This collection contains ephemera related to Alice Potter Fordney, antiques dealer and rugmaker. Items in the collection include business correspondence with Armstrong, F. Schumacher & Co., and the Montclair art museum; personal correspondence with friends and family; hooked rug patterns; and antiques sale flyers from the early 20th century. Also included in the collection are newspaper clippings, including the obituary of Fordney's sister Ellen Franklin; reference material for rug making and interior design (informational sheets, books and patterns); several items related to the Yeates School, which Fordney's brother William Bush Fordney attended; several photographs of unidentified persons; and a statement related to the will of William J. Fordney, her uncle.
Admin/Biographical History
Alice Potter Fordney was born June 21, 1887 in Lancaster, the daughter of Ida Cox and Thomas Potter Fordney. A prominent antique dealer from the late 1920s to her retirement in 1965, Fordney also made and sold hooked rugs.
Fordney's family features prominently in Lancaster County history. Her maternal great-grandfather was John Michael, who owned the historic Grape Hotel from 1805-1839. Fordney's paternal great-grandfather William Jenkins built Wheatland in 1828 and later sold the property to President James Buchanan. Colonel William Bush Fordney, her paternal grandfather, was a prominent lawyer in Lancaster. He served as district attorney from 1839-1845 and negotiated for the loan that enabled Lancaster city to build the "water works" in the 1830s. Sarah Cox, her maternal grandmother, was a known philanthropist and for years helped to manage the Home for Friendless Children in Lancaster. Her sister, Ellen Fordney Franklin, was a "pioneer" in the industry of women's knit suits, opening her first shop in 1929 in Philadelphia.
Fordney never married. She kept in contact with her nieces and nephews, as evidenced by letters in the collection. According to notes provided by Wendell Zercher, Sarah Ellmaker McIlvaine Muench, her niece and the donor of the collection, recalled her as "warm and artistic," and "a character." She died April 17, 1973, at the age of 85.
Works Cited:
"Mrs. Franklin, pioneer of women's knit suits, dies." Daily Intelligencer Journal [Lancaster, PA], 10 May 1963, p. 2.
"Accident Fatal to Mrs. Sarah A. Cox." Daily Intelligencer Journal [Lancaster, PA], no date, page unknown.
"Miss Fordney, Antique Dealer, 85, Succumbs." Daily Intelligencer Journal [Lancaster, PA], 18 April 1973, p. 2.
"One of Lancaster's Most Prominent and Venerable Citizens Passes Away." Daily Intelligencer Journal [Lancaster, PA], 29 July 1889, p. 1.
3 boxes, 37 folders, 333 items, 1,015 pages to scan, 4.5 cubic ft.
Object Name
Archive
Language
English
Object ID
HC0001
Location of Originals
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Associated Material
Sarah McIlvaine Muench Family Papers, MS 44 at Archives and Special Collections, Shadek-Fackenthal Library, Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster, PA.
Related Item Notes
See photograph collection.
See curatorial collection for examples of rugs.
Fordney Family Diaries (MG0539)
Notes
Preferred Citation: Title or description of item, date (day, month, year), Archive of Alice P. Fordney (HC0001), Box #, Folder #, LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Access Conditions / Restrictions
The kraft paper patterns in Folders 33-37 are restricted. Please make an appointment with the Director of Archival Services to view these items.
Copyright
Collection may not be photocopied. Please direct questions to Research Center Staff at research@lancasterhistory.org. Permission for reproduction and/or publication must be obtained in writing from LancasterHistory.
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Accession Number
G.04.23.52
Classification
HC0001
Description Level
Fonds
Custodial History
From the Heritage Center of Lancaster County collection, G04.23.52.
Processed and finding aid prepared by MJ, June 2018.
Signers of petition: William P. Pusey, Fleming McSparran, Clarkson Jefferis, Miller Hutton, George Brown, Francis B. Groff, James D. Malone, Mark Showalter, Joseph Smith, William R. Ralston, James McCrabb, William W. Steele, Mordecai Hammond, Clemingham Atchison.
1 item, 1 piece
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Request at Reference Desk; photocopy made by staff member.
Signers of petition: Samuel Trimble, Robert W. Moor, Miller Hutton, G. J. Hildebrand, [ ] Zell, Francis McCrabb, Francis B. Groff, [Patteric] Smyth, Thomas R. Johnson, [Amos] Groff, Michael Shea, Samuel Newport, John C. Stone, Ephraim Potts, George Bellamey, Newton Egan, James W. Malone, William Morrison, Thomas McMorrison, Dennis Malone, T. W. Waters, Cheyney H. Pusey, Oliver Caldwell, R. M. Caldwell, Robert W. Moore, Jonathan McMichael, Emanuel D. Waters, James Barnes Jr., Thomas M. Gryder, John B. Hess, John Kennedy, J. S. Jordan, Jeremiah Herr, Jackson Towson, John Findley, Thomas Arnold, Edward J. Hewes, Allen S. Steele, Henry Harner, John W. Fisher, William A. Towson, Enos Evans, James Barnett, William Barr, John Tennant, N. N. Heneil, Edward F. Heneil, J. H. Bryan, Samuel Fisher, Henry M. Ewing, [Elihu] H. Wells, Benjamin H. Witmer, Henry McCann, A. B. Stone, Samuel Broome, Samuel L. Fisher, John Trimbel, Robert W. Moore, Edward McCaa, John Rogers, Anthony Deaver, Cuningham Atikson, Henry Rogers, Lewis Hilton, R. L. Wharton, William T. Wilson, Samuel Cuming, Benjamin Burgess, Christopher M. Hess, George Aument Jr., John Lutz, Daniel D. Hess, Jonathan M. Bushong, James Lowry, James Shank, Benjamin Musser, Westly Philips, William J. Steel, David Stefel, A. Bear, Andrew Lee, Vincent Burkins, Robert M. Cohick, Charles T. Todd, M. Watson, Eli Moore, John Burgin, A. J. Ferguson, Benjamin Brooks, [unknown signature], Jacob Hauk, Daniel R. Hilton, Vincent Reynolds, Thomas Moderwell, Thomas Cully, J. McMichael, William Wescott, Elias Hess, Lewis Jefferis, Mortica Hamond, Isaac Moris, Benjamin F. Sides, S. J. Hamilton, James Duncan, Peter Smyth, Jacob L. Kirk, Archibald Brown, William P. Pusey, H. D. Hildebrand, William Miller, Benjamin Finley, Richard Ward, G. S. Savery, Lewis Todd, Benjamin Brogan, William K. Brown, Hezekiah Freeston, [unknown signature], Samuel C. Marshall, John McKinley, John Steward, Thomas McKinley, John Gallighar, John M. Bishop, Samuel Seipel, Edward Buckman, William Bear, [Wayne Mohr], [unknown signature], Allen Kline, William C. Buckman, John Brown, James W. Allen, John Hoover, Peter Caldwell, James McKinley, Felix W. Sweigert, [Jeremiah] Kirk, S. McConkey, H. J. McIntire, Harrison Hammond, [Elwad H. Done], Clark Philips, john Harveston, James Trimble, Samuel McMichal, Michel Philips, John Hiltibrand, John McColgen, B. R. Watson, Jacob Bear, M. Pharoah, Jacob Hecklar, Thomas Pusey, William Moore, John Harrar, Nathan Watson, George Wishower.
1 item, 1 piece
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Request at Reference Desk; photocopy made by staff member.
Diary entries of Rev. John Wallace, April to November 1855
Description
Diary entries of Rev. John Wallace dating from April to November 1855. Reverend Wallace describes his sermons and activities, including which Bible passages he will preach from and which event he is speaking at. Additionally, Rev. Wallace describes the surgery he underwent to remove a tumor from the side of his neck and the recovery process he experienced.
Admin/Biographical History
Rev. Wallace (d.1866) was pastor at Pequea Church, Gap, Lancaster County from 1833-1866. The family is from Chester and Lancaster counties.
Preferred Citation: Title or description of item, date (day, month, year), Rev. John Wallace Papers (MG0869), Object ID, LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania. URL if applicable. Date accessed (day, month, year).
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Please use digital images and transcriptions when available. Original documents may be used by appointment. Please contact Research Center Staff at Research@LancasterHistory.org prior to visit.
Copyright
Collection may not be photocopied. Please direct questions to Research Center Staff at Research@LancasterHistory.org. Permission for reproduction and/or publication must be obtained in writing from LancasterHistory.
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
The Washington Fire Company Records contain the eleven articles and a list of members for the Washington Fire Company of Lancaster in 1820, a minute book for 1857-1879, constitution and by-laws printed in 1857, and an undated account sheet.
Admin/Biographical History
The Washington Fire Company was organized in 1820 at the home of John Landis. (Ellis and Evans, History of Lancaster County, pp. 389-390)
Preferred Citation: Title or description of item, date (day, month, year), Washington Fire Company Records (MG0521), Box #, Folder #, (or Object ID), LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania. URL if applicable. Date accessed (day, month, year).
Access Conditions / Restrictions
No restrictions. Please request at the Reference Desk or contact Research@LancasterHistory.org prior to visit.
Copyright
Collection may be photographed. Please direct questions to Research Center Staff at Research@LancasterHistory.org.
Permission for reproduction and/or publication must be obtained in writing from LancasterHistory. Persons wishing to publish any material from this site must assume all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants of copyright or other use restrictions. Publication fees may apply.
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Preferred Citation: Title or description of item, date (day, month, year), Lancaster Press Club Collection, 1909 (MG0910), Folder #, (or Object ID), LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania. URL if applicable. Date accessed (day, month, year).
Access Conditions / Restrictions
No restrictions. Please request at the Reference Desk or contact Research@LancasterHistory.org prior to visit.
Copyright
Collection may be photographed. Please direct questions to Research Center Staff at Research@LancasterHistory.org.
Permission for reproduction and/or publication must be obtained in writing from LancasterHistory. Persons wishing to publish any material from this site must assume all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants of copyright or other use restrictions. Publication fees may apply.
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Advertising trade card for John A. Erben's Cheap Clothing Store
Description
Advertising trade card for John A. Erben's Cheap Clothing Store, sign of the Striped Coat. Largest and cheapest assortment of men's and boys' clothing in the city. "Customer work promptly attended to." Express Print, Lancaster. 42 North Queen Street, Lancaster. ca. 1850s.
Admin/Biographical History
John A. Erben (1827-1898) married Anna E. Musselman in 1855. He retired from his career as a tailor in his forties and began a new career as a store clerk.
Preferred Citation: Title or description of item, date (day, month, year), Collection Title (MG#), Series #, Box #, Folder #, (or Object ID), LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania. URL if applicable. Date accessed (day, month, year).
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Please use digital images and transcriptions when available. Original items may be used by researchers--contact Research@LancasterHistory.org prior to visit or request at Reference Desk.
Copyright
Images have been provided for research purposes only. Please contact Research@LancasterHistory.org for a high-resolution image and permission to publish. LancasterHistory retains the rights to the digital images and content presented. The doctrine of fair use allows limited use of copyrighted material without permission from the copyright holder. Fair use includes comment, criticism, teaching, and private scholarship. Any images and data downloaded, printed or photocopied for these purposes should provide a citation. All other uses beyond those allowed by fair use require written permission.
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
This collection contains letters, correspondence, documents, a copy book, marriage license, an issue of the Wrightsville Star newspaper and other ephemera of the family of James Fleming Smith (1807-1854) and his son, Howard Persifor Smith (1847-1872).
Admin/Biographical History
James Fleming Smith, son of Isaac Smith and Margaret Fleming, was born in 1807 in Lancaster County and died in 1854 in Wrightsville, York County. He married Elizabeth Schall, 3 September 1845, and had one child, Howard Persifor Smith, born in 1872.
Preferred Citation: Title or description of item, date (day, month, year), James Fleming Smith Family Papers, 1821-1924 (MG0912), Box #, Folder #, (or Object ID), LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania. URL if applicable. Date accessed (day, month, year).
Access Conditions / Restrictions
No restrictions. Please request at the Reference Desk or contact Research@LancasterHistory.org prior to visit.
Copyright
Collection may be photographed. Please direct questions to Research Center Staff at Research@LancasterHistory.org.
Permission for reproduction and/or publication must be obtained in writing from LancasterHistory. Persons wishing to publish any material from this site must assume all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants of copyright or other use restrictions. Publication fees may apply.
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Accession Number
Unknown.MG0912
Other Numbers
MG-912
Classification
MG0912
Description Level
Fonds
Custodial History
Transferred from Robert Smith family file 26 September 2002. Transferred from Document Collection, Box 32, Folder 3, 8 April 2022.
