Metadata
Title
Letter from Christ Church attorneys to the Society concerning land purchase
Alternative Title
The attorney's letter to the Society
Date
1762-01-12
Digital Identifier
ChristChurch.CorporationCorrespondence_4-2-0-6
Call Number
4.2.0.6; F494
Description
Regarding property rents and a land purchase for the use of the parsons of Christ Church and St. Peter's Church. The writers, acting as attorneys for the Society (likely the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts), inform the Society of an agreement with Thomas Penn's agents for a lot of land in Philadelphia.
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 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.
Subject
Place
Pennsylvania--Philadelphia
Congregation
Christ Church, Philadelphia, PA
Extent
1 document
Format (Digital)
tiff
Rights
http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/
Language
eng
Type
Text
Abstract
This draft letter, dated January 12, 1762, from the attorneys of the Society to a Reverend Sir, concerns the acquisition of land in Philadelphia to support the Parson of Christ Church. The attorneys acknowledge receipt of the Society's letter of attorney authorizing them to contract for lands worth £300 sterling to be vested in the Society for the perpetual use of the Parson of Christ Church [p.1r]. They report agreeing with Thomas Penn's agents for a lot in the city and enclose a plot of it [p.1r].
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].
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].
Thumbnail
IIIF Manifest
https://www.philageohistory.org/rdic-images/iiif.cfm/ChristChurch.CorporationCorrespondence_4-2-0-6/manifest
