Collection Title: Rebecca Webb Pennock Lukens Papers
Collection Number: 199
Dates of Collection: 1825-1982, Bulk dates: 1825-1850
Box Numbers: 1
Repository: Chester County Historical Society
Language: English
Project Archivist: Jasmine Smith
In 1815 or 1816, Rebecca Lukens and her husband, Charles, came to the Brandywine Iron Works. The property was owned by Rebecca’s father, and he wished his daughter and her husband to take over the care and running of the dilapidated mill. The young couple spent several years repairing and rebuilding the mill and surrounding buildings at great expense, eventually setting up the property for boiler plate rolling. Charles’ unexpected death in 1825 left Rebecca with a great deal of debt, a newly active business enterprise, and several children for which to provide. Rebecca took over the running of the mill and proved to be an excellent business woman. She created an institution in Coatesville that would last over a century beyond her lifetime.
Resources Used:
“Statement of Rebecca W. Lukens,” Brandywine, September 10th, 1850.
The Rebecca Lukens collection includes short biographies written about Rebecca Lukens, as well as several short statements and autobiographies written by Lukens herself. The collection also includes a map of her property, two of her account books, and several letters.
Materials are arranged by document type.
CCHC Newspaper Clippings Collection: Lukens, Rebecca. Coatesville. Business Houses, Lukens Steel
CCHC Ephemera Files: Coatesville. Business Houses, Lukens
CCHC Family Files: Lukens Family
Folder # Description
1 Rebecca Lukens Biographies
A Woman in Steel, Robert W. Walcott, 1940
“Rebecca Pennock Lukens,” Anna M.P. Stern, n.d.
“Rebecca Pennock Lukens, 1794-1854,” Mary S. Pinkney and
Claire Etherton, 1982
2 Rebecca Lukens’ Own Accounts, Autobiographies
MS 7577 – “Autobiography of Rebecca W. Lukens, Written about
1825”
“Statement of Rebecca W. Lukens,” Brandywine, September 10th,
1850
Property accounting following death of Charles Lukens, 1826
3 Rebecca Lukens Property Map, undated
4 Rebecca W. Lukens Various Documents, Holton Collection
Includes her autobiography and other documents, transcribed
5 Letters
Letters to Martha P. Gibbons, Coatesville, 1848-1849,
MS 3098-3104
6 Rebecca Lukens Account Books for Brandywine House
Two books, MS 76206-76207, 1839-1848
225 N. High Street, West Chester, PA 19380 | 610-692-4800
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