%eadnotat; ]> 5007banc An Inventory of the Joseph Bancroft Family Papers, 1868-1989 [bulk, 1868-1914] Finding Aid Prepared by FHL staff Encoding made possible by a grant by the Gladys Kriebel Delmas Foundation to the Philadelphia Consortium of Special Collections Libraries Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College. 2012 Text converted and initial EAD tagging provided by Apex Data Services, December 2000. ENG Joseph Bancroft Family Papers, 1868-1989 [bulk, 1868-1914] FHL staff Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College. 1956 Descriptive Summary Joseph Bancroft Family Papers, 1868-1989 [bulk, 1868-1914] RG 5/007 Joseph Bancroft (1803-1874) 3.5 linear ft. Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College.
Swarthmore, Pennsylvania 19081-1399 U.S.A.
For current information on the location of materials, please consult the Library's online catalog. Joseph Bancroft (1803-1874) was Hicksite Quaker and cloth manufacturer from Wilmington, Delaware, 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, which he published in 1874. At his death, Bancroft established a trust fund to secure the free circulation of this book among Quakers. 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 (1835-1928), continued to promote its distribution. He was active on the George School Committee 1888-1928 and served as Clerk of the Committee, 1896-1919.

Repository:

Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College

500 College Avenue, Swarthmore, PA 19081-1399

Phone: (610) 328-8496 FAX: (610) 690-5728

 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.

The collection is divided into six series:

Biographical and genealogical General correspondence, 1868-1883 Financial Subscription lists Miscellaneous George School correspondence, 1897-1950, n.d. ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION Accession information

Donor: Bancroft Family, 1956 and Sarah Bancroft Clark, 1967

Donor: George School, Acc. 2009.013

Access

Collection is open for research.

 Use Restrictions

Copyright has not been assigned to Friends Historical Library. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in to the Director. Permission for publication is given on behalf of Friends Historical Library as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by reader.

 Preferred Citation

[Indicate the cited item or series here], Joseph Bancroft Family Papers, RG5/007, Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College

 Processing information:

Three boxes of Joseph Bancroft papers were given to Friends Historical Library in 1956 by the Bancroft family. These papers were processed together with additional material given by Sarah Bancroft Clark in 1967 as a Bancroft Family Papers. In 2009 the George School donated the William P. Bancroft correspondence. This was added to the collection as Series. 6 in 2012.

A Ms. attributed to John Drinker, “Thoughts Alluding to...Sufferings of Benjamin Gilbert,” has been removed and transferred to Misc. Mss.

 Related Material

See also:

Additional Joseph Bancroft correspondence relating to his religious activities may be found in the Bancroft Collection of the Eleutherian Mills Historical Library, Accession #1745. Woodlawn Trustees, Inc., Records, Hagley Museum and Library. Includes William P. Bancroft Personal Papers. SELECTED SEARCH TERMS Materials catalogued separately

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:

Quakers -- Delaware Quakers - controversy Bancroft family Publishers and publishing Bancroft, William P. (William Poole), 1835-1928 Bancroft, Joseph, 1803-1874 Bancroft, Joseph, 1803-1874. A persuasive to unity. George School DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE RECORDS

Note to Researchers: To request materials, please note both the location and box numbers shown below:

 Ser. 1. Biographical and Genealogical, 1912, n.d. Biographical and genealogical material 1912, n.d.

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 1 Letter books1868-1874 1

Includes Journal entries after 1869 concerning correspondence and some Friends matters.

 Letter books1876-1879 1 Letter books1880-1887 1 Correspondence received, 1876-1885

Chronologically arranged.

 Correspondence received1874-1875 1 Correspondence received1876-1879 2 Correspondence received1880-1885, n.d. 3 Postcards 1879-1883 3 Ser. 3. Financial, 1864-1883

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.

 Account Book 1864-1874 4 Inventory of Books and Expenses to the Estate 1874-1883 4 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 4

Includes some Journal entries of Joseph Bancroft

 1878 List of Subscribers, chronologically arranged by month. 4 1881 and n.d. List of Subscribers by State 4 1883 and n.d. List of Subscribers, alphabetically arranged 4 n.d. List of Subscribers, by monthly meeting 4 n.d. Memorandum Book 4 Ser. 5. Miscellaneous, 1860-1890 [Joseph Bancroft] “A List, or Index, of Publications put forth by some Friends from the year 1858” 4

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 4

Also includes “Friends of Truth,” 1866, n.d.

 Publicity for “Persuasive to Unity” 1883, 1890 4 Checklist of Religious Correspondence of Joseph Bancroft 1860-1868 in the Collections of the Eleutherian Mills Historical Library. 4 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 1897-1900 5

Thompson was the treasurer, book-keeper, and purchasing agent for the George School 1896-1905

 Thompson, Charles N. correspondence 1901-1903 5 Maris, George correspondence 1903 5

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 1903 5

Concerning planting trees on the campus

 Joseph Walton, et al, from Bancroft 1910 5

On subject of appointing a principal of the School. Joseph Walton served as headmaster 1901-1912.

 Walton, George A. correspondence 1913-1914 5

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 n.d. 5

Apparently excerpted from Letter Books, file labeled "Sensitive in Bus. Off. Safe"

 Typed copies of letters from Bancroft concerning staffing issues, 1911 n.d. 5

Apparently excerpted from Letter Books, file labeled "Sensitive in Bus. Off. Safe"

 Typed copies of letters from Bancroft concerning staffing issues, 1912 n.d. 5

Apparently excerpted from Letter Books, file labeled "Sensitive in Bus. Off. Safe"

 Typed copies of letters from Bancroft concerning his will and other issues, 1918, 1923 n.d. 5

Apparently excerpted from Letter Books, file labeled "Sensitive in Bus. Off. Safe"

 [Walton?], George to McFeely, Richard 1950 5

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 n.d. 5

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 n.d. 5

Concerning location for George School

 Typed copies excerpted from Bancroft’s letter books, arranged chronologically, 1889 n.d. 5 Typed copies excerpted from Bancroft’s letter books, arranged chronologically, 1890 n.d. 5

Concerning location for George School

 Typed copies excerpted from Bancroft’s letter books, arranged chronologically, 1891 n.d. 5 Typed copies excerpted from Bancroft’s letter books, arranged chronologically, 1892 n.d. 5 Typed copies excerpted from Bancroft’s letter books, arranged chronologically, 1893 n.d. 5

Building and other committees

 Typed copies excerpted from Bancroft’s letter books, arranged chronologically. 1894 n.d. 5

Hiring staff

 Typed copies excerpted from Bancroft’s letter books, arranged chronologically. 1895 n.d. 5 Typed copies excerpted from Bancroft’s letter books, arranged chronologically, 1896 n.d. 5 Typed copies excerpted from Bancroft’s letter books, arranged chronologically, 1897 n.d. 5 Typed copies excerpted from Bancroft’s letter books, arranged chronologically. 1898 n.d. 5 Typed copies excerpted from Bancroft’s letter books, arranged chronologically, 1899 n.d. 5 Typed copies excerpted from Bancroft’s letter books, arranged chronologically,1900 n.d. 5 Typed copies excerpted from Bancroft’s letter books, arranged chronologically, 1901 n.d. 5 Typed copies excerpted from Bancroft’s letter books, arranged chronologically, 1902 n.d. 5 Typed copies excerpted from Bancroft’s letter books, arranged chronologically, 1903 n.d. 6 Typed copies excerpted from Bancroft’s letter books, arranged chronologically, 1904 n.d. 6 Typed copies excerpted from Bancroft’s letter books, arranged chronologically, 1905 n.d. 6 Typed copies excerpted from Bancroft’s letter books, arranged chronologically, 1906 n.d. 6 Typed copies excerpted from Bancroft’s letter books, arranged chronologically, 1907 n.d. 6

Willing to contribute bulk of funds needed to build a swimming pool

 Typed copies excerpted from Bancroft’s letter books, arranged chronologically, 1908 n.d. 6 Typed copies excerpted from Bancroft’s letter books, arranged chronologically, 1909 n.d. 6 Typed copies excerpted from Bancroft’s letter books, arranged chronologically, 1910 n.d. 6 Typed copies excerpted from Bancroft’s letter books, arranged chronologically, 1911 n.d. 6 Typed copies excerpted from Bancroft’s letter books, arranged chronologically, 1911 n.d. 6 Typed copies excerpted from Bancroft’s letter books, arranged chronologically, 1912 n.d. 6 Typed copies excerpted from Bancroft’s letter books, arranged chronologically, 1914 n.d. 6 Typed copies excerpted from Bancroft’s letter books, arranged chronologically, 1915 n.d. 6 Typed copies excerpted from Bancroft’s letter , books, arranged chronologically, 1916 n.d. 6 Typed copies excerpted from Bancroft’s letter books, arranged chronologically, 1917-1923 n.d. 6

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 1903 6

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 1913 6

Remarks at the George School Association banquet, representing the School Committee

 Miscellaneous: William P. Bancroft's gifts to the George School 1989 6

List of donations between 1891-1927. 1933, income from trust.