Scope and Content Note
The papers of Stephen D. Pyle consist chiefly of correspondence written to him by two members of the American Colony in Jerusalem, Jacob E. Spafford and G. Eric Matson. The American Colony was established in Jerusalem in 1881 as a Christian utopian society led by Anna and Horatio Spafford, Jacob E. Spafford’s adoptive parents.
Spafford's letters date from 1924 to 1927 and document daily life and social events in the American Colony, the travels of some American Colony members, and occasional philosophical musings on religion. A few letters contain photographs and other ephemera. Two pieces of Arabic writing, a handwritten "Arabic grammar" and an illuminated printed page from an unidentified text, were enclosed with the letters. Also included are three printed Christmas cards from the American Colony.
Matson's letter of September 18, 1924, discusses the travels of mutual acquaintances of his and Pyle's, as well as a brief description of his struggle to obtain a marriage license to Edith Yantiss Matson.