Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Church lands]]> Rent]]> Power of attorney]]> Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts]]> Penn, Thomas, 1702-1775]]> Peters, Richard, 1704-1776]]> Charities]]> St. Peter's Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Church property]]> Land titles]]> Real property]]>
The letter notes a generous donation by Reverend Richard Peters, former secretary to the Proprietor and Governor, of £100 sterling, with a proposal to raise an additional £100 by voluntary contributions, to enlarge the lot. Two-fifths of the larger lot was to be dedicated to the use of the parson of the newly erected St. Peter's Church.

The writers request the Society's advice and permission to hold title locally in the name of the Philadelphia corporation rather than directly in the Society's name, in order to simplify management of the property, subdivision into smaller lots, collection of perpetual ground rents, renewal of powers of attorney, and possible legal actions against delinquent tenants. They also ask the Society to transfer £300 in New South Sea Annuities Stock to Thomas Penn as payment for the lot.]]>
The letter notes that Reverend Richard Peters, late Secretary to the Proprietor and Governor, most generously offered £100 sterling and proposed to obtain a like sum from others through voluntary contributions to enlarge the purchased lot, with two-fifths of the larger lot to be settled and vested for the use of the Parson of St. Peter's Church, newly erected in the city, a benevolence the attorneys heartily approve and gratefully acknowledge [p.1r]. The attorneys, in the name of and as attorneys to the Society, entered into articles of agreement with the Proprietor's agents for the purchase of this great lot in the name of the Society, but declined for the present to receive the title deed in full form (though offered to them) until they could obtain the Society's further advice and approbation [p.1r].

The attorneys anticipate practical difficulties in carrying out the charity: the great lot must be divided and let into smaller lots under perpetual ground rents, tenants may prove troublesome and refuse payment, the Society will often be put to trouble to renew their power, the Society's attorney may die, and lawsuits may be required to recover rents, with no attorney from the Society present locally to prosecute such suits [p.1r]. They therefore request the Society's advice and consent to receive the title in the name of any of the Corporation in the city, promising to transmit an exemplified copy of the deed, believing this mode of title will obviate every objection to the ready and speedy recovery of the rents [p.1v].

Finally, having ratified the agreement by sealing articles, the attorneys ask the Society to order a transfer of the £300 in New South Sea Annuities Stock to Thomas Penn, whose agent has agreed to accept it in payment for the lot [p.1v].]]> Manuscripts]]> Correspondence]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> St. Peter's Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Peters, Richard, 1704-1776]]> Duché, Jacob, 1738-1798]]> Terrick, Richard, 1710-1777]]> Clergy]]> Selection and appointment]]> Resignation from office]]>
The documents record Peters's resignation due to bodily infirmities after many years of service, and the vestry's unanimous election and recommendation of Duché, described as a native of Philadelphia who had served as assistant minister for more than fifteen years.]]>
The second document [p. 2r] is the formal deed of resignation executed by Richard Peters on September 23, 1775. In it, Peters, citing his bodily infirmities and desiring to be relieved and exonerated from the burden, cure, and government of his rectory, deliberately and absolutely renounces and resigns the rectory and churches, together with all their rights, profits, members, and appurtenances, into the hands of the Church-Wardens and Vestry-Men, leaving the rectory vacant. The document is signed, sealed, and delivered in the presence of witnesses Matthew Whitehead and Jacob Diegel [p. 2r].]]> Manuscripts]]> Correspondence]]> Records (Documents)]]> ]]> United Churches of Christ-Church and St. Peter's (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Peters, Richard, 1704-1776]]> Duche, Jacob, 1737-1798]]> Poor]]> Charity]]> Church finance]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> St. Peter's Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> United Churches of Christ-Church and St. Peter's (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]>
The first letter, dated September 31, 1771, is from Rector Peters and Assistant Minister Jacob Duche to the Bishop of Cork, regarding a relation of the bishop who is a member of their congregation. She traveled to Philadelphia with her husband, who drowned two years previously, and fell on hard times. Peters and Duche request financial assistance on behalf of the widow, so she can set up a shop and support herself.

The second letter, dated June 28, 1771, is to the Reverend Doctor Peters from
Robert Smith, regarding the purchase of a lot of land from the church.]]> Manuscripts]]> Correspondence]]> ]]>