Minshall Painter (1801-1873), a Quaker from Middletown Township, Delaware County, Pa., was an farmer, skilled mechanically, and an avid student of the natural sciences. In 1833 he helped found the Delaware County Institute of Science. An active genealogist, he compiled notes and collected deeds and other papers pertaining to many Quaker families of Delaware and Chester Counties. His brother, Jacob Painter (1814-1876), while sharing Minshall's scientific interests, was a student of language and a poet. The brothers acquired a printing press which they used to publish a number of essays on language, a system they developed for scientific nomenclature, and genealogical compilations. They were active in civic and Quaker affairs and were members of Middletown Preparative Meeting under Chester Monthly Meeting. The two brothers managed the family farm, located in a tract of land first acquired in 1684 by their ancestor Thomas Minshall (1652-1727). The Painter brothers inherited the property through their parents Enos (1773-1857) and Hannah (Minshall) Painter (1782-1838). Their interest in the natural sciences led Minshall and Jacob to establish a botanical garden which eventually became the John J. Tyler Arboretum. Anne, sister of Minshall and Jacob, married William Tyler, and their son, John J. Tyler, inherited the property from his uncles in 1876. In 1930 John made a will leaving 68 acres around the home of the Painter brothers as an Arboretum, with an endowment from his estate. His wife left the entire balance of the property to the Arboretum when she died in 1944.
From the description of Painter family papers, 1687-1948. (Swarthmore College). WorldCat record id: 48858771
