Part 1
# A guide book of art, architecture, and historic interests in Pennsylvania ### By Unknown
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A GUIDE BOOK OF ART, ARCHITECTURE, AND HISTORIC INTERESTS IN PENNSYLVANIA
[Illustration: READING THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE
_Painted by Edwin A. Abbey. © M. G. Abbey_
_From a Copley Print, © Curtis and Cameron, Publishers, Boston_]
A GUIDE BOOK OF ART, ARCHITECTURE, AND HISTORIC INTERESTS IN PENNSYLVANIA
EDITED BY A. MARGARETTA ARCHAMBAULT
ILLUSTRATED
[Illustration]
PHILADELPHIA THE JOHN C. WINSTON COMPANY 1924
Copyright, 1924, by THE JOHN C. WINSTON COMPANY
_All rights reserved_
PRINTED IN THE U. S. A.
STATE FEDERATION OF PENNSYLVANIA WOMEN
_President_
MRS. JOHN B. HAMME
_Art Committee for the Guide Book_
MISS A. MARGARETTA ARCHAMBAULT, _Chairman_ Philadelphia MRS. ROSS BARROWS Lock Haven MRS. EARL BARNES Philadelphia MISS MARY S. GARRETSON Pittsburgh MRS. ETHEL HERRON HAYES Monongahela MISS ALICE HENRY Pittsburgh MRS. ROBERT MCKELVY Titusville MISS IRENE B. MARTIN Allentown MISS SARAH R. PAISTE West Chester MRS. JOHN G. READING Williamsport MRS. WALTER KING SHARPE Chambersburg MRS. ANDREW THOMPSON Honesdale
HAIL! PENNSYLVANIA
Hail! Pennsylvania, Noble and strong! To thee with loyal hearts We raise our song. Swelling to heaven, loud Our praises ring; Hail! Pennsylvania, Of thee we sing!
Majesty as a crown Rests on thy brow; Pride, Honor, Glory, Love, Before thee bow. Ne’er can thy spirit die, Thy walls decay; Hail! Pennsylvania, For thee we pray.
Hail! Pennsylvania, Guide of our youth! Lead thou thy children on To light and truth; Thee when death summons us, Others shall praise, Hail! Pennsylvania, Through endless days! _Edgar M. Dilley, U. of P., 1897._
_Lo, sons of no mean Commonwealth,_
* * * * *
_We exultant speak the name of State,_ _Proclaim the great “experiment” that wrought,_ _As if by necromance ’mong doubting men,_ _Fruition sure--beyond his ardent thought,_ _Yet hidden in very heart of Penn!_ _And bear the message, flash it sea to sea,_ _Who freedom serve must of themselves be free!_ _Harvey Maitland Watts._
THE PLAN OF THE BOOK
This Guide Book of Art, Architecture, and Historic Interests in Pennsylvania, commenced by advice of Mrs. Edward Biddle of Carlisle, and fostered by Mrs. Samuel Semple of Titusville, during their presidency of the “State Federation of Pennsylvania Women,” for the use of tourists, is arranged chronologically, beginning with the counties first formed; towns in each county follow each other in location as closely as possible. Works of good art in the state have been catalogued, together with a story of most interesting pioneer history, that each one of the sixty-seven counties should have a chapter in the book; those that have no art have the Indian trails and thrilling experiences of our first brave pathfinders.
Serious effort has been made to have all the information verified; in some instances, two or three counties have made the same claims for various historic firsts, which have here been given their proper record, through consultation with the State Historians at Harrisburg. To keep the book small, facts are scarcely more than outlined; further information about them may be obtained from the bibliography of this book.
The chapter of each county was written by a most responsible person, who lived there, judges, clergymen, historians, and a few by officers of the women’s clubs, thus giving inside knowledge that a stranger could never get. All dry-as-dust statistics are omitted, and only that which is of prominent interest is given. Authorities consulted have differed, and mistakes will occur; there will be sins of omission and commission in the work, according to the point of view of the reader; but they are few in comparison with the wealth of real information brought together within this cover.
To the many earnest helpers who have given their knowledge, time and patience in obtaining and sending these reports, warmest thanks and sincere appreciation are heartily given; all honor is due to them. We would like to give their names, but some have asked that they be withheld and it is thought best to do so with all.
A. MARGARETTA ARCHAMBAULT, Editor.
Philadelphia, June 15, 1917.
ADDENDA
This book, finished for publication in 1917, was placed in the vaults of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, as all money was needed for our soldiers. The present committee, appointed by Mrs. Hamme, has decided to publish the work as compiled in 1917, and not delay it by trying to bring the sixty-seven counties up to date. Conditions have been so unfavorable for new construction, since the war, that little has been done. The population of towns, however, has been advanced to the 1920 statistics.
A. M. ARCHAMBAULT.
Philadelphia, June 30, 1924.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
STATE FEDERATION OF PENNSYLVANIA WOMEN v
HAIL! PENNSYLVANIA vi
THE PLAN OF THE BOOK vii
PHILADELPHIA HISTORIC FIRSTS 1
CHAPTER
I. THE COMMONWEALTH, OR STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA (PENN’S WOODS) 24
II. BUCKS COUNTY 161
III. CHESTER COUNTY 175
IV. LANCASTER COUNTY 183
V. YORK COUNTY 193
VI. CUMBERLAND COUNTY 201
VII. NORTHAMPTON COUNTY 207
VIII. BERKS COUNTY 215
IX. BEDFORD COUNTY 223
X. NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY 227
XI. WESTMORELAND COUNTY 231
XII. WASHINGTON COUNTY 235
XIII. FAYETTE COUNTY 241
XIV. FRANKLIN COUNTY 247
XV. MONTGOMERY COUNTY 253
XVI. DAUPHIN COUNTY 271
XVII. LUZERNE COUNTY 277
XVIII. HUNTINGDON COUNTY 285
XIX. ALLEGHENY COUNTY 289
XX. MIFFLIN COUNTY 301
XXI. DELAWARE COUNTY 307
XXII. LYCOMING COUNTY 319
XXIII. SOMERSET COUNTY 323
XXIV. GREENE COUNTY 327
XXV. WAYNE COUNTY 331
XXVI. ADAMS COUNTY 337
XXVII. CENTER COUNTY 341
XXVIII. BEAVER COUNTY 347
XXIX. CRAWFORD COUNTY 351
XXX. ERIE COUNTY 355
XXXI. VENANGO COUNTY 363
XXXII. WARREN COUNTY 367
XXXIII. BUTLER COUNTY 371
XXXIV. MERCER COUNTY 375
XXXV. ARMSTRONG COUNTY 379
XXXVI. INDIANA COUNTY 381
XXXVII. CAMBRIA COUNTY 385
XXXVIII. CLEARFIELD COUNTY 391
XXXIX. TIOGA COUNTY 395
XL. MCKEAN COUNTY 399
XLI. POTTER COUNTY 403
XLII. JEFFERSON COUNTY 407
XLIII. SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY 409
XLIV. BRADFORD COUNTY 413
XLV. SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 419
XLVI. LEHIGH COUNTY 425
XLVII. LEBANON COUNTY 429
XLVIII. UNION COUNTY 433
XLIX. COLUMBIA COUNTY 437
L. PIKE COUNTY 439
LI. PERRY COUNTY 443
LII. JUNIATA COUNTY 445
LIII. MONROE COUNTY 449
LIV. CLARION COUNTY 453
LV. CLINTON COUNTY 455
LVI. WYOMING COUNTY 461
LVII. CARBON COUNTY 463
LVIII. ELK COUNTY 469
LIX. BLAIR COUNTY 473
LX. SULLIVAN COUNTY 477
LXI. FOREST COUNTY 481
LXII. LAWRENCE COUNTY 485
LXIII. FULTON COUNTY 489
LXIV. MONTOUR COUNTY 493
LXV. SNYDER COUNTY 495
LXVI. CAMERON COUNTY 501
LXVII. LACKAWANNA COUNTY 505
BIBLIOGRAPHY 509
ILLUSTRATIONS
READING THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE _Frontispiece_
PAGE
FOURTH OF JULY IN CENTER SQUARE, PHILADELPHIA 28
JOHN MARSHALL, CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE UNITED STATES, 1808-1835, PHILADELPHIA 32
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, PHILADELPHIA 34
CAPTAIN NICHOLAS BIDDLE, PHILADELPHIA 52
A QUIET HOUR, PHILADELPHIA 58
THE TRAGIC MUSE, PHILADELPHIA 66
BISHOP WILLIAM WHITE, PHILADELPHIA 86
THE DUCK GIRL, PHILADELPHIA 112
GEORGE WASHINGTON, PHILADELPHIA 116
BRONZE TABLET IN BOULDER, CHESTER COUNTY 176
BAYARD TAYLOR MONUMENT, LONGWOOD, CHESTER COUNTY 180
MAIN BUILDING, FRANKLIN AND MARSHALL COLLEGE, LANCASTER, LANCASTER COUNTY 186
CAVALRY STATUE, ERECTED IN 1904, CENTER SQUARE, HANOVER, YORK COUNTY 198
DICKINSON COLLEGE, “OLD WEST,” CARLISLE, CUMBERLAND COUNTY 204
THE JAIL, AT READING, BERKS COUNTY 216
TRINITY CHURCH, READING, BUILT IN 1791, BERKS COUNTY 220
THE VICTOR, FRANKLIN COUNTY 250
PERKIOMEN BRIDGE, BUILT IN 1798, COLLEGEVILLE, MONTGOMERY COUNTY 256
THE JOY AND BURDEN OF LIFE, DAUPHIN COUNTY 274
GALLERY OF THE SCULPTURE HALL, CARNEGIE INSTITUTE, PITTSBURGH, ALLEGHENY COUNTY 292
THE CROWNING OF LABOR, ALLEGHENY COUNTY 296
THE BLOCK HOUSE, PITTSBURGH, ALLEGHENY COUNTY 298
OLD STONE ARCH ON JACK’S CREEK, MIFFLIN COUNTY 304
ALFRED O. DESHING MEMORIAL ART GALLERY, CHESTER, DELAWARE COUNTY 310
LYCOMING CREEK NEAR WILLIAMSPORT, LYCOMING COUNTY 320
STEPPING STONES, KIMBERLY RIVER, SOMERSET COUNTY 324
RIVERSIDE PARK, IRVING CLIFF, HONESDALE, WAYNE COUNTY 334
OLD PITTSBURGH AND PHILADELPHIA PIKE, ADAMS COUNTY 338
COURT HOUSE AND GOVERNOR CURTIN MEMORIAL, BELLEFONTE, CENTER COUNTY 344
DRAKE MONUMENT WITH STATUE OF THE DRILLER, TITUSVILLE, CRAWFORD COUNTY 354
WASHINGTON STATUE, ERIE COUNTY 358
IRON FURNACE, OIL CITY AND VICINITY, VENANGO COUNTY 366
VINEYARD HILL, BUTLER COUNTY 374
MURAL PAINTING IN THE DOME OF MERCER COUNTY COURT HOUSE, MERCER COUNTY 376
THE DEVIL’S ELBOW, EAST OF INDIANA, INDIANA COUNTY 382
MONUMENT TO THE UNKNOWN DEAD OF THE JOHNSTOWN FLOOD, CAMBRIA COUNTY 386
THE GAP BELOW JOHNSTOWN, CAMBRIA COUNTY 388
ANTIQUE CAPITAL, CHESTER PLACE, WELLSBORO, TIOGA COUNTY 396
KINZUA BRIDGE, MCKEAN COUNTY 400
ON THE SINNEMAHONING CREEK, POTTER COUNTY 404
DEFENSE OF THE FLAG, BRADFORD COUNTY 416
HENRY CLAY IRON MONUMENT, POTTSVILLE, SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 422
ZION REFORMED CHURCH, ALLENTOWN, SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 426
THE OLDEST CANAL TUNNEL IN THE UNITED STATES, LEBANON COUNTY 430
SAWKILL FALLS, MILFORD, PIKE COUNTY 442
THE SUSQUEHANNA TRAIL, CLINTON COUNTY 456
ST. MARK’S PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH, MAUCH CHUNK, CARBON COUNTY 466
MAPS
PAGE
PHILADELPHIA COUNTY 25
COLONIAL WALKS NO. 1 27
COLONIAL WALKS NO. 2 36
GERMANTOWN 146
BUCKS COUNTY 162
CHESTER COUNTY 174
LANCASTER COUNTY 184
YORK COUNTY 192
CUMBERLAND COUNTY 200
NORTHAMPTON COUNTY 208
BERKS COUNTY 214
BEDFORD COUNTY 222
NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY 226
WESTMORELAND COUNTY 232
WASHINGTON COUNTY 236
FAYETTE COUNTY 242
FRANKLIN COUNTY 246
MONTGOMERY COUNTY 254
DAUPHIN COUNTY 272
LUZERNE COUNTY 278
HUNTINGDON COUNTY 284
ALLEGHENY COUNTY 290
MIFFLIN COUNTY 302
DELAWARE COUNTY 306
LYCOMING COUNTY 318
SOMERSET COUNTY 322
GREENE COUNTY 328
WAYNE COUNTY 332
ADAMS COUNTY 336
CENTER COUNTY 342
BEAVER COUNTY 346
CRAWFORD COUNTY 350
ERIE COUNTY 356
VENANGO COUNTY 364
WARREN COUNTY 368
BUTLER COUNTY 370
MERCER COUNTY 376
ARMSTRONG COUNTY 378
INDIANA COUNTY 382
CAMBRIA COUNTY 386
CLEARFIELD COUNTY 390
TIOGA COUNTY 394
MCKEAN COUNTY 400
POTTER COUNTY 402
JEFFERSON COUNTY 406
SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY 410
BRADFORD COUNTY 412
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 418
LEHIGH COUNTY 424
LEBANON COUNTY 430
UNION COUNTY 434
COLUMBIA COUNTY 436
PIKE COUNTY 440
PERRY COUNTY 444
JUNIATA COUNTY 446
MONROE COUNTY 448
CLARION COUNTY 452
CLINTON COUNTY 456
WYOMING COUNTY 460
CARBON COUNTY 464
ELK COUNTY 468
BLAIR COUNTY 472
SULLIVAN COUNTY 478
FOREST COUNTY 480
LAWRENCE COUNTY 484
FULTON COUNTY 490
MONTOUR COUNTY 492
SNYDER COUNTY 496
CAMERON COUNTY 500
LACKAWANNA COUNTY 504
PHILADELPHIA HISTORIC FIRSTS
The first parks in North America provided for the pleasure of the people were dedicated by William Penn at the settlement of Philadelphia in 1682. They were the North Eastern, South Eastern, North Western, South Western, and Centre Squares, now known respectively as Franklin, Washington, Logan, Rittenhouse, and Penn Squares.
In a letter dated 1683, William Penn alludes to the glass-house of the Free Society of Traders. Soon after this a glass-house was erected at Frankford by English Friends.
The first almanac printed in America was “Kalendarium Pennsilvaniense, or, America’s Messinger. Being an Almanack for the Year of Grace, 1686.” It was edited by Samuel Atkins, and published by William Bradford, 1685.
The first paper mill in America was built by William Rittenhouse, on the banks of the Wissahickon Creek, in the year 1690.
“A new Primmer or Methodical Direction to attain the True Spelling, Reading and Writing of English.” This was the first American school textbook; though it was published in New York in 1698, its author was Francis Daniel Pastorius, founder of Germantown.
The first presbytery of the Presbyterian Church in the United States was formed in Philadelphia in 1705. It was composed of seven ministers, and included Philadelphia, Maryland, Delaware, and the Eastern shore of Virginia.
The first botanical garden in America was started in 1705 by Dr. Christopher Witt, at the southeast corner of Germantown Avenue and High Street. John Bartram began his famous gardens in 1728 at Gray’s Ferry on the Schuylkill River.
The first Mennonite Church in America was erected in Germantown, at Germantown Avenue and Herman Street, the first service being held therein, May 23, 1708.
The first institution in America for the care of the poor was the Friends’ Almshouse, established in Philadelphia in 1713.
First municipal care of the poor in the United States was begun by the City of Philadelphia in a rented building September 1, 1713; the first building was erected in 1731.
The first Dunkard (Tunker) Church in America was formed in Germantown, December 25, 1723, at Germantown Avenue and Upsal Street. The first love-feast celebrated in this country was observed by them the same evening.
The first association for the benefit of workers (or labor organization) in America was the “Carpenters’ Company,” established in Philadelphia, in 1724.
The first mariner’s quadrant, invented by Thomas Godfrey, a glazier, of Nineteenth Street and Church Lane, Germantown, was made in 1730. First used in Delaware Bay by Joshua Fisher.
In 1727 a literary society was formed here by Franklin and eleven associates. This was the famous “Junto,” and from it originated the Library Company of Philadelphia, the first library of a public nature in America. The instrument of association was dated July 1, 1731, and the charter granted by the proprietary May 3, 1742.
The first club in America organized as a dining and fishing club was the “Colony in Schuylkill,” 1732. The name was afterwards changed to the “State in Schuylkill.”
The first German newspaper in America was _Die Philadelphische Zeitung_, published by Benjamin Franklin, May 6, 1732. There were but two numbers issued.
The first type made in America was made by Christopher Saur, the Germantown printer, in 1735.
The first volunteer fire company in America, “The Union Fire Company,” was founded by Franklin and four associates, December 7, 1736. It lasted for eighty-four years.
February 13, 1741, _The American Magazine, or a Monthly View of the Political State of the British Colonies_, was published by Andrew Bradford. This was the first magazine published in America. Three days later, February 16, 1741, Franklin issued _The General Magazine and Historical Chronicle for all the British Plantations in America_.
The first German Bible printed in America was by Christopher Saur, in Germantown, 1743. Saur also published the New Testament in German. He issued seven editions in the years 1745, 1747, 1748, 1751.
The first institution in America devoted to science and learning was the “American Philosophical Society,” organized in 1743. By Articles of Agreement, dated January 2, 1769, there took place a union between this society and “The American Society for Promoting and Propagating Useful Knowledge, held at Philadelphia,” the latter an outgrowth of the famous “Junto” established by Franklin and his associates in 1727. From the date of union until the present time but one society has existed, known as the “American Philosophical Society.”
The first lightning rod was placed upon the home of its inventor, Benjamin Franklin, at 141 (now 325) Market Street, in 1749.
In December, 1749, certain Scotchmen living in Philadelphia organized the “St. Andrew’s Society at Philadelphia in Pensilvania.” The object of the society was the relief of poor and distressed Scotsmen. It was the first organization of the kind in this country.
The first hospital in America was “The Pennsylvania Hospital,” chartered by Assembly of Pennsylvania, May 11, 1751.
The first American work on botany was by John Bartram and was published in 1751. Its title was “Observations on the Inhabitants, Climate, Soil, Divers Productions, Animals, etc., made in his travels from Pennsylvania to Onondaga, Oswego, and the Lake Ontario.”
The first fire insurance company in America was the “Philadelphia Contributionship for the Insurance of Houses from Loss by Fire.” It was organized April 13, 1752, and twelve directors chosen at that time, who held their first meeting May 11, 1752. At this meeting was adopted the well-known seal which has given the company its nickname of “Hand-in-Hand.”
The first expedition fitted out in the United States for Arctic exploration and the discovery of a northwest passage, sailed from Philadelphia on the schooner _Argo_, Captain Charles Swaine, March 8, 1753.
The first cartoon published in America was the famous snake divided into eight parts, representing the colonies: New England, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina, and bore the motto, “Join or die.” It was published by Benjamin Franklin in “The Pennsylvania Gazette,” May 9, 1754, and was called forth by the massacres of colonists in the French and Indian wars.
The first life insurance company in this country was the “Presbyterian Ministers’ Fund of Philadelphia,” founded in 1759.
The first mention of Shakespeare (discovered to date, April, 1916) in any American work occurs in “Science, A Poem,” by Francis Hopkinson. Published by William Dunlap in Philadelphia, 1762.
The first night school in America was opened in the Germantown Academy, October 14, 1762. The sessions were from 6.00 p. m. to 9.00 p. m., each scholar to find his own candle and pay 2 shillings 6 pence for firewood; the compensation was 10 shillings per quarter.
The first observatory erected in this America was on South Street near Front, and was built for Mason and Dixon in 1763.
The first religious magazine in America was the “Geistliches Magazine,” published by Christopher Saur in 1764.
The first medical school in America was begun by the University of Pennsylvania, May 3, 1765. The first medical commencement was held June 21, 1768, when ten students were given degrees.
“Captains of Ships Charitable Club” was instituted July 4, 1765, and incorporated February 4, 1770, as “The Society for the Relief of Poor and Distressed Masters of Ships, their Widows and Children.” This was the first society of its kind organized in America.
The first permanent theatre in America was the “Southwark Theatre,” erected at South and Leithgow Streets, Philadelphia. It was opened by David Douglass, November 21, 1766.
The first American play was “The Prince of Parthia,” by Thomas Godfrey, Jr., a young Philadelphia poet, and the son of the inventor of the mariner’s quadrant. It was produced at the Southwark Theatre, April 23, 1767.
The first American publication on pedagogy was “A Simple and Thoroughly Prepared School-Management,” by Christopher Dock, “the pious schoolmaster of Skippack.” It was published in Germantown by Christopher Saur, 1770.
“The Pennsylvania Packet; and the General Advertiser,” was first issued October 28, 1771. This was a weekly publication printed by John Dunlap. In 1784, Dunlap had taken as his partner David C. Claypoole, and on Tuesday, September 21, 1784, they issued “The Pennsylvania Packet, and Daily Advertiser.” This was the first daily newspaper published in America.
The first active protest against the importation of tea, on account of the obnoxious tax, occurred in Philadelphia (not Boston) in 1773. An immense meeting was held in the State House Yard October 16, 1773. Under date of November 27, 1773, a broadside was issued warning against an attempt to land any of the objectionable article. On Christmas Day the ship _Polly_, Captain Ayres, reached Chester. Captain Ayres was brought to Philadelphia and informed of the situation. On December 27th he started on his return trip to England, taking his cargo of tea with him. The people of Boston held their tea party December 16, 1773, and cast the tea into the harbor, thus entailing a heavy loss upon the innocent merchants.
“The Garden of the Soul: Or, a Manual of Spiritual Exercises and Instructions for Christians who (living in the World) aspire to Devotion.” London; Printed. Philadelphia: Re-printed, by Joseph Cruikshank, on Market Street, between Second and Third Streets (1774). This was the first Roman Catholic prayer book printed in English in America.
“The Society for Promoting the Abolition of Slavery” was founded in Philadelphia in 1774. It was the first society in the country formed for this purpose. It was reorganized February 10, 1784, as the “Pennsylvania Society for Promoting the Abolition of Slavery and for the Relief of Free Negroes Unlawfully held in Bondage, and for Improving the Condition of the African Race.”
The earliest mention of the manufacture of carpets in this country is that of William Calverly of Loxley’s Court, date supposed to be 1774.
The first joint-stock company formed for the manufacture of cotton was the “United Company of Philadelphia for Promoting American Manufactures.” The first general meeting was held February 22, 1775, and Dr. Benjamin Rush was elected president. This is believed to be the first joint-stock company for any kind of manufactures in this country.
The first piano made in the United States was in 1776, by John Behrent, Jr., joiner, on Third Street below Brown.
The first United States flag is believed to have been made in Philadelphia in 1777.
In 1780 was the first abolition act of America providing slavery be abolished in Pennsylvania.
July 17, 1780, the “Pennsylvania Bank” opened for business. This was the first bank in the United States, and existed until 1784. “The President, Directors, and Company of the Bank of North America” was chartered by the Continental Congress, December 31, 1781. This bank is still in existence and is the only bank in the United States operating under the National Banking Act which is not required to carry the word “National” in its official title.
The first Bible in English produced by an American press was the work of Robert Aitken, the Philadelphia printer, in 1782. It was issued in two volumes. On the back of the title page of the first volume of the copy in the British Museum is this note, in the handwriting of Robert Aitken: “The first copy of the first edition of the Bible ever printed in America in the English language, is presented to Ebenezer Hazard, Esq., by the Editor.”
The “Philadelphia Society for Promoting Agriculture,” formed in 1785 and incorporated in February, 1809, was the first agricultural organization in this country. Its membership was limited to farmers only.
The first General Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States was held in Christ Church, Philadelphia, September 27 to October 7, 1785. There were present delegates from seven states, and it was at this convention that the Church was organized in America, and the changes made in the Prayer Book necessary for its use in the new nation. Rev. William White, D.D., was chosen president of the convention.
The first free dispensary in the United States devoted to the relief of the sick and suffering was the Philadelphia Dispensary, founded January, 1786. It was opened in Strawberry Alley, April 12, 1786. It is still in existence, and is located at 127 South Fifth Street.
First steamboat in the world was built by John Fitch, a Philadelphian. The boat was successfully operated on the Delaware River, July 26, 1786. Another boat, 80 feet long, was built, and on October 12, 1788, successfully made the trip from Philadelphia to Burlington, carrying thirty passengers.
The first “College of Physicians” in America was formed in Philadelphia, January 2, 1787.
The first Roman Catholic Church for Germans was organized in Philadelphia in 1787. Ground for a building was purchased at the northwest corner of Sixth and Spruce Streets. Articles of incorporation were granted October 4, 1788, under the title of “The Trustees of the German Religious Society of Roman Catholics, called the Church of the Holy Trinity in the City of Philadelphia.”
The first medical library in the United States was established in connection with the College of Physicians in Philadelphia, in April, 1788.
“The Free African Society” was founded April 12, 1788, by Absalom Jones and Richard Allen, two negro clergymen of Philadelphia. The “African Church,” the first church in America exclusively for and controlled entirely by negroes, was built by this Society, and opened for public worship July 17, 1794. It was incorporated March 28, 1796, as “The Minister, Church Wardens and Vestrymen of the African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas, in the City of Philadelphia.”
In 1789, Lucian’s “Dialogues,” first Greek book printed in America, was by Joseph James at Philadelphia.
The Philadelphia Stock Exchange, the first in America, originated in 1790, in a building at the southwest corner of Front and Market Streets, known as the “London Coffee House.” It was known as the “Philadelphia Board of Brokers” until the 8th of December, 1875, when it was changed to its present name, “The Philadelphia Stock Exchange.”