The
The Joseph Downs Collection of Manuscripts and
Printed Ephemera
Henry Francis du Pont
5105 Kennett Pike,
302-888-4600 or 800-448-3883
OVERVIEW OF
THE COLLECTION
Title: Henderson-Pownall family papers
Dates: 1809-1894.
Call No.:
Acc. No.: 90x51
Quantity: 86 items
Location: 34 K 3
BIOGRAPHICAL
STATEMENT
The Henderson and Pownall families were
interconnected Quaker families in southeastern
Sisters Hannah Eleanor Henderson (1813-1865) and
Elizabeth Henderson (1806-1864) were the daughters of Elinor Brinton
(1769-1853) and Thomas G. Henderson (1758-1840). Their sister Maria (1793-1850) married Simeon
Pownall; their children were James and Margaret.
Another sister, Sarah Ann (1796-1852) married Levi
Pownall (1783-1863); among their children was a daughter known variously as Ellen,
Elinor, Ellie, or Ella (1822-1901).
Sarah and Levi Pownall’s other children were Martha, Elizabeth (married
George Steele), Levi Jr. (married Deborah Gest), Thomas (married Priscilla
Moore), and George (married Henrietta Moore).
The other siblings of Hannah and Elizabeth Henderson
were Susanna (married William Judkins), James, Henry, and John B. (1793-1844).
John B. Henderson (1793-1844) married Jane C.
Thompson (1795-1837). Their children
included Ellenore (1821-1848), Mary Jane (married John A. Elliott; moved to
Iowa), Thomas B. (1825-1859), James T. (1827-1881), Belinda Ann (married
Clemson Aul), William A., Joseph A., and Sarah Jane (married Horace Irving
Sheldon; moved to Iowa).
Jacob Thomas Gest (1829-1872) was the son of Ann
Barnard (1792-1883) and John Gest (1783-1865) of Lancaster County,
Pennsylvania. His sister Deborah (1826-1907)
married Levi Pownall, Jr. Their other
siblings were John Barnard (father of William Purves Gest), Mary Ann,
Elizabeth, and Joseph.
SCOPE AND
CONTENT
Much of this collection consists of invitations to
dine, and of visiting cards.
Sisters Eliza and Hannah Henderson received much of
the material here. Their niece Ellen
Pownall is the other main correspondent.
Other documents in the collection reveal some of the other family
relations represented.
ORGANIZATION
The materials are divided into Henderson and Pownall
family papers, followed by Gest material and photographs.
LANGUAGE OF
MATERIALS
The materials are in English.
RESTRICTIONS
ON ACCESS
Collection is open to the public. Copyright restrictions may apply.
PROVENANCE
Purchased from Eric S. Gunnion Antiques,
ACCESS POINTS
People:
Henderson, Hannah E. (Hannah
Eleanor), 1813-1865.
Henderson,
Eliza (Elizabeth), 1806-1864.
Pownall,
Ellen, 1822-1901.
Gest,
Jacob T. (Jacob Thomas), 1829-1872.
Topics:
Social stationery -
Quakers - Social life and customs.
African Americans -
Calling cards.
Invitations.
Letters.
Wills.
Bonds.
Releases.
Drawings.
Photoprints.
Poems.
Additional authors:
Pownall family.
DETAILED
DESCRIPTION OF THE COLLECTION
Location:
Folder 1:
Eliza Henderson: letters from her, invitations to her
.1 Hannah
P. Carpenter and John Worth invite Eliza to home of Francis Carpenter in West
Bradford, March 5, 1831; proposed company: Samuel Sellers
[Hannah and
John married around this time.]
.2 Mary
Buffington and Jesse Evans invite Eliza to dine with them at home of William
Coates, Nov. 19, 1835; proposed company: Charles Smith
[Mary and
Jesse married around this time.]
.3 Thomas and Elinor Henderson invite
Eliza to tea on Oct. 5, 1836
.4 William and Ann Ash invite Eliza to
dine in
.5 Martha
Harvey and Nathan Linton invite Eliza to dine at home of Samuel Harvey, March
17, 1842
[Martha
Harvey and Nathan Linton were given permission to marry by the New Garden
Monthly Meeting on March 9, 1842. This
invitation is undoubtedly to commemorate the wedding.]
.6a-b Jane Brinton and Parvin Smith invited Eliza to home of William
Brinton, April 14, 1852, with envelope
[see also .20a-b and .62a-b]
[Jane
Brinton and Parvin Smith married this day.
William Brinton was Jane’s father.]
.7 letter,
Eliza, Gap, [
.8 letter,
Eliza, Gap, [
.9 Cassandra
R. Brinton and Thomas M. Harvey invite Eliza to dine at home of William
Brinton, June 10, 1857 [see also .23a-b]
[Cassandra
R. Brinton and Thomas M. Harvey married on this day. William Brinton was her father.]
.10a-c Hannah H. Dilks invites Eliza to tea on Dec. 6, 1859, with visiting
cards for Mary R. Dilks and J. Clarkson Griffith [both handwritten] [see also .24 a-d]
[Mary Dilks
and Joseph Clarkson Griffith married around this time.]
.11 Mary
Brinton and Joseph J. Hopkins invited Eliza to dine at home of William Brinton,
September 25, 1861 [see also .25a-b]
[Mary Briton
and Joseph J. Hopkins married around this time.
William Brinton was her father.]
.12 letter,
Eliza, Gap, [Penn.,] January 14, 1864, to brother; profuse thanks for his gift;
she and sister Hannah send love; visit from George, Elizabeth, and little Mary;
Penciled note: (sister
of Sarah H. Pownall, sis-in-law of Levi Pownall 2d)
.13a-b John Forsythe and Mary P. Smith invite Eliza to dine at the home of
James Smith on May 18, [no year], with envelope
[John and
Mary P. Smith married around this date in 1854.]
.14 envelope addressed to Eliza Henderson
Folder 2:
Hannah E. Henderson
.15 visiting
card of Hannah E. Henderson (handwritten, not printed)
.16 Mary
Ann Moore and Edward J. Gibbons invite Hannah E. Henderson to home of Isaac Conards,
April 9, no year [see also .57]
[Mary Ann
and Edward married around this date in 1846.]
.17 William
and Lydia Coale invite Hannah E. Henderson for May 24, 1838
.18 Michael
and Maria B. Trump invite Hannah E. Henderson to dine, June 13, 1838
.19 Ellen
Starr and William B. Smith invite Hannah E. Henderson to dine at home of
Sibilla Starr, April 1, 1846
Ellen Starr
and William Brinton Smith married around this time. Sibilla Starr was Ellen’s mother.]
.20a-b Jane Brinton and Parvin Smith invite Hannah Henderson to home of
William Brinton, April 14, 1852, with envelope [see also .6a-b and .62a-b]
[Jane
Brinton and Parvin Smith married this day.
William Brinton was Jane’s father.]
.21 letter,
aunt H. [Hannah Henderson], Gap, [
.22 endorsed
“bond secured by mortgages, James H. Pownall to Hannah E. Henderson,” both of
.23a-b Cassandra R. Brinton and Thomas M. Harvey invite Hannah to dine at
home of William Brinton, June 10, 1857, with envelope [see also .9]
[Cassandra
R. Brinton and Thomas M. Harvey married on this day. William Brinton was her father.]
.24a-d Hannah H. Dilks invites Hannah E. Henderson to tea on Dec. 6, 1859,
with envelope and visiting cards for Mary R. Dilks and J. Clarkson Griffith
[both handwritten] [see also .10 a-c]
[Mary Dilks
and Joseph Clarkson Griffith married around this time.]
.25a-b Mary Brinton and Joseph J. Hopkins invited Hannah to dine at home
of William Brinton, September 25, 1861
[see also .11]
[Mary Briton
and Joseph J. Hopkins married around this time.
William Brinton was her father.]
.26 endorsed
“release from Martha J. Elliot and husband to Levi Pownall, executer of said
deceased,” the deceased being Hannah E. Henderson of Salisbury township,
Lancaster County; the document acknowledges that Martha J. Elliott of Polk
County, Iowa, had received the money due her from estate of Hannah Henderson,
June 27, 1865;
The release also names as heirs:
Martha Pownall, Elizabeth B. Steele (wife of George Steele), Levi Pownall,
Thomas H. Pownall, George Pownall, and Eleanor Pownall.
.27 endorsed
“release, Jane Sheldon and husband [H. I.
Sheldon] to Levi Pownall, executor of Hannah E. Henderson, deceased”; Jane
(niece of Hannah) acknowledges receipt of money due her from Hannah’s estate;
dated from Clayton County, Iowa, Jan. 1, 1866
.28 endorsed
“release, Blinda [sic, i.e. Belinda] A. Aul & husband to Levi Pownall,
executor of Hannah E. Henderson, decd”; Belinda, wife of Clempson [also spelled
Clemson] Aul of East Mahoning township, Indiana County, Penn., acknowledges
receipt of money due her from Hannah’s estate; dated April 30, 1866
Folder 3:
Eliza and Hannah E. Henderson
.29 Mrs. Amos Henderson invites the Misses Henderson for an
evening, Pequea, [
.30 Mrs.
Hopkins and Mrs. Baker invite Eliza & Hannah for the evening of June 17,
June 9, no year
.31a-b visiting card of Mr. and Mrs. Bodo Otto, with name of Emma A. Yundt
in smaller type at bottom of card, with envelope addressed to Misses H. and
.32a-b visiting card of Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Taylor, with name of Hannah
I. Monaghan in smaller type at bottom of card, with envelope addressed to Eliza
Henderson & sister
.33a-c visiting cards of Mr. and Mrs. I. T. Henderson and of Ella R.
Newell, with envelope addresses to the Misses Henderson
Folder 4:
.34 Nathan
Sharpless invites James Henderson to dine in
.35 Elizabeth
Brinton and Robert Ely invite James Henderson to dine at home of Moses Brinton,
May 7, no year, to accompany Mary Ann Smith
[Elizabeth
and Robert married around this date in 1828.]
.36 Mary
B. Jones and Townsend Sharpless invite Maria Henderson to dine at home of
Samuel Jones on Sept. 7, 1815
[note: see Doc. 1429 in the Downs Collection for letters
written by Townsend Sharpless’ sister
.37 Sarah
Coates and Asahel Walker invite Mariah Henderson to dine at home of Samuel
Coates on the 20th, no month or year
[Sarah
Coates and Asahel Walker married in 1813.]
.38 Phebe
Moore and Levi Wickersham invite Susan Henderson to dine at home of Robert
Moore, May 23, 1832;
[Phebe and
Levi married in Lancaster County around this date.]
.39 a
poem of friendship from Jane and Anne Gibbons to Susan Henderson and sisters,
May 30, 1835
.40 Townsend
and Mary B. Sharpless invite Susan to tea, June 30, 1836
[see also
.36]
.41 Elizabeth
Bailey and Robert Moore invite Susanna to the home of William Bailey, April 14,
1836;
[Elizabeth
and Robert married around this time in Chester County, Penn.]
.42a-b Capt. Henderson’s compliments for June 8, dated from
.43-44 visiting card of Mr. and Mrs. W. C. Henderson, Pequea, with name of
Emma A. Phelps in smaller type at bottom of card [two copies]
.45 will
of Venice Cummel of Sadsbury township, Lancaster County; names James G.
Henderson as executor; leaves her cash to children of Thomas Henderson (John,
Maria, Sarah, Susan, James, Eliza, Lydia, Ann, and Hannah; and her clothes to
Thomas’ daughters; witnessed by Robert Moon, August 25, 1830; Venice Cummel
signed the will with her mark;
[Venice
Cummel, or Cammel, was not found in a search of a genealogy website. The name Venice Kummel was not found,
either.]
Folder 5:
Ellen Pownall
.46a-b envelope addressed to Miss Ellen Pownell
[sic], Christiana, with visiting card (handwritten) of Dr. & Mrs. J. G.
Moore, with name of Annie E. Wilson written in smaller letters at bottom of
card
.47a-c envelope addressed to Ellen Pownall, with visiting cards of Samuel
Parrish and Anna H. Parrish of
.48 letter,
E. [Elizabeth] Stubbs, Fulton, June 24, 1851, postmarked Rock, Penn., July 1,
to Ellen Pownall, Penningtonville P.O., Chester Co., Penn.; describes visit of
a party from Bucks County, going to the quarry and river; describes visit to an
elderly African American couple (in their 90s) and their daughter, who live in
a log house; sends other news of family and friends
.49 letter,
Elizabeth S., [Stubbs] “at home, 31st, 1851,” postmarked Rock,
Penn., Sept. 2, to Ellen Pownall, Penningtonville P.O., Chester Co., Penn.; much
enjoyed her recent visit; instead of going directly home, Elizabeth’s party
paid some visits along the way, and she was very ill during the ride home in
the dark
.50 letter,
Deborah to Ellen, no date, but “about 1856-7” is penciled in; no news from the
people in Gap, Aunt H. [probably Hannah Henderson] had been ill, visit of
Sallie Ritchie, she and Levi missed monthly meeting to plant a garden, death of
Samuel Brinton
.51 letter,
Helen,
.52 receipted
bill, Ellen Pownall paid Edw. J. Zahm, jeweler,
.53a-b wedding announcement of I. Darlington Pownall and Ruth Schooley,
May 23, 1894, West Liberty, Iowa, with envelope
.54a-b wedding announcement of Isabel Thorn Howell to William Purves Gest,
Nov. 15, 1894,
.55 envelope addressed to Ellen Pownall,
Folder 6: Pownall family: various
members
.56 printed
invitation to a picnic, addressed to Elizabeth, Eleanor, Levi, and Thomas
Pownall, from picnic managers, Sweet Springs near Cochransville, Aug. 11, no
year
.57 Mary
Ann Moore and Edward J. Gibbons invite Eleanor Pownall to home of Isaac Conard,
April 9, no year [see also .16]
[Mary Ann
and Edward married around this date in 1846.]
.58 Wm.
P. Cooper and Phebe Walker invite Eleanor, Elizabeth, and Levi Pownall to the
home of Asahel Walker, Feb. 10, no year;
[Phebe and
William married around this date in 1848, in Lancaster County, Penn. She was the daughter of Asahel and Sarah
Walker.]
.59 William
Webb and Phebe Pownall issue an invitation to home of Joseph Pownall, April 8,
no year
[Phebe and
William married around this date in 1852 in Lancaster County. Her parents were Phebe and Joseph Pownall.]
.60 May
[illegible] invites Elnor [sic] and Elizabeth Pownall to tea, May 15, 1845
.61 Henry
Pownall and Deborah Walker issue an invitation to home of Samuel Slokom, March
7, 1850;
[Henry and
Deborah married around this time. His
parents were Phebe and Jopseh Pownall.
Her parents were Deborah and Isaac Walker.]
.62a-b Jane Brinton and Parvin Smith invite
[Jane
Brinton and Parvin Smith married this day.
William Brinton was Jane’s father.]
.63 wedding
invitation: from George and Elizabeth B. Steele to marriage of daughter Mary E.
to J. Walter Parker, in
.64 letter,
Sallie,
With penciled note: Eliza Henderson died 10-18-64, Hannah
Henderson died 1-15-1865.
.65 name
and address of someone from
.66 poem,
“Lines composed by two gentlemen, for a Lady who was mourning the absence of a
beloved cat”
.67 poem
sent to Maria Pownall, “Twas but a babe,” about death of a baby; also an essay
about life after death
.68 poem,
“To Eleanor,” asking her to remember the writer
.69 endorsed
“release of the legatees of Catharine Pownall, decd., late of Sadsbury twp.,
Lancaster Co.,
.70 envelope
addressed to Deborah G. Pownall and Ellen Pownall
.86a-b Levi Pownall Jr. and Deborah Gest invite Levi Pownall Sr. to home
of Jno. Gest, May 10, 1855, with envelope
[Deborah and
Levi married around this date in Lancaster County. Her parents were Ann Barnard and Johh Gest.]
Folder 7:
miscellaneous materials and calling cards
.71 visiting
card of Richd. Pace Junr.
.72a-b two illustrated visiting cards of Lydia W.
Longstreth
.73 visiting card of Ana Sharpless
.74 visiting
card of Benjamin H. and Susan B. Shoemaker,
.75 part
of the will of an unknown person, but probably James Moore, most likely a
member of Sadsbury Meeting, establishing a fund to provide for the education of
poor children “without distinction as to colour or religious profession within
the limits of said meeting” [i.e. Sadsbury] or in the area of Caln quarterly
meeting, no date, but the amount set aside for this purpose is expressed in
pounds, not dollars; endorsed on back: James Moore, died 1809, Lindley Coates
.76 statement
signed by Moses Brinton, recounting a dream he had had about his wife; with the
name Elinor Henderson also written on the paper [in two pieces]
Folder 8: Red
pocketbook
.77 red
pocketbook, which held about half the invitations and calling cards which are
in this collection
Folder 9: papers of and drawings by Jacob T. Gest
.78 drawing of 2
.79 drawing
labeled
[Monument Cemetery in Philadelphia was destroyed in the
1950s]
.80 “The
Ruins of
.81 genealogy
notes about Passmore and Barnard families and essay about a Mr. Barnard of
[This was
Vincent Barnard, who died May 20, 1871, at the age of 46. His collection was destroyed when the main
building at Swarthmore burned in the 1880s.]
[Mary Passmore
(1753-1830) married Jeremiah Barnard (1716-1799). One of their children was Ann Barnard
(1792-1883), who married John Gest.]
Folder 10:
photographs
.82 Nellie Elliot, taken by Boyd of Des
Moines Iowa, circa 1880s
.83 outdoor
statue of George Washington, seated, wearing a toga, on base with motto “First
in the hearts of his countrymen”
.84 photo
post card, depicting woman in rocky woods, with note on back to “dear cousin,”
signed Winnie, she says the picture was taken in Eaton’s Canyon, and that she
was wearing a khaki suit and that she had made the hat [see also .85]
.85 photo
post card of Will, in rocky woods in a canyon, probably Eaton’s Canyon, a
companion to .84