HIST 223: Old Age in the Modern Age (HC): Haverford Special Collections

Anna Spencer (1832-1905) was a single Quaker woman who kept a diary of her daily life from 1855 until 1905.

"The invalid's oracle: containing peptic precepts, pointing out agreeable and effectual methods to prevent and relieve indigestion, and to regulate and strengthen the action of the stomach and bowels ... To which is added, The pleasure of making a will." Published 1828.

Cicero was a Roman orator. This edition of his work on old age was published in Philadelphia in 1758.

Smith (1832-1911) lived in the Philadelphia area. Her letters cover a variety of topics including health and old age.

Includes letters from the 1720s through the 1850s. Many deal with health and age issues.

These diaries cover 1861-1924 in 64 volumes.

These diaries cover 1814-1870 in 46 volumes.

Baily (1826-1916) was a Philadelphia-area merchant. His letters are a rich source of information about aging; the collection also includes his diaries (45 volumes, also stretching to 1916).

Includes a notebook of Susan Lloyd titled "A Companion in Sickness" with many quotations about dealing with ill health.

Mary Stokes (1803-1884) discusses her daily life, mental well-being, and health issues in the neighborhood in her diary, which covers 1847 to 1873.

This 1771 text includes "rules for diet, exercise, and physic for preserving a good constitution, and preventing disorders in a bad one."

Records cover 1946-1986 and include correspondence, financial information, surveys, publications, and records of Friends Homes.

By Francis W. Taylor, this is an important text in organizational and decision theory.

"Or, A plain philosophicall demonstration of the nature, faculties, and effects of all such things as by way of nourishments make for the preservation of health."

Please note that this item is very fragile; the librarian will want to know why you are interested before letting you use this book.

This work was written as an account of the history of the Friends' Asylum for the Insane in Philadelphia.

These records include those of the Friends' Asylum in Philadelphia, which was known for its innovative approach to mental health care for the time. Materials include the Superintendent's journals and day books, minutes of various managing committees, financial information, and weather reports.

This book details Thomas Eddy's ideas for improving the operations of the Friends' Asylum and was read before the Governors of the New York Hospital in 1815.

This book provides suggestions for the treatment of mental illness, outlined by Thomas Story Kirkbridge.

Edited by Thomas Story Kirkbridge, this report covers the year 1841-1842.

This book contains a list of guidelines and supporters for a retreat at York for those afflicted with mental illness.

Written by the Asylum for the Relief of Persons Deprived of the Use of Their Reason, this book is a guide for the operations of the local Asylum.

This book gives an account of the Friends' Asylum based on the operations of the year 1819.

This collection contains the diary of Elizabeth R. Shoemaker Taylor who gives an account of Morgan Hinchman's commitment to Friends' Asylum in Frankford, PA, in 1847 which resulted in a lawsuit against his family.

The Aimwell School was founded in 1796 by Anne Parrish for the purpose of providing “a good English education” for poor girls. The collection includes minute books, financial documents, and photographs.

1861, 1866, 1869

These cheap, mass-produced dime novels include a number of boys as heroes, including The Brave Boy Hunters of Kentucky and several boy detective novels.

This diary, from 1833-34, documents the behavior of two young boys. It was kept by their parents, and was read aloud to them weekly.

The collection includes letters of Mary Cope to her children, often with lots of advice. Anna and Francis Cope's letters often discuss their children and the children's health. Letters of Rachel Cope Evans also deal with her children's health.

Correspondence between Henry Drinker and his wife Elizabeth during his exile from the Philadelphia area during the Revolutionary War. Drinker often writes about how hard it is to be separated from his family and his children.

Manuscripts for this book by William Wistar Comfort, all based on characters from French history.

Records of a boarding school run by the Society of Friends from 1852 to 1938 in Cattaraugus County, New York. See especially sections AA47-68, although letters in the proceeding part of the collection also deal with the school.

Includes the 1896 diary of Ethel Rhoads which describes the birth and breastfeeding of her daughter, Sarah.

In this 1916 letter the writer describes visiting the Home for Colored People on Friends Day.

Scattered holdings, 1860s through 1890s. We also hold their constitution and by-laws.

The "Asylums and Homes" section includes information about a number of old-age homes.

Lewis Hine

Lewis Hine

Charles Currier

Charles Currier

Charles Currier

Larry Fink

Aaron Siskind

Paul Strand, in his The Formative Years

Edward Steichen

James van der Zee