%eadnotat; ]> 5280russ An Inventory of the Russell-Pownall-Walton Family Papers, 1839-1983 Finding Aid Prepared by FHL staff Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College. 2012 Text converted and initial EAD tagging provided by FHL Staff, 2012 ENG Russell-Pownall-Walton Family Papers FHL staff Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College. 2013 Descriptive Summary Russell-Pownall-Walton Family Papers 1839-1983 RG 5/280 6 boxes; 3 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 Journals, correspondence, and miscellaneous papers of the Russell, Pownall and Walton families of Pennsylvania. Of particular interest is material relating to the Swarthmore Chatauqua and to Swarthmore College.

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

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.

Arrangement

Folder titles and contents have been largely retained as arranged by the Piccards. The collection is divided into seven series:

Ser.1 Charles Regnier Russell and Ruth Elizabeth Pownall Ser.2 Vincent Stubbs Pownall and Bertha Julia Walton Ser.3 Pownall and Walton Family Biographical and Genealogical Papers ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION Accession information

Gift of Elizabeth Piccard, 2012 [Accession 2012.004]

 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], RG5/280, Russell-Pownall-Walton Family Papers, Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College

This collection was collected and arranged by Joan Piccard and her daughter, Elizabeth Piccard. Joan is the daughter of Charles and Ruth P. Russell and married Donald Piccard.

Photographs received with this collection have been catalogued separately as PA 156. These include family photographs ca. 1871-1949, a photo album compiled by Charles Russell during his travels with the Chautauqua, and people and places in Swarthmore, Pa.

 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: Researchers are advised to search by subject and author, when applicable.

Walton Family Pownall Family Stubbs Family Swarthmore College -- Alumni and alumnae 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 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE RECORDS

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

 Ser. 1. Charles Regnier Russell and Ruth Elizabeth Pownall Charles Russell Journal 1934 1 folder 1

January to August

Journal 1936 1 folder 1

Few entries in a spiral memo pad. Includes postcard.

 Boating Log 1939 1 folder 1

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 Journal 1925 1 folder 1

Contains journal entries and loose leaf entries. Includes entries from a trip to West Liberty Iowa (Charles Russell’s maternal homestead).

Journal 1930/1935 1 folder 1

Also contains chart of Joan Pownall Russell’s growth (born on January 23rd, 1930).

 Journal 1932 1 folder 1

Contains mementos/photographs from trips to Florida in 1932 and 1934. Also contains a Christmas letter from 1953.

 Journal 1934 1 folder 2

Contains travel mementos/photographs from a trip to New England and Canada in August of 1934.

 Journal 1936 1 folder 2

Few entries in a spiral memo pad.

 Journal 1936 1 folder 2

Label card indicates that this is Ruth Pownall Russell’s journal recording the events of a trip to New York City.

 Journal 1937 1 folder 2

Runs from August 10th to 30th and includes entries from a trip to Canada

 Journal 1949 1 folder 2

Contains mementos and photographs from trips taken in 1949. Appears to be one of three.

 Journal 1949 1 folder 2

Contains mementos and photographs from trips taken in 1949. Appears to be one of three.

 Journal 1949 1 folder 3

Contains mementos and photographs from trips taken in 1949. Appears to be one of three.

 Correspondence Chautauqua Letters from Charles Russell to Ruth Pownall 1920s 1 folder 3-4

Letters sent from Charles Russell to Ruth Pownall before they were married.

Miscellaneous Miscellaneous 1917,1938,1949-58 1 folder 4

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 1955,1983 1 folder 4

Contains the obituaries and memorial notes for both Charles Regnier Russell and Ruth Elizabeth Pownall.

 Swarthmore College Memorabilia 1920s 1 folder 4

Contains Swarthmore mementos including dance cards and invitations, sporting event schedules, dinner menus and performance programs.

 Chautauqua Miscellaneous 1920s 1 folder 4

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 1950 1 folder 4

Contains newspaper clippings including some about a controversy over an “Atomic Survival” pamphlet passed out to Swarthmore residence.

Charles Russell Tax Returns 1920s/1930s 1 folder 4

Black leather Alliance Insurance Company satchel containing tax returns for 1929 through 1939.

Bertha Walton Pownall Bertha Walton Pownall Journal 1918-1919 1 folder 5

Runs from January 1st, 1918 to December 29th, 1919. Additional financial information placed in the back of the journal.

 Diaries of Bertha Walton Pownall 1893-1917 1 folder 5

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 1940s 1 folder 5

Loose leaf journal entries, WWII events in Swarthmore.

Gertrude Walton Gertrude Walton Journal 1920-1935 1 folder 6

Scattered dates, but these two journals appear to cover 1920 – 1935. Gertrude was Bertha’s unmarried sister.

Gertrude Walton Journal 1936 1 folder 6

One year diary

 Gertrude Walton Journal 1939 1 folder 6

One year diary

 Gertrude Walton Journal 1942 1 folder 6

One year diary

 “National Diary” 1943 1 folder 6

Attributed to Gertrude Walton

 Gertrude Walton Journal 1936 1 folder 6

Contains unbound journal entries from Gertrude’s trip to Yellowstone National Park

 Ser.2 Vincent Stubbs Pownall and Bertha Julia Walton Bertha Walton Pownall Journal 1940s 1 folder 7

Contains unbound journal entries, some of which discuss World War II.

 Pownall Estate 1932-1958 1 folder 7

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) n.a. 1 folder 7

Contains an image of the Pownell coat of arms.

Genealogical notes and records 1789-1946 1 folder 7

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 n.a. 1 folder 7

Undated map.

 Marriage certificate of Moses Pownall and Susanna Walker 1839 1 folder 7

Large marriage certificate written on vellum. Moses Pownall wed Susanna Walker under the care of Sadsbury Monthly Meeting in 1839

 Stubbs family miscellaneous 1904,1913,1961 1 folder 7

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.