The Painter Family Archives is an extensive collection of documents reflecting the life and activities of the Painter Quaker family of West Chester, Pennsylvania in the nineteenth century. The collection is housed at the Chester County History Center (CCHC) and includes more than 6,000 letters, mostly from the nineteenth century.
The major figures of the Painter family are:
- Samuel Marshall Painter (1809-1884): successful newspaper publisher, bookseller, and local official. An active abolitionist who was involved in helping fugitive slaves.
- Ann Vickers Painter (1810-1890): wife of Samuel, daughter of prominent underground railroad member John Vickers. Shared her husband’s views and supported the movement to abolish slavery.
- John Vickers Painter (1835-1903): engaged in railroading and banking.
- Uriah Hunt Painter (1837-1900): businessman, early investor in Thomas Edison, war correspondent and possibly a Union intelligence agent during the Civil War.
- William Painter (1838-1884): Civil War general, responsible for transporting the Army of the Potomac during the Battle of Gettysburg.
- Francis J. Painter (1841-?): fourth son of Samuel and Ann, born January 11, 1841, in West Chester.
The archive contains family and business correspondence, legal documents, school notebooks, genealogical materials, and ledgers. These documents provide valuable information about the social, political, and economic aspects of Chester County life in the nineteenth century.
Researchers interested in Quaker history, the abolitionist movement, and business development in Pennsylvania will find the Painter Family Archives a rich source of information.
To access the collection, it is recommended that you contact the Chester County History Center for visitation and materials handling arrangements.