William Gravell was born in Indiana on 13 August 1840 to John (1804-1876) and Sarah Gravell (1807-1889). William had a twin sister Elizabeth and a brother Thomas (b. 1848). Between 1850 and 1860 the Gravell family moved to Upper Darby Township, Pennsylvania. After the enactment of the Conscription Act prior to the first draft in July 1863, William Gravell left the United States and sailed to London, England where he lived for four years. In England he met his paternal uncles and aunts: Thomas Gravell (b. 1798), a gilder and framer; William Gravell (1796-1866), a watchmaker; and his two unmarried aunts, Mary and Sarah Gravell. During William Gravell's four- year stay he lived with his cousin Thomas Gravell (son of Uncle Thomas Gravell), cousin Thomas's wife Betsy, and their son Walter in New Cross, London, England. William acquired a job at Causton & Sons, Printers in the warehouse. In the summer of 1866 William's sister, Elizabeth Gravell, arrived in London and lived there for a year. William and Elizabeth Gravell returned to the United States in August 1867. Shortly after the death of his father in 1876, William married Adelaide Vogel. The couple had two children William H. Gravell and Arthur F. Gravell. Sister Elizabeth married George Berry and had two sons. William Gravell died in Philadelphia in 1929. This leather-bound, ruled diary was kept from 14 July 1863 to 31 August 1867 by William Gravell during his four-year stay in London, England to escape the draft of the Civil War. Gravell traveled from Upper Darby Township, near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to New York where after being swindled; he eventually boarded a cargo ship named Plymouth Rock bound for London. Gravell writes daily about his life on board the ship, including his sea sickness, storms, other passengers, amusements, rations, and his acquaintance with a sailor from Philadelphia. Shortly after celebrating his twenty-third birthday on 13 August, William arrives in London, England. He meets his Uncle Thomas, a gilder and framer, and then meets his Uncle William, a watchmaker. Uncle William provides William with "the document which made me a soldier in the U.S. service for the space of three years." William lives with his cousin Thomas, acquires a job at Causton & Sons Printers in a warehouse where he works from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. William's entries in the diary appear weekly, recording events, excursions, holidays, and family gatherings. William describes the yearly tours of the Crystal Palace at Easter time, Guy Fawkes's Day, Christmas, and Boxing Day. He records the passing of his birthdays. William describes going to lectures, museums, plays, pantomimes, recording the titles and theatres. William writes about attending service on Sundays at St. Paul's Cathedral, dinners with his extended family, and games they play, such as Whist. He writes of the walks he takes with his cousin Thomas or Mr. Jewell to Black Heath, Greenwich, and London Bridge Park. At times William becomes depressed and writes of his dislike of London weather and his search for friends. In the summer of 1866, after the death of his Uncle William, Elizabeth, William's sister arrives unexpectedly. William and his sister spend much time together during the year she is there. In May of 1867 William's parents send tickets for his and Elizabeth's passage from Liverpool to Philadelphia. The pair leave in July, arriving in Philadelphia on 31 August 1867, the last entry in the diary. There are two inscriptions on the first leaf: "Minnie presented Aug. 22nd 1878" and "Watch Jacque Roulet Locle No. 28483." Some lines regarding William's departure for London to avoid the draft have been crossed out in pencil. After the last entry the rest of the diary is blank.
Letter; Etting, Samuel; Beit Yisrael Sephardi Community; Baltimore, Maryland, United States; London, United Kingdom; 1858 January 29
Subject:
Correspondence; Rabbis; Religious communities
Description:
Letter from H. Guedalla of London, to Rabbi Samuel Etting of the Beit Yisrael Sephardi Community in Baltimore, regarding the attempted establishment of a Sephardi Jewish Community in Baltimore; Baltimore, MD; London, UK
Personal Name:
Etting, Samuel
Corporate Name:
Beit Yisrael Sephardi Community
Date:
1858-01-29
Language:
English
Rights:
http://rightsstatements.org/page/NoC-US/1.0/?
Collection:
Arnold and Deanne Kaplan Collection of Early American Judaica (University of Pennsylvania)
Document; Franks, Moses (1718-1789); London, United Kingdom; Québec, Canada; 1765 August 2
Description:
Manuscript draft contract between the British Treasury and Sir Samuel Fludyer, Adam Drummond and Moses Franks for provisioning British troops in Québec as suggested by General Thomas Gage. Signed by Fludyer, Drummond, and Franks. Docketed in manuscript "proposal."
Personal Name:
Franks, Moses (1718-1789)
Date:
1765-08-02
Language:
English
Rights:
http://rightsstatements.org/page/NoC-US/1.0/?
Collection:
Arnold and Deanne Kaplan Collection of Early American Judaica (University of Pennsylvania)
Periodical; Gentleman's Magazine; London, United Kingdom; 1753 June 1
Description:
Commentary on the recently passed "Jews Bill." The Jewish Naturalization Act of 1753 was an act of the Parliament of Great Britain, which received royal assent on the 7th of July 1753, but was repealed in 1754 due to widespread opposition to its provisions
Corporate Name:
Gentleman's Magazine
Date:
1753-06-01
Language:
English
Rights:
http://rightsstatements.org/page/NoC-US/1.0/?
Collection:
Arnold and Deanne Kaplan Collection of Early American Judaica (University of Pennsylvania)
Letter from Simon to Mayer Sulzberger regarding his travel plans and complaining of how dreary London is and his preference for Paris; Paris, France; London, England
Personal Name:
Sulzberger, Mayer
Date:
1880-07-19
Language:
English
Rights:
http://rightsstatements.org/page/NoC-US/1.0/?
Collection:
Arnold and Deanne Kaplan Collection of Early American Judaica (University of Pennsylvania)
Map; Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge; London, United Kingdom; 1821 March 17
Description:
Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge. London, England, Map of the world as known to the ancients showing the dispersion of the descendents of Noah
An Act to permit persons professing the Jewish religion, to be naturalized by Parliament; and for other purposes therin mentioned. [London : printed by Thomas Baskett; and by the assigns of Robert Baskett, 1753]. Public General Acts. 1753. 26 Geo.II.c.26. ESTC N52871
Date:
1753
Language:
English
Rights:
http://rightsstatements.org/page/NoC-US/1.0/?
Collection:
Arnold and Deanne Kaplan Collection of Early American Judaica (University of Pennsylvania)
Letter from Simon, written on Pinto Leite & Nephews letterhead, introducing Pinto Leite & Nephews to Mayer Sulzberger; 45 Moorgate Street, London, England
Personal Name:
Sulzberger, Mayer
Corporate Name:
Pinto Leite & Nephews
Date:
1880-05-26
Language:
English
Rights:
http://rightsstatements.org/page/NoC-US/1.0/?
Collection:
Arnold and Deanne Kaplan Collection of Early American Judaica (University of Pennsylvania)
Periodical; Salomons, David; The Illustrated London News; London, United Kingdom; 1851 July 26
Description:
Front page article discussing Sir David Salomon's election to Parliament,a champion Jewish rights activist and founder of National Westminster Bank, however he can't serve because he must be a Christian
Personal Name:
Salomons, David
Corporate Name:
The Illustrated London News
Date:
1851-07-26
Language:
English
Rights:
http://rightsstatements.org/page/NoC-US/1.0/?
Collection:
Arnold and Deanne Kaplan Collection of Early American Judaica (University of Pennsylvania)
Prospective of the Jews' Hospital Proposed to be Erected at Jerusalem. Produced by Vincent Brooks, King Street, London. Chromolithograph depicting the propsosed hospital sent by Sir Moses Montefiore and Rabbi Kirsheedt to Isaac Leeser in Philadelphia. Accompanying the chromolithograph is a Plan of the Jews' Hospital Proposed to be Erected at Jerusalem. Formerly owned by Max Whiteman and published by him in part in 1976.
Personal Name:
Montefiore, Moses; Leeser, Isaac
Date:
1856
Language:
English
Rights:
http://rightsstatements.org/page/NoC-US/1.0/?
Collection:
Arnold and Deanne Kaplan Collection of Early American Judaica (University of Pennsylvania)
Journal sheets from the accounts of the Tobias family, including 5 double sided manuscript pages from March 15, 1815, until August 2, 1815; London, England
Personal Name:
Tobias
Date:
1815-03-15
Language:
English
Rights:
http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/UND/1.0/
Collection:
Arnold and Deanne Kaplan Collection of Early American Judaica (University of Pennsylvania)
Letter from Simon to Mayer Sulzberger regarding Simon's visit to London, where he will meet with Sulzberger. He complains that, "One day here [in Paris] is preferable to ten days in London"; Paris, France; London, England
Personal Name:
Sulzberger, Mayer
Date:
1880-07-21
Language:
English
Rights:
http://rightsstatements.org/page/NoC-US/1.0/?
Collection:
Arnold and Deanne Kaplan Collection of Early American Judaica (University of Pennsylvania)
Letter; Etting, Samuel; Beit Yisrael Sephardi Community; Baltimore, Maryland, United States; London, United Kingdom; 1858 January 28
Subject:
Correspondence; Rabbis; Religious communities
Description:
Letter from L. C. Lee of London, to Rabbi Samuel Etting of the Beit Yisrael Sephardi Community in Baltimore, regarding the attempted establishment of a Sephardi Jewish Community in Baltimore; Baltimore, MD; London, UK
Personal Name:
Etting, Samuel
Corporate Name:
Beit Yisrael Sephardi Community
Date:
1858-01-28
Language:
English
Rights:
http://rightsstatements.org/page/NoC-US/1.0/?
Collection:
Arnold and Deanne Kaplan Collection of Early American Judaica (University of Pennsylvania)
Monetary; Belmont, August; P. R. Poland and Sons; N. M. Rothschild and Sons; New York, New York, United States; 1843 October 31
Description:
Belmont, August. New York, NY, Check made out to P.R. Poland and Sons, and endorsed on the front and back by N.M. Rothschild and Sons, London, New York City branch
Personal Name:
Belmont, August
Corporate Name:
P. R. Poland and Sons; N. M. Rothschild and Sons
Date:
1843-10-31
Language:
English
Rights:
http://rightsstatements.org/page/NoC-US/1.0/?
Collection:
Arnold and Deanne Kaplan Collection of Early American Judaica (University of Pennsylvania)
Pamphlet; Faria, Francisco de, 1653-; London, United Kingdom; 1680
Description:
The narrative of Segnior Francisco de Faria, interpreter and secretary of languages unto Gasper de Abrev de Freitas. Late Ambassador in Ordinary from the crown of Portugal, to His Most Sacred Majesty of England. Wherein is contained the several informations given upon oath before the Right Honourable the Lords Committees, for examinations touching the horrid Popish Plot, and reported to the Lords spiritual and temporal in Parliament assembled. And afterwards to the Commons of England in Parliament assembled. London : printed by John Gain, for Randal Taylor, and to be sold at his house near Stationers-Hall, 1680. ESTC R7380
Personal Name:
Faria, Francisco de, 1653-
Date:
1680
Language:
English
Rights:
http://rightsstatements.org/page/NoC-US/1.0/?
Collection:
Arnold and Deanne Kaplan Collection of Early American Judaica (University of Pennsylvania)
Receipt; Franks, Moses; Franks, David; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States; 1772 July 30
Description:
Franks, Moses and Franks, David. Philadelphia, PA, Sight draft from David Franks in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Moses Franks in London, signed by David
Personal Name:
Franks, Moses; Franks, David
Date:
1772-07-30
Language:
English
Rights:
http://rightsstatements.org/page/NoC-US/1.0/?
Collection:
Arnold and Deanne Kaplan Collection of Early American Judaica (University of Pennsylvania)
Letter; Etting, Samuel; Peabody, George; Beit Yisrael Sephardi Community; Baltimore, Maryland, United States; London, United Kingdom; 1858 January 15
Subject:
Correspondence; Rabbis; Religious communities
Description:
Letter from George Peabody of London, to Rabbi Samuel Etting of the Beit Yisrael Sephardi Community in Baltimore, regarding the attempted establishment of a Sephardi Jewish Community in Baltimore; Baltimore, MD; London, UK
Personal Name:
Etting, Samuel; Peabody, George
Corporate Name:
Beit Yisrael Sephardi Community
Date:
1858-01-15
Language:
English
Rights:
http://rightsstatements.org/page/NoC-US/1.0/?
Collection:
Arnold and Deanne Kaplan Collection of Early American Judaica (University of Pennsylvania)
Port of entry; Hendricks, Harmond; Nelson, Ebenezer; London, United Kingdom; 1829 June 18
Description:
Hendricks, Harmond. London, England, Port of entry document from London, England to Boston, Massachusetts for the account of Harmond Hendricks, shipping finished copper
Personal Name:
Hendricks, Harmond; Nelson, Ebenezer
Date:
1829-05-18
Language:
English
Rights:
http://rightsstatements.org/page/NoC-US/1.0/?
Collection:
Arnold and Deanne Kaplan Collection of Early American Judaica (University of Pennsylvania)
Catalogue; Samuel Brothers; London, United Kingdom; 1885
Description:
Catalogue of Samuel Brothers clothing including a page for "list of necessaries for India and the Colonies" with colored lithograph cover of the store front
Monetary; Oppenheimer, Henry; London, United Kingdom; 1899 May 24
Description:
Preferred trust stock certificate for the Baltimore and Ohio railroad, signed by Henry Oppenheimer with United States and UK revenue stamps. The certificate lists William Salomon and Abraham Wolff
Personal Name:
Oppenheimer, Henry
Date:
1899-05-24
Language:
English
Rights:
http://rightsstatements.org/page/NoC-US/1.0/?
Collection:
Arnold and Deanne Kaplan Collection of Modern American Judaica (University of Pennsylvania)
Manuscript; Judah, Samuel; Hart, Barnet; Judah, Elizabeth; Cohen, Barnet; London, United Kingdom; Montreal, Canada; 1778 March 3
Subject:
Legal documents; Jewish merchants
Description:
Printed apprenticeship indenture on vellum, filled out in manuscript. The indenture binds Barnet Hart of London to Samuel Judah a merchant in Montreal as an apprentice. Signed by various family members.
Monetary; Belmont, August; Joseph Brothers; N. M. Rothschild and Sons; New York, New York, United States; 1844 November 9
Description:
Belmont, August. New York, NY, Check made out to Joseph Brothers , and endorsed on the front and back by N.M. Rothschild and Sons, London, New York City branch
Personal Name:
Belmont, August; Joseph Brothers
Corporate Name:
N. M. Rothschild and Sons
Date:
1844-11-09
Language:
English
Rights:
http://rightsstatements.org/page/NoC-US/1.0/?
Collection:
Arnold and Deanne Kaplan Collection of Early American Judaica (University of Pennsylvania)
Pamphlet with an act to extend the provisions of an Act made in the thirteenth year of His present Majesty's reign, titled, An Act for naturalizing foreign protestants, and others therein mentioned, as are settled, or shall settle in any of His Majesty's colonies in America, to other foreign protestants who conscientiously scruple the taking of an oath. This Act extends the Act of 6/5/1740 granting rights to Jewish colonists; London, UK
Date:
1746-11-18
Language:
English
Rights:
http://rightsstatements.org/page/NoC-US/1.0/?
Collection:
Arnold and Deanne Kaplan Collection of Early American Judaica (University of Pennsylvania)
Letter; New York, New York, United States; undated
Subject:
Correspondence; Estate records; Money
Description:
Letter from a female family member of Asher Levy's in New York, to an unknown recipient in London, regarding the distribution of Levy's estate. According to the letter, Asher Levy left the sender's grandmother, Rebecca Levy Tobias, 18,000 Pound Sterling. Upon her death it was to be divided up among certain family members; New York, NY; London, UK
Date:
unknown
Language:
English
Rights:
http://rightsstatements.org/page/NoC-US/1.0/?
Collection:
Arnold and Deanne Kaplan Collection of Early American Judaica (University of Pennsylvania)
Periodical; Daily Post-Boy; London, United Kingdom; 1735 July 12
Description:
Edition of Newspaper "Daily Post-Boy" In which there is a report of twelve Jews offering the King of Spain 50,000 pieces to be allowed to settle themselves in Lima, Mexico City, Manila, Campeche, Michoacán, Atbueonos Ayres, Havana, Valencia and Seville, with full rights to trade as his royal majesty's catholic subjects. This was approved by the 1st minister but rejected by the court and council of Spain
Corporate Name:
Daily Post-Boy
Date:
1735-07-12
Language:
English
Rights:
http://rightsstatements.org/page/NoC-US/1.0/?
Collection:
Arnold and Deanne Kaplan Collection of Early American Judaica (University of Pennsylvania)
Joseph Ullmann: Furs; 165 & 167 Mercer Street, New York, NY; 3 Edmund Place, Aldersgate Street, London, England; 19 Ritter Strasse, Leipzig, Germany; 353 Jackson Street, St. Paul, MN
Corporate Name:
Joseph Ullmann, Exporter of American and Importer of European Furs
Date:
1892
Language:
English
Rights:
http://rightsstatements.org/page/NoC-US/1.0/?
Collection:
Arnold and Deanne Kaplan Collection of Early American Judaica (University of Pennsylvania)
Monetary; Oppenheimer, Henry; London, United Kingdom; 1899 May 24
Description:
Preferred trust stock certificate for the Baltimore and Ohio railroad, signed by Henry Oppenheimer with United States and UK revenue stamps. The certificate lists William Salomon and Abraham Wolff
Personal Name:
Oppenheimer, Henry
Date:
1899-05-24
Language:
English
Rights:
http://rightsstatements.org/page/NoC-US/1.0/?
Collection:
Arnold and Deanne Kaplan Collection of Modern American Judaica (University of Pennsylvania)
Map; Blaskowitz, Charles; Faden, William; Newport, Rhode Island, United States; London, United Kingdom; 1777
Subject:
Maps (documents)
Description:
A Plan of the Town of Newport in Rhode Island. Charles Blaskowitz (surveyor) / William Faden (publisher). The map depicts both the Touro Synagogue, built in 1759, as well as Aaron Lopez's wharf. The 2nd edition.
Personal Name:
Blaskowitz, Charles; Faden, William
Date:
1777
Language:
English
Rights:
http://rightsstatements.org/page/NoC-US/1.0/?
Collection:
Arnold and Deanne Kaplan Collection of Early American Judaica (University of Pennsylvania)
Statement of the Civil Disabilities and Privations affecting Jews in England
Subject:
Excerpts; Speeches; Jews--Politics and government
Description:
Excerpt from the 1831 edition of the Edinburgh Review, with a speech by Thomas Babington Macaulay, 1st Baron Macaulay, called Statement of Civil Disabilities and Privations affecting Jews in England, given in 1829; London, UK
Date:
1829
Language:
English
Rights:
http://rightsstatements.org/page/NoC-US/1.0/?
Collection:
Arnold and Deanne Kaplan Collection of Early American Judaica (University of Pennsylvania)
Official document; Franks, Moses; Nesbit, Arnold; Colbrooke, George; Colbrooke, James; King George the Third; London, United Kingdom; 1762 February 8
Description:
Franks, Moses. London, England, Royal Warrant that authorizes payment to Moses Franks, Sir George Colbrooke, Sir James Colbrooke and Arnold Nesbitt for delivery of flour for the use of troops at the back Posts in Canada by Governor Murray's Orders. This is an important Moses Franks contract with an array of historic signatures
Personal Name:
Franks, Moses; Nesbit, Arnold; Colbrooke, George; Colbrooke, James; King George the Third
Date:
1762-02-08
Language:
English
Rights:
http://rightsstatements.org/page/NoC-US/1.0/?
Collection:
Arnold and Deanne Kaplan Collection of Early American Judaica (University of Pennsylvania)
Monetary; Belmont, August; I. D. Kohler and Sons; N. M. Rothschild and Sons; New York, New York, United States; 1850 August 12
Description:
Belmont, August. New York, NY, Check made out to I. D. Kohler and Sons, and endorsed on the front and back by N.M. Rothschild and Sons, London, New York City branch
Personal Name:
Belmont, August
Corporate Name:
I. D. Kohler and Sons; N. M. Rothschild and Sons
Date:
1850-08-12
Language:
English
Rights:
http://rightsstatements.org/page/NoC-US/1.0/?
Collection:
Arnold and Deanne Kaplan Collection of Early American Judaica (University of Pennsylvania)
Monetary; David, Michael; Albert Nesbitt Esq. & Company; London, United Kingdom; 1740 November 16
Subject:
Jewish capitalists and financiers; Financial institutions; Negotiable instruments
Description:
Bill of exchange for £500 from the Duke of Newcastle, to Michael David, with the order to be carried out by Albert Nesbitt Esq. & Company on one side. On the verso are two transfers in French between Mr. Heyman Berend, Va en Conte and Michael David, between Heen Eliaser, Samuel Levy and Heyman Berend, Va en Conte, then a transfer in Dutch between Samuel Levy and David Levy; London, UK
Personal Name:
David, Michael; Nesbitt, Albert; Heyman, Berend; Va en Conte; Eliaser, Heen; Levy, Samuel; Levy, David
Corporate Name:
Albert Nesbitt Esq. & Company
Date:
1740-11-16
Language:
English; French; Dutch
Rights:
http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/UND/1.0/
Collection:
Arnold and Deanne Kaplan Collection of Early American Judaica (University of Pennsylvania)
Letter from Alexander Henry, written on letterhead from the London Journal of Medicine, published monthly by Taylor, Walton and Maberly, to Dr. Isaac Hays, with an enclosed prospectus of the Journal and asks if they might exchange with Hays' "valuable periodical". If Hayes agrees they will see that his work will be periodically published as written; 28 Upper Gower Street and Ivy Lane, Paternoster Row, London, UK; Philadelphia, PA
Personal Name:
Henry, Alexander; Hays, Isaac
Corporate Name:
London Journal of Medicine
Date:
1868-12-13
Language:
English
Rights:
http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/UND/1.0/
Collection:
Arnold and Deanne Kaplan Collection of Early American Judaica (University of Pennsylvania)
Letter from an unverified sender [donor posits that it is A. Joseph] to Tobias I. Tobias, regarding both community and commercial news; London, UK; New York, NY
Personal Name:
Tobias, Tobias I.
Date:
1822-12
Language:
English
Rights:
http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/UND/1.0/
Collection:
Arnold and Deanne Kaplan Collection of Early American Judaica (University of Pennsylvania)
