, 1911
Typed copies excerpted from Bancroft’s letter books, arranged chronologically, 1912
Typed copies excerpted from Bancroft’s letter books, arranged chronologically, 1914
Typed copies excerpted from Bancroft’s letter books, arranged chronologically, 1915
Typed copies excerpted from Bancroft’s letter , books, arranged chronologically, 1916
Typed copies excerpted from Bancroft’s letter books, arranged chronologically, 1917-1923
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
Creation of TLS (carbon) to Charles N. Thompson regarding Woodlawn Company
Time of Creation of TLS (carbon) to Charles N. Thompson regarding Woodlawn Company
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
Creation of William P. Bancroft speech at George School banquet
Time of Creation of William P. Bancroft speech at George School banquet
Remarks at the George School Association banquet, representing the School Committee
Miscellaneous: William P. Bancroft's gifts to the George School
Creation of Miscellaneous: William P. Bancroft's gifts to the George School
Time of Creation of Miscellaneous: William P. Bancroft's gifts to the George School
List of donations between 1891-1927. 1933, income from trust.