First Presbyterian Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)
Church finance
Church records and registers
Pews and pew rights
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 is a record of pew rents owed and paid to First Presbyterian from 1791 to 1792. 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 owed and paid to First Presbyterian in 1790. 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 owed and paid to First Presbyterian in 1789. For most of the book, 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 owed and paid to First Presbyterian in 1787. For most of the book, entries are listed by pew number and congregant name, with dates and amounts paid, and they span two pages, verso and recto. The last few pages of the book contain notes written upside down, starting from the back and running backwards chronologically.
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 owed and paid to First Presbyterian from 1783 to 1785. For most of the book, entries are listed by pew number and congregant name, with dates and amounts paid, and they span two pages, verso and recto. The last few pages of the book contain notes written upside down, starting from the back and running backwards chronologically.
Alphabetical list with sundry names to be inquired about, 1894
Church membership
Bound manuscript with "alphabetical list of sundry names to be inquired about." Dates ranging from 1774 to 1803 are penciled in next to the names, which are written in ink. Also included is a letter dated November 17th, 1894 from a researcher interested in "Pennsylvania's early citizens" and listing approximately 90 names connected with First Presbyterian. Numbers penciled in next to the names refer to the page numbers of the bound manuscript on which the name can be found.
Church committees
The minutes of the meetings of "the committee for regulating pews" from 1774 to 1786 include the meeting time, place, names of committee members present and business discussed, primarily the assignment of pews and collection of pew rents. Other topics discussed include the split with "Pine Street Church" (Third Presbyterian), fees for burials, and charitable assistance to widows.
Ewing, John, 1732-1802
Miller, Samuel, 1769-1850
Religious leaders
Two handwritten copies of a letter from First Presbyterian requesting that the Reverend Doctor Samuel Miller join them as pastor, following the illness of pastor Rev. Dr. John Ewing. The Rev. Dr. Samuel Miller was a prominent Presbyterian minister, teacher and writer in the first half of the 19th century.
Burial records
Cemeteries
One page, front and back, listing the names of individuals interred in the First Presbyterian burial ground and the date and cost of their lot and burial service, from May 1, 1796 to May 1, 1797.
Proposals for First Presbyterian Church, 1793
Church buildings
Church fund raising
Five letters related to the rebuilding of First Presbyterian church: William Ruddack's accounting of his fundraising for the rebuilding from 1793 to 1796; John Johnston's 1793 proposal for plastering work, 1794 letter following up and 1796 bill for services rendered; and a proposal from Lawrence Allman and Rich Guy to do brick and stone work, dated 1793.
Record of people who were unaffiliated with any parish, buried at First Presbyterian Church from May 1, 1797 to May 1, 1798. Each burial listing includes the date, names of individual buried and relatives such as parents or spouses, and amount paid to First Presbyterian Church for burial.
Vestry minutes, Christ Church and St. Peter's Church, v. 2, 1761-1784
Parish elections
Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)
St. Peter's Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)
American Revolution (1775-1783)
Church discipline
Church management
Church of England
American Revolution (United States : 1775-1783)
Corporate minutes
Episcopalians
United Churches of Christ-Church and St. Peter's (Philadelphia, Pa.)
Frontier and pioneer life
Indians of North America
Charters
Poor
Charity
African Americans
Kearsley, John, 1684-1772
Episcopal Church
Vestry minutes of the United Congregations of Christ Church and St. Peter's from 1761 to 1784. Each entry records the date and place of the meeting, members present and business discussed. Regular business includes elections of church leaders and hiring and payment of church staff; fundraising and the ongoing settlement of various financial accounts; establishment and collection of pew rents; and maintenance and repair of church buildings and grounds. Other important events and topics include: The opening of St. Peter's and the establishment of the United Churches of Christ-Church and St. Peter's in 1761, with shared government and finances. Minutes include draft and final versions of the charter for the United Churches. The response of the United Churches to the 1763 "Indian invasion" of the "back provinces" of Pennsylvania and subsequent correspondence with church officials from York and Cumberland Counties on behalf of "families on the frontier." The 1763 review and approval of Reverend William Sturgeon's fulfillment of his duty as the "Catechist to the Negroe Children for the Society for Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts." The 1772 bequest from Dr. John Kearsley that funded the development of the Christ Church Hospital for poor women and widows. The American Revolution. Minutes from the Vestry meeting of July 4, 1776, when the Vestry resolved at the onset of the American Revolution: "Whereas the Honorable Continental Congress have resolved to declare the American Colonies to be free and independent States, In consequence of which it will be proper to omit those Petitions in the Liturgy wherein the King of Great Britain is prayed for, as inconsistent with the said Declaration. Therefore Resolved, that it appears to this Vestry to be necessary for the peace and well-being of the Churches to omit the said Petitions, and the Rector and Assistant Ministers of the United Churches are requested in the Name of the Vestry and their Constituents to omit such petitions as are above mentioned." (p. 338) Subsequent minutes reveal effects of the war, including the loss of pew rents after many parishioners fled the city during the British occupation, the damage to church property caused by the British army, and the departure of Reverend Coombe, who could not tolerate the conflict of serving revolutionary subjects while ordained and governed by the Church of England.
Vestry minutes, Christ Church, St. Peter's Church, and St. James' Church, v. 3, 1784-1815
United Churches of Christ-Church, St. Peter's, and St. James's (Philadelphia, Pa.)
White, William, 1748-1836
Church bells
Hospitals
Minutes of the vestry of the United Churches from 1784 to 1815; first as the United Churches of Christ-Church and St. Peter's, then as the United Churches of Christ Church, St. Peter's Church and St. James's Church. The first mention of St. James's occurs on p. 151 in the meeting minutes from March 30, 1807, in which a building committee was appointed to erect the new church. By 1810, the vestry is incorporating St. James's Church into their charter. Entries include the date and place of the meeting, members attending, and business discussed. Topics include church elections, improvements to buildings and grounds, fundraising efforts, burial requests, and the ongoing operation of Christ Church hospital. Recorded at the rear of the book are legacies, gifts, and donations made to an assortment of church related funds by various congregation members. Of note is a transcribed copy of Dr. John Kearsley's will. This volume has inserted at page 47 two additional items: a printed excerpt from the minutes of October 30, 1752 and a printed version of Bishop White's sermon delivered on June 21, 1786. Note: Blank pages were not scanned.
Marriage records
Record of marriages performed at Christ Church from 1837 to 1870. Entries are listed by date and include the name of the bride and groom and the name of the person who married them. A note on the inside front cover from Rector B. Dorr adds to the record five marriages from 1836 and one from 1839, which were recorded in a private record but left out of previous official registers. (This register contains records dating up to 1979, but was only scanned through 1870, per the terms of grant funding.)
Burial records kept by the sexton of Christ Church from 1772 to 1786. Burials are listed by date and include the decedent's name, age at time of death, and amount paid for burial. Names of spouses or parents are often noted, as well as cause of death.
Marriages, Christ Church and St. Peter's Church, 1763-1836
Record of marriages of the members of Christ Church and Saint Peter's Church from 1763 to 1836. Marriages are listed by date and include the name of the bride and groom and the official who married them. Marriages by license from the governor are marked with an "L" while marriages by publication in the church are marked with a "P".
Burial records for members of Christ Church from 1832 to 1870 (records from 1871 to 1978 were not scanned as part of this project). This is a record of burial services conducted rather than interments; not all of the deceased are buried in the Christ Church burial ground. Entries are listed by date and typically include the decedent's name, age at time of death, and parent's name if decedent was a child.
Burials, Christ Church and St. Peter's Church, 1763-1831
Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790
Rush, Benjamin, 1746-1813
Hopkinson, Francis, 1737-1791
Hewes, Joseph, 1730-1779
Ross, George, 1730-1779
Record of persons buried at Christ Church and St. Peter's, listed chronologically, sometimes with relatives and burial plot location noted as well. From 1793 to 1831, Christ Church burials are listed on the left-hand page with burials at St. Peter's churchyard listed on the right-hand page. Notable figures from history whose burials are noted include Benjamin Franklin and four other signers of the Declaration of Independence: Benjamin Rush, Francis Hopkinson, Joseph Hewes, and George Ross.
Baptisms, marriages, and burials, Christ Church, 1719-1750
Baptismal records
Record of marriages, christenings/baptisms, and burials at Christ Church from 1719 to 1750. All events from 1719 to 1724 are recorded together by date from pages 1 to 27. There is a gap in page numbering, then all marriages from 1725 to 1750 are recorded by date from pages 34 to 73. There is another gap in page numbering, then all christenings/baptisms are recorded by date from pages 104 to 179. There is a final gap in page numbering, then all burials from 1725 to 1750 are listed by date from pages 189 to 264.
Baptisms, marriages, and burials, Christ Church, 1709-1718
Record of baptisms, marriages, and burials at Christ Church between 1709 and 1718, kept by clerk John Ashton. Pages containing baptism records are numbered pages 5 to 47; pages containing marriages are numbered pages 70 to 87; and pages containing burial records are numbered pages 123 to 158. Baptism records include the name of the person baptized, parents' names if that person is a child, age at time of baptism and date of baptism. Marriage records include the names of the bride and groom and the date of the marriage. Burial records include the name of the decedent and date of burial; often the names of parents or spouses are listed also.
Baptisms, marriages, and burials, Christ Church, 1750-1762
Record of baptisms, marriages and burials at Christ Church from 1750 to 1762. Baptisms are listed by date on pages 3 to 48 and include the name of the person baptized and names of parents if that person is a child. There is a gap in page numbering, then marriages are listed by date on pages 156 to 190 and include the names of the bride and groom and usually the church official who married them. There is a final gap in page numbering, then burials are listed by date on pages 311 to 359. The name of the decedent is often accompanied by a parent's or spouse's name.
Record of baptisms performed at Christ Church from 1829 to 1868. Baptisms are listed by date and include the name of the baptized person, parents' names, sponsor, birthdate, and officiating minister.
Baptisms, Christ Church, St. Peter's Church, and Saint James's Church, 1811-1831
Record of baptisms performed at the United Protestant Episcopal Churches of Christ Church, Saint Peter's Church and Saint James's Church, as well as private baptisms performed by the reverends of those churches, from 1811 to 1831. Baptisms are listed by date, grouped by congregation or reverend, and include the name of the person baptized, parents' names if that person was a child, and the person's birthdate.
Baptisms, Christ Church and St. Peter's Church, 1763-1810
Record of baptisms performed at Christ Church and St. Peter's from 1763 to 1810. Entries are listed by date and include the name of the person baptized, parents' names if that person is a child, and the person's birthdate. The reverend who performed the baptism is listed at the bottom of each page; notes are inserted for baptisms performed by other church officials. Private baptisms performed from 1801 to 1810 are listed in the last ten pages of the book. Please note there are some irregularities in page numbering at pages 64/65 and 345/346.
Donations to the steeple fund, 1739-1754
Spires
Record of payments made toward the construction of a steeple and purchase of bells for Christ Church, from 1739 to 1754. Some donors paid cash, other paid in materials and others paid for needed goods and services. Page numbering starts over after page 19, with a renewed effort begun in 1750 to build upon previous work.
Records kept by treasurer Jacob Duche of donations towards and payments for the construction of the steeple and bells at Christ Church from 1751 to 1755.
Yellow fever
Burial records kept by George Stokes, sexton of St. Peter's, from 1789 to 1793. Burials are listed by date and include the decedent's name, age at time of death, and amount paid for burial. Names of spouses or parents are often noted, as well as cause of death. Of note are the many deaths due to "fever," as yellow fever reached epidemic proportions in Philadelphia in 1793. Also of interest are the interments of the Native American Chiefs who came to visit President Washington and died in Philadelphia of smallpox. The final entry in the book is George Stokes himself, aged 56 years.
Stokes, George
Pew rents, Christ Church and St. Peter's Church, 1802 March
The practice of renting pews was common in 18th and 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 due to Christ Church and St. Peter's in March 1802. Entries are listed by pew number, with occupant's name, number of seats, sums due and sums paid. Christ Church pew rents are listed from the beginning of the book, and St. Peter's pew rents start on page 19.
Pew rents, Christ Church and St. Peter's Church, 1801 September
The practice of renting pews was common in 18th and 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 due to Christ Church and St. Peter's in September 1801. Entries are listed by pew number, with occupant's name, number of seats, sums due and sums paid. Christ Church pew rents are listed from the beginning of the book, and St. Peter's pew rents start on page 19.
Pew rents, Christ Church and St. Peter's Church, 1801 March
The practice of renting pews was common in 18th and 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 due to Christ Church and St. Peter's in March 1801. Entries are listed by pew number, with occupant's name, number of seats, sums due and sums paid. Christ Church pew rents are listed from the beginning of the book, and St. Peter's pew rents start on page 19.
Pew rents, Christ Church and St. Peter's Church, 1800 September
The practice of renting pews was common in 18th and 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 due to Christ Church and St. Peter's in September 1800. Entries are listed by pew number, with occupant's name, number of seats, sums due and sums paid. Christ Church pew rents are listed from the beginning of the book, and St. Peter's pew rents start on page 19.
Pew rents, Christ Church and St. Peter's Church, 1799 September
The practice of renting pews was common in 18th and 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 due to Christ Church and St. Peter's in September 1799. Entries are listed by pew number, with occupant's name, number of seats, sums due and sums paid. Christ Church pew rents are listed from the beginning of the book, and St. Peter's pew rents start on page 23.
Pew rents, Christ Church and St. Peter's Church, 1799 March
The practice of renting pews was common in 18th and 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 due to Christ Church and St. Peter's in March 1799. Entries are listed by pew number, with occupant's name, number of seats, sums due and sums paid. Christ Church pew rents are listed from the beginning of the book, and St. Peter's pew rents start on page 23.
Pew rents, Christ Church and St. Peter's Church, 1798 September
The practice of renting pews was common in 18th and 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 due to Christ Church and St. Peter's in September 1798. Entries are listed by pew number, with occupant's name, number of seats, sums due and sums paid. Christ Church pew rents are listed from the beginning of the book, and St. Peter's pew rents start on page 23.
Pew rents, Christ Church and St. Peter's Church, 1797 September
The practice of renting pews was common in 18th and 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 due to Christ Church and St. Peter's in September 1797. Entries are listed by pew number, with occupant's name, number of seats, sums due and sums paid. Christ Church pew rents are listed from the beginning of the book, and St. Peter's pew rents start on page 23.
Pew rents, Christ Church and St. Peter's Church, 1797 March
The practice of renting pews was common in 18th and 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 due to Christ Church and St. Peter's in March 1797. Entries are listed by pew number, with occupant's name, number of seats, sums due and sums paid. Christ Church pew rents are listed from the beginning of the book, and St. Peter's pew rents start on page 25. Note: Pages 13 and 14 are blank and were not scanned.
Pew rents, Christ Church and St. Peter's Church, 1796 September
The practice of renting pews was common in 18th and 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 due to Christ Church and St. Peter's in September 1796. Entries are listed by pew number, with occupant's name, number of seats, sums due and sums paid. Christ Church pew rents are listed from the beginning of the book, and St. Peter's pew rents start on page 19.
Pew rents, Christ Church and St. Peter's Church, 1796 March
The practice of renting pews was common in 18th and 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 due to Christ Church and St. Peter's in March 1796. Entries are listed by pew number, with occupant's name, number of seats, sums due and sums paid. Christ Church pew rents are listed from the beginning of the book, and St. Peter's pew rents start on page 18.
Pew rents, Christ Church and St. Peter's Church, 1795 September
The practice of renting pews was common in 18th and 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 due to Christ Church and St. Peter's in September 1795. Entries are listed by pew number, with occupant's name, number of seats, sums due and sums paid. Christ Church pew rents are listed from the beginning of the book, and St. Peter's pew rents start on page 20.
Pew rents, Christ Church and St. Peter's Church, 1795 March
The practice of renting pews was common in 18th and 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 due to Christ Church and St. Peter's in March 1795. Entries are listed by pew number, with occupant's name, number of seats, sums due and sums paid. Christ Church pew rents are listed from the beginning of the book, and St. Peter's pew rents start on page 20.
Pew rents, Christ Church and St. Peter's Church, 1794 March, book 2 (arrearages only)
The practice of renting pews was common in 18th and 19th century churches; members paid a fee for the right to occupy a particular pew every week. This bound manuscript is a record of arrears due to Christ Church and St. Peter's in March 1794. Entries are listed by pew number, with occupant's name, number of seats, sums due and sums paid. Christ Church arrears are listed from the beginning of the book, and St. Peter's arrears start on page 11.
Pew rents, Christ Church and St. Peter's Church, 1794 March, book 1
The practice of renting pews was common in 18th and 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 due to Christ Church and St. Peter's in September 1794. Entries are listed by pew number, with occupant's name, number of seats, sums due and sums paid. Christ Church pew rents are listed from the beginning of the book, and St. Peter's pew rents start on page 22.
Pew rents, Christ Church and St. Peter's Church, 1793 September
The practice of renting pews was common in 18th and 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 due to Christ Church and St. Peter's in September 1793. Entries are listed by pew number, with occupant's name, number of seats, sums due and sums paid. Christ Church pew rents are listed from the beginning of the book, and St. Peter's pew rents start on page 21.
Pew rents, Christ Church and St. Peter's Church, 1793 March
The practice of renting pews was common in 18th and 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 due to Christ Church and St. Peter's in March 1793. Entries are listed by pew number, with occupant's name, number of seats, sums due and sums paid. Christ Church pew rents are listed from the beginning of the book, and St. Peter's pew rents start on page 25.
Pew rents, Christ Church and St. Peter's Church, 1792 September
The practice of renting pews was common in 18th and 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 due to Christ Church and St. Peter's in September 1792. Entries are listed by pew number, with occupant's name, number of seats, sums due and sums paid. Christ Church pew rents are listed from the beginning of the book, and St. Peter's pew rents start on page 21.
Pew rents, Christ Church and St. Peter's Church, 1792 March
The practice of renting pews was common in 18th and 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 due to Christ Church and St. Peter's in March 1792. Entries are listed by pew number, with occupant's name, number of seats, sums due and sums paid. Christ Church pew rents are listed from the beginning of the book to page 17, then there is a slight jump in page numbering so that St. Peter's pew rents start on page 20.
Pew rents, Christ Church and St. Peter's Church, 1791 September
The practice of renting pews was common in 18th and 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 due to Christ Church and St. Peter's in September 1791. Entries are listed by pew number, with occupant's name, number of seats, sums due and sums paid. Christ Church pew rents are listed from the beginning of the book, and St. Peter's pew rents start on page 19.
Pew rents, Christ Church and St. Peter's Church, 1791 March, and arrearages, 1788-1789
The practice of renting pews was common in 18th and 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 due to Christ Church and St. Peter's in March 1791. Entries are listed by pew number, with occupant's name, number of seats, sums due and sums paid. Christ Church pew rents are listed from the beginning of the book, with arrearages listed on pages 12 to 14. St. Peter's pew rents start on page 16, with arrearages listed on pages 26 to 29.
Pew rents, Christ Church and St. Peter's Church, 1790 September
The practice of renting pews was common in 18th and 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 due to Christ Church and St. Peter's in September 1790. Entries are listed by pew number, with occupant's name, number of seats, sums due and sums paid. Christ Church pew rents are listed from the beginning of the book, and St. Peter's pew rents start on page 15.
Pew rents, Christ Church and St. Peter's Church, 1790 March
The practice of renting pews was common in 18th and 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 due to Christ Church and St. Peter's in March 1790. Entries are listed by pew number, with occupant's name, number of seats, sums due and sums paid. Christ Church pew rents are listed from the beginning of the book, and St. Peter's pew rents start on page 17. [Note: A small irregularity; in this text page 2 comes before page 1.]