Processed
by:
Ellen Swain
28 August 1992
Updated 1 November 2004
Manuscript and Visual Collections Department
William Henry Smith Memorial Library
Indiana Historical Society
Indianapolis, IN
VOLUME OF COLLECTION: 2 folders
COLLECTION DATES: 1866-1873
PROVENANCE: Naomi Tucker, New London, IN, 19 August 1992
RESTRICTIONS: None
COPYRIGHT: Held by Indiana Historical Society
ALTERNATE FORMAT: None
OTHER FINDING AIDS: None
RELATED HOLDINGS: See card catalog under "Quakers" and "Society of Friends"
ACCESSION NUMBER: 1992.0838
A native of Ohio, Willis Kenworthy came to Henry County, Indiana in 1835. In 1869, he and his wife, Naomi Kirk Kenworthy, settled in New London, Howard County, Indiana where they raised eight children. A Quaker minister, Kenworthy preached and traveled when farm responsibilities allowed. He died in 1890 from a spinal concussion. Kenworthy's brother Amos held several revivals in the New London area during the 1870's and his son Milton was appointed head of the Friends Meeting in New London in 1914, a position he held for twenty two years.
Sources:
Biographical and Genealogical History of Cass, Miami, Howard, and Tipton Counties, Indiana vol. 1. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1898.
Payne, Edna Jones. Memories of New London Community, Howard County, Indiana. Russiaville: George L. Woody, 1936.
The collection contains eleven letters, badly soiled and in poor condition, which span the years 1866 to 1873. Written to the Willis Kenworthy family by various relatives, these letters denounce the "false teachings" and "extremist" practices of some Quakers. Willis' brother, J.W., writes of their brother Amos' successful revival efforts. Anna Kirk, Naomi Kenworthy's cousin, and Elizabeth Kenworthy, probably Willis' mother, provide family and neighborhood news. Church happenings and sermons are also discussed. Portions of letters which are not signed or dated (or are illegible) are also included.
FOLDER CONTENTS
1 Letters, 1866-1871
2 Letters, 1872-1873
For additional information on this collection, including a list of subject headings that may lead you to related materials:
1. Go to the Indiana Historical Society's online catalog: http://opac.indianahistory.org/
2. Click on the "Basic Search" icon.
3. Select "Call Number" from the "Search In:" box.
4. Search for the collection by its basic call number (in this case, SC 1067).
5. When you find the collection, go to the "Full Record" screen for a list of headings that can be searched for related materials.