An Inventory of the Russell-Pownall-Walton Family Papers, 1839-1983
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 FHL Staff, 2012
Encoded Archival Description
Encoded Archival Description (EAD) Version 2002
collection
Russell-Pownall-Walton Family Papers
Creation of Russell-Pownall-Walton Family Papers
Time of Creation of Russell-Pownall-Walton Family Papers
Biographical History for: Russell-Pownall-Walton Family Papers
BIOGRAPHICAL AND HISTORICAL 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.
SCOPE AND CONTENT 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.
Chautauquas -- History
Swarthmore (Pa.) -- History
Quakers -- Pennsylvania -- Delaware County
Russell, Ruth E., 1900-1983
Russell, Charles, 1901-1955
Walton, Gertrude A. (Anna), 1867-1943
Pownall, Bertha, 1871-1956
Walton Family
Pownall Family
Stubbs Family
Swarthmore College -- Alumni and alumnae
series
Ser. 1. Charles Regnier Russell and Ruth Elizabeth Pownall
Charles Russell
Journal
Creation of Journal
Time of Creation of Journal
January to August
Few entries in a spiral memo pad. Includes postcard.
Boating Log
Creation of Boating Log
Time of Creation of Boating Log
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.
Ruth Pownall Russell
Contains journal entries and loose leaf entries. Includes entries from a trip to West Liberty Iowa (Charles Russell’s maternal homestead).
Also contains chart of Joan Pownall Russell’s growth (born on January 23rd, 1930).
Contains mementos/photographs from trips to Florida in 1932 and 1934. Also contains a Christmas letter from 1953.
Contains travel mementos/photographs from a trip to New England and Canada in August of 1934.
Few entries in a spiral memo pad.
Label card indicates that this is Ruth Pownall Russell’s journal recording the events of a trip to New York City.
Runs from August 10th to 30th and includes entries from a trip to Canada
Contains mementos and photographs from trips taken in 1949. Appears to be one of three.
Correspondence
Chautauqua Letters from Charles Russell to Ruth Pownall
Letters sent from Charles Russell to Ruth Pownall before they were married.
Miscellaneous
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.
Memorials
Contains the obituaries and memorial notes for both Charles Regnier Russell and Ruth Elizabeth Pownall.
Swarthmore College Memorabilia
Contains Swarthmore mementos including dance cards and invitations, sporting event schedules, dinner menus and performance programs.
Chautauqua Miscellaneous
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.
Charles Russell scrap book
Creation of Charles Russell scrap book
Time of Creation of Charles Russell scrap book
Contains newspaper clippings including some about a controversy over an “Atomic Survival” pamphlet passed out to Swarthmore residence.
Charles Russell Tax Returns
Black leather Alliance Insurance Company satchel containing tax returns for 1929 through 1939.
Bertha Walton Pownall
Bertha Walton Pownall Journal
Creation of Bertha Walton Pownall Journal
Time of Creation of Bertha Walton Pownall Journal
Runs from January 1st, 1918 to December 29th, 1919. Additional financial information placed in the back of the journal.
Diaries of Bertha Walton Pownall
Creation of Diaries of Bertha Walton Pownall
Time of Creation of Diaries of Bertha Walton Pownall
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.
Bertha Walton Journal
Loose leaf journal entries, WWII events in Swarthmore.
Gertrude Walton
Gertrude Walton Journal
Creation of Gertrude Walton Journal
Time of Creation of Gertrude Walton Journal
Scattered dates, but these two journals appear to cover 1920 – 1935. Gertrude was Bertha’s unmarried sister.
One year diary
“National Diary”
Creation of “National Diary”
Time of Creation of “National Diary”
Attributed to Gertrude Walton
Contains unbound journal entries from Gertrude’s trip to Yellowstone National Park
Ser.2 Vincent Stubbs Pownall and Bertha Julia Walton
Contains unbound journal entries, some of which discuss World War II.
Pownall Estate
Creation of Pownall Estate
Time of Creation of Pownall Estate
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.
Ser.3 Pownall & Walton Family Biographical and Genealogical Papers
Coat of Arms (Pownell)
Contains an image of the Pownell coat of arms.
Genealogical notes and records
Creation of Genealogical notes and records
Time of Creation of Genealogical notes and records
These records include births, deaths and marriages of the Stubbs, Walton, Coates, Pownall and Walker families, copied from family records.
Map of Early Settlements of Delaware County
Undated map.
Marriage certificate of Moses Pownall and Susanna Walker
Creation of Marriage certificate of Moses Pownall and Susanna Walker
Time of Creation of Marriage certificate of Moses Pownall and Susanna Walker
Large marriage certificate written on vellum. Moses Pownall wed Susanna Walker under the care of Sadsbury Monthly Meeting in 1839
Stubbs family miscellaneous
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.