Smith family

The families in this collection are all related by the marriage of Marianne Smith to Dr. Stephen Harris on April 14, 1833. Marianne’s father, Joseph Smith, was an iron and shipping merchant in Philadelphia, and her mother was Mary Frazer, daughter of Colonel Persifor Frazer and Mary Worrilow Taylor. Marianne’s brother was Persifor Frazer Smith, the lawyer. More information on the individuals represented in this collection is included in the introductory material to each family’s papers.

Both sides of the lineage represented in this collection immigrated to Pennsylvania because of religious persecution in England and Ireland. As Presbyterians and Quakers, they no longer wished to live under a series of laws which forced non-Anglicans out of public office, schools and the church as well as prohibiting meetings for non-Anglican worship. These newcomers contributed to the establishment of the government and religious expression in early Chester County.

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