Collection Title: Colonel Richard Thomas Papers
Collection Number: 159
Dates of Collection: 1741-1919
Box Numbers: 3 Boxes (37 folders)
Repository: Chester County Historical Society, West Chester, PA
Language: English
Project Archivist: Margaret Miles Baillie
Richard Thomas was born in West Whiteland Township on October 30, 1744, a descendant of Richard Ap Thomas of Whitford Garden, Flintshire, North Wales. Col. Thomas was the third Richard in the Ap Thomas lineage. (“Ap” is a prefix that was used in Wales to indicate “son of.”[1])
A Quaker, Thomas was appointed a colonel of the 5th Battalion of Association in Chester County by John Morton on April 19, 1776 (see Box 2, Folder 3). He was disowned from Uwchaln’s Friends Meeting for his military service on August 10, 1775[2]. His brother George remained in the Society of Friends, but acccording to a letter in the collection, seems to have aided the Revolutionary cause in other ways (see Box 2, Folder 4). After the war, George was a member of the Commission that planned the building of the “Philadelphia-Lancaster Turnpike.” George died after contracting yellow fever in 1793 after attending a commission meeting in Philadelphia.[1]
During the Revolutionary War, Col. Thomas participated in a campaign into New Jersey (as far as Amboy) as part of the military’s efforts to protect Philadelphia.
Thomas was appointed Brigadier General of Chester County on April 19, 1793, (see Box 2, Folder 4), but declined the promotion according to Futhey & Cope’s History of Chester County (1881). He began his political career in 1786, serving as an assemblyman until his election as a State Senator in 1790. In 1794 he became a member of Congress for the fourth, fifth and sixth sessions (1794, 1796, 1798).
Thomas was married to Thomazine Downing on October 20, 1774, at Uwchlan Meeting.
They had eight children: Richard, Mary, George, Jacob, Phebe, Thomazine, Samuel and William. Richard married Rebecca Malin.[2] Thomazine married William Ashbridge and Phebe married Samuel Hains.
Col. Richard Thomas died January 19, 1832 in his eighty-eighth year.
Sources for above include: History of Chester County, Futhey & Cope, 1881.
[1] Brown, Francis G. Downingtown Friends Meeting, p 47.
[2] Ashbridge, W.T., The Ashbridge Book, p. 153.
The large majority of the collection contains correspondence with only 8 folders of non-cora
The manuscripts of the Col. Richard Thomas’ Collection were donated by Francis D. Brinton and George Ashbridge, III.
The collection spans the years 1741 – 1919, with the bulk of the collection ending in 1857. The documents, especially Thomas’ letters, give a detailed account of not only Chester County and U.S. history, but of the personal side of the Thomas family.
Military records in the collection include “Accounts of a Revolutionary War Soldier, Richard Thomas 1776-1777,” and “A Size Book of Firelocks 1776/Field Book 1775, Richard Thomas.” These manuscripts record the activity of the Chester County Militia during Thomas’ service in the Revolutionary War and are a record of supplies. In 1775, a Committee of Safety was appointed by the Assembly and part of their duty was to make sure each county furnished a certain number of firelocks for their militia in preparation for defense. Chester County’s quota was 600 guns, which were manufactured by one man, Dunwicke.[1] In the “Size Book of Firelocks,” Thomas lists the Captains of each company of the 5th Battalion of Association of Chester County and the number and gauges of guns and firelocks that they had. He also lists other supplies needed or used along with expenses.
Thomas’ records in “Accounts of a Revolutionary War Soldier, Richard Thomas 1776-1777,” list the Returns of the Officers and Privates at their muster on August 3, 1776. Revolutionary war records are at the front and back of this book and at a later date, he used the middle of the book to record the survey of the route of the LancasterPhiladelphia turnpike. There are twelve other manuscripts in the collection that relate to this time period.
Items in the collection from Thomas’ time in Congress include tickets to dine with President Washington and an invitation to attend the first celebration of the President’s birthday. Thomas also wrote numerous letters to friends and loved ones back in Pennsylvania during 1800-1801 when he was with the first session of Congress to serve in Washington City. The letters provide insight into the young city and Congress as well as Thomas’ personality.
Thomas maintained a mill on his property and his account book is in this collection along with receipts and letters. His business expertise is shown in the advice he gave in several letters to Richard Trimble, who was considering purchasing a mill, and also in a letter of recommendation for William Yardley as flour inspector of the Port of Philadelphia.
There are many family letters in the collection, two are especially poignant: Thomas describes the death of his daughter Mary in a letter dated May 18, 1798, and in another dated February 14, 1830, writes of his son Richard’s head injury and death.
Many letters tell of weddings, new babies, dinners, and business happenings. Topics include his trip, via many modes of transportation, across New York State in 1819. These letters provide a detailed account of the people, sights, and landscape of the times. He eventually had a report of his trip published in the Village Record newspaper shortly after he returned home.
Also included in the collection are poetry, written by family members and friends or copied from published works. A travel journal is a record of a trip to Madeira by Samuel Hains that began July 15, 1796, and along with the daily record of events and reflections, Hains wrote a sketch of the country at the end of the journal.
[1] Futhey & Cope, p. 62.
espondence that include receipts/bills, creative writing, invitations, pamphlets/circulars, trade/calling cards. The majority of the correspondence relates to Jacob Zook Sr. and his children Rachel, Elizabeth, Mary, Jane and Jacob Jr. The collection is separated into four series:
Series I – Family Correspondence
Series II — Personal Correspondence
Series III – Business Correspondence
Series IV – Non-correspondence/Unidentified/Partially Identified Correspondence
When initialed added to CCHS’s manuscript collection, each documents was assigned a unique consecutive number. In the current arrangement, they are grouped by relationship and subject.
The individual manuscript numbers listed in this guide date from the original arrangement and are no longer used. (They are listed for in-house reference purposes only.) Researchers should use box and folder numbers when requesting documents.
See newspaper clippings files, manuscript card catalog, and book card catalog for additional sources on Col. Richard Thomas.
The curatorial department holds some items related to Col. Richard Thomas and his family: Col. Thomas’ clothing (museum id. #1994.522, 1994.523, and 1997.695), a charcoal portrait, (PTG211) of Richard Thomas, Jr. (President of Bank of Chester County, 1819-1830).
Col. Thomas had his portrait painted by James Peale as a miniature on ivory (Metropolitan Museum of Art) and can be viewed on line at: www.metmuseum.org.
A book that may help in understanding how the militia was organized and functioned is The Pennsylvania Militia in 1777, by Hannah Benner Roach.
Box 1 – Family Documents
Folder 1 – Marriage, 1741-1746
-Ms. 1456 – Marriage Certificate of Richard Downing and Mary Edge, March 21, 1741. Recorded in the Chester Monthly Meeting Book A, Page 189 and witnessed and signed by almost one hundred people.
-Ms. 1482 – A wedding invitation to John Smith, Philadelphia, from Aaron Ashbridge, October 19, 1746.
-(see also Oversized documents at end of this finding aid.)
Folder 2 – Death – Epitaphs, ca. 1754
-Ms. 1472 – “Epitaph written by Grandfather on his father’s tombstone,” copy of epitaph for R. Thomas 1713-1754.
-Ms. 1476 – “Copy of the Epitaph on the tombstone of Richard Thomas,” another copy of epitaph for R. Thomas 1713-1754.
Folder 3 – Death – Wills and Eulogy, 1826-1832 and undated.
-Ms. 1451 – Copy of the draft attached to the will of Richard Thomas, deceased. Fragile.
-Ms. 1452 – Richard Thomas’ last will and testament, April 12, 1826. Addendum February 13, 1830, certification of the copy by Robert Ralston, February 27, 1832.
-Ms. 1471 – Eulogy of George Ashbridge the second written by his daughter Jane Maris.
Folder 4 – Death – Mary Thomas, 1798
-Ms. 1511 – “Mary Thomas’s Dying Moments described, May 18 1798.” “Description of my Daughter Mary in her Dying Moments with refections (sic.)on the occasion &….deceased May 15, 1798, aged 20 years.”
Folder 5 – Death – Richard Thomas, Jr., and Miscellaneous, 1829-1832
-Ms. 1558 – Sale of land from John G. and Julia M. Miles, Huntingdon, to Richard Thomas, September 24, 1829. Witnessed by Daniel Africa.
-Ms. 1561 – Letter from Richard Thomas, W. Whiteland, to [Richard Trimble?], February 14, 1830. He tells of the death of his son Richard and gives the details of his injury and eventual mortality.
-Ms. 1562 – A list of internments at the Cherry Street burial ground of Friends in Philadelphia. 13 names listed including Richard Thomas with a date of 23rd January, 1832.
Folder 6 – Lineage, 1880
-Ms. 1450 – “Memoir of the family of Ap. Thomas of Whitford Garden,” by Thomasine Hines and Elizabeth H. Benners, May 15, 1880.
Folder 7 – Lineage, 1823-1849 and undated
-Ms. 1469 – “Pedigree of the Ashbridge Family,” handwritten genealogy, undated
-Ms. 1470 – “Memoirs of the Family of Richard Ap. Thomas of Whitford Garden, Flintshire, North Wales, in Great Brittain,” manuscript, undated
-Ms. 1473 – “Private Register of The family of Richard Ap Thomas,” covers the years 1683 to 1849.
-Ms. 1474 – “Genealogy (sic.) of the Family of Richard Ap. Thomas of Flintstone in Wales….” A family tree drawn and written by Richard Thomas, 1823.
Folder 8 – Lineage, 1811-1879 and undated
-Ms. 1475 – “Children of A. Mitchell Ashbridge residing at Lake Providence, Louisiana.” Seven names listed with the dates from 1865 to 1879.
-Ms. 1477 – “Memoir of the family of Ap. Thomas of Whitford Garden, Flintshire, North Wales, Great Britain, original written January 15, 1811 by Richard Thomas the 4th.”
-Ms. 1478 – Hand drawn coat of arms for Ap Thomas. undated
-Ms. 1479 – “Of the Crest,” pencil written report about the Ap Thomas Crest.
-Ms. 1480 – A pencil written report about various Thomas family crests recorded in “Guillim’s Heraldry Folio.”
-Ms. 1555 – Letter to David Townsend and others, a Committee of the Literary Association of Chester and Delaware Counties from Richard Thomas, W. Whiteland, April 25, 1822. He relates the family history of Richard Ap Thomas and others of Whiteland, including Henry Atherton.
Folder 9 – Land, 1808
-Ms. 1453 – Copy of the draft of Richard Thomas’s Land, West Whiteland. Last date on draft 1808. Color outlines of the lots, detailed.
Folder 10 – Land, 1790 and undated
-Ms. 1454 & 1455 – Draft of W. Whiteland Estate No. 1, Draft of W. Whiteland Estate No.2.
-Ms. 1457 – Manuscript map of the Lancaster Turnpike Ca. 1790, Chester County Historical Society Collections. Printed by the Tinicum Press No. “Proof Only” of 2500 copies.
Folder 11 – Land, 1805 and undated
-Ms. 1458 – Sketch of Smith Shop lot, undated
-Ms. 1459 – draft of land, undated (border lands mentioned: A. Zook, P. Sauder, creek, S. Harris and Ashbridge line.)
-Ms. 1460 – draft of Ashbridge’s line, undated
-Ms. 1503 – Deed Jacob Sowder and wife to Richard Thomas May 20, 1794. Land in Whiteland. Not executed, but a line reads “witness my hand and sear April 29, 1805.”
Box 2 – Military and Political Documents
Folder 1 – Revolutionary War – Manuscripts, 1777-1850 and undated
-Ms. 1461- 1463 – Manuscript of history of Col. Thomas and the Revolutionary War, mentioning the soldiers’ pay and later pensions. undated
-Ms. 1464 – Certified extracts from the “Minutes of the Council of Safety” copied by A. L. Russell, Secretary of the Commonwealth, March 6, 1850.
-Ms. 1465 – Certified extracts from “A Return of the Field Officers, Elected for the County of Chester with their Rank, as was allotted by them the 28th day of April 1777.” Copied by A.E. Benedict, Deputy Secretary of the Commonwealth, March 6, 1850.
Folder 2 – Revolutionary War – Notes, undated
-Ms. 1466-1468 – researcher’s notes concerning on Chester County and the Revolutionary War.
Folder 3 – Revolutionary War – Appointment, 1776
-Ms. 1485 – Richard Thomas’ appointment to be “Colonel of the fifth Battalion of Association in the County of Chester,” signed by John Morton, Speaker, April 19, 1776.
Folder 4 – Revolutionary War – Correspondence and Commission, 1776-1793
-Ms. 1486 – Letter from George Thomas, W. Whiteland to Richard Thomas at Amboy Camp, August 27, 1776. The letter discusses deserters, problems with getting lime burned as the busyness of farming. He also mentions troops in Long Island. Document has water damage, but whole body of letter is intact.
-Ms. 1487 – Letter from George Thomas, W. Whiteland, to Richard Thomas, Bucks County, June 14, 1778. He tells of “Waggon Masters” allowing their teams to feed in a nearby field, sickness in the area, and currency changes, and mentions the wedding of Jimmy Dunwoody to Rachel Burns, et.al.
-Ms. 1502 – “Circular” to Richard Thomas from Thomas M, Philadelphia April 19, 1793, containing a copy of the act for regulating the Militia of this Commonwealth and his commission as Brigadier General of the County of Chester.
Folder 5 – Congressional Service – Philadelphia, 1796-1798
-Ms. 1505 – A dinner invitation card from The President of the United States to Mr. Thomas, February 18, 1796.
-Ms. 1506 – Invitation to Mr. Thomas to a Ball for The President’s Birth Night, February 22, 1796, held at the Amphitheater.
-Ms. 1507 – A dinner invitation card from The President of the United States to Mr. Thomas, January 7, 1796.
-Ms. 1510 – Invitation to Mr. Thomas to a Ball in honor of the Birth of George Washington, February 22, 1798. Printer listed.
-Ms. 32845 – A dinner invitation card from The President of the U.S. to Mr. Thomas, January 10, 1798 (?).
Folder 6 – Congressional Service – Washington City, 1800.
-Ms. 1513 – Letter to Richard Trimble, Miller, Newburgh, New York, from Richard
Thomas, West Whiteland, November 1800. R. Thomas relays news of the death of William Hunter of Newtown and then tells of others still doing well: James Jones; Mr. Trimble’s father; and himself. Election news is given with much detail as well as social details and names.
-Ltr. 25600 – Letter to son George from Richard Thomas, Washington, December 3, 1800. Envelope included. Good description of “Capitol Hill” and the surrounding area. Gives name of “chambermate” and those he has dined with such as Governor Morris of New York and others he refers to as “high flyers.” He also refers to Hain’s letter written from Bush, MD. (This document was “silked”.)
-Ms. 1514 – Letter to Phebe R. Thomas, near Downingstown, from her father, Richard Thomas, Washington City, December 6, 1800. This letter contains lots of social information about individuals and Washington City. One of the families named is the Hartshorne Family, who owned Strawberry Hill, and had a daughter at Westtown School.
-Ms. 1512 – Letter to Richard Thomas Esq., M.C., at the Capitol City of Washington from Samuel Haines, Bush, [MD], answered by Thomas December 8, 1800. Samuel relates an event that happened to him and his horse during their travels from Baltimore to Bush. A couple men, black and white, aid him when his horse goes down on the road. He is particularly impressed with the skill and horse knowledge of one of the black men named Prush. He states that “had the manumission of the Blacks in the United States depended upon my will at that moment they would have been free.”
Folder 7 – Congressional Service – Washington City, 1801.
-Ms. 1515 – Letter to Samuel Hains, Downingstown, from Richard Thomas, January 2, 1801. This letter has the “Wash City” stamp on it. Relates recent travel trips to McPhersons Mills and a narrow escape from “Davy Jones’ Locker.”
-Ms. 1516 – Letter to Samuel Hains, Downingstown, from Richard Thomas, Washington, January 9, 1801. He jokingly justifies why he has abandoned quality reading for reading of novels.
-Ms. 1517 – Letter to Phebe Thomas from Richard Thomas, Washington, January 23, 1801. Regarding family matters.
Folder 8 – Congressional Service – Washington City, 1801.
-Ms. 1518 – Letter to Tammy Thomas from Richard Thomas, Washington, January 23, 1801, “sixth day morning.” Expresses concerns for her workload at home and relates social and personal events such as gaining weight and planning to visit Mount Vernon.
-Ms. 1519 – Letter to Samuel Hains, Downings Town, from Richard Thomas, Washington, January 30, 1801.
-Ms. 1520 – Letter to Phebe R. Thomas from father Richard Thomas, Washington, January 31, 1801. Relates social visits, i.e. one from Jane Whelen and her father and requests more letters and social accounts of her life.
-Ms. 1570 – “Envelope” for letter to Samuel Hains, Downingtown, from Richard Thomas, Washington, February 3rd. [1801] Note jotted on inside.
-Ms. 3822 – Letter to Jesse Jones, Downings Town, from R. Thomas, Washington City, February 8, 1801. He reports on the congressional actions concerning the election of Jefferson or Burr. Good insight on political thoughts of the time. -Ms. 1521 – Letter to Samuel Hains, Downingstown, from Richard Thomas, Washington, February 13, 1801. Some social news, but an excellent account of action in the Congress on the election of Jefferson or Burr for President.
Folder 9 – Congressional Service – Washington City, 1801.
-Ms. 1522 – Letter to Richard Thomas, Esq., M.C. at the Capitol in the City of Washington from Samuel Hains, Downingstown, February 20, 1801. He discusses social and family items as well as his time serving jury duty in West Chester.
-Ms. 1523 – Letter to Phebe Thomas from her father Richard Thomas, Washington, February 20, 1801. He recounts social and family items and lists several names of people he has written. Mentions her sister Tammy.
-Ms. 1524 – Letter to Richard Thomas from Tammy Thomas, February 8, 1801. Letter from wife to husband. She relates health and work problems and comments that she is glad he has “grown fat and fleshi (sic)” as he will then “look young and me, old.” She looks forward to his homecoming.
Folder 10 – Joseph Stansbury, 1779 and undated
-Ms. 1491 – “Historical Ballad of the proceedings at Philadelphia 24th and 25th of May 1779 – By a Loyalist who happened to pass through the City at the time from the Southward to New York.” Two Cantos. [probably by Joseph Stansbury]
-Ms. 1492 – “Towns Meeting a poem by Jos. Stansbury.” There is a footnote reference to Dunlap’s Packet, a newspaper otherwise know as The Pennsylvania Packet which eventually became the first daily newspaper in the U.S.
Folder 11 – Travel Documents, 1794-1796
-Ms. 1504 – “Passport” for William Ashbridge dated November 22, 1794, and signed by Edmond Randolph, the second Secretary of State of the U.S.
-Ms. 1508 – “Passport” for William Ashbridge dated March 19, 1796, and signed by Timothy Pickering, the third Secretary of State of the U.S.
-Ms. 1509 – Bill of Lading of the ship Jenny to Mess. Haines and Thomas from Michael Alcorn dated in Funchal, Madeira, and September 15, 1796.
Folder 12 – Travel Documents, 1796
-Ms. 1586 – Samuel Hains’ journal of his travel to Maderia on the Brig Jenny, July
15, 1796 to September 11, 1796. There are thirty pages which recount his trip and four pages contain his “Sketch of History, Manners and Customs of the Island of Maderia and Its Inhabitants” on pages 31 to 36.
Folder 13 – Miscellaneous, 1805-1821
-Ms. 1533 – Proposals for Constitutional changes made at a General Federal Republican Meeting at the May 1805 Term of the Circuit Court. Document is in two pieces.
-Ms. 1554 – A meeting of “The President and Managers of the Philadelphia and Lancaster Turnpike Road” announcement addressed to Richard Thomas, October 11, 1821.
-Ms. 1583 – Letter to Andrew Greg from Richard Thomas, Philadelphia, February 22, 1821. Letter of Recommendation for William Yardley as a candidate for Flour Inspector of the Port of Philadelphia.
Box 3 – Correspondence
Folder 1 – Letters to Thomazin Thomas – 3 Letters, 1779
-Ms. 1488 – Letter to Thomzin Thomas from Richard Thomas, October (?) 5, 1779. He tells her of items of food and drink he has sent her and tells of his health and expects to travel by water the third day, et.al. Bottom of document torn, but whole body of letter intact.
-Ms. 1489 – Letter to Thomzin, “Tammy,” Thomas, Downings Town, from Richard Thomas, Delaware, October 12, 1779. Inquiry into the families’ health and request for leather goods.
-Ms. 1490 – Letter to Thomzin Thomas from Richard Thomas, Philadelphia, October 31, 1779. Letter is addressed, “To the care of Richard Downing in Downing’s Town for Thomzin Thomas.”
Folder 2 – Letters to Tammy Thomas – 7 Letters, 1787-1790
-Ms. 1493 – Letter to Tammy Thomas at Israel Whelen’s, Philadelphia, from Richard Thomas, W. Whiteland, May 10, 1787.
-Ms. 1495 – Letter to Tammy Thomas, W. Whiteland, from Richard Thomas, Philadelphia, March 11, 1788.
-Ms. 1496 – Letter to Tammy Thomas, from Richard Thomas, Philadelphia, September 29, 1788.
-Ms. 1497 – Letter to Tammy Thomas, W. Whiteland, from Richard Thomas, Philadelphia, September 19, 1788.
-Ms. 1499 – Letter to Tammy Thomas, W. Whiteland, from Richard Thomas, Philadelphia, February 8, 1790.
-Ms. 1500 – Letter to Tammy Thomas, W. Whiteland, from Richard Thomas, Philadelphia, March 13, 1790.
-Ms. 1501 – Letter to Tammy Thomas, W. Whiteland, from Richard Thomas, Philadelphia, December 25, 1790.
Folder 3 – Letters addressed to “My Dear” – 2 Letters, 1787, 1789.
-Ms. 1494 – Letter to “My Dear,” from Richard Thomas, W. Whiteland, May 15, 1787.
-Ms. 1498 – Letter to “My Dear,” from Richard Thomas, Philadelphia, November 28, 1789.
Folder 4 – Letter to Richard Trimble, 1803
-Ms. 1525 – Letter to Richard Trimble, Newburgh, New York, from his uncle Richard Thomas, W. Whiteland, October 5, 1803. Business details as well as family and social. Original document is hard to read due to bleeding of ink through paper. Typed transcript included.
Folder 5 – Letters to Richard Trimble, 1804-1808
-Ms. 1531 – Letter to Richard Trimble, Newburgh, New York, from Uncle Richard Thomas, W. Whiteland, November 12, 1804. He relates wedding details, discusses business. Ms. 1534 – Letter to Richard Trimble, Newburgh, New York, from Uncle Richard Thomas, W. Whiteland, January 30, 1806. Discusses local real estate and the mill business as Trimble seems to be interested in buying a mill. Includes a draft of mills and Hoopes land for sale. Lists land of others such as Cloud, Hawley and Ingram.
-Ms. 1535 – Letter to Richard Trimble, Miller, Newburgh, New York, from Richard Thomas, W. Whiteland, February 14, 1807. Reports the death of his daughter-inlaw (?) and the death of Daniel Trimble and then discusses the bad weather and mill business.
-Ms. 1536 – Letter to Richard Trimble, Newburgh, New York, from uncle Richard Thomas, W. Whiteland January 10 1808. Discusses social and family events including the marriage of his daughter, Thomazine to William Ashbridge.
Folder 6 – Letters to Richard Trimble, 1808-1826
-Ms. 1537 – Letter to Richard Trimble, Miller, Newburgh, New York, from Uncle Richard Thomas, W. Whiteland, April 5, 1808. Lots of social and family news, discusses the embargo and the impact on the flour business. Mentions a patent on a washing mill by Trimble and also the poor health of Richard Tunis.
-Ms. 1538 – Letter to Richard Trimble, Newburgh, New York, from uncle Richard Thomas, W. Whiteland, May 22, 1808. Continuation of the April 5, 1808, letter.
-Ms. 1546 – Letter to Richard Trimble, Newburgh, New York, from Richard Thomas, W. Whiteland, June 19, 1819. Report of trip to see some mills; social and family news.
-Ms. 1556 – Letter to Richard Trimble, Newburgh, NY, from Richard Thomas, Philadelphia, December 20, 1826.
Folder 7 – Letters to Phebe Haines, 1809-1812
-Ms. 1540 – Letter to Phebe Hains, Philadelphia, from Jacob Thomas, W. Whiteland, July 19, 1809. Relates the theft of a parasol and family news.
-Ms. 1543 – Letter to Phebe Hains from Thomazin Ashbridge, Philadelphia, July 22, 1812(?). Regarding her discussion with a weaver to have their yarn woven into fabric. Family news.
Folder 8 – Letter from Samuel Haines, 1808-1812
-Ms. 1539 – Letter to Richard Thomas from Samuel Hains, Philadelphia, June 24, 1808. Family and social news and discussion of the embargo.
-Ms. 1541 – Letter to Richard Thomas from Samuel Hains, Philadelphia, July 25, 1810. Relates conflict with Hoopes, naming of new baby, and the marriage of Napoleon.
-Ms. 1542 – Letter to Richard Thomas, W. Whiteland, from Samuel Hains, Philadelphia, November 28, 1810. Family and social news as well as an account of the trial of John Evans prosecution of Friends in Philadelphia.
-Ms. 1544 – Letter to Richard Thomas from Samuel & Phebe Hains, Philadelphia, November 17, 1812. Regarding the birth of their son and his name.
Folder 9 – New York State Trip, 1819
-Ms. 1547 – Report of a trip to “the Lakes, Canada’s July 14, 1819, in Company with William Ashbridge, his Son William aged 10 years and Joseph Lownes &
Alexander Elmslee during about a month.” It is addressed to Mr. Miner September 3, 1819. This report was published in the Village Record on Wednesday September 22, 1819, and continued in another issue.
-Ms. 1548 –Letter to Samuel Hains, Arch Street, Philadelphia, from Richard Thomas, Manchester, July 23, 1819. Describes arrival at Niagara Falls and gives a description of the area and more of his itinerary.
-Ms. 1549 – Letter to Samuel Hains, Arch Street, Philadelphia, from Richard Thomas, Sackets Harbour (sic), July 27, 1819. He describes departure from Lewistown to the Genesee River and various other sailing vessels and locations including Sackets Harbor where he viewed the USS Orleans. Names other men that are with him on the trip.
-Ms. 1550 – Start of a letter to Mr. Miner from, it is assumed, Richard Thomas, September 3, 1819, in regards to publishing his New York travel story in the paper.
-Ms. 1551 – New York travel story article written to Mr. Miner. In depth descriptions of the natural sites on the trip as well as locations, such as the Mansion House Hotel in Montreal. He also has listed mileage of the trip in the margin of the article.
-Ms. 1552 – A footnote to the article regarding a passenger.
-Ms. 1553 – A description of Saratoga Springs and its three hotels and medicinal springs.
Folder 10 – Ashbridge Family, 1835-1919
-Ms. 1563 – Invitation to Mr. William Ashbridge, Philadelphia, “to a Harvest Home at the Barn of Thomas H. B. Jacobs, on Saturday the 8th of August,” 1835. Eight managers’ names listed.
-Ms. 1564 – Invitation to Mr. Richard Ashbridge to a Harvest Home Party “To be given at the Farm of Thomas H. B. Jacobs, on the 27th of August, 1836.” Ten managers’ names listed.
-Ms. 1565 – Invitation to Mr. Richard Ashbridge to a Harvest Home Party to be held at the Farm of Thomas H. B. Jacobs Esquire, on Saturday, the 14th instant, at 10 o’clock.” 1841. Five managers’ names listed.
-Ms. 1566 – Letter to Thomazin Ashbridge from Jon T. Baldwin, Philadelphia, November 3, 1836. He refers to writing by her father in 1787 about an oak tree. He encloses a poem entitled, “To the ‘Old Oak’”
-Ms. 1568 – Invitation to Mr. Richard Ashbridge and Lady to a Harvest Home Party to be held at the Farm of Thomas H. B. Jacobs Esquire, on Saturday, the 9th of August at 10 o’clock.” 1845. Six managers’ names listed.
-Ms. 1569 – Certificate from the American Red Cross to Thomazine Ashbridge, Philadelphia, for service given April 1917 to May 1919.
-Ms. 1532 – Invitation Card from Hannah Ashbridge & Samuel Grubb to Thamzon Thomas, 1805.
-Ms. 1573 – Small calling card envelope addressed to Mary B. Ashbridge.
Folder 11 – Poetry and Writings, 1781-1849 and undated
-Ms. 1527 – “Ancedote of Washington,” Copied from the Baltimore Federal Gazette of 1804. One compares human character and religion and the other tells of Isaac Potts finding George Washington in prayer at Valley Forge.
-Ms. 1481 – “To the Old Oak, by Joseph Baldwin,” poem written in the summer of 1836.
Ms. 1571 – A poem entitled, “The Deserted Dwelling,” William Augustus White, Tacony, Philadelphia, April 30, 1845.
-Ms. 1572 – “Soliloquy Addressed to the spreading White Oak near the Old House. 1787” by Richard Thomas 4th. “To the Old Oak by Joseph T. Baldwin 1836.” copied May 25th, 1849.
-Ms. 1574 – Copy of “Address to the Spreading White Oak near the Old House, Richard Thomas 1781” for T. Ashbridge, Jr., 1857. Addressed to Thomazine Ashbridge.
-Ms. 1575 – “Soliloquy Address’d to the Spreading white Oak near the Old House 1787.” no name, but may be a copy written by Richard Thomas. Paper has 1799 watermark in it.
-Ms. 1576 – “Soliloquy Addressed to the spreading White Oak near the Old House. 1787” by Richard Thomas 4th. “To the Old Oak by Joseph T. Baldwin 1836.” copied May 20th, 1849.
-Ms. 1577 – copy of two poems, “Paraphrase of within Ode by Russel,” with some notes and Sapho’s Odes” undated.
-Ms. 1578 – Poem which starts “Where now are all my flattering hopes of Joy?” no name or undated
-Ms. 1579 – Poem which starts “Oh Fortune! Wilt thou ever prove..” The name Thomson is written on the bottom with a notation “Genuine Warmth & feeling.” undated
-Ms. 1580 – Two poems: one by William Penn “William Penn on Marriage” and “The Doubting Bachelor.”
-Ms. 1581 – “The Young Man’s Wish,” transcribed by J. H. January 30, 1789. “Federal Valey”
-Ms. 1560 – Copy of a Dogral (sic) Address found among old papers of the writer 1830. “To Daniel Ashbridge a juvenile associate about the year 1766 or 7.” “Address written on back of the Farce entitled The Money Hunters.”
-Ms. 1557 – Statement by Richard Thomas, 1827, on his philosophy with a quote from Alexander Pope.
-Ms. 1585 – A paper entitled “Mausoleum.” undated It is a patriotic piece which mentions Washington.
Folder 12 – Receipts, 1804-1845
-Ms. 1526 – Receipt – August 3, 1804, items purchased by Richard Thomas at Joseph Gibbon’s vendue.
-Ms. 1528 – Receipt – September 29, 1804, purchased by Richard Thomas from Edward Shoemaker.
-Ms. 1529 – Receipt – September 21, 1804, purchased by Richard Thomas from Edward Shoemaker. Itemized list.
-Ms. 1530 – Receipt – October 15, 1804, purchased by Richard Thomas from Samuel Richards. Itemized list of silver items.
Ms. 1567 – Receipt of payment to William Fife from Richard Ashbridge, Philadelphia, May 19, 1845, thanking him for writing his Marriage Certificate.
Folder 13 – Miscellaneous, 1775-1829 and undated
-Ms. 1483 – Ornate advertisement for Samuel Hains’ real estate office in Philadelphia.
-Ms. 1484 – Copy of D. Major’s letter from Kingston, Jamaica, July 19, 1775, to Richard Thomas.
-Ms. 1545 – Letter to Mr. Miner from W. Whiteland, 1818. (assumed it is R. Thomas) A rough draft list of names and ages of the oldest W. Whiteland Township residents. “First Class” lists those above 80 years; “Second Class” lists those above 70 years, “Third Class” above 60 years, and numbers those above 50.
-Ms. 9805 – Addendum to a letter by R. Thomas which describes John Jacobs, an early settler. Addendum was from the W. C. Literary Association.
-Ms. 1559 – Letter to Richard Thomas from T. Downing, Downingtown, October 27, 1829, regarding his portrait being painted by Samuel Moon.
-Ms. 1582 – Penciled notation of “Poisons & Antidotes.” undated.
-Ms. 1584 – Letter to Jacob from “Thy Affectionate Cousin,” undated Recounts a trip to Baltimore and lists many landmarks and names such as Evan Poultney and Nathaniel Ellicot, son in law to Richard Trimble.
Account Books, 1744-1832
-Ms. 1446 – Account book of Richard Thomas, farmer, West Whiteland Township 1744-1832. Includes workmen’s accounts, store accounts, and frequent mention of “mill” accounts (grist) and “store” accounts.
-Ms. 1447 – Accounts of a Revolutionary War Soldier, Richard Thomas, and 1776-1777. Some entries for 1792 (surveying for roads). Note with booklet reads “A relic of the Revolution presented to Samuel Hains by Col. Richard Thomas.
-Ms. 1448 – “Size Book of Firelocks 1776” and “Field Book 1775, Richard Thomas.” Accounts of Chester County militia activity during the Revolutionary War.
-Ms. 1449 – Marriage Certificate Samuel Hains to Phebe R. Thomas October 24, 1804. Recorded in Uwchlan Monthly Meeting book page 120 and witnessed and signed by over one hundred people. (This document is in OV section of closed stacks)
225 N. High Street, West Chester, PA 19380 | 610-692-4800
Sign up for our Newsletter
