Benjamin Dorr sermon 744, "Keeping the heart," 1851-1865
Sermons
Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)
Dorr, Benjamin, 1796-1869
Bible. Old Testament
Bible. Proverbs
Episcopal Church
Benjamin Dorr served as rector for Christ Church from 1839 to 1868, and undertook the difficult job of holding the congregation together during the Civil War. This sermon lays out Reverend Dorr's thoughts on Proverbs 4:23, "Keep thy heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life." The inside front cover notes seven dates Reverend Dorr delivered this sermon, from 1851 to 1865.
Benjamin Dorr sermon 735, "The Christian Armour," 1850-1862
Bible. New Testament
Bible. Ephesians
Benjamin Dorr served as rector for Christ Church from 1839 to 1868, and undertook the difficult job of holding the congregation together during the Civil War. In this sermon, Reverend Dorr offers his thoughts on Ephesians 6:13, "Wherefore, take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." The inside front cover notes nine dates Reverend Dorr delivered this sermon, from 1850 to 1862, when he preached at the headquarters of the Army of the Potomac, with Major General Meade present.
Benjamin Dorr sermon 697, "Obedience to Government," 1849, 1860
Politics and government
Church and state
Bible. Gospels
Bible. Matthew
Benjamin Dorr served as rector for Christ Church from 1839 to 1868, and undertook the difficult job of holding the congregation together during the Civil War. Reverend Dorr delivered this sermon in 1849 and again in 1860, and lays out his thoughts on Matthew 22:21 "Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's and unto God the things that are God's." Note: Page numbering in the original text starts over after page 6, with a second page 3.
St. Thomas' Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)
Church records and registers
African American churches
Church finance
Church fund raising
Church management
African Americans
Corporate minutes
Episcopalians
The vestry is the governing body of an Episcopal church; it is comprised of the rector and members of the congregation elected by other congregants. This bound volume contains the St. Thomas vestry meeting minutes from 1863 to 1876, including date, time of day (morning, afternoon, or evening), members and Reverend present, and a brief description of each meeting. Topics include bills, taxes, salaries, fundraising, recordkeeping, repairs and renovations, burials, elections, and pew rents.
The vestry is the governing body of an Episcopal church; it is comprised of the rector and members of the congregation elected by other congregants. This bound volume contains the St. Thomas vestry meeting minutes from 1848 to 1855, including date, time of day (morning, afternoon, or evening), members and Reverend present, and a brief description of each meeting. Note: Pages 32 through 36 of this volume were written upside down, starting from the back with page 36, and moving forward chronologically to page 32.
The vestry is the governing body of an Episcopal church; it is comprised of the rector and members of the congregation elected by other congregants. This bound volume contains the St. Thomas vestry meeting minutes from 1821 to 1831, including date, time of day (morning, afternoon, or evening), members and Reverend present, and a brief description of each meeting.
The vestry is the governing body of an Episcopal church; it is comprised of the rector and members of the congregation elected by other congregants. This bound volume contains the St. Thomas vestry meeting minutes from 1813 to 1821, including date, time of day (morning, afternoon, or evening), members and Reverend present, and a brief description of each meeting. Topics include church lotteries, overdue "seat money," building repairs, burials, elections, resignations, committee assignments, and parishioners in financial need.
Receipts and expenditures, circa 1790-1842
This bound manuscript is an accounting of St. Thomas’ finances between 1790 and 1842. The prominent African American abolitionist and clergyman Absalom Jones is listed throughout text, as are prominent Philadelphia businessmen and donors such as William Gray, John Nicholson and Robert Ralston.
Pews and pew rights
The practice of renting pews was common in 19th century churches; members paid a fee for the right to occupy a particular pew every week. This bound manuscript is a record of pew rents paid to St. Thomas from 1863 to 1876. Each listing includes the date rented, names of renters, pew number, and amount paid.
The practice of renting pews was common in 19th century churches; members paid a fee for the right to occupy a particular pew every week. This bound manuscript is a record of pew rents paid to St. Thomas from 1818 to 1840. Each listing includes the date rented, names of renters, pew number, and amount paid.
Free African Society receipts and expenditures, 1790-1792; pew rentals, 1840
St. Thomas' earliest precursor organization, the Free African Society was formed by Richard Allen, Absalom Jones and others in 1787, with the goal of building community among black Philadelphians. This bound manuscript is a record of people who donated to the Society, or were paid for a service. The transactions span the years 1790 to 1792. The manuscript also includes a list of the names of church members who owed pew rent up to Easter Monday 1840, and five loose pew receipts dating from 1840 and 1870s.
Births and baptisms, 1795-1837, Absalom Jones
Registers of births, etc.
Baptismal records
Absalom Jones was the founder of of St. Thomas. This bound manuscript is a register of births and baptisms performed by Jones from 1796 to 1830. Each record includes the child's date of birth, child's and parents' names, and date of baptism. The record of one marriage performed in 1795 is also included on the first flyleaf of the manuscript.
Jones, Absalom, 1746-1818
St. Peter's Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)
Church bells
Church buildings
Charity
Church history
Sunday schools
Church committees
Cemeteries
The vestry is the governing body of an Episcopal church; it is comprised of the rector and members of the congregation elected by other congregants. This bound volume contains the dates, members present and business discussed at St. Peters vestry meetings from 1852 to 1871. Topics include but are not limited to: insurance policies on the rectory, house, bells and organ; election of vestrymen, officers, warden and rector; appointments to committees for finance, choir, Sunday school, library, burial grounds and bell; selection of delegates to the Diocesan convention; management of the St. Peters charity fund and Christ Church hospital; and income from pew rent and collections.
The vestry is the governing body of an Episcopal church; it is comprised of the rector and members of the congregation elected by other congregants. The vestry minutes begin with a copy of the 1832 Act by the Pennsylvania legislature which separated Christ Church and St. Peter's Church into two separate entities. Minutes from the vestry meetings from 1832 to 1852 follow, containing the dates and locations of the meetings, members present, and business discussed. Topics covered include but are not limited to: the settlement of separate financial accounts following the split from Christ Church, the hiring of a new minister and assistant minister, election of vestrymen and appointment of organist and choir, purchase of a new building to house the Sunday school, collection of pew rents, improvement of burial grounds, management of the church's charity fund, and committee reports.
The practice of renting pews was common in 19th century churches; members paid a fee for the right to occupy a particular pew every week. This bound manuscript contains the pew rentals for St. Peter’s Episcopal Church from 1840 to 1848. Each listing includes pew number, name of renter, number of seats rented, seat rate, arrears, and total paid.
The practice of renting pews was common in 19th century churches; members paid a fee for the right to occupy a particular pew every week. This bound manuscript contains the pew rentals for St. Peter’s Episcopal Church from 1838 to 1840. Each listing includes pew number, name of renter, number of seats rented, seat rate, arrears, and total paid.
The practice of renting pews was common in 19th century churches; members paid a fee for the right to occupy a particular pew every week. This bound manuscript contains the pew rentals for St. Peter’s Episcopal Church from 1837. Each listing includes pew number, name of renter, number of seats rented, seat rate, arrears, and total paid.
The practice of renting pews was common in 19th century churches; members paid a fee for the right to occupy a particular pew every week. This bound manuscript contains the pew rentals for St. Peter’s Episcopal Church from 1835 to 1836. Each listing includes pew number, name of renter, number of seats rented, seat rate, arrears, and total paid.
The practice of renting pews was common in 19th century churches; members paid a fee for the right to occupy a particular pew every week. This bound manuscript contains the pew rentals for St. Peter’s Episcopal Church from 1832 to 1834. Each listing includes pew number, name of renter, number of seats rented, seat rate, arrears, and total paid.
Marriages, burials, and baptisms, 1830-1884
Marriage records
Burial records
Bound manuscript listing marriages, burials and baptisms performed at St. Peter's from 1830 to 1884. Marriages span the years 1832 to 1870. Each marriage listing includes the date of marriage and the names of the individuals being married. Often the name of the minister is listed at the top of the page. Burials span the years 1830 to 1884. Each burial listing includes the date of death, name of deceased, and age of death. Baptisms span the years 1831 to 1870. Each Baptism listing includes the date of baptism, name of person baptized, parents’ names, sponsor's name, and minister's name. Note: Due to the nature of scanning primary sources, page numbering for the images of this bound manuscript jump from page 18 to page page 51, and from page 84 to page 147.
Congregation Mikveh Israel (Philadelphia, Pa.)
Synagogue records and registers
Jews
Synagogues
Synagogue officers
Meeting minutes of the Board of Managers, or "adjunta" of Congregation Mikveh Israel, from 1824 to 1870. Each entry includes the date and usually the location of the meeting, names of members present, and business discussed. Business discussed includes (but is not limited to): regular elections of officers (parnas and adjunta, gabay, and secretary); assessment and collection of seat rents; the dedication of a new synagogue and ongoing repairs/improvements to the building; financial record keeping, including auditing accounts, debt collection, and payment of bills, rents and taxes; employment of officials such as the shamas (sexton), hazan (minister), and superintendent of the burial grounds; improvements to the burial grounds; and permissions for burials. This volume has been partially digitized, up to 1870. Names of officers for each Hebrew calendar year covered are listed at the back of volume, and those pages are also included.
Circumcision book of Dr. A. J. Weirtheim, 1810-1829
Circumcision
Medical records
Alexander Wertheim was a Dutch Jew who lived in New York and Baltimore before settling in Philadelphia, where he became clerk to the Board of Health. He died in 1830 at the age of 55. This book is a record of the circumcisions Dr. Wertheim performed from 1810 to 1829. Each entry records the date, place, father's name, and son's name.
Wertheim, Alexander
Account book, statement of receipts, 1856-1874
Synagogue fund raising
Synagogues--Finance
Record of funds received by Congregation Mikveh Israel from 1856 to 1874. Entries are organized by date, then names. Payments include seat rents, building rents, offerings and collections, initiation fees, and funeral costs. Note: page numbering starts over twice within the manuscript itself, at images 223 and 383.
Record of seat rentals for Congregation Mikveh Israel from 1845 to 1862. Seats are grouped by location and class; entries are listed by seat number and include the name of the purchaser or renter and yearly rent paid.
Mikveh
Petitions
Petition for the building of a mikveh, a Jewish ritual bathing facility. Subscribers pledge contributions towards the building of the mikveh, although signatures are not included with the document.
The document is titled "Proceedings of the Board of Managers of K.K. M. Israel [Kahal Kadosh Mikveh Israel]; Under the new Constitution and Charter," but is only one page listing officers (parnas, adjunta, gabay, and secretary) for the congregation for the years 1823 to 1827.
Form of service at the dedication of the new synagogue, 1825
Synagogue dedication services
Printed worship service for the dedication of Mikveh Israel's new synagogue. Book is in Hebrew with English translation on the opposite pages.
New York: printed by S. H. Jackson, 91 Mercer Street
Congregational minutes of Mikveh Israel, spanning 1810 to 1883. Topics covered include: elections to leadership and caretaking positions; admittance of new members; financial matters such as rents, fundraising, insurance and investments; renovation and expansion of the synagogue; and management of the burial ground. The Articles of Constitution approved in 1823 are reproduced on pages 48 to 62.
Jewish religious education
Hebrew Sunday School Society of Philadelphia (Pa.)
Female Hebrew Benevolent Society (Philadelphia, Pa.)
Gratz, Rebecca, 1781-1869
Letters
Four letters regarding the Hebrew Sunday school sponsored by Mikveh Israel: One letter from educator and philanthropist Rebecca Gratz, then secretary of the board of the Female Hebrew Benevolent Society, thanking parnas Lewis Allen for "carrying into effect the business of their anniversary meeting" in 1836; another letter from Rebecca Gratz thanking the parnas and adjunta for permission to use a room in the synagogue for the Sunday school in 1841; a letter presenting curtains for the school on behalf of "the ladies of the congregation" in 1845; and finally a letter from Mary Cohen of the Hebrew Sunday School Society to Henry Cohen, the president of the congregation, thanking him for the donation of a stove and permission to hold class in the synagogue, in 1877.
Cohen, Mary M., 1854-1911
Facsimile of Haym Salomon's account of difficulties in financing construction of a new synagogue, circa 1784
Manuscript with cover sheet, which describes the manuscript thus: "Haym Salomon Manuscript, in hand of a professional amanuensis, of Salomon's own account of the purchase of the property and the financing of the construction of Synagogue Mikveh Israel in 1782, including his own pledge of one-fourth the cost, 'Be it what it might.' Salomon describes the difficulties with Jonas Phillips which almost led to the latter's excommunication." Cover page indicates the manuscript is from the collection of Sigmund and Felicia Harrison of Ardmore, Pa.
Salomon, Haym, 1740-1785
Charter of the Congregation Beth El Emeth, 1857
Charters
Congregation Beth El Emeth (Philadelphia, Pa.)
Leeser, Isaac
The official charter and constitution of the Congregation Beth El Emeth, singed by the original leaders of the congregation and incorporated by the Court of Common Pleas in Philadelphia in 1857. Beth El Emeth emerged from Mikveh Israel, under the leadership of Mikveh Israel's retired Rev. Isaac Leeser. After Leeser's death, Beth El Emeth dissolved, and its records returned to Mikveh Israel.
Board and congregational minutes, 1782-1783
Minutes of the parnas (president of the congregation) and junta (board of managers) and general meetings of Congregation Mikveh Israel from 1782 to 1783. The majority of the minutes are concerned with funding and building a new synagogue. Other topics include the election of leaders, the need for a new constitution/code of laws, and the appointment, payment and duties of a shamas (warden or sexton).
Third Presbyterian Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)
Presbyterians
Presbyterian Church
The practice of renting pews was common in 19th century churches; members paid a fee for the right to occupy a particular pew every week. This bound manuscript records pew rents paid to Third Presbyterian from 1799 to 1807. Entries are listed by person's name, and contain pew number, rent amount and dates paid.
The practice of renting pews was common in 19th century churches; members paid a fee for the right to occupy a particular pew every week. This bound manuscript is a record of pew rents paid to Third Presbyterian from 1797 to 1803. Entries are listed by date and include name and amount paid.
The practice of renting pews was common in 19th century churches; members paid a fee for the right to occupy a particular pew every week. This bound manuscript is a record of pew rents paid to Third Presbyterian from 1792 to 1796. Entries are listed by pew number and congregant name, with dates and amounts paid, and they span two pages, verso and recto.
The practice of renting pews was common in 19th century churches; members paid a fee for the right to occupy a particular pew every week. This bound manuscript is a record of pew rents paid to Third Presbyterian from 1789 to 1796. The first several pages have been written on upside down, and read in reverse order chronologically. The next 44 pages consist of individual entries, right side up, of pew rent paid, recorded by date and name. Then entries start over at the back of the volume, written upside down, and thus proceeding backwards chronologically. These entries are listed by pew number and name, and span two pages across. Pages have been numbered accordingly.
The practice of renting pews was common in 19th century churches; members paid a fee for the right to occupy a particular pew every week. The majority of this bound manuscript is devoted to recording pew rents paid to Third Presbyterian from 1787 to 1789. Entries are usually listed by pew number and congregant name, with dates and amounts paid, and for most of the book they span two pages, verso and recto. A few pages towards the beginning of the manuscript contain records of payments to individuals and annual collection totals, dating from 1765 to 1769.
The practice of renting pews was common in 19th century churches; members paid a fee for the right to occupy a particular pew every week. This bound manuscript is a record of pew rents paid to Third Presbyterian from 1786 to 1787. Entries are listed by pew number and congregant name, with dates and amounts paid, and for most of the book they span two pages, verso and recto.
The practice of renting pews was common in 19th century churches; members paid a fee for the right to occupy a particular pew every week. This bound manuscript is a record of pew rents paid to Third Presbyterian from May 1799 to December 1780. Entries are listed by pew number and congregant name, with dates and amounts paid, and they span two pages, verso and recto.
The practice of renting pews was common in 19th century churches; members paid a fee for the right to occupy a particular pew every week. This bound manuscript is a record of pew rents paid to Third Presbyterian from 1773 to 1778. Entries are listed by pew number and congregant name, with dates and amounts paid, and they span two pages, verso and recto.
Church discipline
Inscribed as "The Pine Street Presbyterian Church Committee Book," this bound volume contains the minutes of the meetings of trustees of Third Presbyterian from 1771 to 1796. Each entry includes the date, place, members present, and business discussed. Topics of the meetings generally include the collection of pew rents, settlement of financial accounts, improvements to the buildings and grounds, and management of charitable funds, as well as more specific entries such as the seasonal adjustment of service times and adoption of a new version of the Psalms. Of particular interest are the minutes pertaining to the call for George Duffield to serve as their new pastor, and the resulting rift with First Presbyterian Church. The bulk of the minutes end on page 168, and pages 174, 175 and 176, which list the books and verses read from during services, are written upside down, so run in reverse chronological order. Note: Prior to 1797, the Trustees were called "the Committee."
Deeds
Deed granted by Thomas and Richard Penn to "Members of the Congregation belonging to the old Presbyterian Meeting House," naming in particular William Allen, John Allen, George Bryan, William Humphries, John Mease, Peter Chevalier and Samuel Purviance, for a new lot at 4th and Pine Streets. The congregation had grown too numerous for the existing house and grounds of First Presbyterian. John Penn, the Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania, witnessed the deed in 1765. On the reverse side, the above-named congregants deeded the land and newly built church to "The Committee of the united first and third Presbyterian churches in the city of Philadelphia" in 1772.
Charter granted to Third Presbyterian Church by Thomas and John Penn, establishing it as a separate institution from First Presbyterian Church. Witnessed by Lieutenant Governor Richard Penn on August 27th, 1772. This charter explains that the church will be recognized by King George the Third of England.
Clergy
Duffield, George, 1732-1790
Religious leaders
Following a majority vote by the congregation, the subscribers of Third Presbyterian wrote to Reverend George Duffield requesting he become their new pastor. The letter, dated August 9, 1771, offers him an annual salary of 200 pounds. Duffield accepted the call, and served as pastor at Third Presbyterian until his death in 1790. Duffield also served as chaplain of the Continental Congress during the American Revolutionary War.
St. Paul's Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)
Church membership
Church schools
Churchwardens' accounts
Minutes of the meetings of the St. Paul's vestry, from 1810 to 1829. Each entry includes the date of the meeting, members present, and business discussed. Topics include but are not limited to: vestry elections; appointment of wardens and sextons; various committee assignments; management of financial accounts, including loans, investments and bequests; management of pew assignments; management of the cemetery; mediation of interpersonal disputes between church members; upkeep of and improvements to the buildings and grounds; the continued quest to secure a church organ; and continued support for the church school and house for aged widows.
Minutes of the meetings of the St. Paul's vestry, from 1797 to 1810. Each entry includes the date of the meeting, members present, and business discussed. Topics include but are not limited to: elections to the vestry and the appointment of wardens and sextons; hiring of a new minister and assistant minister; management of church finances, including ground rents, pew rents and bequests; the problem of a full burial ground; appointments to various committees; plans for a singing school for children and home for aged widows; establishment of a subscription to raise funds for a church organ; and ongoing upkeep of church buildings and grounds.
Minutes of the meetings of the St. Paul's vestry, from 1792 to 1797. Each entry includes the date of the meeting, members present, and business discussed. Many entries include wardens' accounts, as reports from the committee appointed to examine those accounts. Other topics include: elections to the vestry and the appointment of wardens and sextons; the management of pews and of the church graveyard; the departure of one minister and need to secure a new one; and the presentation of an act of incorporation to the state assembly for ratification in 1795.
Church of England
McClenachan, William, 1714-
Minutes of the meetings of the St. Paul's vestry, from 1762 to 1774. Each entry records the date of the meeting, members present and business discussed. One of the main topics covered is the ill health of Reverend McClenachan and the subsequent need to secure an assistant minister and, eventually, a replacement minister. Other topics include: election of vestry members, wardens, clerks and sextons; appointments to committees; management of finances; pew assignments; regulation of burials, fundraising for an organ; building upkeep such as painting doors and windows; and the purchase of supplies such as candles and collection plates.
Parish register, including early trustee minutes, 1759-1835
This bound volume includes St. Paul's early trustee and vestry minutes from 1760 to 1762, marriage records from 1759 to 1835, baptism records from 1782 to 1834, and death records from 1790 to 1812. The first numbered pages include a defense of Reverend Mcclenachan, and plans to build a church separate from Christ Church. Entries then cover the election of trustees and a treasurer, committees to secure land and materials for a new church, lotteries to raise funds, decisions on architecture and furnishings, management of pews, and selection of wardens. Vestry minutes from 1762 start on page 21; these can also be found in the separate volume entitled "Vestry minutes, 1762-1774." Records of marriages, baptisms and deaths start with image 46, whereupon page numbering starts anew. Marriage and baptism records include the date of the ceremony, officiant and the names of the people being married or baptized. Later baptism records also note names of parents. Death records include the name of decedent, age at time of death (or date of birth, from which it can be extrapolated), and date of death.
Marriage register of Rev. Joseph Pilmore, 1786-1813
Record of marriages performed by Rev. Joseph Pilmore, occurring at St. Paul's Church between 1786 and 1794, at Christ Church in New York between 1794 and 1804, and again at St. Paul's Church from 1804 to 1813. Entries are listed chronologically and include the names of the bride and groom. Additional marriages by Rev. Pilmore after the end of this register are in the registers of St. Paul's Church.