%eadnotat; ]> 5237evan Edward W. Evans, Quaker Concerns Papers, 1938-1951 Finding aid encoded by JGW from an MSWord finding aid. 2004 Finding aid is in English. Edward W. Evans, Quaker Concerns Papers, 1938-1951 Summary Quaker Concerns Papers 1938-1951 RG5/237 Edward W. Evans (Edward Wyatt), 1882-1976 14 boxes; 7 linear feet Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College For current information on the location of materials, please consult the Libraries' online catalog: http://tripod.brynmawr.edu Edward W. Evans (1882-1976) was a Quaker leader and lawyer active in the educational and peace concerns of the Society of Friends. The collection primarily contains papers compiled by Edward W. Evans during his time as Secretary of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting (Orthodox), from 1938-1946. Of particular interest are the materials concerning Civilian Public Service. The collection is significant in its documentation of pacifist attitudes and the ways in which the Society of Friends was active during the Second World War. HISTORICAL NOTE

Edward W. Evans (1882-1976) was born January 31, 1882, in Germantown, Pa. He graduated from Germantown Friends School and received an A.B. from Haverford College in 1902, an A.B. from Harvard University in 1903, and an LL.B. from the University of Pennsylvania in 1907. He married Jacqueline Pascal Morris in 1911. He served on the Board of Managers of Haverford College from 1912 to 1965.

Evans was a lifelong member of Germantown Monthly Meeting and active in many Quaker concerns. He was particularly involved in the area of peace work. He was the General Secretary of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting (Orthodox) from 1938-1946 served on the War Problems Committee, Civilian Public Service Committee, Joint Peace Committee, Peace Committee, and Friends Committee on National Legislation. He served on the board of directors of the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC), Committee of Pendle Hill, and the White William Foundation. He was instrumental in the founding of the Fellowship of Reconciliation and was executive secretary from 1916-1919. He also was active in PYM Committee to Confer with the Federal Council of Churches, Committee on Epistles, Committee on Social Order, Committee to Revise Discipline, and Committee on the Westtown School. He was a delegate to the Five Years Meeting, to two Peace Conferences in London, and to Friends World Conference.

He died on May 26, 1976, at Foulkeways, Gwynedd, Pa.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE RECORDS

This collection contains the papers of Edward W. Evans compiled largely while he was the Secretary of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting (1938-1946), with some additions by his immediate successor, Howard G. Taylor. The papers contain materials from Evans’ activities as Secretary and also from the committees on which he served during the period from 1938-1950. Included are documents pertaining to Philadelphia Yearly Meeting and ecumenical groups such as the Philadelphia Federation of Churches to the World Council of Churches. Much of the collection is concerned with World War II and the role of Quakers as conscientious objectors. This includes papers relating to Civilian Public Service. There is also a considerable amount of paperwork from the Friends Committee on National Legislation, which was responsible for bringing Quaker interests, especially conscientious objection, before the federal government. Correspondents include Clarence Pickett (AFSC) and Paul Furnas (FCNL). This collection is significant in its documentation of pacifist attitudes and the ways in which the Society of Friends was active during the Second World War.

Organization: Series 1: Philadelphia Yearly Meeting. Series 2: Ecumenical Groups. Series 3: Peace Activities. Series 4: Other Activities.

ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION Accession information

Transferred from Haverford College, 2001

Order was largely retained as received.

As described, “Internal Communications” are letters, phone messages, memos, etc, between members of the committee, usually pertaining to administrative matters or the preparation of general letters and other documents. Sometimes copies of external letters are forwarded with the internal ones and are retained in the folder.

“External Communications” are papers either to or from a committee member someone outside the committee member. When internal communication pertains directly to the subjects of an external letter, it is included with it in the external folder. “Administrative Papers” includes minutes, scheduling issues, memos, and some drafts of official statements.

“General Letters” are form letters, or newsletters and other mass mailings, as opposed to “Personal Correspondence.”

RG5/69 William I. Hull Papers, 1892-1939

RG 2/ Philadelphia Yearly Meeting Records

Swarthmore College Peace Collection: DG 13 Fellowship of Reconciliation Records. 1915-[ongoing]; DG 122 Edward W. Evans Papers, 1916-1922 (Concerning his involvement in Fellowship of Reconciliation and Philadelphia Yearly Meeting Peace Committee, 1916-1922); DG 95 Allen S. Olmstead Papers.

Access

Collection is open for research.

 Use Restrictions

Copyright has not been assigned to Friends Historical Library All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in to the Director. Permission for publication is given on behalf of Friends Historical Library as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by reader.

SEARCHING IN OUR ON-LINE CATALOGUE FOR RELATED MATERIALS

This collection is indexed under the following headings in the catalog of the Friends Historical Library (TRIPOD). Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons, or places should search the catalog using these headings:

Peace -- Societies, etc. Peace -- Religious aspects -- Society of Friends Pacifism -- History – Sources Conscientious objection -- United States Conscientious objection -- Religious aspects -- Society of Friends Conscientious objection -- Societies, etc. World War, 1939-1945 -- Moral and ethical aspects Conscientious objection -- United States Conscientious objection -- Religious aspects -- Society of Friends Conscientious objection -- Societies, etc. World War, 1939-1945 -- Moral and ethical aspects World War, 1939-1945 -- Religious aspects World War, 1939-1945 -- Conscientious objectors Conscientious objection -- United States Conscientious objection -- Religious aspects -- Society of Friends Conscientious objection -- Societies, etc. World War, 1939-1945 -- Moral and ethical aspects-Society of Friends -- War relief and reconstruction Lawyers -- Pennsylvania -- History -- Sources. Pacifists -- Pennsylvania -- History -- Sources. Society of Friends -- Pennsylvania -- History -- Sources. Quakers -- Pennsylvania -- History -- Sources. Quakers -- Congresses -- History -- Sources. Pacifism -- United States -- History -- Sources. Peace movements -- United States -- History -- Sources. Peace -- Religious aspects -- Society of Friends -- History -- Sources Fellowship of Reconciliation (U.S.)Philadelphia Yearly Meeting of Friends (Orthodox : 1827-1955)Friends Committee on National Legislation (U.S.)American Friends Service CommitteeFive Years Meeting (Society of Friends : U.S.)World Council of ChurchesWorld Alliance for International Friendship through ReligionEvans, Edward W. (Edward Wyatt), 1882-1976 -- ArchivesPickett, Clarence, 1884-1965 Furnas, Paul J. French, Paul Comly, 1903-1960 Philadelphia Yearly Meeting of Friends (Orthodox : 1827-1955) DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE RECORDS

Note to Researchers: These records may only be consulted at Swarthmore, and are not available through inter-Library loan.

Series 1: Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, 1938-50 Secretary’s papers 1938-46

Evans served as Secretary from 1939-1946.

 Miscellaneous 1941-1942 1 folder 1 Evans’ Proposal for a Leave of Absence 1943-1944 1 folder 1 War, Peace, & International Affairs 1938-1940; 1944-1946 1 folder 1 Communication with Race St. 1940-1948 1 folder 1 Papers from Race St. 1942-1946 1 folder 1 Correspondence Received 1940-44

Contains mailings that Evans received, with occasional follow-up materials (e.g., minutes of an organization).

ACLU Urges Defeat of Gag Bill 1940 1 folder 1 Protection of Historic Buildings, Pennsylvania Society of Sons of the Revolution 1942 1 folder 1 United States Bureau of Education High School Victory Corps Program 1942-1943 1 folder 1 Red Cross Campaign 1942-1944 1 folder 1 Victory Tax & Pacifist Organizations Fellowship of Reconciliation Action 1943 1 folder 1 Committees 1938-49

Contains reports, agendas, and minutes of Yearly Meeting Committees, and correspondence between Evans and members of the committees.

Peace Committee 1938-1947 1 folder 1 Peace Committee 1939-1949 1 folder 1 Representative Meeting Special Session on War Problems & Subsequent Developments 1940 1 folder 1 Representative Meeting Committee on Message 1942 1 folder 1 Communication re: Committee on Message 1942-1943 1 folder 1 Committee of the Representative Bodies of Arch St. and Race St. 1942-1944 1 folder 2 Associated Executive Committee on Indian Affairs 1946-1949 1 folder 2 Conferences 1942-50

These conferences were attended by members of PYM; most of them were attended by Evans himself. The folders contain reports and discussions of the conferences, and also correspondence on administrative issues.

 Conference on Post-War Reconstruction, Wilmington, OH 1942 1 folder 2 National Study Conference on the Churches and a Just and Durable Peace 1942-1943 1 folder 2 All-American Friends Conference 1942, 1946 1 folder 2 Second National Study Conference on the Churches and a Just and Durable Peace 1944-1945 1 folder 2 All-Quaker Conference in Richmond, IN 1946, 1948, 1950 1 folder 2 Non-PYM Conscientious Objectors 1940-45

These folders contain data on cases of conscientious objectors other than members of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting. It includes correspondence, newspaper clippings, and meticulous lists on particular cases.

Communications 1940-1945 1 folder 2 Data and Information 1941-1942 1 folder 2 Data and Information 1941-1943 1 folder 2 Reference File: Newspaper Clippings on Cases 1940-1945 3 Five Years Meeting 1940-48

Evans served as a delegate. The large group met in 1940 and 1945 and in smaller groups annually to discuss the relations between PYM and the other yearly meetings and the proposed duties of the Five Years Meeting.

Reports, Minutes, and Drafts 1940-1942 1 folder 3 Communications and Drafts 1942-1945 1 folder 3 Reports and Drafts 1945-1948 1 folder 3 Internal Communications 1940-1945 1 folder 3

Mainly scheduling

 Internal Communications 1945-1947 1 folder 3 Series 2: Ecumenical Groups, 1939-1951

Philadelphia Yearly Meeting participated in a number of groups that were concerned with uniting Christian denominations to deal with issues that were relevant to the Christian conscience.

Philadelphia Federation of Churches/Philadelphia Council of Churches 1940-47

The Philadelphia Federation of Churches merged with several other organizations in the area to form the Philadelphia Council of Churches.

 Official Documents 1940-1945 1 folder 3 Correspondence 1939-1946 1 folder 3 Report and Correspondence from First Annual Meeting of Philadelphia Council of Churches 1947 1 folder 3 Federal Council of Churches 1940-51 Correspondence 1940-1947 1 folder 3 Correspondence & Pamphlets 1949-1951 1 folder 3 Conference on Church Union 1949 1 folder 4 Conference on “Church and Economic Life” 1950 1 folder 4 World Council of Churches 1940-48 Documents, Essays, and Reports from the Founding of the World Council of Churches 1940-1941; 1943 1 folder 4 Administrative and Official Documents 1940-1948 1 folder 4 Executive Committee Minutes, Reports, and Agendas 1940-1947 1 folder 4 Statements and Official Documents 1940-1946 1 folder 4 Correspondence with Philadelphia Friends 1946-1948 1 folder 4 World Alliance for International Friendship Through the Churches 1939-42 Correspondence 1939-1946 1 folder 4 Committee on Japanese Evacuation from the West Coast 1942 1 folder 4

Appointed by the Executive Committee of the World Alliance

 Series 3: Peace Activities, 1939-49

The bulk of this series reflects Evans participation as a member of the Civilian Public Service (CPS) Committee, but it also contains all of the folders pertaining to WWII and the actions of various pacifist groups. The War Problems Committee (WPC) and the Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) are also represented. The series has been divided into six sections according to topic; within the sections the organization is as a chronological as possible.

Civilian Public Service and Selective Service Documents and General Letters 1939-49 Pre-War Conscientious Objector Committee Minutes 1940-1941 1 folder 5

Also includes some scheduling letters)

 Forms and Information for Conscientious Objectors 1940 1 folder 5 Conscientious Objectors & Non-Military Service Information 1939-1941 1 folder 5 Information for Conscientious Objectors (from various sources) 1940-1942 1 folder 5 Conscientious Objectors Legal Information and Documents 1940-1942 1 folder 5 Drafts and Documents re: Conscientious Objectors and Selective Service Act 1940-1942 1 folder 5 Newsletters 1942-1943 1 folder 5 Outgoing News/General Letters/Information 1940-1946 1 folder 5 CPS /SSS Papers 1941-1946 1 folder 5 SSS National Releases 1942-1944 1 folder 5 SSS National Documents 1942-1944 1 folder 5 American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) Statements on Conscription 1940-1942; 1948-1949 1 folder 6 AFSC Conference on Conscientious Objectors & Pacifism 1940 1 folder 6 CPS/Philadelphia Yearly Meeting Official Documents and Drafts 1941-1946 1 folder 6 Civilian Public Service Administrative Records 1941-46 Miscellaneous Papers 1941-1942 1 folder 6 Miscellaneous Papers 1942-1944 1 folder 6 Miscellaneous Papers 1944-1946 1 folder 6 Committee on Government Camp Problem Documents 1942-1943 1 folder 6 CPS/PYM Papers on Ellis Williams’ Visit 1945 1 folder 6 CPS Committee Minutes 1941-1946 1 folder 6 PYM/CPS and Monthly Meeting CPS Communication 1940-1946 1 folder 7 Personal Correspondence 1940-46 Evans’ correspondence 1940-1945 1 folder 7 Letters Collecting PYM CPS Data; Letters Sent to PYM Members 1942-1945 1 folder 7 Evans’ Internal Communication re: CPS 1940-1946 1 folder 7 Evans’ CPS/PYM External Communications 1940-1946 1 folder 7 Evans & PYM CPS representatives to and about Monthly Meetings 1941-1946 1 folder 7 CPS Fundraising Requests to Monthly Meetings & Responses 1940-1946 1 folder 8 CPS/PYM Memos, & Letters Pertaining to Monthly Meeting Outreach 1941-1945 1 folder 8 Information concerning PYM’s Draft-Eligible Men 1946 1 folder 8 Civilian Public Service and Philadelphia Yearly Meeting Data and Lists 1940-46 Selective Service material 1940-1944 1 folder 8 CPS/PYM Financial Data 1941-1946 1 folder 8 CPS Financial Data 1941-1946 1 folder 8 CPS Contribution Correspondence 1945-1946 1 folder 8 PYM Lists of Draft-Eligible Men 1942 1 folder 9 PS & PYM Data on Draft-Eligible Men 1942-1946 1 folder 9 Data on PYM Members in CPS 1943 1 folder 9 Other Anti-War Committees/Organizations 1941-48 Friends Emergency Service Bureau 1941-1942 1 folder 9 National Service Board for Religious Objectors Minutes 1941-1942 1 folder 9 National Service Board for Religious Objectors Bulletins 1941-1942 1 folder 9 National Service Board for Religious Objectors Communications 1941-1942 1 folder 9 PYM/AFSC Communications re: Civilian Bonds in lieu of War Bonds 1942 1 folder 10 Alternative Contribution Official Information 1942 1 folder 10 Pacifist Research Bureau Minutes, Statements, Lists 1941-1946 1 folder 10 Pacifist Research Bureau Communications 1941-1946 1 folder 10 PYM Committee on Conscription Official Statements and Drafts 1945 1 folder 10 PYM Committee on Conscription Internal Letters 1945-1948 1 folder 10 PYM Committee on Conscription 1945-1948 1 folder 10 Civilian Public Service Reference Files 1940-45 Newspaper Clippings from CPS Files 1940 1 folder 10 Newspaper Clippings from CPS Files 1941 1 folder 11 Newspaper Clippings from CPS Files 1942 1 folder 11 Newspaper Clippings from CPS Files 1943-45 1 folder 11 Selective Service Regulation Booklets n.d. 1 folder 11 Series 4: Other National Activities, 1940-48

This series contains documents pertaining to Quaker involvement on national issues. There is some overlap between these folders and CPS folders because both were concerned with the Selective Service Act and the treatment of Conscientious Objectors under law.

Pre-Friends Committee on National Legislation Documents 1940-43

The War Problems Committee evolved into the Friends Committee on National Legislation in 1943, after a conference in Richmond, Indiana.

 War Problems Committee Minutes 1940-1943 1 folder 11 War Problems Committee & Peace Committee in Monthly Meetings 1940 1 folder 11 War Problems Committee Data and Drafts 1940-1943 1 folder 11 War Problems Committee Internal Communications 1940-1943 1 folder 11 Race St. War Problems Committee Documents 1940-1941 1 folder 11 War Problems Committee Plans for Richmond Conference 6/11-6/12 1943 1 folder 11 From War Problems Committee to Friends Committee on National Legislation 1943 1 folder 11 Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) Administrative Papers 1943-1946 Founding Papers and Mission Statements 1943-1945 1 folder 12 Organization & Data 1943-1946 1 folder 12 Executive Committee Minutes/Agendas 1943-1946 1 folder 12 Executive Committee Data 1943-1946 1 folder 12 Finance Committee Papers 1943-1946 1 folder 12 Appeals to Arch Street Yearly Meeting 1943-1946 1 folder 12 Official Documents 1946 1 folder 12 Friends Committee on National Legislation Communications 1942-45 Internal Communications 1943 1 folder 13 Internal Communications 1944 1 folder 13 External Communications 1944 1 folder 13 Financial Appeals 1944 1 folder 13 External Communications 1944-1945 1 folder 13 Internal Communications 1945 1 folder 13 Projects 1942-48 Conscientious Objectors 1943-1945 1 folder 14 Peacetime Conscription 1944-1945 1 folder 14 Peacetime Conscription 1945-1946 1 folder 14 Communications 1946-1948 1 folder 14 Friends Committee on National Legislation Reference Files 1943-46 FCNL Issues—Information on Legislation 1943-1946 1 folder 14 Newspaper Clippings from FCNL Files 1943-1946 1 folder 14