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Kirk Family Papers: Finding Aid
mssHM 74389-74411
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Title: Kirk Family Papers
Dates (inclusive): 1817-1913
Collection Number: mssHM 74389-74411
Creator:
Kirk family.
Extent: 23 pieces + ephemera in 1 case
Repository:
The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens.
Manuscripts Department
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, California 91108
Phone: (626) 405-2129
Email: reference@huntington.org
URL: http://www.huntington.org
Abstract: This small collection contains papers of the Kirk family, a well-established Pennsylvania Quaker family.
The majority of the collection consists of family letters, notes, cards
and invitations between members of the Kirk, Inskeep, and Ridgway families.
Language: English.
Open to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader Services
Department. For more information, contact Reader Services.
The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to
quote from or publish images of this material, nor does it charge fees for such
activities. The responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is
one, and obtaining necessary permissions rests with the researcher.
[Identification of item]. Kirk Family Papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino,
California.
Gift of John K. Hull, Jr., October 28, 2010.
The Kirks were a well-established Pennsylvania Quaker family, descended from John
Kirk (1660- 1705) who immigrated to Darby, Pa., in 1687. Joshua Paul Kirk
(1841-1914), was the fourth son of Elias Kirk (1808-1889) and Rachel Paul Kirk. In
August 1861, J.P. Kirk enlisted in Co. A. of the 1st Regiment of New Jersey Cavalry,
and fought in Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania; he was mustered out in July
1865. In 1868, J.P. Kirk married Marietta (Mame) Ridgway (1848- 1884) and they had
three children: Marietta Kirk (1871-1940), George Ridgway Kirk, and Morris Paul Kirk
(1874-1953). Marietta, a graduate of Swarthmore College (Class of 1888), married
Henry Wisdom Ragland in 1902; they had one child, Morris Kirk Ragland (b. 1904).
The Ridgways were related to Ephraim Inskeep (1795-1881), a successful New
Jersey-born miller, and his wife Mary Olden Inskeep (1795-1875). Inskeep’s
stepdaughter Margaretta married William Ridgway (ca. 1805-1849) in 1830 and they had
four children: William Olden Ridgway (1834-1925), Ephraim Inskeep Ridgway
(1835-1913), George K. Ridgway (b. ca. 1844) and Mary Ridgway. After both Margaretta
and William Ridgway succumbed to cholera in 1849, the children went to live with
their Inskeep grandparents. William and George Ridgway also served in the Civil War
before moving west, along with their sister Mary.
The papers consist of the following:
1. Correspondence, Manuscript, Document and Ephemera (1
tan rope case). The material includes one manuscript, one document and 16 pieces of
ephemera; the majority of the collection consists of family letters, notes, cards
and invitations between members of the Kirk, Inskeep, and Ridgway families. The most
noteworthy of these are the letters written by Joshua Paul Kirk, in 1862, detailing
his experiences in the Civil War.
The other family members include: Ephraim Inskeep, Mary Olden Inskeep, Elias Kirk,
Joshua Paul Kirk, Marietta Ridgway Kirk, Morris Paul Kirk, Marietta Kirk Ragland,
Ephraim Inskeep Ridgway, Mary Ridgway, and William Olden Ridgway. There are also
letters to and from various friends and assorted family members.
The Correspondence, manuscript, and document are arranged chronologically, followed by three folders of ephemera.
- Glover, John P. Joint author with Ann B. Inskeep, note to Mary H. Oldden, (1817, Nov.). HM 74389.
- Inskeep, Mary Olden, 1795-1875. Joint addressee with Ephraim Inskeep, 1795-1881, note from Esther L. Thomas and Jacob Jackson, (1826, Apr.). HM 74390.
- Jackson, Jacob. Joint author with Esther L. Thomas, note to Ephraim Inskeep, 1795-1881 and Mary Olden Inskeep, 1795-1875, (1826, Apr.). HM 74390.
- Kirk, Joshua Paul, 1841-1914. Autograph letter, following letter from Morris Paul Kirk, 1874- 1953, to Marietta Kirk Ragland, 1871-1940, (1886, Jan. 17). HM 74406.
- Kirk, Joshua Paul, 1841-1914. Autograph letter, following letter from Morris Paul Kirk, 1874- 1953, to Marietta Kirk Ragland, 1871-1940, ([1888], Sep. 24). HM 74407.
- Kirk, Joshua Paul, 1841-1914. Autograph letter, following letter from Morris Paul Kirk, 1874- 1953, to Marietta Kirk Ragland, 1871-1940, (1888, Nov. 10). HM 74409.
- Kirk, Marietta Ridgway, 1848-1884. Joint author with Joshua Paul Kirk, 1841-1914, letter to [Dear Friends?], (1873, June 29). HM 74403.
- Dreams -- United States -- 18th century. In Ephraim Inskeep Ridgway, 1835-1913, “A Remarkable Dream…,” (1854, Dec. 26). HM 74392.
- Stonewall, Jackson, 1824-1863. In Joshua Paul Kirk, 1841-1914, letters to Elias Kirk, 1808- 1889, (1862). HM 74396-74398.
- United States -- Army -- New Jersey Cavalry Regiment, 1st (1861-1865). In Joshua Paul Kirk, 1841-1914, letters to Elias Kirk, 1808-1889, (1862). HM 74395-74398.
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865. In Joshua Paul Kirk, 1841-1914, letters to Elias Kirk, 1808-1889, (1862). HM 74395-74398.
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the
Huntington Library's Online Catalog.
Kirk family --
Archives.
Jackson, Stonewall,
1824-1863.
United States. Army.
New Jersey Cavalry Regiment, 1st (1861-1865)
Dreams -- United States -- History --
18th century.
Quakers -- Pennsylvania --
Archives.
Quaker women -- United States --
History.
Pennsylvania -- History
-- 19th century -- Sources.
United States --
History -- Civil War, 1861-1865.
United States --
History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Personal narratives.
Documents -- United States -- 19th
century.
Ephemera -- United States -- 19th
century.
Family papers -- United States -- 19th
century.
Letters (correspondence) -- United
States -- 19th century.
Manuscripts -- United States -- 19th
century.
Inskeep, Ephraim, 1795-1881.
Inskeep, Mary Olden, 1795-1875.
Kirk, Elias, 1808-1889.
Kirk, Joshua Paul, 1841-1914.
Kirk, Marietta Ridgway, 1848-1884.
Kirk, Morris Paul, 1874-1953.
Ragland, Marietta Kirk, 1871-1940.
Ridgway, Ephraim Inskeep, 1835-1913.
Ridgway, Mary.
Ridgway, William Olden, 1834-1925.