Lewis-Fussell Family Papers

The collection contains correspondence, journals, other writings, account books, albums, photographs, and miscellaneous notes of members of the Lewis and Fussell families of Chester and Delaware Counties in Pennsylvania. Includes the papers and drawings of Graceanna Lewis, prominent Quaker natural scientist and social reformer.

Lewis-Fussell Family Papers collection guide
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283 items [showing 1 - 20]

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Graceanna Lewis rose illustrations
Title:
Graceanna Lewis rose illustrations
Description:
Illustrations of roses, including a 'Mrs. Robert Peary' rose, most likely by Graceanna Lewis. The other rose may be a 'Scarlet Queen Elizabeth' rose.
Date:
1850-1912
Collection:
Lewis-Fussell Family Papers, In Her Own Right, Swarthmore College
Graceanna Lewis letter to Mary Townsend Fussell
Title:
Graceanna Lewis letter to Mary Townsend Fussell
Description:
Mary Townsend Fussell was Graceanna Lewis' niece. Lewis requests that Mary come to the Decoration Day ceremony to commemorate those who were lost in the Civil War. She plans to go to the grave of Emma Jane Fussell, Mary Fussell's sister who died while nursing the sick and wounded during the Civil War.
Date:
1868-1912
Collection:
Lewis-Fussell Family Papers, In Her Own Right, Swarthmore College
Rebecca Bond Fussell letter to Esther Fussell Lewis
Title:
Rebecca Bond Fussell letter to Esther Fussell Lewis
Description:
Discusses Fussell's grandmother Esther Brewer Jeanes.
Date:
1800-1848
Collection:
Lewis-Fussell Family Papers, In Her Own Right, Swarthmore College
John Greenleaf Whittier letter to Graceanna Lewis
Title:
John Greenleaf Whittier letter to Graceanna Lewis
Description:
Discusses the contents of Lewis's recent letter. Refers to a tree planting event.
Date:
1888-01-12
Collection:
Lewis-Fussell Family Papers, In Her Own Right, Swarthmore College
Graceanna Lewis swallowtail butterflies illustration
Title:
Graceanna Lewis swallowtail butterflies illustration
Description:
Illustration of male and female Papilio glaucus (eastern tiger swallowtail) butterflies and caterpillars by Graceanna Lewis (labeled Papilio turnus). Includes an illustration of a Papilio polyxenes asterius (black swallowtail) caterpillar. There is a sketch of a butterfly wing on the back side of the paper.
Date:
1850-1912
Collection:
Lewis-Fussell Family Papers, In Her Own Right, Swarthmore College
Graceanna Lewis will
Title:
Graceanna Lewis will
Description:
Two drafts of Graceanna Lewis's last will and testament accompanied by a note about the document from her cousin Joseph A. Bond.
Date:
1903
Collection:
Lewis-Fussell Family Papers, In Her Own Right, Swarthmore College
Graceanna Lewis and Elizabeth Lewis letter to Mariann Lewis
Title:
Graceanna Lewis and Elizabeth Lewis letter to Mariann Lewis
Description:
Elizabeth Lewis and Mariann Lewis were Graceanna Lewis' sisters. Graceanna tells Mariann ("Molly") that Lucretia Mott was at the last Quarterly Meeting; that Mary (likely Mary Townsend) took chloroform for a medical problem, but it had ill effects; and that Graceanna and Elizabeth have received a letter saying that Mariann and their brother-in-law Edwin Fussell have arrived safely in Pendleton. Elizabeth ("Libby") briefly discusses the school she runs. Much of the letter is spent relaying news about family members, especially the ups and downs of the health of the sisters' grandmother, Rebecca Bond Fussell.
Date:
1848-05-03
Collection:
Lewis-Fussell Family Papers, In Her Own Right, Swarthmore College
Graceanna Lewis and Esther Lewis letter to Rebecca Lewis Fussell and Edwin Fussell
Title:
Graceanna Lewis and Esther Lewis letter to Rebecca Lewis Fussell and Edwin Fussell
Description:
Rebecca Lewis Fussell was Graceanna Lewis' sister; Edwin Fussell was both cousin and husband of Rebecca Lewis Fussell. Written over the course of several days. Graceanna Lewis celebrates a step in British emancipation in poetic language and recounts hearing a Quaker discuss abolition at meeting. She also mentions the suffering of John Jacobs and discusses the blooming of plants, sprouting of seeds, and news of her relatives. She thinks she has discovered a new plant species. Her mother, Esther Lewis, writes of a conflict over women's rights in abolitionist circles that involved Abby Kelley Foster and Lucretia Mott. Both women make references to relatives' illnesses.
Date:
1838-07-31
Collection:
Lewis-Fussell Family Papers, In Her Own Right, Swarthmore College
Graceanna Lewis and Esther Lewis letter to Rebecca Lewis Fussell and Edwin Fussell
Title:
Graceanna Lewis and Esther Lewis letter to Rebecca Lewis Fussell and Edwin Fussell
Description:
Rebecca Lewis Fussell was Graceanna Lewis' sister; Edwin Fussell was both cousin and husband of Rebecca Lewis Fussell. Alludes to the anniversary of the emancipation of slaves in the British West Indies. Mentions health, illnesses, and schooling of relatives. Discusses an ongoing illness of Molly's that requires a caretaker. Tells of Uncle Bartholomew Fussell's plans for his approaching marriage to Rebecca Hewes and his need to seek marriage certificates from his meeting. Mentions that Bartholomew wants to invite anti-slavery friends to his wedding and ban strong alcohol from it.
Date:
1841-07-25
Collection:
Lewis-Fussell Family Papers, In Her Own Right, Swarthmore College
Graceanna Lewis and Mariann Lewis letter to Edwin Fussell
Title:
Graceanna Lewis and Mariann Lewis letter to Edwin Fussell
Description:
Edwin Fussell was Graceanna Lewis's cousin who married her sister, Rebecca Lewis Fussell. Lewis writes about her family, including her sister Rebecca, Aunt Rebecca, Grandfather, and Grandmother. The second part of the letter is written by her sister Mariann who talks about how Lucretia Mott had an appointed Meeting at Charlestown and Valley Meeting and mentions her studies, including French, exposition, and botany.
Date:
1836-10-16
Collection:
Lewis-Fussell Family Papers, In Her Own Right, Swarthmore College
Graceanna Lewis and Rebecca Lewis Fussell letter to Linnaeus Fussell
Title:
Graceanna Lewis and Rebecca Lewis Fussell letter to Linnaeus Fussell
Description:
Linnaeus Fussell was the son of Graceanna Lewis' sister, Rebecca Lewis Fussell. They ask him about his time in the military, the health of the men with him, and how well he is supplied to care for them. Both deplore the military logistics that have left him insufficiently supplied. Lewis discusses a group of women in Phoenixville working to bring aid to Union soldiers and briefly mentions goings-on at the farm. Fussell talks about a new-born relative and the draft in their hometown.
Date:
1863-07-19
Collection:
Lewis-Fussell Family Papers, In Her Own Right, Swarthmore College
Graceanna Lewis biographical sketch
Title:
Graceanna Lewis biographical sketch
Description:
Graceanna Lewis recounts her life, work, and family relations, apparently for a book or article that the recipient "Sarah" is writing.
Date:
1897-04-17
Collection:
Lewis-Fussell Family Papers, In Her Own Right, Swarthmore College
Graceanna Lewis description of the May Day walk
Title:
Graceanna Lewis description of the May Day walk
Description:
Tells of the festivities of May Day 1839 at the Kimberton Boarding School, including the class collecting flowers in the morning, then entering the schoolroom, which was adorned with flowers, and the ceremony of crowning the Queen of May.
Date:
1839
Collection:
Lewis-Fussell Family Papers, In Her Own Right, Swarthmore College
Graceanna Lewis letter to Hannah Wright Mifflin
Title:
Graceanna Lewis letter to Hannah Wright Mifflin
Description:
Hannah Wright Mifflin was a Quaker whose family was involved with the Underground Railroad. Lewis discusses the birth of her sister Rebecca Fussell's grandchild, Alice Fussell, and reflects on motherhood. She writes that African-American abolitionist William Still wants to write up a story about a time Mifflin's parents, William and Phebe Wright, aided a fugitive slave. Lewis is working on a piece about Elijah F. Pennypacker's work helping runaway slaves. Lewis's nephew Linnaeus Fussell is in Central America.
Date:
1871-07-09
Collection:
Lewis-Fussell Family Papers, In Her Own Right, Swarthmore College
Graceanna Lewis letter to Mariann Lewis; Rebecca Fussell letter to Edwin Fussell
Title:
Graceanna Lewis letter to Mariann Lewis; Rebecca Fussell letter to Edwin Fussell
Description:
Mariann Lewis and Rebecca Lewis Fussell were Graceanna Lewis's sisters; Edwin Fussell was their cousin and Rebecca Lewis Fussell's husband. Mariann is travelling to Indiana; part of her journey has been on steam boat. Jane, the family servant, has gotten married, and Graceanna approves of the work of the new servant, Ann Bradley. Several people in the family have been reading "Jane Eyre." Rebecca writes that Sarah, a little colored girl, is hurt because Edwin Fussell said farewell to the white children but not to her.
Date:
1848-04-22
Collection:
Lewis-Fussell Family Papers, In Her Own Right, Swarthmore College
Graceanna Lewis letter to Mary Townsend
Title:
Graceanna Lewis letter to Mary Townsend
Description:
Mary Townsend was an author and close friend of Graceanna Lewis'. Lewis expresses her love for Townsend and says "Thee is with me to guard me and preserve me from many a folly- and for it I can only from a full heart, bless thee. And yet to night, how I do want to be rubbing thee, to see the flesh and blood of thee." She also briefly describes the journey home from Townsend's; mentions her mother Esther's interest in Harriet Martineau's case and anxiety that Townsend try magnetism; and alludes to a dental procedure she had underwent. Parts of the letter are also addressed to Townsend's sister Lizzy.
Date:
1845-01-26
Collection:
Lewis-Fussell Family Papers, In Her Own Right, Swarthmore College
Graceanna Lewis letter to Mary Townsend
Title:
Graceanna Lewis letter to Mary Townsend
Description:
Date and recipient inferred. Mary Townsend was an author and close friend of Graceanna Lewis's. Lewis is glad that magnetism has helped Townsend recover; she gives details of her mother Esther Lewis's use of it, and says that while it may be fiction, it works. Lewis encourages Townsend to speak out more on antislavery, and discusses reform in general; after mentioning those who ask for merciful treatment out of self-interest, she says that "true reform can have no sympathy." She mentions some writing that Townsend sent to her, and spends some time on theological questions of divine love and the source of evil. She ends by describing garden work and her fondness for insects.
Date:
1845
Collection:
Lewis-Fussell Family Papers, In Her Own Right, Swarthmore College
Graceanna Lewis letter to Esther Fussell Lewis
Title:
Graceanna Lewis letter to Esther Fussell Lewis
Description:
Esther Fussell Lewis was Graceanna Lewis' mother. Lewis's relative Edwin Fussell will be passing through York and West Vincent on his way to a gathering of Friends. The school in York has attracted more students, and a Cambridge graduate recently passed through town.
Date:
1843-04-09
Collection:
Lewis-Fussell Family Papers, In Her Own Right, Swarthmore College
Graceanna Lewis letter to Esther Fussell Lewis, William Fussell and Co.
Title:
Graceanna Lewis letter to Esther Fussell Lewis, William Fussell and Co.
Description:
Esther Fussell Lewis was Graceanna Lewis' mother; William Fussell was Esther Fussell Lewis' brother. Written while Lewis was teaching at a boarding school in York, Pennsylvania. Lewis writes that Phoebe Wright attended Yearly Meeting and tells them about it (likely referring to abolitionist Phebe Wierman Wright). She tells a story about going for a walk and finding two flowers she'd never seen before and then going to see Howard Gilbert and his pupils for help in identifying them. She also talks about visiting the "Poor House" a quarter mile away.
Date:
1842-05-20
Collection:
Lewis-Fussell Family Papers, In Her Own Right, Swarthmore College
Graceanna Lewis letter to Mary Townsend
Title:
Graceanna Lewis letter to Mary Townsend
Description:
Mary Townsend was an author and close friend of Graceanna Lewis'. She asks whether the light shines within Townsend. She describes a trip to her uncle Joseph Fussell's house. While there she met Mary Grew and Margaret Jones and discussed with them the merits of a series of children's books (presumably on antislavery) as opposed to a paper. Lewis has found several anecdotes illustrating peace principles.
Date:
1845-07-11
Collection:
Lewis-Fussell Family Papers, In Her Own Right, Swarthmore College

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