Guide to the Cornwell Family Papers

Descriptive Summary

Title

Cornwell Family Papers

Inclusive Dates

circa 1890-1910

Call Number

RG 243

Quantity

0.18 cubic feet (10 items)

Language

Materials in English

Restrictions on Access

Collection open for research

Repository

Presbyterian Historical Society, 425 Lombard Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147-1516 USA

Biographical Note / Administrative History

Biographical Note

George Cornwell was born in Peekskill, NY in 1866. After graduating from Amherst College in 1888 he attended Union Theological Seminary until his completion in 1891. The same year he married Mary Mead Cornwell of Yorktown, NY and they settled in Pound Ridge, NY where he obtained a pastorate. In 1892 the Cornwells applied to the Board of Foreign Missions and were appointed to the East Shantung Mission in Chefoo, China. While stationed at Chefoo the Cornwells supervised the Anglo-Chinese School and Night School and Mr. Cornwell conducted religious services for the employees of the Silk Factory. George Cornwell also traveled with a Chinese elder to Vladisvostock in 1908 to investigate the existence of Chinese Christians with no church provision. The Cornwells both died of cholera in 1909 leaving seven children.

Collection Overview

The collection consists of a photograph album and photos. The album contains photos believed to be of the Cornwell's home life and mission experience in China. The first section of the album depicts a mission station in Madura, India that is not PCUSA. The miscellaneous biographical material contain excerpts of letters written by the Cornwells about their experiences in China.

Organization and Arrangement

SERIES I: PHOTOGRAPHS, CIRCA 1890-1910

SERIES II: MISCELLANEOUS, UNDATED

Related Material

Administrative Information

Processing Information

These photographs and miscellaneous were formerly cataloged as part of the library collection. Researchers should consult the card catalog for related materials.

The cataloging provided no indication on the author of the album. Careful examination by the archives staff revealed the probable creator of at least part of the album which was ascribed to the Cornwell family.

Collection processed and finding aid prepared 1989:
Kristin L. Gleeson, Associate Archivist

Preferred Citation

Cornwell Family Papers, RG 243, Presbyterian Historical Society, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Catalog Headings

The following headings have been used to index the description of this collection in the society’s electronic catalog.

Personal Name Subject

Cornwell, George, 1866-1909.

Cornwell, Mary Mead, 1868-1909.

Corporate Subject

Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. East Shantung Mission.

Topical Subject

Missionaries--China.

Missions--China.

Missions--India.

Presbyterian Church--Missions--China.

Women missionaries--China.

Geographic Subject

China--Missions.

India--Missions.

Genre-form

Photographs. aat

Photograph albums. aat

Personal Added Name

Cornwell, George, 1866-1909.

Cornwell, Mary Mead, 1868-1909.

Collection Inventory

Box	Folder	Description

1	1	Finding Aid to Record Group 243

		SERIES I: PHOTOGRAPHS, CIRCA 1890-1910

1	2	Album, circa 1890-1907
1	3	Photos, circa 1900-1910

		SERIES II: MISCELLANEOUS, UNDATED

1	4	Biographical, miscellaneous, UNDATED

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Guide to the Cornwell Family Papers