Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Bell ringing]]> Church bells]]> Clergy]]> Burial]]> Baptism]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Bell ringers]]> Fourth of July celebrations]]> Loyalists--United States]]> American Revolution (1775-1783)]]>
Also includes a committee report signed by the bell ringers agreeing to ring the bell on July 4th annually, and a letter from James Abercrombie requesting a burial order for the infant son of John Martin Baker. See also object ID: 1.4.0.1 for related documentation.]]>
Dolby addresses Bishop White and the Rector, Church-Wardens, and Vestrymen of Christ Church and St. Peter's, responding to a letter from the Governor of Pennsylvania alleging that Dolby, out of disaffection to the independence of the United States, refused to allow the bells to be rung on the late 4 July, and further alleging he was an Englishman and had been a Tory during the Revolution. Dolby asks, as an act of justice to a man who has been their Head Bell Ringer for 36 years, that his statement be entered on the minutes. He asserts he was born in Philadelphia (as shown in the baptism register), that his father was also a native and a respectable member of the churches, that he served in the militia artillery from the beginning of the Revolutionary War until disabled by a nervous fever affecting his limbs, and that on 4 July 1776 he was carried into the bell-room in the arms of John Williams and John Field to be present at the exhibition of public joy despite his infirmity [p.2r-2v]. He states that in the summer of 1777 he took the oath of allegiance to the United States within the time limited by law, retiring to New Jersey with his family upon the approach of the British army to the city and not returning until after the evacuation [p.4].

Additional records include a request (11 Aug. 1801) from James Abercrombie to Thomas Cumpston for an order admitting the burial of John Martin Baker's 13-month-old infant son in Christ Church burial ground, to be carried to Dolby, noting Baker is an English gentleman residing a few miles out of town [p.3]. A later note records the birth (19 June 1800) and baptism (31 July 1808) of John Martin Baker, son of John Martin and Harriet D. Baker, with assurance that Baker, being a stranger unacquainted with the regulations, will cheerfully pay all charges when the funeral is over [p.5r-5v].]]> Manuscripts]]> Correspondence]]> Records (Documents)]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> St. Peter's Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Church management]]> Pews and pew rights]]> Rent collection]]> Schools]]> Clergy]]> Correspondence]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Blackwell, Robert, 1748-1831]]> Burial]]> Cemeteries]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> St. Peter's Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Manuscripts]]> Correspondence]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> St. Peter's Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Burial grounds]]> Cemeteries]]> Public health]]> Yellow fever]]> Epidemics]]> Manuscripts]]> Petitions]]> ]]> Dobbins, Joseph]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> White, William, 1748-1836]]> Blackwell, Robert, 1748-1831]]> Annuities]]> Debt]]> Contracts]]>
Dobbins expresses frustration with the "unkind usage" he has received regarding the irregular payments, noting that he refused a partial payment from a Captain Williamson because a consistent payment method had not been adopted. He praises Mr. Hazlehurst for offering to advance the money but demands the recipients establish a reliable payment method through reputable agents.]]> Manuscripts]]> Correspondence]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Dobbins, Joseph]]> White, William, 1748-1836]]> Towers, Robert]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Charitable bequests]]> Real property]]> Annuities]]> Dobbins, Joseph -1804]]> Episcopal Church]]> Manuscripts]]> Correspondence]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> Bryan, George, 1731-1791]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> St. Peter's Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Supreme Executive Council of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania]]> Political prisoners]]> Episcopal Church]]> Correspondence]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> Peters, Richard, 1704-1776]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> St. Peter's Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Clergy]]> Resignation]]> Release]]> Bonds]]> Manuscripts]]> Records (Documents)]]> ]]> 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)]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Church lands]]> Rent]]> Ground rent]]> Power of attorney]]> Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts]]> Penn, Thomas, 1702-1775]]> Peters, Richard, 1704-1776]]> Charities]]>
The letter notes a generous donation by Reverend Richard Peters to enlarge the lot, with a portion dedicated to St. Peter's Church. The authors also request permission to hold the title locally rather than in the Society's name to simplify the future management and collection of ground rents.]]>
The letter notes that Reverend Richard Peters, late Secretary to the Proprietor and Governor, generously offered £100 sterling and proposed to raise a like sum 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 [p.1r]. The attorneys 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 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's attorney may die, and lawsuits may be required to recover rents, with no attorney from the Society present locally to prosecute [p.1r]. They therefore request the Society's advice and consent to receive the title in the name of the Corporation in the city, promising to transmit an exemplified copy of the deed [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.)]]> 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)]]> ]]> Bearcroft, Philip, 1697-1761]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts]]> Sturgeon, William, 1702-1772]]> Clergy]]> Catechists]]> African Americans]]> Episcopal church]]>
Bearcroft states that the Society has consented to the vestry's request, appointing Sturgeon while relying on Christ Church's promise to supplement the Society's annual £30 salary for his work as catechist to Black people, so that he may have a comfortable and decent maintenance.]]> Manuscripts]]> Correspondence]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts (Great Britain)]]> Sturgeon, William, -1770]]> Religious education]]> African Americans]]> Episcopal Church]]>
The letter expresses gratitude for the Society's decision to establish a catechistical lecture for the instruction of African Americans ("Negroes") and others, providing a salary of 30 pounds per annum. It also formally recommends William Sturgeon, a graduate of Yale College, to fill the role of catechist and assistant to the Rector, Dr. Robert Jenney, in order to further the religious education of the congregation and others.]]>
The vestry explains that it considered how to supplement the Society’s salary in order to provide adequate support for a qualified catechist, especially if the appointee could also serve as assistant to the rector [p. 1r]. Since no suitable candidate was available locally, Dr. Jenney wrote to clergy and acquaintances in other colonies seeking a learned and capable person [p. 1r]. In response, William Sturgeon of Yale College came from Connecticut to Philadelphia, was recommended by Society missionaries and other reputable gentlemen, and was accepted by the minister, churchwardens, and vestry, who ask the Society to approve him as catechist and assistant to the rector [p. 1v]. The address closes with a hope that the Society’s support will strengthen Anglican worship and religious instruction in Philadelphia [p. 1v].]]> Manuscripts]]> Correspondence]]> Records (Documents)]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Manuscripts]]> ]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Social conditions]]> Social surveys]]> ]]> St. Michael's Church (Trenton, N.J.)]]> St. Michael's Church (Trenton, N.J.)]]> Episcopalians]]> Episcopal Church]]> Baptismal records]]> Marriage records]]> Burial records]]> Confirmation records]]> Manuscripts]]> Registers (Lists)]]> ]]> St. Michael's Church (Trenton, N.J.)]]> St. Michael's Church (Trenton, N.J.)]]> Episcopalians]]> Episcopal Church]]> Baptismal records]]> Confirmation records]]> Church membership]]> Marriage records]]> Burial records]]>
Baptismal records run from page 3 to page 37, and include date, name, parents' names, date of birth, and remarks such as location of ceremony, officiant, and witnesses.

Confirmation records run from page 73 to page 80, and include date, name, and remarks (usually name of officiant).

Lists of communicants run from page 85 to page 116, and include
date, name, mode (received/admitted), removed date and mode (moved/died/transferred), and miscellaneous remarks.

Marriage records run from page 121 to page 141 and include date, names of bride and groom, their residences, and place of ceremony. Note: Images 50-51 show marriage records inserted into the confirmations section.

Burials records run from page 145 to page 157, and include date, name, place of interment, age, and remarks (names of relatives, city of origin, person who performed burial).

There are also several loose items, one note of birth and four letters of transfer.]]> Manuscripts]]> Registers (Lists)]]> ]]> St. Michael's Church (Trenton, N.J.)]]> St. Michael's Church (Trenton, N.J.)]]> Episcopalians]]> Episcopal Church]]> Corporate minutes]]> Baptismal records]]> Marriage records]]> Burial records]]> Pews and pew rights]]> Church finance]]> Church membership]]>
The register portion of the document begins on image 98 with an undated
alphabetical list of church members, notated for communicants, contributors, and removed or deceased members. Christenings, marriages and burials are then listed in chronological groupings starting with image 105, beginning in 1769 and ending in 1855. Entries include dates, names, and other relevant data. Black persons are marked as "negros."

The next portion of the manuscript includes an account of communion collections on image 190, a list of pew holders as of December 1836 on image 202, and a list of communicants from 1840 on image 206. An index of the register entries from 1818-1822 appears on image 209, and the final pages of the manuscript contains a map and listings of interments in the St. Michael's burial ground.]]> Manuscripts]]> Minutes (Records)]]> Registers (Lists)]]> ]]> St. Michael's Church (Trenton, N.J.)]]> St. Michael's Church (Trenton, N.J.)]]> Episcopalians]]> Episcopal Church]]> Church buildings]]> Church committees]]> Church finance]]> Church fund raising]]> Church music]]> Church management]]> Pews and pew rights]]> Corporate minutes]]> Manuscripts]]> Minutes (Records)]]> ]]> St. Michael's Church (Trenton, N.J.)]]> St. Michael's Church (Trenton, N.J.)]]> Episcopalians]]> Episcopal Church]]> Church buildings]]> Church committees]]> Church finance]]> Articles of incoporation]]> Pews and pew rights]]> Church management]]> Corporate minutes]]>
Note: a copy of the "act to incorporate the Protestant Episcopal Church of St. Michael's in the city of Trenton" dated January 28, 1818 opens the manuscript.]]> Manuscripts]]> Minutes (Records)]]> ]]> St. Michael's Church (Trenton, N.J.)]]> St. Michael's Church (Trenton, N.J.)]]> Episcopalians]]> Episcopal Church]]> Church finance]]> Church fund raising]]> Church buildings]]> Pews and pew rights]]> Corporate minutes]]> Church management]]> Manuscripts]]> Minutes (Records)]]> ]]> St. Michael's Church (Trenton, N.J.)]]> St. Michael's Church (Trenton, N.J.)]]> Episcopalians]]> Episcopal Church]]> Church fund raising]]> Church membership]]> Church buildings]]> Correspondence]]> Marriage records]]> Baptismal records]]> Sermons]]> Church records and registers]]>
Included are: a record of the official naming of St. Michael's (submitted 1795, recorded 1796); lists of subscribers paying for Reverend Doctor Henry Waddell's salary, starting in 1797 and continuing for several years thereafter; a list of "Families of Episcopalians" in Trenton; an undated "plan of sittings" (map of church pews); Articles of Agreement for Building a Church in the City of Trenton, 1819; correspondence regarding the engagement of a minister; lists of communicants in 1855 and 1862; some marriage and baptismal records; and extracts from "Sermons by the Late Rev. John Logan, Edinburgh, one of the Ministers of Leith."]]> Manuscripts]]> Records and correspondence]]> ]]> St. Michael's Church (Trenton, N.J.)]]> St. Michael's Church (Trenton, N.J.)]]> Episcopalians]]> Episcopal Church]]> Charters]]> Manuscripts]]> Charters]]> ]]> St. Michael's Church (Trenton, N.J.)]]> St. Michael's Church (Trenton, N.J.)]]> Episcopalians]]> Episcopal Church]]> Church of England]]> Psalmody]]> Prayers]]> Sacraments]]> Consecration]]> Rites and ceremonies]]> Manuscripts]]> Liturgical books]]> ]]> Old St. Mary's Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Old St. Mary's Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Church records and registers]]> Corporate minutes]]> Catholics]]> Church management]]> Church finance]]> Church buildings]]> Church schools]]> Pews and pew rights]]> Cemeteries]]> Church committees]]> Church fund raising]]> Manuscripts]]> Minutes (Records)]]> ]]> Old St. Mary's Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Old St. Mary's Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Church records and registers]]> Corporate minutes]]> Catholics]]> Church management]]> Church finance]]> Church buildings]]> Church schools]]> Pews and pew rights]]> Cemeteries]]> Church committees]]> Church fund raising]]> Manuscripts]]> Minutes (Records)]]> ]]> Old St. Mary's Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Old St. Mary's Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Church records and registers]]> Corporate minutes]]> Catholics]]> Church management]]> Church finance]]> Church buildings]]> Church schools]]> Pews and pew rights]]> Cemeteries]]> Church committees]]> Church fund raising]]>
Front matter includes a map of the pews and list of pewholders of Old St. Mary's, a copy of the act of incorporation, and the trustees' rules for management of the church.

Meeting minutes begin on image 46, and each dated entry includes a list of attendees and a description of the topics covered. Topics include but are not limited to: election, appointment, and payment of church staff; management of the church finances, buildings, school and burial ground; pew rentals; and reports from committees.]]> Manuscripts]]> Minutes (Records)]]> ]]> Old St. Mary's Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Old St. Mary's Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Church records and registers]]> Corporate minutes]]> Catholics]]> Church management]]> Church finance]]> Church buildings]]> Church schools]]> Pews and pew rights]]> Cemeteries]]> Church committees]]> Church fund raising]]>
Front matter includes a copy of the Act of Incorporation dated September 13, 1788; lists of subscribers who paid towards the burial ground, the building of the church in 1762, and the addition of pews and galleries in 1782; and rules for conducting church business.

The meeting minutes begin on image 26, and each entry includes a list of attendees and a description of the topics covered. Topics include but are not limited to: election, appointment, and payment of church staff; management of the church finances, buildings, school and burial ground; pew rentals; and reports from committees.

Rear matter includes: a copy of the articles agreed upon in 1782; another list of subscribers, towards building the schoolhouse in 1781; an account of the costs involved in building that schoolhouse; a list of pewholders and their pew numbers dated 1782; and maps of the numbered pews.]]> Manuscripts]]> Minutes (Records)]]> ]]> Old St. Mary's Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Old St. Mary's Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Church records and registers]]> Burial records]]> Catholics]]> Cemeteries]]> Registers of births, etc.]]> Manuscripts]]> Registers (Lists)]]> ]]> Old St. Mary's Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Old St. Mary's Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Church records and registers]]> Burial records]]> Catholics]]> Cemeteries]]> Registers of births, etc.]]> Manuscripts]]> Registers (Lists)]]> ]]> Old St. Mary's Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Old St. Mary's Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Church records and registers]]> Registers of births, etc.]]> Catholics]]> Manuscripts]]> Registers (Lists)]]> ]]> Old St. Mary's Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Old St. Mary's Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Church records and registers]]> Burial records]]> Catholics]]> Cemeteries]]> Registers of births, etc.]]> Manuscripts]]> Registers (Lists)]]> ]]> Old St. Mary's Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Old St. Mary's Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Church records and registers]]> Burial records]]> Catholics]]> Cemeteries]]> Registers of births, etc.]]> Manuscripts]]> Registers (Lists)]]> ]]> Old St. Mary's Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Old St. Mary's Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Church records and registers]]> Burial records]]> Catholics]]> Cemeteries]]> Registers of births, etc.]]> Manuscripts]]> Registers (Lists)]]> ]]> Old St. Mary's Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Old St. Mary's Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Church records and registers]]> Burial records]]> Catholics]]> Cemeteries]]> Registers of births, etc.]]> Manuscripts]]> Registers (Lists)]]> ]]> Holy Trinity Catholic Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Holy Trinity Catholic Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Catholics]]> Corporate minutes]]> Church management]]> Pews and pew rights]]> Church finance]]> Church buildings]]> Cemeteries]]> Church schools]]> Manuscripts]]> Minutes (Records)]]> ]]> Holy Trinity Catholic Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Holy Trinity Catholic Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Catholics]]> Corporate minutes]]> Church management]]> Pews and pew rights]]> Church finance]]> Church buildings]]> Cemeteries]]> Church schools]]>
A notable topic is the schism between the trustees and Bishop Carroll of Baltimore, who held authority over the entire Catholic population of the United States prior to the creation of the diocese of Philadelphia in 1808, over the hiring of priests.]]> Manuscripts]]> Minutes (Records)]]> ]]> Holy Trinity Catholic Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Death registers]]> Catholics]]> Holy Trinity Catholic Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Church records and registers]]> Manuscripts]]> Registers (Lists)]]> ]]> Holy Trinity Catholic Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Holy Trinity Catholic Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)]]> Church records and registers]]> Baptismal records]]> Burial records]]> Catholics]]>
The first page of the manuscript lists the Trustees of Holy Trinity from 1819 to 1826. Next is a summary of the numbers of "baptismi" (baptisms), "sepultura" (burials) and "matrimonia" (marriages) performed by each "pastore" (shepherd, reverend) from 1790 to 1823.

A chronological list of the baptisms performed by Reverend Wilhelmus Elling from 1799 to 1806 begins on image 9 and runs through image 82. Each entry includes name, date of birth, date of baptism, parents' names and names of sponsors. Some entries include the signatures of the parents and sponsors.

Image 83 lists all the infants who were buried in 1806. A chronological listing of burials from 1796 to 1798 takes up the remainder of the manuscript. Entries include the date of death, and sometimes place of death.]]> Manuscripts]]> Registers (Lists)]]> ]]>