%eadnotat; ]> birmimm RECORDS OF BIRMINGHAM MONTHLY MEETING (WEST CHESTER, PA) A Finding Aid for its Meeting Records Deposited in Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College and Haverford College Library Quaker Collection Records Services Group of the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends 2003 RECORDS OF BIRMINGHAM MONTHLY MEETING (WEST CHESTER, PA) A Finding Aid for its Meeting Records Deposited in Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College and Haverford College Library Quaker Collection Records Services Group of the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends Summary Records 1770-[ongoing] Birmingham Monthly Meeting of Friends (Orthodox : 1827-1964)Birmingham Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (1956- ) 2.5 linear ft. Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College & Haverford College Library Quaker Collection For current information on the location of materials, please consult the Libraries' online catalog: http://tripod.brynmawr.edu SHORT HISTORY OF MEETING

Birmingham Monthly Meeting was established in 1815. At the time of the Hicksite separation in Phila. Yearly Meeting in 1827 it split into Hicksite and Orthodox branches. It was known informally in later years as the Chestnut Street (West Chester) Friends Meeting, and merged with West Chester Monthly Meeting in 1964. The Hicksite branch was discontinued in 1955; in 1956, its constituent preparative meetings, Birmingham and West Chester, were set up as monthly meetings. Birmingham Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends is currently active.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE RECORDS

Records of Birmingham Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends and its predecessors, the pre-Separation meeting (1815-1827) and the Hicksite meeting include: Minutes, 1815-2005 (gaps); Woman's minutes, 1827-1895, and account book, 1857-1898; Ministry & Counsel minutes, 1924-1940; Overseers' minutes, 1941-1952; Vital records, 1770-1955; and other miscellaneous materials.Also includes Orthodox records: Vital Records, 1816-1963; Marriage certificates, 1818-1962; Removals, 1827-1963; Overseers minutes and miscellaneous correspondence, 1959-1962; Membership records, 1956-1963; and other miscellaneous papers, 1915-ca.1940; Minutes, 1827-1957; Women’s Minutes, 1815-1916; Ministers and Elders’ Minutes 1896-1962.

ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION Accession information

Deposit

 Access

Collection is open for research. Access is through microfilm, if available.

 Use Restrictions

Copyright has not been assigned to the Repositories All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted to the individual Meeting or its successor. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Repositories as the holder(s) of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by reader.

 SEARCHING IN OUR ON-LINE CATALOGUE FOR RELATED MATERIALS

This collection is indexed under the following headings in TRIPOD, the joint on-line catalog of Haverford and Swarthmore Colleges. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons, or places should search the catalog using these headings. Please note that records created before 1827, the date of a schism in Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, may have been added to by either the Hicksite or Orthodox branches of this meeting, but could include information about members of the other branch before the Separation:

Earlier Meeting Names: Birmingham Monthly Meeting of Friends (Orthodox : 1827-1964) Birmingham Monthly Meeting (Society of Friends : 1815-1827) Birmingham Monthly Meeting (Society of Friends : Hicksite : 1827-1955) Subjects: Birmingham Monthly Meeting of Friends (Orthodox : 1827-1964) Birmingham Monthly Meeting (Society of Friends : 1815-1827) Birmingham Monthly Meeting (Society of Friends : Hicksite : 1827-1955) Birmingham Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (1956- ) Society of Friends -- Pennsylvania -- Chester County Quakers -- Pennsylvania -- West ChesterChester County (Pa.) -- Genealogy West Chester (Pa.) -- Genealogy DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE RECORDS

Monthly meeting records normally include minutes of men’s and women’s meetings for business and registers of births, deaths, marriages, removals (transfers), and disownments. In general, non-members are not mentioned in the minutes, even when they attended meeting for worship on a regular basis.

Note to Researchers: These records may only be consulted at either Haverford (HV) or Swarthmore (SW), and are not available through inter-Library loan. To request materials on-site, please make sure to use the correct call numbers for the Library in which you wish to use the records:

Vital Records

At the time of the Separation in Philadelphia Yearly Meeting in 1827-28, pre-Separation vital records were generally retained by the branch with which the recorder was affiliated. Researchers are advised to consider vital records which span this period carefully: in many cases, the meeting without the original records may have reconstructed these records for its membership only, giving the impression that individuals in the other branch were never members.

 Births and deaths [copy] 1770-1899 1 folder ; 38 cm. Pre/HSW RG2/Ph/B5

Birth and death data copied from Birmingham Monthly Meeting's record books by Dorothy Lapp, Chester County Historical Society, January 6 1939. Earliest recorded birth : 1770. Latest recorded death : 1899.

Available on microfilm in the following location(s):

No Film No Film Marriage Certificates 1816-1962 1 v. Pre/O/U SW RG2/Ph/B52

Meeting's copies of marriage certificates, 1816-1962, and births & deaths, 1781-1818. Volume also includes: Births entered in back, in reverse direction to marriage certificates. Titles on covers: Record Marriage Certificates A; Record Births & Burials. Includes indexes. Includes pre-Separation births, deaths, & marriages. Marriages to 1939 also available in microfilm

Available on microfilm in the following location(s):

MR-Ph 27 No Film Marriages-Papers 1951 1 folder (1 item) O HV 1250/J5.15.1

Available on microfilm in the following location(s):

No Film No Film Marriage correspondence1980. 1 folderUSW RG2/Ph/B5

Correspondence concerning marriages under the care of Birmingham Monthly Meeting, 1980.

Available on microfilm in the following location(s):

No Film No Film Marriage certificates1993 1 folderUSW RG2/Ph/B5

Meeting's copies of marriage certificates of Michael Lee Cook to Ann Bowen Bartlett, 26 6mo 1993, and Jennifer Marie Kipp to David Duane Stewart, 12 6mo 1993.

Available on microfilm in the following location(s):

No Film No Film Membership1815-1906 or 1907 1 v.; 33 cm.Pre/HSW RG2/Ph/B5

Book of S. Emlen Sharples (1828-1914): containing names of persons belonging to Birmingham Monthly Meeting of Friends, showing increase and decrease of membership from the organization of the meeting (1815-1906). Membership abstracts. Volume also contains : recorder's reports (1887-1895). "Presented by him 3mo 16 1907 to A. D. Sharples." S. Emlen Sharples was recorder of Birmingham Monthly Meeting.

Available on microfilm in the following location(s):

No Film No Film Membership 1816-1955 1 v.; 45 cm. + 30 membership forms (in folder) Pre/H/U SW RG2/Ph/B5

Running title. Certificate of removal and other pertinent papers laid in.

Membership forms numbered (170-199) for microfilming.

Available on microfilm in the following location(s):

MR-Ph343 Film 125A Membership1827-1842 1 v.; 23 cm. + 1 folder. HSW RG2/Ph/B5

Membership list of the Hicksite meeting (1827-1832) with birth dates and, in some instances, death dates. Accompanying folder contains birth and death information for some members and their children (1827-1842). Membership list of the Hicksite meeting (1827-1832) with birth dates and, in some instances, death dates. Accompanying folder contains birth and death information for some members and their children (1827-1842). "A part of the members of Birmingham Monthly Meeting having separated themselves from their Brethren on the 8th of 11mo 1827 and since that time, the following is a list so far as it extends of the members attaching themselves to the regular Monthly Meeting. Each member subscribing his or her name to this list except children's names written by parents or except those otherwise specified at the place." -- preliminary page.

Available on microfilm in the following location(s):

No Film No Film Membership 1885-1921 1 vol. (236 p.) O HV 1250/J5.12

Available on microfilm in the following location(s):

MR-Ph12 No Film Membership Lists 1863-1955 1 folder (5 items) O HV 1250/J5.16.2

Available on microfilm in the following location(s):

No Film No Film Membership-Papers 1846-1955 4 folders O HV 1250/J5.16.1

Available on microfilm in the following location(s):

No Film No Film Membership 1918-1958 1 vol. (94 p.) O/U HV 1250/J5.16

Membership records 1956-1963 4 folders U SW RG2/Ph/B52

Membership records of Birmingham Monthly Meeting (Orthodox) as follows: Membership lists, 1956-62 & n.d.; Membership statistics, 1956-63; Recorders' notebook, 1956-63; Correspondence, 1957-63.

Available on microfilm in the following location(s):

No Film No Film Membership list and transfers1979-1989 1 folderUSW RG2/Ph/B5

Membership list (1981), correspondence concerning transfers of membership, and statistical reports to yearly meeting, 1979-1989.

Available on microfilm in the following location(s):

No Film No Film Register1788-1955 1 v.; 33 cm.Pre/HSW Box 9

Volume contains the following : Births (1788-1861) ; Deaths (1827-1861) ; Marriages (1828-1955).

Available on microfilm in the following location(s):

MR-Ph30 No Film Certificates of removal1816-1919 1 v.; 34 cm. + 1 folder (69 items)Pre/HSW Box 8

Meeting's copies of certificates issued by the meeting for members removing to other meetings (1816-1868). Volume also includes : abstract of removals issued (1866-1918) ; abstract of removals received (1865-1919). Folder contains loose certificates received by the meeting and letters acknowledging receipt of certificates issued by the meeting (1870-1919). Title transcribed from cover.

Items in folder are numbered 160 to 229 for microfilming.

Available on microfilm in the following location(s):

MR-Ph30 No Film Removals Issued 1828-1859 1 vol. (143 p.) O HV 1250/J5.13

Available on microfilm in the following location(s):

MR-Ph29 Film 25 Removals Issued 1859-1890 1 vol. (173 p.) O HV 1250/J5.15

Available on microfilm in the following location(s):

MR-Ph29 Film 25 Removals Issued 1890-1926 1 vol. (176 p.) O HV 1250/J5.14

Available on microfilm in the following location(s):

MR-Ph29 Film 25 Removals1893-1915 1 folder (4 items) ; 38 cm. HSW RG2/Ph/B5

Letter from Nathaniel G. Hickman requesting removal from membership (1893 11mo 14) ; Certificates of removal from Sadsbury Monthly Meeting for Lillian C. Webster and Mary C. Webster (1915 7mo 7) ; Certificate of removal from London Grove Monthly Meeting for Blanche L. P. Slack (1915 8mo 12).

Available on microfilm in the following location(s):

No Film No Film Certificates of removal 1927-1963 1 folder O/U SW RG2/Ph/B52

Certificates of removal sent and received. Some certificates include membership information.

Available on microfilm in the following location(s):

No Film No Film Removals received1935-1948 1 folder (23 items) ; 38 cmHSW RG2/Ph/B5

Copies from membership record of persons, whose memberships were transferred to Birmingham Monthly Meeting. Also included is one certificate of dismission issued by First Presby. Church of Waynesburg, Pa. (1942). These forms accompanied certificates of removal issued by direction of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting. Some forms are undated and missing information.

Available on microfilm in the following location(s):

No Film No Film Memorials1923, 1933, 1977 1 folderUSW RG2/Ph/B5

Photocopies of memorials written for Mary Parker Darlington, Jennie J. Darlington, Isaac A. Passmore, George Steele, and Horace F. Darlington Sr.

Available on microfilm in the following location(s):

No Film No Film Men's Meeting and Joint

Official records of proceedings kept for all Quaker business meetings. Only Quakers could participate. It has responsibility for care of members, authorizes removals and marriages, maintains discipline, considers the queries, manages meeting property, fosters social concerns, and reports regularly to the quarterly meeting. Beginning at the end of the 19th century, men and women ceased to hold separate business meetings, meeting instead in joint session.

 Minutes1815-1955 3 linear ft. (6 v.)Pre/HSW Box 9

Minute books of the Hicksite men's meeting and later, of joint sessions with women as follows : 1815-1844, 1844-1888, 1888-1912, 1913-1936, 1936- 1953, 1953-1955. Volume 1815-1844 contains pre-Separation men's minutes, 1815-1827.

Joint sessions where men and women met together for business began in 1896.

Available on microfilm in the following location(s):

MR-Ph23 (1888-1936) MR-Ph24 (1936-55) MR-Ph27 (1815-88) No Film Minutes-Copy 1815-1827 1 vol. (170 p.) Pre HV 1250/J5.A1

Available on microfilm in the following location(s):

MR-Ph28 Film 24 Minutes 1827-1847 1 vol. (375 p.) O HV 1250/J5.1

Available on microfilm in the following location(s):

MR-Ph28 Film 24 Minutes 1847-1875 1 vol. (398 p.) O HV 1250/J5.2

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MR-Ph28 Film 24 Minutes 1875-1916 1 vol. (600 p.) O HV 1250/J5.3

Available on microfilm in the following location(s):

MR-Ph28 Film 24 Minutes 1916-1922 1 vol. (160 p.) O HV 1250/J5.4

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MR-Ph29 Film 24 Minutes 1923-1930 1 vol. (303 p.) O HV 1250/J5.5

Available on microfilm in the following location(s):

MR-Ph14 Film 99 Minutes 1931-1941 1 vol. (299 p.) O HV 1250/J5.6

Available on microfilm in the following location(s):

MR-Ph14 Film 99 Minutes 1941-1957 1 vol. (299 p.) O/U HV 1250/J5.7

Available on microfilm in the following location(s):

MR-Ph14 Film 99 Minutes [rough]1944-1946 2 v.HSW RG2/Ph/B5

Available on microfilm in the following location(s):

No Film No Film Minutes1956-1989, 1993-2005 1.5 linear ft. (5 v.)USW RG2/Ph/B5 & Box 8

Minute books as follows : Jan. 1, 1956-Jan. 2, 1966; Feb. 5, 1966-Dec. 6, 1970; 1971-1974; 1974-1979; 1980-1989 (13 folders). Volume 1956-1966 contains membership list (1mo 1, 1956). Volume 1966- 1970 includes ten-year analysis of membership (1956-1966). Pertinent papers laid in.

Available on microfilm in the following location(s):

MR-Ph25 (1956-66) MR-Ph26 (1966-79) No film (1980-89, 1993-2005) No Film Minutes 1957-1964 1 vol. (163 p.) U HV 1250/J5.8

Available on microfilm in the following location(s):

MR-Ph14 Film 99 Women's Meeting Minutes 1827-1895 2 v. ; 35 cm. or smaller.HSW Box 8

Minutes of the Women's Meeting from 11mo 8, 1827 to 12mo 28, 1895.

Joint sessions with men began in 1896.

Available on microfilm in the following location(s):

MR-Ph30 No Film Minutes 1815-1846 1 vol. (346 p.) Pre/O HV 1250/J5.8.1

Available on microfilm in the following location(s):

MR-Ph14 Film 99 Minutes 1846-1896 2 vol. (427 p., 54 p.) O HV 1250/J5.9

Available on microfilm in the following location(s):

MR-Ph31 Film 100 Minutes 1896-1919 1 vol. (213 p.) O HV 1250/J5.10

Available on microfilm in the following location(s):

MR-Ph31 Film 100 Minutes-Rough 1908-1916 1 vol. (95 p.) O HV 1250/J5.11

Available on microfilm in the following location(s):

No Film No Film Worship & Ministry and its predecessors

Committee which had care of the spiritual welfare of the meeting, particularly the meeting for worship. Ministry and Counsel committees were established in 1918 by Hicksite meetings, which no longer designated members as ministers or elders. The predecessor of Ministry and Counsel was the Preparative Meeting of Ministers and Elders.

 Minutes 1896-1934 1 vol. (182 p.) O HV 1250/J5.18.1

Available on microfilm in the following location(s):

No Film No Film Minutes 1934-1962 1 vol. (183 p.) O/U HV 1250/J5.18.2

Available on microfilm in the following location(s):

No Film No Film Minutes1924-1940 1 v. (189 p.) ; 22 x 15 cm. HSW RG2/Ph/B5

Minutes from 10mo 19, 1924 to 4mo 14, 1940.

Available on microfilm in the following location(s):

MR-Ph24 No Film Financial Records Account Book [Women] 1857-1897 1 v. (44 p.) H SW RG2/Ph/B5

Available on microfilm in the following location(s):

No Film No Film Financial records1869-1997 4 v. + 1 folder.H/USW RG2/Ph/B5

Financial records of Birmingham Monthly Meeting, 1869-1997. Includes account books, 1869-1949, 1949-71, 1971-86 & 1986-97, and a folder of miscellaneous papers, 1966-68. Volumes 1869-1949 & 1949-1971 include the records of Birmingham Preparative Meeting (Hicksite), 1869-1956.

Available on microfilm in the following location(s):

No Film No Film Property Records Octagonal Schoolhouse Deed Transfer 1967 1 folderUSW RG2/Ph/B5

Records of Octagonal Schoolhouse Deed Transfer, 1967. Includes correspondence and copy of deed.

Available on microfilm in the following location(s):

No Film No Film Specifications and conditions of classroom addition to meetinghouse1967 1 v.USW RG2/Ph/B5

Architectural specifications and notes on the classroom addition to Birmingham Friends meeting house in Chester County, Pennsylvania, designed by William Macy Stanton and Cope & Lippincott, Architects, 1967.

Available on microfilm in the following location(s):

No Film No Film Committees Overseers Minutes1941-1952 2 v.; 22 cm. HSW RG2/Ph/B5

Minute books as follows : 1941-1945 ; 1946-1952.

Available on microfilm in the following location(s):

No Film No Film Minutes1963-1976 1 v.USW RG2/Ph/B5

Minutes of the Overseers of Birmingham Monthly Meeting, 1963-1976.

Available on microfilm in the following location(s):

No Film No Film Records 1959-1962 1 folder U SW RG2/Ph/B52

Records of the Overseers of Birmingham Monthly Meeting (Orthodox), primarily concerning the merger with West Chester Monthly Meeting. Included are: Minutes, 1959-1962; Membership lists, 1959-1962; and other miscellaneous papers.

Available on microfilm in the following location(s):

No Film No Film Advancement Committee Record book of meals held at High Street Friends' Meeting1931-1955 1 v.; 25 cm. HSW RG2/Ph/B5

Account book relating to quarterly, monthly, and preparative meeting suppers, as well as to suppers served for fund-raising and social purposes at the West Chester meeting house. Included are: names of members of orgainizing committees; names of food donors; menus; news clippings, etc. Pertinent papers laid in.

Available on microfilm in the following location(s):

No Film No Film Building CommitteeRecords1966-1986 1 v. + 2 foldersUSW RG2/Ph/B5

Records of the Building Committee of Birmingham Monthly Meeting, 1966-86. Includes account book, 1966-86, Education Wing plans, 1966-67, and miscellaneous papers, 1966-71.

Available on microfilm in the following location(s):

No Film No Film First Day School

Available on microfilm in the following location(s):

No Film No Film Minutes1946-1949 H SW RG2/Ph/B5

Religious Education CommitteeMiscellaneous records1980-1989 1 folderUSW RG2/Ph/B5

Miscellaneous reprts and correspondence of the Religious Education Committee, 1980-1989.

Available on microfilm in the following location(s):

No Film No Film Vacation School records1969 1 folderUSW RG2/Ph/B5

Miscellaneous records of Birmingham Friends Vacation School, 1969. Includes lesson plans, announcements, and other materials.

Historical CommitteeOctagonal Schoolhouse History and Rehabilitation1981-1982 1 folderUSW RG2/Ph/B5

Includes a photocopy of a brief history of the school (1854-72), correspondence, and a Historical Structure Report prepared by John M. Dickey.

Available on microfilm in the following location(s):

No Film No Film Miscellaneous Miscellaneous papers1844, 1893-1903 2 folders (10 items)HSW RG2/Ph/B5

Financial papers concerning payment to school teacher (1897) ; recorder's report (1893) ; letters of parental consent to a marriage (1844, 1896) ; extracts from the minutes of Birmingham Preparative Meeting pertaining to the custody and recording of property deeds dating from 1721 to 1820 (1903).

Available on microfilm in the following location(s):

No Film No Film Anniversary pamphlets 1965-1990 1 folder U SW RG2/Ph/B5

Anniversary pamphlets for 275 and Tricentennial celebrations, 1965 and 1990.

Available on microfilm in the following location(s):

No Film No Film Gravestone inscriptions of Lafayette Cemetery, Birmingham, Chester County, Pa.1936 1 folder ; 38 cm.HSW Box 9

Lists gravestone inscription found at Lafayette Cemetery (Hicksite), Birmingham, Pa. (1814-1936). Folder also contains : gravestone inscriptions found at the Orthodox Friends Cemetery (1858-1938). Carbon copy of typescript. With : Gravestone inscriptions of the Orthodox Friends Cemetery, Birmingham, Chester County, Pa. / copied on July 18, 1936 by Bart Anderson and Marwood Darlington

Available on microfilm in the following location(s):

MR-Ph30 No Film Guest books1940-1997 3 v.H/USW RG2/Ph/B5.

Guest books belonging to Birmingham Monthly Meeting, 1940-1997. Includes meeting house visitors' book, 1940-77, Tricentenial Celebration Guest Book, 1990, and Potluck Gathering book, 1996-97.

Available on microfilm in the following location(s):

No Film No Film History[189-] 1 v. in folderHSW RG2/Ph/B5

"The History of Birmingham Monthly and West Chester Preparative Meetings : taken principally from the minutes of Concord, Bradford, Goshen, Birmingham Monthly and West Chester Preparative Meetings". Manuscript history of Birmingham Monthly and West Chester Preparative Meetings up to 1850. Included are : a list of members of West Chester Preparative Meeting received from Goshen, Bradford and Concord Monthly Meetings (1815); and a list of members of West Chester Preparative Meeting (1827, 11mo 8). Accompanied by : Typescript copy (1958). "For the better understanding of the history of Birmingham Monthly and West Chester Preparative Meetings, it has been thought best to give a short account of Goshen, Bradford, and Concord Monthly Meetings ; Birmingham Preparative Meeting being a branch of Concord Monthly Meeting prior to 1815. It is also proposed to give some account of the place on which the Borough of West Chester now stands before it was made the seat of justice in 1786." -- p. 1.

Available on microfilm in the following location(s):

No Film No Film Manuals of procedures1972-1996 1 folderUSW RG2/Ph/B5

Manuals of procedures and revisions, 1972, 1982, 1990, and 1996. List duties of standing committees and officers.

Available on microfilm in the following location(s):

No Film No Film Officers and Committee Members1962-1987 1 v.USW RG2/Ph/B5.

Notebook containing lists of officers and committee members of Birmingham Monthly Meeting, 1962-1987.

Available on microfilm in the following location(s):

No Film No Film Papers 1915-ca. 1940 1 folder O SW RG2/Ph/B52

Miscellaneous papers of historical interest, including the script of Christmas tableaux (ca.1940), and notes on the celebration of the centennial of Birmingham meeting, 1915.

Available on microfilm in the following location(s):

No Film No Film Correspondence1990, 1993 2 foldersUSW RG2/Ph/B5

Miscellaneous correspondence of Birmingham Monthly Meeting, 1990-1993. Includes clerk's correspondence, membership lists, memorials, mailings, and other records

Available on microfilm in the following location(s):

No Film No Film Annual Reports2003-2005 1 folderUSW RG2/Ph/B5

Available on microfilm in the following location(s):

No Film No Film Birmingham Monthly Meeting messenger1920-1955 1 v.; 18-21 cmHSW RG2/Ph/B5

Description based on: First month, 1920; title from caption.

Available on microfilm in the following location(s):

No Film No Film Friends messenger1958-[ongoing] 28 cm.USWRG2/Ph/B55

Available on microfilm in the following location(s):

No Film No Film