Metadata
Title
Vestry correspondence, 1769-1802
Date
1769/1802
Digital Identifier
ChristChurch.VestryCorrespondence1786-1802_1-7-0-1
Call Number
1.7.0.1; F61(a)
Description
Correspondence and petitions addressed chiefly to Robert Towers and the Vestry of the united congregations of Christ Church and St. Peter's Church in Philadelphia. Materials concern church finances, property, bonds, pew rentals, charitable funds, and clergy compensation.
Includes letters from Cornelius Bradford and the heirs of the Bradford estate about settlement of a bond executed in favor of Dr. John Kearsley and vested in the Vestry; letters from Joseph Dobbins concerning Philadelphia property, money held by acquaintances, an annuity, and a proposed charitable benefit for poor widows; a petition from members of St. Peter's Church objecting to the practice of requiring payment of back arrearages before pews could be rented; and a petition from members of the united congregations asking the Vestry to raise the salary of Rev. James Abercrombie in order to prevent his departure for an Episcopal church in Baltimore.
Includes letters from Cornelius Bradford and the heirs of the Bradford estate about settlement of a bond executed in favor of Dr. John Kearsley and vested in the Vestry; letters from Joseph Dobbins concerning Philadelphia property, money held by acquaintances, an annuity, and a proposed charitable benefit for poor widows; a petition from members of St. Peter's Church objecting to the practice of requiring payment of back arrearages before pews could be rented; and a petition from members of the united congregations asking the Vestry to raise the salary of Rev. James Abercrombie in order to prevent his departure for an Episcopal church in Baltimore.
Subject
Place
Pennsylvania--Philadelphia
New York (N.Y.)
South Carolina--Charleston
Congregation
Christ Church, Philadelphia, PA
Extent
7 documents
Format (Digital)
tiff
Rights
http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/
Language
eng
Type
Text
Abstract
This group of seven documents centers on the affairs of Christ Church and St. Peter's Church in Philadelphia. Several items concern a bond executed by William Bradford Sr. and the late Cornelius Bradford in favor of Doctor John Kearsley, which had passed into the possession of the Vestry. Writing from New York on May 15, 1786, Cornelius Bradford expresses astonishment that the bond had not been paid off, explaining he had long ago left money with his brother William for that purpose, and notes that if forced to pay again he expects the interest accrued "during the time I was in Exile in the late War" to be relinquished [p.1r]. On April 13, 1787, Catharine Bradford, Wm. Denning, and Wm. C. Bradford wrote to Robert Towers and the Vestry, pressing for a determination on the settlement proposed earlier by James Bradford [p.2].
Other letters come from Joseph Dobbins. An early note of October 28, 1769, arranges for a cast iron chimney case in John Drinker's store to be shipped aboard Capt. Strong or Jones [p.3]. Writing from James Island, South Carolina, on May 27, 1789, Dobbins outlines his intention to give up a lot in 5th Street and land west of the Schuylkill, along with money held by John Drinker, James Hamilton, and Paul Esling amounting to roughly 500 pounds, directing that the land be leased and the money invested for the benefit of Doctor Kearsley's charity for poor widows, in exchange for a quarterly annuity of 40 Mexican silver dollars for life [p.4]. A further letter from Charleston, dated March 23, 1790, discusses accounts, a draft in favor of Isaac Parrish, goods received, and the chimney case valued at £18 per ton [p.5].
A petition dated April 20, 1802, from subscribing members of St. Peter's Church objects to the practice of renting out pews, arguing that requiring back arrearages was a hardship that harmed both religion and the church's interests, and requests that unrented pews occupied without payment be rented out to enhance the church's annual profits [p.6r-6v].
Finally, a letter of July 12, 1796, from members of the united congregations expresses regret at the probable loss of the Rev. Mr. Abercrombie, an assistant minister invited by the Episcopal Church in Baltimore, unless his salary is made competent to support his family. The signatories, who include Robert Morris, Benjamin Rush, John Nixon, John Dunlap, and Moses Levy among many others, urge the Vestry to devise measures to prevent his removal [p.7r-7v].
Other letters come from Joseph Dobbins. An early note of October 28, 1769, arranges for a cast iron chimney case in John Drinker's store to be shipped aboard Capt. Strong or Jones [p.3]. Writing from James Island, South Carolina, on May 27, 1789, Dobbins outlines his intention to give up a lot in 5th Street and land west of the Schuylkill, along with money held by John Drinker, James Hamilton, and Paul Esling amounting to roughly 500 pounds, directing that the land be leased and the money invested for the benefit of Doctor Kearsley's charity for poor widows, in exchange for a quarterly annuity of 40 Mexican silver dollars for life [p.4]. A further letter from Charleston, dated March 23, 1790, discusses accounts, a draft in favor of Isaac Parrish, goods received, and the chimney case valued at £18 per ton [p.5].
A petition dated April 20, 1802, from subscribing members of St. Peter's Church objects to the practice of renting out pews, arguing that requiring back arrearages was a hardship that harmed both religion and the church's interests, and requests that unrented pews occupied without payment be rented out to enhance the church's annual profits [p.6r-6v].
Finally, a letter of July 12, 1796, from members of the united congregations expresses regret at the probable loss of the Rev. Mr. Abercrombie, an assistant minister invited by the Episcopal Church in Baltimore, unless his salary is made competent to support his family. The signatories, who include Robert Morris, Benjamin Rush, John Nixon, John Dunlap, and Moses Levy among many others, urge the Vestry to devise measures to prevent his removal [p.7r-7v].
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