St. Joseph's Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)
Baptismal records
Church records and registers
Register of baptisms, almost entirely in Latin.
Benjamin Dorr sermon 697, "Obedience to Government," 1849, 1860
Sermons
Christ Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)
Dorr, Benjamin, 1796-1869
Politics and government
Church and state
Bible. New Testament
Bible. Gospels
Bible. Matthew
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. 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.
Benjamin Dorr sermon 735, "The Christian Armour," 1850-1862
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 744, "Keeping the heart," 1851-1865
Bible. Old Testament
Bible. Proverbs
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 757, "Christian Confidence," 1851-1865
Bible. Timothy, 2nd
Reverend 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 2 Timothy 1:12, "I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against this day." The inside front cover notes 17 dates Reverend Dorr delivered this sermon, from 1851 to 1865.
Benjamin Dorr sermon 758, "Jesus Weeping over Jerusalem," 1851-1865
Bible. Luke
Reverend 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 is marked for Advent, and lays out Reverend Dorr's thoughts on Luke 19:41 and 42, "And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day the things which belong unto thy peace! But now they are hid from thine eyes." The inside front cover notes six dates Reverend Dorr delivered this sermon, from 1851 to 1865. Note: page numbering follows the text, which contains three page sevens.
Benjamin Dorr sermon 852, "Christ's Promise: I will see you again," 1857-1862
Bible. John
Reverend 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 John 16:22, "Ye now therefore have sorrow, but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you." The inside front cover notes six dates Reverend Dorr delivered this sermon, from 1857 to 1862.
Benjamin Dorr sermon 881, "The Christian Calling," 1858-1864
Reverend 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 Ephesians 4:1-3, "Walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering forbearing one another in love; endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." The inside front cover notes six dates Reverend Dorr delivered this sermon, from 1858 to 1864.
Benjamin Dorr sermon 926, "Scripture Mysteries," 1859, 1864
Bible. Timothy, 1st
Reverend 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 1st Timothy 3:16, "Without controversy, great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory." The inside front cover notes two dates Reverend Dorr delivered this sermon, once in 1859 and again in 1864.
Benjamin Dorr sermon 932, "The Sareptan Widow," 1859-1867
Reverend 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 Luke 4:25 and 4:26, "But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land; but to none of them was Elijah sent, save unto Sarepta, a city of Sidon, unto a woman that was a widow." Dorr narrates the visit of the prophet Elijah/Elias to a widow outside of Sarepta, a Phoenician town in what is now Lebanon. A severe famine has sent Israel into distress and mourning, but God directs Elijah to visit a humble unbeliever with a generous heart. Of particular interest is the travel narrative that Dorr includes in his sermon, which recalls a trip that he and his son made to the Near East where they traced Elijah's route. He made many edits to his remarks about their journey over time. The inside front cover notes five dates Reverend Dorr delivered this sermon, from 1859 to 1867.
Benjamin Dorr sermon 953, "Annual Thanksgiving," 1861
Bible. Thessalonians, 1st
American Civil War (United States : 1861-1865)
Reverend 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 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, "Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." Dorr urges believers to be thankful no matter their earthly circumstances. The Civil War had been going on since April, but they should be thankful for being thought worthy of going through that trial, relying on God. Dorr also comments on an especially bountiful fall harvest and continued health among the northern populations as reasons for thanks. "Annual" in the title may refer to the annual harvest, but talk of a formal celebration of thanksgiving was in the air.
Benjamin Dorr sermon 955, "Judgment by the son of man," 1861-1866
Reverend 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 John 5:26-27, "As the Father hath life in himself, so hath he given to the son to have life in himself; - and hath given him authority to execute judgement also, because he is the son of man." The inside front cover notes five dates Reverend Dorr delivered this sermon, from 1861 to 1866.
Benjamin Dorr sermon 960, "Vows in Affliction," 1862
Bible. Psalms
Reverend 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 Psalms 66:13-14, "I will go into thy house with burnt offerings: I will pay thee my vows, which my lips hath uttered, and my mouth hath spoken, when I was in trouble." The inside front cover notes that Reverend Dorr delivered this sermon twice, in July and October of 1862.
Benjamin Dorr sermon 961, "St. Paul at Athens," 1862
Bible. Acts
Reverend 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 Acts 17:32-34, "And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked; and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter. So Paul departed from among them. Howbeit certain men clave unto him and believed."
Benjamin Dorr sermon 964, "Unspotted from the world," 1863
Bible. James
Reverend 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 James 1:27, "To keep himself unspotted from the world."
Benjamin Dorr sermon 965, "National Thanksgiving," 1863
Bible. Chronicles, 1st
Reverend 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 Thanksgiving sermon, delivered in 1863, lays out Reverend Dorr's thoughts on 1 Chronicles 29:10-13, "Blessed be thou, Lord God of Israel, our Father, for ever and ever. Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty; for all that is in the heaven, and in the earth is Thine. Thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might, and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all. Now therefore, our God, we thank thee and praise thy glorious name." The Civil War continues, and Rev. Dorr mentions the incursion of the Confederate Army into Pennsylvania and the threat averted at Gettysburg. In a tacit comparison to Lincoln, Dorr describes David's career, rising from shepherd to king, and his rule amidst warfare and threats external and internal. Tennent also notes Lincoln's proclamation of a national Thanksgiving to be celebrated each November, which in those times would be celebrated in church on the last Thursday of November. Tenant gives many reasons for thankfulness, including: the significant victories of the North and the promise of better days to come; another good harvest; more good health; work for everyone to do; and the spirit of giving and co-operation - all as granted by God, with a longing for peace.
Benjamin Dorr sermon 968, "National Thanksgiving," 1864
Bible. Pentateuch
Bible. Deuteronomy
Reverend 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 Thanksgiving sermon, Reverend Dorr lays out his thoughts on Deuteronomy 28:1-2, "And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command this day, that the Lord thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth; And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God." The Civil War continues in a series of grinding and horrific battles, with warfare taken in new directions. Dorr describes the orderly presidential election and victory of Lincoln, whom he admires, as surpassing any battlefield victory. Dorr includes details from Lincoln's Proclamation of Thanksgiving, and lists as reasons for thankfulness the general prosperity of the North, with its increase in population by emancipation and immigration; the overall good health of its soldiers and sailors; the quantity of work that needs doing and the resolve granted by God to do what is necessary. He also pleads for peace, union, and harmony once more.
Benjamin Dorr sermon 969, "Jacob's Vow; or the duty and blessedness of giving," 1865
Bible. Genesis
Reverend 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 Genesis 28:20-22, "And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on, So that I come again to my father's house in peace; then shall the Lord be my God: And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God's house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee."
Benjamin Dorr sermon 970, "The death & burial of Moses," 1865
Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865
Reverend 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, delivered during a National Fast mourning the assassination of President Lincoln, contains Reverend Dorr's thoughts on Deuteronomy 34:5-8, ""So Moses the servant of the Lord died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the Lord. And He buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, over against Beth-peor; but no man knoweth of his sepulchre unto this day. And Moses was an hundred and twenty years old when he died; his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated. And the children of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days; so the days of weeping and mourning for Moses were ended."
Birth, death and marriage records, 1721-1783
Monthly Meeting of Friends of Philadelphia
Genealogy
Society of Friends
Quakers
In the 17th and 18th centuries, Friends generally kept records of the births and deaths only of members. If a child was born to two Quakers in good standing at the time of the birth they were considered "birthright." This item also includes some copies of marriage certificates.
Births and baptisms, 1795-1837, Absalom Jones
St. Thomas' Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)
Registers of births, etc.
African American churches
African Americans
Episcopalians
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
Monthly Meeting of Friends of Philadelphia for the Western District
Society of Friends--Pennsylvania--Philadelphia
Quakers--Pennsylvania--Philadelphia
Philadelphia (Pa.)--Genealogy
Burial records
In the 17th and 18th centuries, Friends kept records of the births and deaths of members only. If a child was born to two Quakers in good standing at the time of the birth they were considered "birthright." On the other hand, Quaker burial grounds were not generally select. Non-members could be interred in Friends' grounds. Includes indexes of names at front and back of volume. Lists the membership status of individuals.
Congregation Mikveh Israel (Philadelphia, Pa.)
Synagogue records and registers
Jews
Synagogues
A bound volume of birth certificates for members of Congregation Mikveh Israel, dating from 1841 to 1862. Each certificate includes the date of birth in both the Gregorian and Jewish calendars, the name of the newborn, parents' names, and the name of the shamas (the synagogue's sexton) recording the birth.
A bound volume of birth certificates for members of Congregation Mikveh Israel, dating from 1843 to 1886. Each certificate includes the date of birth in both the Gregorian and Jewish calendars, the name of the newborn, parents' names, and the name of the shamas (the synagogue's sexton) recording the birth.
Monthly Meeting of Friends of Philadelphia for the Northern District
In the 17th and 18th centuries, Friends kept records of the births and deaths of members only. If a child was born to two Quakers in good standing at the time of the birth they were considered "birthright." On the other hand, Quaker burial grounds were not generally select. Non-members could be interred in Friends' grounds.
Board and congregational minutes, 1782-1783
Corporate minutes
Synagogue officers
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).
Cemeteries
Pews and pew rights
Church management
Church finance
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.
St. Michael's Church (Trenton, N.J.)
Church of England
Psalmody
Prayers
Sacraments
Consecration
Rites and ceremonies
Full title: "The Book of Common Prayer, and Administration of the Sacraments, and Other Rites and Ceremonies of the Church, According to the Use of the Church of England: Together with the Psalter or Psalms of David, Pointed as They are to be Sung or Said in Churches; and the Form or Manner of Making, Ordaining, and Consecrating of Bishops, Priests, and Deacons."
Psalms (Music)
Religious leaders
Clergy
United Churches of Christ-Church and St. Peter's (Philadelphia, Pa.)
"The Book of Common Prayer, and Administration of the Sacraments, and Other Rites and Ceremonies of the Church, According to the Use of the Church of England: Together with the Psalter, or Psalms of David, Pointed as they are to be sung or said in Churches: and the Form or Manner of Making, Ordaining, and Consecrating of Bishops, Priests, and Deacons."
First Baptist Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)
Baptists
One page, front and back, documenting "an account of work and materials" done at First Baptist Church in 1768. Expenses include, for example, supplies such as stone, brick, sand, wood, and nails, and services such as relocating corpses from a bank into the vaults, and building gutters for those vaults. Note: A piece of the page is missing, due to deterioration.
First Presbyterian Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)
Presbyterians
Presbyterian Church
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.
One page, front and back, listing the dates of burials, names of those buried, causes of death, and costs of burials at First Presbyterian Church between September 1998 and May 1799.
List of persons buried at First Presbyterian Church from May 1, 1799 to May 1, 1800. Listings include the date of burial, name of deceased, relatives' names, age at time of death, and the amount paid to First Presbyterian for their burial.
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.
Burial lists and sexton's accounts, 1783-1799
Second Presbyterian Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)
18 loose pages documenting the individuals buried in the graveyard of Second Presbyterian Church from 1783 to 1799. Individual burial dates are not included, but date ranges are provided. Children are often listed with only a parent's name, and it is noted if the decedent or parent is a stranger to the church. The cost of burial is usually noted as well.
Record of persons buried at Second Presbyterian Church from 1838 to 1860. Burials are listed by permit number, and include date of death or burial, name of deceased, place of birth, age at time of death, occupation, cause of death, whether the deceased was a church member or stranger, grave location, ground fees, and any additional remarks by the sexton.
Account of people buried in the graveyard of Second Presbyterian Church from 1785 to 1808. Each listing through page 45 records the date of burial and name of deceased, or in some cases parent's name, and notes if the decedent or parent is a stranger to the church. An index of decedent age at time of death starts at page 46.
Record of persons buried in Second Presbyterian's northern burial ground between 1804 and 1867. Burials are grouped by range, then listed by plot number, with the name of the deceased and age at time of death. This bound manuscript was used by the exhumation crew when the graves were moved to Mount Vernon Cemetery in 1867, and the crew noted their findings as they worked.
Record of persons buried in Second Presbyterian's graveyard from 1804 to 1810. More details are included in this bound manuscript than in the sexton's records covering the same time period. The book is written in sideways to create a wider page for nine columns, including: name of deceased, place of birth, whether they were a church member of stranger, cause of death, age at time of death, occupation, range where buried, grave number, and date of burial.
Burial records, vol. 4, 1804-1838, and sexton's accounts, 1818-1837
Church buildings
This bound manuscript holds three main groups of records, which are not in chronological order. First, sexton's records of burials from 1826 to 1832, including the date, person buried, and fees paid. Second, records of the sexton's expenditures dating from 1818 to 1837, including purchases of wood and oil and money paid for groundskeeping and building maintenance. Third, more records of burials in Second Presbyterian's graveyard from 1804 to 1838, including date of burial, name of deceased, fees paid and age at time of death. Note: Researchers interested in the burials of African-Americans can search the transcription of this volume for the terms "colored" and "coloured."
Record of persons buried at Second Presbyterian Church in 1851. Burials are listed by name of deceased, and include date and cause of death, age at time of death, and location of grave.
Record of persons buried in Second Presbyterian Church's Noble Street burial ground, who were moved to Mt. Vernon cemetery in 1867. Each burial listing includes the original grave number, name of deceased, the location of their grave after re-interment at Mt. Vernon, and the type of grave marker used. Maps of each cemetery are inserted at the beginning of the bound volume. Note: For reasons as yet unknown, there are also records from the Ninth Presbyterian Church inserted into the front of this volume.
Record of persons buried in Second Presbyterian Church's Arch Street burial ground, who were moved to Mt. Vernon cemetery in 1867. Each burial listing includes the original grave location, name of deceased, the location of their grave after reinterment at Mt. Vernon, the size of their case and the type of grave marker used.
Receipt book with stubs for interments at Second Presbyterian Church from 1826 to 1910. Each stub lists the date, name of deceased, at which burial ground they were laid to rest, and fees paid. Note: Scanned image "Insert 4" is an attachment to page 160.
Burials in Spruce Street Cemetery, 1843-1868 and Federal Street Cemetery, 1849-1863
Record of persons buried in both the Spruce Street Cemetery and Federal Street Cemetery of Congregation Mikveh Israel in the mid-19th century. Burials in the Spruce Street Cemetery are listed chronologically from the front of the book and span the years 1843 to 1868. Listings include the date of burial, name of deceased, age at time of death, date of death, location of grave, and sometimes family relations. Burials in the Federal Street Cemetery are listed chronologically from the back of the book and span the years 1849 to 1863. Listings include both the English and Hebrew dates of burial, name of deceased and location of grave.
Gloria Dei Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)
Lutherans
Lutheran Church
Record of persons buried by Gloria Dei from 1750 to 1878. Entries are listed chronologically and vary over time, but include at minimum the name of the deceased and the date they were buried, and often more extensive information such as the date and place they died, age at time of death, cause of death, whether they were a church member, names of family members, cost of burial, and, during the time multiple cemeteries were in use, the name of the cemetery where they were buried.
St. Paul's Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)
Record of interments at St. Paul's from 1811 to 1852. Entries include the date of the funeral, name of deceased and location of burial. Some children are listed by parent's name. Some entries include the the decedent's former address and cost of the burial. Some removals to other gravesites are noted in pencil. Page numbering starts over again after page 124, and the last 30 pages look like an inventory of existing graves and vacant lots.