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William Dillwyn diary

 Collection
Identifier: HC.MC-975-01-017

Scope and Contents

This collection is comprised of the single volume, handwritten diary of William Dillwyn, as well as a photo copy and typed transcript. Entries describe Dillwyn's travels from his home in Burlington, New Jersey, to Charleston, South Carolina, including lists of things to pack, the voyage, and the weather. Later entries describe Dillwyn's time in South Carolina, visits with Friends, business, and Quaker meetings.

The collection also includes a copy of a New York Sun newspaper article, dated July 8, 1933, describing the diary and how it was found by book sellers.

Dates

  • Creation: 1772-1773

Creator

Access Restrictions

The collection is open for research use.

Use Restrictions

Standard Federal Copyright Laws Apply (U.S. Title 17).

Biographical Note

William Dillwyn (1743-1824) was a Quaker born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1743, to John and Susanna Painter Dillwyn. On May 19, 1768, in Burlington, New Jersey, Dillwyn married Sarah Logan Smith, daughter of John Smith of Burlington. Sarah Dillwyn died after giving birth to the couple’s only child, Susanna, in 1769. Susanna (1769-1819) would go on to marry Samuel Emlen (1766-1783).

Dillwyn was educated at the Public School, Philadelphia (later the William Penn Charter School) by Anthony Benezet, a Quaker abolitionist. In 1772, Dillwyn traveled, with letters of recommendation from Benezet, to Carolina to study slavery. In 1773, Dillwyn, Richard Smith, and Daniel Wells wrote Brief considerations on slavery, and the expediency of its abolition: with some hints on the means whereby it may be gradually effected.

Dillwyn moved to England in 1774, and married Sarah Weston in 1777. The couple had eight children: Lewis Weston (August 21, 1778), John Crook (July 18, 1780), Judith Nichols (August 26, 1781), Ann (September 11, 1783), Lydia (April 11, 1785), George (February 1, 1787), Sarah Musgrave (March 14, 1790), and Gulielma (August 16, 1792).

In England, Dillwyn remained involved in the anti-slave trade and anti-slavery movement. Dillwyn was a member of the Meeting for Sufferings Committee on the Slave Trade, and was one of the original members of the London Abolition Committee in 1787.

William Dillwyn died on September 28, 1824, and was buried at Tottenham, Middlesex.

Extent

0.04 linear ft. (1 volume)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

William Dillwyn was a Philadelphia Quaker abolitionist who was tutored under Anthony Benezet. Entries describe Dillwyn's travels from his home in Burlington, New Jersey, to Charleston, South Carolina, including lists of things to pack, the voyage, and the weather. Later entries describe Dillwyn's time in South Carolina, visits with Friends, business, and Quaker meetings.

Acquisition

Unknown.

Related Materials

  • HC.MC.950.061 Henry Drinker papers
  • HC.MC.955 Edward Wanton Smith papers
  • HC.MC.975.11.010 Dillwyn & Hill family wills
  • HC.MC.975.08.007 George Dillwyn financial records
  • HC.MC.852 Anthony Benezet papers
  • HC.MC.1000 Gulielma M. Howland papers
  • HC.MC.1100 Scattergood family papers
  • HC.MC.1184 Families of Philadelphia collection

Processing Information

Processed by Kara Flynn; completed July, 2015.

Title
William Dillwyn diary, 1772-1773
Author
Kara Flynn
Date
July, 2015
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
English

Find It at the Library

Most of the materials in this catalog are not digitized and can only be accessed in person. Please see our website for more information about visiting or requesting repoductions from Haverford College Quaker & Special Collections Library

Contact:
370 Lancaster Ave
Haverford PA 19041 USA US