Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Pews and pew rights]]> Church finance]]> Episcopalians]]> Episcopal Church]]> Account books]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Pews and pew rights]]> Church finance]]> Episcopalians]]> Episcopal Church]]> Account books]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Pews and pew rights]]> Church finance]]> Episcopalians]]> Episcopal Church]]> Account books]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Pews and pew rights]]> Church finance]]> Episcopalians]]> Episcopal Church]]> Account books]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Pews and pew rights]]> Church finance]]> Episcopalians]]> Episcopal Church]]> Account books]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Pews and pew rights]]> Church finance]]> Episcopalians]]> Episcopal Church]]> Account books]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Pews and pew rights]]> Church finance]]> Episcopalians]]> Episcopal Church]]> Account books]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Pews and pew rights]]> Church finance]]> Episcopalians]]> Episcopal Church]]> Account books]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Pews and pew rights]]> Church finance]]> Episcopalians]]> Episcopal Church]]> Account books]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Pews and pew rights]]> Church finance]]> Episcopalians]]> Episcopal Church]]> Account books]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Pews and pew rights]]> Church finance]]> Episcopalians]]> Episcopal Church]]> Account books]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Pews and pew rights]]> Church finance]]> Episcopalians]]> St. Peter's Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> United Churches of Christ-Church and St. Peter's (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Episcopal Church]]> Account books]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Pews and pew rights]]> Church finance]]> Episcopalians]]> Episcopal Church]]> Account books]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Pews and pew rights]]> Church finance]]> Episcopalians]]> Episcopal Church]]> Account books]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Pews and pew rights]]> Church finance]]> Episcopalians]]> Episcopal Church]]> Account books]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Pews and pew rights]]> Church finance]]> Episcopalians]]> Episcopal Church]]> Account books]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Pews and pew rights]]> Church finance]]> Episcopalians]]> St. Peter's Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Episcopal Church]]>
Notes on the separation of Christ Church and St. Peter's appear in several places. Water damage renders some entries difficult to read.]]> Account books]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Pews and pew rights]]> Church finance]]> Episcopalians]]> Episcopal Church]]> Account books]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Pews and pew rights]]> Church finance]]> Episcopalians]]> Episcopal Church]]> Account books]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Pews and pew rights]]> Church finance]]> Episcopalians]]> Episcopal Church]]> Account books]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Pews and pew rights]]> Church finance]]> Episcopalians]]> Episcopal Church]]> Account books]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Pews and pew rights]]> Church finance]]> Episcopalians]]> Episcopal Church]]> Account books]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Pews and pew rights]]> Church finance]]> Episcopalians]]> Episcopal Church]]> Account books]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Pews and pew rights]]> Church finance]]> Episcopalians]]> Episcopal Church]]> Account books]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Pews and pew rights]]> Church finance]]> Episcopalians]]> Episcopal Church]]> Account books]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Pews and pew rights]]> Church finance]]> Episcopalians]]> Episcopal Church]]> Account books]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Pews and pew rights]]> Church finance]]> Episcopalians]]> Episcopal Church]]> Account books]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Pews and pew rights]]> Church finance]]> Episcopalians]]> Episcopal Church]]> Account books]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Pews and pew rights]]> Church finance]]> Episcopalians]]> Episcopal Church]]> Account books]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Pews and pew rights]]> Church finance]]> Episcopalians]]> Episcopal Church]]> Account books]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Pews and pew rights]]> Church finance]]> Episcopalians]]> Episcopal Church]]> Account books]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Pews and pew rights]]> Church finance]]> Episcopalians]]> Episcopal Church]]> Account books]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Pews and pew rights]]> Church finance]]> St. Peter's Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Episcopalians]]> St. James's Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> United Churches of Christ-Church, St. Peter's, and St. James's (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Episcopal Church]]>
This document lists pew holders at Christ Church from page 1 to 46, St. Peter's from page 47 to 98, and St. James' from page 99 to 150. Large spans of blank pages were not scanned, which accounts for gaps in page numbers. Dates begin as early as 1778, but the bulk of dates fall between 1809 and 1825. Entries are listed by pew number and include number of seats rented, rate, to whom let, when let, and when "given up, relinquished or forfeited."

Pew maps for each of the three churches appear at the end of the book, followed by an alphabetical index.]]> Account books]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Church finance]]> Spires]]> Church bells]]> Church buildings]]> Church fund raising]]> Episcopalians]]> Church of England]]> Episcopal Church]]> Account books]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> Stokes, George]]> United Churches of Christ-Church and St. Peter's (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Church finance]]> St. Peter's Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Yellow fever]]> Burial records]]> Cemeteries]]> Indians of North America]]> Episcopalians]]> United Churches of Christ-Church and St. Peter's (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Episcopal Church]]> Account books]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Church finance]]> Church fund raising]]> Spires]]> Church bells]]> Church buildings]]> Episcopalians]]> Church of England]]> Episcopal Church]]> Manuscripts]]> Account books]]> ]]> Abercrombie, James, 1758-1841]]> Dobbins, Joseph]]> Harison, Richard, 1747-1829]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> St. Peter's Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Church finance]]> Clergy]]> Annuities]]> Debt]]> Poor]]>
In a letter dated April 26, 1802, the Reverend James Abercrombie appeals to the Rector and Vestry for financial assistance, explaining that despite two years of diligent effort conducting an Academy alongside his parochial duties, the enterprise had produced little beyond its own expenses. Having exhausted his own property and the support previously provided by his mother, and facing the unavoidable expenses of a family of sixteen that far exceeded his salary, he reluctantly entreats their generosity [p. 1r-1v].

A draft letter dated July 26, 1802, addressed to the Reverend Stanford, records the Vestry's instructions to inquire into the status of a claim on the estate of the late Gunning Bedford, money intended for the poor of the churches. The Vestry note their obligation to recover the money or, if impeded, to enter a narrative of their conduct on their minutes. The Reverend Mr. Hobart is named as bearer of the letter [p. 2r-2v].

Joseph Dobbins writes on May 24, 1802, from the country on the Catawba River near the mouth of the Wateree, informing Bishop William White and the wardens and vestry that no one had been appointed to pay his annuity since the death of Bishop Robert Smith, whose last payment was July 28. He requests payment through someone in Charleston and asks that correspondence be left with Colonel Cantey at the Camden post office, noting he will be twenty years of age the following January [p. 3].

Richard Harison replies from New York on August 4, 1802, to Bishop White and Thomas Cumpston regarding a bond owed by the widow of Cornelius Bradford. He returns the bond, describes his repeated but unsuccessful attempts to obtain a settlement, and notes the widow's distress and her belief that the demand ought to have been addressed to her brother-in-law's family. He advises that no suit could be maintained in New York courts unless Dr. Kearsley's will was proved or administration taken out there, and that any suit must be in the names of his executors or administrators. He emphasizes that he sought no advantage in the business [p. 4r-4v].]]> Correspondence]]> Records (Documents)]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> De Saussure, Henry William, 1763-1839]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Bills of exchange]]> Dividends]]> Decedents' estates]]> Church finance]]> Charities]]> Banks and banking]]> Bank of South Carolina]]> Manuscripts]]> Correspondence]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Debt]]> Decedents' estates]]> Executors and administrators]]> Church finance]]> Bonds]]> Promissory notes]]> Indemnity against liability]]> Estates (Law)]]> Debtor and creditor]]>
The memorandum describes an April 18, 1809 trip by Thomas Cumpston, Samuel Wheeler, and Peter Dehaven to Lower Merion Township to settle a lost $200 bond with Samuel Dehaven, which had originally been given to Paul Webb. It also details their subsequent trip to Norristown to officially record the satisfaction of a loan to Jesse Roberts and the hiring of a lawyer named Mr. Pawling to handle Paul Webb's estate.]]>
The group then continued to Norristown, where they entered satisfaction at the Recorder's Office for money that Paul Webb had lent to Jesse Roberts. Although the money had been repaid before Webb's death, Webb had never acknowledged its receipt in the Recorder's Office, making it necessary for his executors to complete the record. The remaining collection of moneys and other matters concerning Paul Webb's estate were left in the care of Mr. Pawling, a lawyer, who agreed to render an account when called upon [p.1r].]]> Manuscripts]]> Records (Documents)]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Abercrombie, James, 1758-1841]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Clergy--Salaries, etc.]]> Marriage]]> Marriage law]]> Minors]]> Clergy]]> Wages]]> Church finance]]> Pews and pew rights]]> Episcopal Church]]>
The central document is a letter from Rev. James Abercrombie to Cumpston (March 19, 1811), written to preempt or answer a complaint brought before the vestry concerning a marriage he had celebrated. Abercrombie recounts that on or about January 12-13, a genteel-looking young man asked him to perform a marriage and assured him he was of full age, above 21 [p.2]. When Abercrombie learned the bride, Miss Eliza Farrel, was only turned 19, he explained she was not of legal age to marry without consent of parents or guardians. The young man stated she had no parents but lived with an aunt who approved [p.3-4]. At the ceremony, a respectable-looking woman identifying herself as Mary Golson, the bride's aunt, confirmed her consent, and Abercrombie married them, entering the bridegroom's name as John Cooper Seckel in his register [p.3-4]. Abercrombie asserts he was grossly imposed upon by deliberate lies, and complains that the defective marriage act throws the whole responsibility onto the clergyman [p.5]. His son John, present in the study, confirmed the account, including that Seckel had declared himself above 26 and that Golson corroborated this [p.6]. A postscript addresses a separate matter concerning the exchange of a pew involving Mr. Meredith [p.6].

The third letter, addressed to the Vestry (October 23, 1811), was occasioned by the resignation of Abercrombie's associate, Rev. Dr. Blackwell, and appeals for an increase in salary [p.7]. Abercrombie recalls an earlier application in 1798 or 1799, when the Vestry resolved to raise an additional 1,200 dollars from pew rents, 600 for the Bishop and the residue for himself, but Dr. Blackwell's displeasure led to a division of the 600 dollars [p.8-9]. He describes eighteen years of faithful service on an incompetent salary, his mounting debts, his teaching in the academy with Dr. Magaw, the fatigue of running a school, and the loss of income from the Oxford and All Saints congregations following the building of St. James Church [p.8-9, p.10]. Citing the depreciation of money since his appointment, he trusts the Vestry will not consider his request unreasonable [p.10].]]> Manuscripts]]> Correspondence]]> Records (Documents)]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Church finance]]> Pews and pew rights]]> Wages]]> St. Peter's Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Organists]]> Episcopal Church]]> Organ (Musical instrument)]]> Organ builders]]> Church music]]>
Additional records document a dispute with New York organ builders John Geib & Son over travel expenses, and a draft contract with local builder John Lowe for $4,000, which the Vestry ultimately rejected due to lack of funds. The folder also includes a petition from organist Rayner Taylor requesting a salary increase due to the high cost of living, his subsequent resignation to take a better position at St. Paul's Church, and a petition signed by parishioners protesting a 25% increase in pew rents during 'times of Calamity.']]>
John Geib & Son of New York submitted a detailed plan and estimate for an organ modeled on the Grace Church organ case, listing stops for the great organ, choir, and swell, along with pedals and coupling mechanisms [p. 6]. Their estimate totaled $4,865, including $4,500 for the organ, packing, transportation, cartage, travel expenses, and board for two people to install it [p. 7-8]. They compared the number of pipes in the Grace Church and proposed St. Peter's organs, and proposed completion within a year, with payment by installments [p. 7-8]. They also advised selling the old organ to the highest bidder, stating that only the metal would be of use to them and that even that might not justify the expense of removal and transportation [p. 7-8].

Subsequent letters from John Geib & Son show that negotiations with Meredith did not lead to a contract. The firm billed Meredith $100 for William Geib's trip to Philadelphia, including stage hire, travel expenses, and time spent on the road and in Philadelphia [p. 10r-p. 10v]. In later correspondence, the firm objected to Meredith's refusal to pay the full amount, argued that its time and plans should be compensated, and acknowledged receipt of $50 as the only sum it was willing to accept [p. 11r-p. 11v]. A September letter again asserted that Meredith's promise to defray expenses should include compensation for loss of time, not merely travel costs [p. 16r-p. 16v].

The folder includes a July 29, 1813 letter from Cumpston stating that the vestry would not be a party to a proposed agreement between Meredith, Binney, and organ builder John Lowe because church funds would not permit it [p. 12]. A draft agreement with Lowe proposed that he build and install a mahogany-cased organ in St. Peter's Church for $4,000 plus the old organ, with installment payments and satisfactory security [p. 13-p. 14]. The attached schedule specifies the compass of the keys, stops for the great organ, choir, and swell, pedal pipes, coupling movement, ivory keys with ebony sharps, and two bellows [p. 14-15].

Additional records concern church music and finances. Rayner Taylor, organist of St. Peter's, petitioned the rector, church wardens, and vestry on September 14, 1813, for a salary increase from $93.32 per year, citing inadequate compensation, high prices for necessities and rent, and the demands of performing through summer heat and winter cold [p. 17]. In October 1813, members of the United Episcopal Churches petitioned for reconsideration of a vestry resolution adding 25 percent to pew rents, citing the "distresses and privations" of the period and requesting that the increase be repealed or suspended until congregants were better able to bear it [p. 19r-p. 19v]. A later letter from Taylor, dated November 15, 1818, states that he had accepted the position of organist at St. Paul's, with an adequate salary and an excellent instrument, and would discontinue playing at St. James's after the following Sunday [p. 20].]]> Manuscripts]]> Correspondence]]> Contracts]]> Records (Documents)]]> Account books]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> St. Peter's Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> St. Peter's Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Church finance]]> Church music]]> Church buildings]]> Organ (Musical instrument)]]> Pews and pew rights]]> Episcopal Church]]> Church fund raising]]>
The document details resolutions to collect subscriptions, appoint a treasurer to invest funds, and assess a semiannual fee on pew holders if a balance remains. It also authorizes a committee to contract for and superintend the building of the new organ. General Francis Gurney chaired the meeting.]]>
Thomas W. Francis made a written report on behalf of the committee, which was read, considered, and unanimously adopted. The meeting resolved that the committee proceed in collecting subscribed amounts and pay them over to a treasurer; that two members of the church, along with the treasurer, invest the money to the best advantage subject to the order of the building committee; and that the pew holders obligate themselves to contribute toward any balance beyond the subscription by paying a semiannual assessment not exceeding 12 1/2 cents per seat for a period not exceeding four years. T. W. Francis was appointed Treasurer, and Messrs. Donaldson and Meredith were appointed to assist in investing the money. Messrs. Francis, Binney, and Meredith were authorized to contract for and superintend the building of the organ [p. 1r].

The report of the committee on St. Peter's Church organ was read April 18, 1814 [p. 1v].]]> Manuscripts]]> Records (Documents)]]> Minutes (Records)]]> Reports]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Sextons]]> Wages]]> Trusts and trustees]]> Clergy]]> Episcopal Church]]> Church buildings]]> Church finance]]> Resignation from office]]>
Also includes a memorial from the sextons of the United Churches requesting increased wages because the cost of provisions and other necessities had risen, and a resignation letter from the Rev. James Milnor as assistant minister after receiving a call to another congregation.]]>
The second document is a memorial from the sextons of Christ Church, St. Peter's Church, and St. James's Church, read in vestry on June 5, 1816 and ordered to lie on the table. The sextons state that their salaries had not increased despite the rising cost of provisions and other necessities, and compare their compensation unfavorably to that of the sexton of St. Paul's Church, whose salary they say is nearly double and who is provided an assistant [p.2r]. They request an increase in wages appropriate to “the present State of things” and the respectability of the churches; the memorial is signed by Elijah Borden, Christopher Frick, and Frans Helffrichs, with Joseph Dolby’s name struck out [p.2v].

The third document is a June 28, 1816 resignation letter from the Rev. James Milnor to the rector, churchwardens, and vestry of the United Churches. Milnor expresses gratitude for the kindness shown to him during his first ministerial labors, but explains that he has received an unsolicited and unanimous call to another congregation, which he believes offers a more advantageous field of usefulness than the shared charge of multiple churches [p.3].]]> Manuscripts]]> Correspondence]]> Records (Documents)]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Poverty]]> Charities]]> Clergy--Salaries, etc.]]> Poor]]> Church charities]]> Clergy]]> Debt]]> Episcopal Church]]> Public welfare]]> Church finance]]>
Additionally, the file contains correspondence regarding a financial arrangement and salary deductions for Reverend James Abercrombie to pay off a debt to Chandler Price, a nomination for Reverend John Rodney to assist Bishop White, and an 1826 letter from Abercrombie to William Meredith concerning personal matters and an accusation by a Mr. Parkman.]]>
The United Churches' reply, dated August 8, 1821, reports an average annual disbursement of $2,846 for church members plus $1,458 for the poor of Christ Church Hospital (totaling $4,305) over eight years, with clothing distributed only in a limited way to needy children of the Sunday School. About 153 individuals were relieved annually, generally females, roughly half of them infirm [p.5r-5v].

A separate document dated June 30, 1825 records the nomination by William Harris of the Rev. John Rodney as a suitable assistant to Bishop White [p.3r-3v]. An 1826 letter from Rev. Dr. James Abercrombie to William Meredith discusses a lost letter and pocket-books, a missing letter from a Mr. Parkman, and a "railing accusation" brought against Abercrombie, for which he offers to apologize [p.4r-4v].

The final documents concern a financial arrangement of November 1821: Chandler Price agrees to endorse Dr. Abercrombie's note for $500 (later extended to $600) in exchange for quarterly payments of $100 drawn from Abercrombie's salary as Assistant Minister, beginning April 1822 [p.6-7]. Church Warden John Read formally agrees, so long as he continues as accounting Warden, to pay $100 quarterly from Abercrombie's salary to Price until the sum is paid, later promising an additional $100 to make the total $600 [p.8-9].]]> Manuscripts]]> Correspondence]]> Records (Documents)]]> Contracts]]> ]]> St. John's Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> St. James's Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Church finance]]> Concerts]]> Sacred music]]> Church buildings]]> Debt]]> Manuscripts]]> Correspondence]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Abercrombie, James, 1758-1841]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Clergy--Salaries, etc.]]> Debt]]> Abercrombie, James, 1758-1841]]> Read, John, 1769-1854]]> Church finance]]> Rent]]> Pennsylvania--Philadelphia]]> Clergy--Economic conditions]]>
The second letter, dated 16 February 1827, again appeals to Read for aid, invoking the phrase "res angusta domi" and requesting whatever sum he can spare [p.2r]. A receipt dated 17 February 1827 acknowledges $60 received from Samuel Read, accounting church warden, as further part of Abercrombie's salary due 10 April next. A tally records the payments of $80 (25 January) and $60 (17 February), totaling $140, signed by Charles F. Clarkson for Dr. Abercrombie [p.2v].]]> Manuscripts]]> Correspondence]]> Records (Documents)]]> Receipts (Acknowledgments)]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> James, John W., 1944-]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Clergy--Relocation]]> Sunday schools]]> Church buildings]]> Clergy]]> Moving, Household]]> Church finance]]> Pews and pew rights]]> Church libraries]]> Church work with children]]> Public worship]]> Clergy--Salaries, etc.]]>
In the second letter, James proposes several improvements for the benefit of the church. First, he recommends reconfiguring the galleries with single pews or slips, regularly divided, to improve comfort, convenience, appearance, and the number and value of sittings, believing more seats would be rented if arranged as in other churches [p.2]. Second, he addresses the inadequate accommodations of the Sunday Schools, describing the fatiguing access and insufficient dimensions of the female school room, an interesting infant class of 40 little girls taught in the church under disadvantageous circumstances, and the crowded conditions of the boys' school; he calls for at least three new spacious departments, citing that St. Peter's Church purchased a neighboring house, St. James Church built rooms, and Trinity Church was then arranging a building solely for its Sunday Schools. He notes about thirty teachers serving sixty or seventy children with no inducement but a sense of duty [p.2-4]. Third, he draws attention to the valuable Christ Church Library, which had suffered loss and damage from neglect and was kept in a room too small for use; he suggests a larger room with locked cases opened regularly for those with right of access, and offers to undertake its care and the recovery of lost volumes himself [p.3-4]. Fourth, among smaller matters, he notes that the fixtures for kneeling around the altar were so bad as to cause communicants a strained and uncomfortable position during a holy rite [p.4-5]. He submits these matters respectfully to the Vestry's judgment [p.5]. A docket note records that a committee was appointed to attend to these objects and report later [p.5].]]> Manuscripts]]> Correspondence]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Hutchins, Henry J.]]> James, Thomas C.]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Church officers]]> Church finance]]> Resignation from office]]> Wages]]> Episcopal Church]]>
The second document is a letter from Thomas C. James, dated December 17, 1835, addressed to Moses Kempton, in which James—recovering from a violent cold—requests his quarter's salary sooner than expected, asking that a young man cash the check (the whole or part, say $200) and bring it to his house. He notes his intention to stay indoors through the week and expresses regret at having been too unwell to receive Kempton on an earlier visit [p.2r]. The remaining pages contain miscellaneous financial calculations [p.2r, p.2v].]]> Manuscripts]]> Correspondence]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Dorr, Benjamin, 1796-1869]]> Binney, Horace, 1780-1875]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Church finance]]> Missions]]> Charitable uses, trusts, and foundations]]> Prayer books]]> Theological seminaries]]> Episcopal Church]]> Missionaries]]> Charities]]> Church societies]]> Manuscripts]]> Correspondence]]> Records (Documents)]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Church of England]]> Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts (Great Britain)]]> Clergy]]> Clergy--Appointment, call, and election]]> Church buildings]]> Church finance]]> Bequests]]> Philadelphia (Pa.)]]>
Noteworthy events detailed in the records include the severe paralytic and asthmatic illness of the 70-year-old Rev. Dr. Robert Jenny, which left Rev. William Sturgeon to manage a large and growing congregation. The Vestry outlines their resolution to build a new neat and handsome church, measuring 90 by 60 feet, on a lot provided by the Proprietaries. The files also document efforts to secure additional clergy, including a petition to ordain Jacob Duché Junior, a proposal signed by 74 parishioners to hire Rev. William Macclenachan by private subscription, and subsequent correspondence with Christ Church in Boston seeking a character reference for Macclenachan.]]> Manuscripts]]> Correspondence]]> Records (Documents)]]> ]]>