Kirk family papers: Finding Aid mssHM 74389-74411
Finding aid prepared by Gayle M. Richardson, November 19, 2010.
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Last updated by Brooke M. Black in March 2024.
Contributing Institution:
The Huntington Library
Title: Kirk family papers
Identifier/Call Number: mssHM 74389-74411
Physical Description:
0.2 Linear Feet
(1 folder)
Date (inclusive): 1817-1913
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 of Material: English.
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[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 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.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
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
Box Main file 125, Folder 2
Kirk family papers 1817-1913