Front cover

1761

Easter Monday March 23, 1761 the Congregation
of Christ Church after Divine Services elected the
following officers for the Ensuing Years viz.

Church Wardens:
Henry Harrison
Alexander Stedman

Sides Men:
Townsend White
Peter Turner

Vestry Men:
John Kearsly [Kearsley] [Kersley] [Kersly] Sr.
John Ross
William Bingham
Charles Stedman [Steadman]
Edward Duffield
Peter Sonmans
William Pywell [Pyewell]
Evan Morgan
Joseph Redman
Redmond Cunningham [Coningham] [Conyngham]
James Child
Jacob Duché [Dushé] [Dushee] [Dushea]
James Humphreys
William Plumstead [Plumsted]
John Sayer [Seyer] [Sayre] [Sears]
Joseph Sims

Alexander Stedman Church Warden

1761

At a meeting of Vestry held at Reverend Doctor Robert Jenney [Jenny] [Jeney] March 30, 1761:

Present:
Reverend Doctor Robert Jenney [Jenny] [Jeney]

Church Warden:
Henry Harrison

Vestry Men:
Evan Morgan
Townsend White
John Kearsly [Kearsley] [Kersley] [Kersly] Sr.
Redmond Cunningham [Coningham] [Conyngham]
Peter Sonmans
William Bingham
Joseph Redman
William Pywell [Pyewell]
Joseph Sims

Ordered that Townsend White, James Humphreys, and Willaim
Bingham, be a committee to settle the accounts of Church Warden
Harrison of last year and make report thereon to the board.
Mr. Mary Andrews late a member of our church left by
a last Will and Testament a legacy of one hundred pounds
manner following vis.
    "[unclear], I will order and direct my
[illegible], to pay unto the minister and Church Wardens for the time being of Christ
Church in said City, the sum of one hundred pounds, towards preparing an organ
[illegible] the same be ordered to be Executed for the use of said church. Also
[illegible] pounds out of the messages the late Anthony Appielhalls (for ever)
which Priest charge of five pounds the said William Peters and his heirs shall
[illegible] and every year, within and during the time appointed by the Church
of England for the Commemoration of the birth of our blessed Lord Saviour
Jesus Christ. Pray into among such from families of said City ho shall not
[illegible] upon the soon roll the which said yearly charities. William Peters shall come with
[illegible] minister and Church Wardens aforesaid from time to time to find out from you
[illegible] for and amongst whom to distribute said yearly charity of ten pounds
[illegible] the said William Peters shall at any time neglect tot distribute the  same
[illegible] said then it shall and may be lawful for said Minister and Church
[Last line is illegible]

See page #2 ____________________________ part of Mary Andrews Will Continued

and to distribute the said five pounds yearly to and amongst the poor families
foresaid. ____________________________________________________________________
    Item I give divise and order my Executors to pay and apply
the remainder of the further sum of one hundred pounds (after deducting
the charge of my monument hereafter mentioned) for and towards 
a new pulpit and pulpit cloth for Christ Church in the said City, upon
this Express condition, that shall be transmitted to put up in some
Convenient Place in the said Church, A marble monument
with the usual inscription of my interment there.

[Page is blank]

1761

The present Sexton Mr. Shead having desired leave to
resign, the Vestry appointed William Davis in his room.



                                Philadelphia June 19, 1761
The Vestry met at the school house, present:

Vestry Men:
Evan Morgan
John Kearsly [Kearsley] [Kersley] [Kersly] Sr.
Peter Turner
James Child
William Pywell [Pyewell]
Jacob Duché [Dushé] [Dushee] [Dushea]
Townsend White
William Bingham
Charles Stedman [Steadman]
Henry Harrison

The committee appointed to settle the Church Warden's accounts
made their report: That they had examined said accounts
and find a balance in the hands of Henry Harrison; the
sum of seventy one pounds seventeen shillings and five
pence. And the Vestry confirmed said accounts.
The Vestry took into consideration the letting of the school house
but differed concluding on it til further:
The Sexton William Davis applied to the Vestry to increase
his salary; and they agree to give him twenty pounds
per year, condition, that he wash the church twice a year
and sand it at Easter and September 2 and also to sweep
the church once every two weeks, ring the bell, and 
every other duty as Sexton.
Evan Morgan one of the Executors of Mary Andrews, delivered 
to the Vestry a common prayer book, willed to the church
and the use of Minister [illegible] said Mary Andrews.

1761

At a meeting of Vestry held at the school house the 
August 13, 1761:

Present:
Reverend Doctor Robert Jenney [Jenny] [Jeney]

Church Wardens:
Henry Harrison
Alexander Stedman

Vestry Men:
Evan Morgan
Jacob Duché [Dushé] [Dushee] [Dushea]
William Bingham
James Humphreys
Redmond Cunningham [Coningham] [Conyngham]
John Kearsly [Kearsley] [Kersley] [Kersly] Sr.
William Pywell [Pyewell]
Edward Duffield
Peter Sonmans
Joseph Sims
William Plumstead [Plumsted]

The Committee for building the new church reported to the board, that the said church is now ready to be opened.
Upon which the Vestry resolved that the Church Wardens,
Jacob Duché [Dushé] [Dushee] [Dushea], Evan Morgan, and Doctor John Kearsly [Kearsley] [Kersley] [Kersly] Sr. are 
appointed a committee to prepare a plan for the Regulating
and opening the church. And Reverend Doctor Robert Jenney [Jenny] [Jeney] is desired
to appoint some proper person to preach at the opening
of the said church.
Resolved that the said church be named St. Peter's
then the Vestry adjourned to Wednesday next at 4 o'clock
afternoon.

1761

August 19, 1761

The Vestry met pursuant to their adjournments at 
the school house. _________________________________

Present:
Reverend Doctor Robert Jenney [Jenny] [Jeney]

Church Wardens:
Henry Harrison
Alexander Stedman

Vestry Men:
John Kearsly [Kearsley] [Kersley] [Kersly] Sr.
Evan Morgan
Jacob Duché [Dushé] [Dushee] [Dushea]
Redmond Cunningham [Coningham] [Conyngham]
Peter Sonmans
Edward Duffield
William Pywell [Pyewell]
Joseph Sims
Peter Turner
William Bingham
James Humphreys
William Plumstead [Plumsted]

The committee appointed by last Vestry to prepare a plan for
regulating and opening St. Peter's Church brought in the 
following
                    Report Vizt.

    "We the Committee appointed as aforesaid having 
maturely considered the matters laid before us, have agreed
to recommend as follows vis. ______________________________
1.    That the said church in respect to the administration
of Sacraments the performance of all Pastoral duties
and in every respect whatsoever, shall be upon an equal

footing, with Christ Church, and be under the same
government with it.
2.  That the congregations of the two churches shall be
stiled the "United Congregations of Christ Church and
St. Peter's in the City of Philadelphia," and shall be
supplied by the same Ministers, in such order and manners,
that neither of the said churches shall claim or enjoy
the service f any particular Minister oftener than 
the other.
3.  That on the Reverend Doctor Robert Jenney [Jenny] [Jeney] dismissed so many
of the officiating Ministers as the Vestry shall think fil to
place on an equality, shall be stiled "Minister of the
United Congregations of Christ Church and St. Peter's in
the City of Philadelphia.
4.  That the pews in the said St. Peter's Church shall be let
at the same rates with Pews having the like station
in Christ Church; and every person that pays for a pew
for sitting in either church shall be entitled to a vote in
the choice of Vestry for both; which Vestry after Easter
Monday next. Ensuing shall be stiled the Vestry of the 
United Congregations of Christ Church, and St. Peter's in

1761

the City of Philadelphia; and shall meet agreeable to their
own appointments in either of the said churches, or as
the nature of the business may require; have the 
disposal of all monies arising from the pews of
both church, or otherwise; and shall have the 
regulation of all matters relating to the burying
grounds together with the election or nomination
of officiers.
5.  That in regard to the generous gifts made of the 
ground whereon the said St. Peter's Church stands, by
the HOnorable the Proprietors of this Province, the
first and best pew in the said Church, shall be set apart
for even for the accommodation of the Honorable
Proprietary family, and their Governors for the time 
being.
6.  That in order to prevent disputes and the charges of
partiality in letting the pews; that the several other
subscribers and contributors to the said Church, shall be
closed according to their Respective Contributions and
Subscriptions, and that the highest class shall have the

1761

the first choice of pews for themselves and families, and
the second class to have the second choice, and so on to 
the bottom of the list.
7.  That if ny dispute arise among the individuals of
any particular class concerning their particular choice
of pews, on sittings, a sufficiency of pews to serve that
whole class shall be marked with numbers, and 
duplicates of these numbers being made upon paper,
shall be rolled up and put into a box often which
the several persons so contending shall draw for their
respective pews and sittings.
8.  That no person having any pew on part thereof, in the
said church, shall let the same, to any person or persons,
without the consent of the Church Wardens for the
time being; and if any person or persons shall be 
more than one year in arrears for their seals on seats
and shall neglect to make payment for the same for
the space fo one month, often as demand made by
any of the Church Wardens for the time being, or by
the person or persons authorized from time to time
to collect the pew money, then the said Church Wardens

1761

shall have power to let the seat or seats of such delinquents
to any other person or persons.
9.  That a day for letting the pews shall be intimated
to the Congregation on the day of opening the said
Church; and the foregoing rights articles shall
be read and remain as fundamental articles
for the government of the said United Congregations.
10. That the Reverend Mr. William Sturgeon, and the Reverend
Jacob Duché [Dushé] [Dushee] [Dushea] the present officiating assistants to the
Reverend Doctor Robert Jenney [Jenny] [Jeney] do duly alternately and on
an equal footing in the said churches but in as
much as it has been represented by the said two gentlemen
that they cannot without manifest inconvenience
to their health Preach, and read prayers twice every
Sunday, besides going through the parochial duty and
moreover as Mr. Jacob Duché [Dushé] [Dushee] [Dushea] must soon take a voyage to
England for Priest's Orders, and there will by that
means be an absolute necessity of procuring
some help in carrying on the duty of the said
Churches; and whereas such is the sate of the

1761

Church funds that nothing can be allowed to any 
person or persons that may undertake that trouble, it
is agreed under this difficulty to desire the Reverend
Reverend Doctor Robert Jenney [Jenny] [Jeney], together with the Reverend Mr. William Sturgeon,
and the Reverend Mr. Jacob Duché [Dushé] [Dushee] [Dushea], to request the favor
of some proper person or persons to take a share 
of the duty.
    The Vestry having considered the above
report article by article and after some debate had
thereon, did unanimously approved of the same
and ordered it to be entered on their minutes.
Accordingly.
    The Reverend Doctor Robert Jenney [Jenny] [Jeney] acquainted the
Vestry that he had applied to the Reverend Mr. Richard
Peters to preach at the opening of St. Peter's Church;
and that he and his assistants thought that compliment
dues, first to Mr. Peters, not only in regard to his
abilities but also for the many services that he 
had done to our church and in particular for having
procured many generous subscriptions fro the building
St. Peter's Church but he declining the other on account

1761

of his present engagements in public business; it
was judged that no other person was so well qualified
for that duty as the Reverend Doctor Smith, Provost 
of the College in this City, not only for his abilities
but likewise for the service that he has been 
to our church in this part of the world at home
all which the Vestry approved of.



At a meeting of Vestry held September 4, 1761 at Christ
Church:

Present:

Church Wardens:
Henry Harrison
Alexander Stedman

Vestry Men:
Redmond Cunningham [Coningham] [Conyngham]
James Child
Jacob Duché [Dushé] [Dushee] [Dushea]
Evan Morgan
Townsend White
Charles Stedman [Steadman]
William Pywell [Pyewell]
James Humphreys
Joseph Redman
Peter Turner
John Kearsly [Kearsley] [Kersley] [Kersly] Sr.
Joseph Sims
William Pywell [Pyewell]
Peter Sonmans
Edward Duffield
William Bingham
John Ross

This being the day appointed for opening St. Peter's Church
the Clergy attended and they together with the Vestry went
in the following procession from Christ Church to St.
Peter's Church vis.

1761

            1.Clerk and Sexton
            2. Quest Men
            3. Vestry Men two by two
            4. The governor, and the Church Wardens
            5. Clergy who are to officiate
            6. Governor's council and attendants
            7. Other clergy two by two
being arrived at St. Peter's CHurch, Divine Service begun
with prayers, and a Sermon suitable to the occasion
was preached by the Reverend Doctor Smith Provost of
the College in this CIty, after Divine Service the plan
agreed upon by the Vestry, fro the perpetual Union and
Government of the two church was read.

1761

At a meeting of Vestry held at St. Peter's Church
September 17, 1761:

Present:

Church Wardens:
Henry Harrison
Alexander Stedman

Vestry Men:
William Plumstead [Plumsted]
Jacob Duché [Dushé] [Dushee] [Dushea]
Evan Morgan
John Kearsly [Kearsley] [Kersley] [Kersly] Sr.
John Sayer [Seyer] [Sayre] [Sears]
William Pywell [Pyewell]
Redmond Cunningham [Coningham] [Conyngham]
Joseph Redman
William Bingham
James Humphreys
Joseph Sims
James Child
Edward Duffield

Resolved that from the great demand for pews in both
churches; that no person that is accommodated with
pews or sittings in Christ Church, shall have liberty
to choose a pew or sitting in St. Peter's Church until they
have surrendered their seat or pew in Christ Church
to the Church Wardens.
Resolved that the thanks of this board be made to
the Reverend Doctor Smith for his excellent sermon
preached by him at the opening of St. Peter's Church and
the Church Wardens are ordered to return Doctor
Smith the thanks of this board accordingly and
to request the favors of him to furnish them with
a printed copy of the said sermon.

1761

At a meeting of Vestry held September 17, 1761
at Christ Church:

Present:

Church Wardens:
Henry Harrison
Alexander Stedman

Vestry Men:
Jacob Duché [Dushé] [Dushee] [Dushea]
John Kearsly [Kearsley] [Kersley] [Kersly] Sr.
Evan Morgan
Edward Duffield
Peter Sonmans
James Humphreys
Joseph Redman
William Pywell [Pyewell]
Townsend White
Redmond Cunningham [Coningham] [Conyngham]

Mr. Henry Harrison, Mr. Jacob Duché [Dushé] [Dushee] [Dushea], Mr. Evan Morgan, Mr. Townsend White, and
Mr. James Humphreys; are appointed a committee to prepare
a plan of the pews in Christ Church, and make report
of the vacant seats in the said Church to the Board at
their next meeting in order to accomodate those
persons with seats in the best manner (in the power 
of the Vestry) who have applied for seats; then the 
Vestry adjourned to Tuesday next 3 o'clock afternoon.

1762

At a meeting of Vestry January 16, 1762
at the Parsonage House:

Present:

Church Wardens:
Henry Harrison
Alexander Stedman

Vestry Men:
John Ross
Peter Sonmans
Joseph Sims
William Bingham
William Pywell [Pyewell]
Edward Duffield
Charles Stedman [Steadman]
Jacob Duché [Dushé] [Dushee] [Dushea]
Evan Morgan
Peter Turner
John Kearsly [Kearsley] [Kersley] [Kersly] Sr.
Townsend White
James Humphreys

Resolved that the Reverend Mr. William Sturgeon and the Reverend
Mr. Jacob Duché [Dushé] [Dushee] [Dushea] be requested to officiate as Ministers of the 
United Congregations of Christ Church and St. Peter's in
the City of Philadelphia; during the pleasures of Vestry
and the Church Wardens are ordered to furnish said Mr.
Jacob Duché [Dushé] [Dushee] [Dushea], and Said Mr. William Sturgeon, with a copy of the above
resolve.
Resolved that the Church Wardens pay into the Execu
tors of Reverend Doctor Robert Jenney [Jenny] [Jeney] deceased the arrears of 
his salary vis to the time of his death, as soon
as they have money in their hands belonging to the
Church.
The Church Wardens together with Mr. Joseph Sims, and
Mr. William Bingham are appointed a committee to

1762

Report to the Board at their next meeting a State of
the Church Funds.
Resolved that an offer of the Parsonage House be
made to the Reverend Mr. Jacob Duché [Dushé] [Dushee] [Dushea] for to live in, he paying
forty five pounds per annum rent; but it Mr. Jacob Duché [Dushé] [Dushee] [Dushea]
refuses to take said house, then Church Wardens
Harrison is desired to rent the said house to the
most advantage.

1762

Easter Monday April 12, 1762 the United
Congregations of Christ Church and St. Peter's in the City of
Philadelphia; after Divine Service elected the following
officiers for the ensuing year viz.

Church Wardens:
Henry Harrison
Alexander Stedman

Quest Men:
Joseph Sims
William Bingham
William Plumstead [Plumsted]
Thomas Willing
Edward Duffield
Townsend White

Vestry Men:
Evan Morgan
John Kearsly [Kearsley] [Kersley] [Kersly] Sr.
William Pywell [Pyewell]
Jacob Duché [Dushé] [Dushee] [Dushea]
Charles Stedman [Steadman]
James Humphreys
Redmond Cunningham [Coningham] [Conyngham]
Peter Sonmans
John Ross
Joseph Redman
James Child
Peter Turner

Alexander Stedman Church Warden

1762

At a meeting of Vestry held at Christ Church
April 18, 1762:

Present:

Church Wardens:
Henry Harrison

Vestry Men:
John Kearsly [Kearsley] [Kersley] [Kersly] Sr.
Peter Turner
Jacob Duché [Dushé] [Dushee] [Dushea]
Joseph Sims
William Pywell [Pyewell]
Evan Morgan
Peter Sonmans
William Bingham
Edward Duffield
Townsend White
Charles Stedman [Steadman]
James Child

Townsend White, Evan Morgan, and Edward Duffield
are appointed a committee to examine and settle the
accounts of Church Warden Henry Harrison of last year
and make report thereon to the Board at their
next meeting.
    William Davis the Sexton having
misbehaved himself, therefore the Vestry discharge
him from their service.

1762

At a meeting of Vestry held at Christ Church
April 22, 1762:

Present:

Church Wardens:
Henry Harrison

Vestry Men:
John Kearsly [Kearsley] [Kersley] [Kersly] Sr.
Townsend White
Joseph Sims
Peter Sonmans
Evan Morgan
William Bingham
Edward Duffield
James Child
William Pywell [Pyewell]
Charles Stedman [Steadman]
Jacob Duché [Dushé] [Dushee] [Dushea]

    Doctor John Kearsly [Kearsley] [Kersley] [Kersly] Sr. produced a letter from
William Moore setting forth that he had the deeds and
conveyances belonging to the church lots and he
promises in said letter to bring them to town on
Sunday next.
    Resolved that James Whyley be the 
Sexton of Christ Church during the pleasure of 
the Vestry.
    Resolved that William Cartright be the
Clerk of St. Peter's Church in the room of John Harrison
who resigned.
    The committee appointed to settle 
Church Warden Harrison's accounts reports that they
find a balance due to said Harrison of forty two
pounds, six shillings, and nine pence and that he
has received and distributed sixty nine pounds
nine shillings communion money.

1762

At a meeting of Vestry held at the school house 
June 8, 1762:

Present:

Church Wardens:
Henry Harrison
Alexander Stedman

Vestry Men:
Redmond Cunningham [Coningham] [Conyngham]
Jacob Duché [Dushé] [Dushee] [Dushea]
Peter Turner
John Ross
Townsend White
Evan Morgan
William Pywell [Pyewell]
Edward Duffield
John Kearsly [Kearsley] [Kersley] [Kersly] Sr.
Peter Sonmans
William Bingham
Charles Stedman [Steadman]
Joseph Redman
William Plumstead [Plumsted]
Joseph Sims

It being represented to the board that the Reverend
Mr. Jacob Duché [Dushé] [Dushee] [Dushea] having a design to take a voyage to
England in order to receive Priest's orders, the
board unanimously approved of the same.
Resolved that the Reverend Mr. Richard Peters be
applied to supply the place of the Reverend Mr. Jacob Duché [Dushé] [Dushee] [Dushea]
during his absence and the Church Wardens are 
desired to wait on Mr. Peters to request the favor
of him to officiate in our church during Mr.
Jacob Duché [Dushé] [Dushee] [Dushea] absence.
Resolved that the Bishops of London be addressed
to license the Reverend Mr. Jacob Duché [Dushé] [Dushee] [Dushea] to be one of the
Ministers of the United Congregations of Christ Church

1762

and St. Peter's in the City of Philadelphia.
Resolved that the Bishop of London be addressed 
to license the Reverend Mr. William Sturgeon to be one 
of the Ministers of the United Congregations of 
Christ Church, and St. Peter's in the City of 
Philadelphia.
An address to the Bishop of London in favor
of Mr. Jacob Duché [Dushé] [Dushee] [Dushea] being unanimously agreed to follows 
in these words.
        To the Right Reverend Father in
God Richard, by Divine Permission Lord Bishop of
London,
        May it please your Lordship
            We the Church Wardens and Vestry
Men of the United Congregations of Christ Church and St.
Peter's in the City of Philadelphia, beg leave to present
a sincere congratulations to your Lordship on your
translation[?] to the see of London from a prelate of your
lordship's distinguished character, advanced to this
exalted station, we trust many blessing will be devised
for the Church of England in America and we flatter
ourselves, that his congregation which we have

1762

the honor to represent, will be blessed with the
same countenance and protection from your Lordship's
that they have heretofore experienced from your pious
predecessors. 
    Relying upon your Lordship's well known 
goodness and candor, permit us to recommend to your
favor and patronage the Reverend Mr. Jacob Duché [Dushé] [Dushee] [Dushea]
who has fro these five years past exercised his function
among us as a Deacon and assistant minister of our 
churches, and has during the whole time conducted him-
self in such manner to give much satisfaction to all
denominations of men amongst us, and we wish that
he will be of great service to the Church of England
in this part of the wold; and to religion in general;
this gentleman is a native of this place, his family
and connexions are here: From these considerations we
unanimously join in requesting your Lordship to 
ordain and license the said Mr. Jacob Duché [Dushé] [Dushee] [Dushea] as one of 
the Ministers of the United Congregations of Christ
Church and St. Peter's in the City of Philadelphia and
we do hereby promise to receive, confirm, and

1762

Establish him as such upon his arrival here, and
make a proper and honorable provision for his 
support.
    Sincerely praying that the smiles of Heaven
may attend, and prosper all your pious labors and
that you may long be continued an ornament and 
blessing to the Christian Church in general and to
our own excellent branch of it in particular,
                        We are may it please
June 8, 1762            Your Lordship's
                        with all duty and respect
                        YOur Lordship's most
                        obedient, devoted
                        Humble Servants

1762

Church Warden Harrison, Doctor Kearsley, and
Mr. Morgan are appointed a committee to prepare
an address to the Bishop of London, recommending
Mr. Sturgeon for his Lordship's license to be one 
of the Ministers of the United Congregations of 
Christ Church, and St. Peter's in the City of Philadelphia
to be laid before the Vestry at their next meeting.
Resolved that the Reverend Mr. Duché, and the
Reverend Mr. William Sturgeon do each of them receive
a salary of two hundred pounds currency per
annum for their services, deducting from Mr.
Duché's two hundred pounds, forty five pounds
per annum in consideration for his house rent,
and to deduct from Mr. Sturgeon what is equal
to fifty pounds sterling, which he now receives
from the Society for Propagation of the Gospel
and for so long as he shall receive the same
their salaries to commence the tenth day of
January last past.
Then the Vestry adjourned to Monday next four
o'clock afternoon.

1762

At a meeting of Vestry held at the school house
June 14, 1762:

Present:

Church Wardens:
Henry Harrison
Alexander Stedman

Vestry Men:
Joseph Redman
Peter Turner
William Pywell [Pyewell]
Evan Morgan
John Kearsley
William Bingham
Edward Duffield
Peter Sonmans
Charles Stedman [Steadman]
Redmond Conyngham
Townsend White
Joseph Sims
James Humphreys

    An address to the Bishop of London
in favor of Mr. Sturgeon being agreed to follows
in these words.
    To the Right Reverend Father in God
Richard, by Divine Permission Lord Bishop of London,
    May it please your Lordship.
    We the Church Wardens and Vestry
men of the United Congregations of Christ Church and
St. Peter's in the City of Philadelphia beg leave to present

1762

our sincere congratulations to your Lordship on your
Lordship's [struck out] one year [end struck out] translation to the see of London.
From a [unclear] of your Lordship's distinguished character
advanced to this exalted station we trust many blessing
will be derived to the Church of England in America;
and we flatter ourselves that the congregations which we
have the honor to represent will be favored with the
same countenance and protection from your Lordship
that they have here to fore experienced from your pious
predecessors.
    Relying on your Lordship's will known
goodness and candor, permit us to recommend to your
favor and patronage the Reverend Mr. William Sturgeon
who hath for about fifteen years past steadily exercised 
his function among us as a preist and assistant Minister
in our church and hath during the whole time
conducted himself with sobriety and unwavered
diligence, and to the utmost of his abilities hath regularly
and constantly performed all parts of his Minis
torial office in this extensive care, with care and

1762

alacrity, and we trust will continue to be a useful
and industrious Minister, and give satisfaction
to all denominations of men amongst us; he long
since married a gentlewoman of this city, by whom
he hath a large family of children, and his connexions
are chiefly here and here in our service he has
spent the prime of his life.
    From the considerations we
join in requesting your Lordship to license the
said Mr. William Sturgeon as one of the Ministers of the
United Congregations of Christ Church and St. Peter's in
the City of Philadelphia; and we do hereby promise to
confirm and establish him as such; and to make a
proper and honorable provision for his support.
Sincerely praying that the smiles of Heaven may attend
and prosper all your pious labors; and that you
may long be continued an ornament and blessing to
the Christian Church in general, and to our own excellent
branch of a sit[?] in particular. We are may it please
June 8, 1762 Your Lordship's

1762

Ordered that the steeple of Christ Church be
immediately repaired and painted, and the Church
Wardens, Doctor Kearsley, Doctor Sonmans, and Mr.
Pywell [Pyewell], are appointed to superintend the same.






At a meeting of Vestry held at Christ Church 
July 19, 1762:

Present:

Church Wardens:
Henry Harrison

Vestry Men:
Jacob Duché
Evan Morgan
Peter Sonmans
William Pywell [Pyewell]
Peter Turner
Edward Duffield
William Bingham
Joseph Sims
Thomas Willing
John Kearsley
Joseph Redman

Resolved by a great majority of votes that Mr.
Thomas Lawrence, have the pew, that was formerly
Mr. Abraham Taylor's.

1762

At a meeting of Vestry held at the school house
December 6, 1762:

Present:

Church Wardens:
Henry Harrison
Alexander Stedman

Vestry Men:
John Ross
Redmond Conyngham
Edward Duffield
John Kearsley
Townsend White
Joseph Sims
Jacob Duché
Joseph Redman
James Child
James Humphreys
William Bingham
Peter Sonmans
Peter Turner
Charles Stedman [Steadman]
William Pywell [Pyewell]
William Plumsted [Plumstead]

The Reverend Mr. Jacob Duché being happily returned
from England and having laid before the Vestry his letter
of Ordination by his grace the Arch Bishop of
Canterbury, also his letter of license from the Bishop
of London which being read follows in these words.
    Richard by Divine Permission
Bishop of London To our beloved in Christ, Jacob Duché
A: M. Clerk greeting we do by these presents give and
grant to you in whose fidelity, morals, learning sound
doctrine and diligence, we do full confide our license

1762

and authority to continue only during our pleasure
to perform the Ministerial office of a priest in
the United Churches of Christ Church and Saint
Peter's in the City of Philadelphia in the Province 
of Pennsylvania in North America.
Signed Bis London
Dated September 12, 1762
Resolved unanimously that the said Reverend
Mr. Duché be received, admitted, confirmed,
and established one of the Ministers of the United
Churches of Christ Church and St. Peter's in the City
of Philadelphia; and he is received, admitted, 
and confirmed accordingly.
Resolved that the thanks of this board be 
made to the Reverend Mr. Richard Peters for his
service done the churches during the absence
of the Reverend Mr. Duché
Resolved that the Reverend Mr. Richard Peter
be the Rector of the United Congregations of
Christ Church and St. Peter's in the City of

1762

Philadelphia, and that he be immediately addressed
accordingly, which address follows in these
words
    To the Reverend Mr. Richard Peters

Reverend Sir,
    We the Church Wardens and Vestry
of the United Congregations of Christ Church and St.
Peter's in the City of Philadelphia, beg leave to return
you our most sincere thanks for the services done
us in the absence of Mr. Duché by performing every
part of your ministerial function to the great
satisfaction of our congregations and to us in particular.
    And we now address you in a matter
of very great importance to the churches in this city;
we have from a just sense of our abilities, but 
have all for your zeal in the cause of religion
your knowledge of, and warm attachment to the
Church of England in particular been induced

1762

unanimously to appoint you Rector of our
Churches, we trust, your candor and goodness
as well as from the many good offices formerly
done us, you will be pleased to grant us our
request, may the smiles of Heaven attend you
in all your pious labors, is the sincere
prayer of
December 6, 1762    Sin

1762

At a meeting of Vestry held at the school house
December 11, 1762:

Present:

Church Wardens:
Henry Harrison
Alexander Stedman

Vestry Men:
Jacob Duché
Peter Turner
John Kearsley
Charles Stedman [Steadman]
Redmond Connyngham [Conyngham]
James Humphreys
William Pywell [Pyewell]
Joseph Redman
John Ross
Edward Duffield
William Bingham
Joseph Sims
Peter Sonmans

The Reverend Mr. Richard Peters having accepted
the Rectorship of the United Congregations of
Christ Church and St. Peter's in the City of Philadelphia.
Resolved unanimously that the said Reverend
Mr. Richard Peters be received, confirmed, and
established accordingly and he is hereby received,
confirmed, and established Rector of the said
United Churches.
Ordered that the Church Wardens do return the
hearty thanks of this Vestry to the Reverend Mr.
Richard Peters, for his acceptance of the appoint-
ment to the Rectory aforesaid.

1762

Resolved that this Vestry will consider the
present and future revenues of our Churches
and make an honorable and proper provision
for the support of our Rector the Reverend
Mr. Richard Peters, according to the State of
the church funds.
Ordered that the Rector, Church Wardens,
Mr. John Ross, and Doctor John Kearsley be a committee
to prepare a plan of a charter for our churches,
to be laid before the Vestry at their next meeting.

1762

At a meeting of Vestry held at the school house
December 27, 1762:

Present:

Reverend Mr. Richard Peters, Rector

Church Wardens:
Henry Harrison
Alexander Stedman

Vestry Men:
John Kearsley
Jacob Duché
Peter Turner
James Humphreys
Redmond Connyngham [Conyngham]
Edward Duffield
Charles Stedman [Steadman]
William Pywell [Pyewell]
Joseph Sims
William Bingham
James Child
William Plumstead [Plumsted]
John Ross
Townsend White

The committee appointed to prepare a draught 
of a charter of the United Churches, reported
the same to the board, which was read
paragraph by paragraph approved of, and 
follows in these words vis.
            Charter
            of the United Churches of Christ
Church and St. Peter's Church in the City of Philadelphia
in Pennsylvania.

1762

Thomas Penn and Richard Penn, true and
absolute proprietaries of the Province of Pennsyl
vania and Counties of New Castle, Kent, and
Sussex, on Delaware; To all persons to whom
these presents shall come, Greeting:
Whereas diverse members of the Church of England
residing in our city of Philadelphia, have at
very considerable expense erected and built two
churches in the said City the one called Christ Church
and the other St. Peter's Church.
And whereas also it hath been represented to us
by the Reverend Richard Peters the present Rector
of the said Episcopal Churches in our said City,
Henry Harrison and Alexander Stedman the 
present Church Wardens, of the said churches, John Kearsley, Jacob Duché, John Ross, Charles
Stedman, Evan Morgan, Thomas Willing, Redmond
Connyngham [Conyngham], Peter Turner, James Child, Townsend
White, Joseph Sims, Peter Sonmans, William Pywell [Pyewell]

1762

Joseph Redman, Edward Duffield, William Plumstead [Plumsted]
James Humphreys, and William Bingham; the 
present Vestry Men of the said Churches, that
for want of being a body corporates diverse char-
itable donations, grants, and bequests have and
still may be lost, the present friends rendered
precarious and uncertain in recovery thereof; and
praying us to incorporate them by the name of
the Rector, Church Wardens, and Vestry Men of
the United Churches of Christ Church and St. Peter's
Church in the City of Philadelphia, to be a body
politic and corporate for the more effectual
establishing the present and to enable them to have,
receive, take, and hold any future and other funds,
donations, grants, and bequests, to the said Rector,
Church Wardens, and Vestry Men, and their successors
for the support of the present on any other Episcopal
Churches that may hereafter be deemed 
                            necessary.

1762

by the Rector, Church Wardens, and Vestry Men
of the said United Churches to be erected and built in
the said city, by the increase of its members or
otherwise as well as further support of the Rector
and Ministers of the said United Churches.
We favoring the prayer and application of the said
Rector, Church Wardens, and Vestry, and willing as
much as in us lies to encourage virtue, Piety, and
Charity and for other causes and considerations
us thereto specially moving. Now know 
that we do fro us, our heirs, and successors by these
presents grant, ordain, declare, constitute, and 
appoint that the said Reverend Richard Peters,
Rector, Henry Harrison and Alexander Stedman
Church Wardens, John Kearsley, Jacob Duché, John
Ross, Charles Stedman, Evan Morgan, Thomas Willing,
Redmond Connyngham [Conyngham], Peter Turner,
William Pywell [Pyewell], Joseph Redman, Edward

1762

Duffield, William Plumstead [Plumsted], James Humphreys,
and William Bingham; and their successors, duly
elected and nominated in their place and stead,
be one corporation and body politic, to have
continuance forever, by the name of the Rector,
Church Wardens, and Vestry men of the United 
Churches of Christ Church and St. Peter's Church,
in the City of Philadelphia in the Province of 
Pennsylvania.
And we do hereby for us, our heirs, and successors
grant, ordain, and declare that the said Rector,
Church Wardens, and Vestry Men and their
successors by that name shall be able and 
capable in law to purchase, have, receive
take, hold, and enjoy to them and their successors,
in few simple on any other lesson estate or estates,
any lands, tenements, rents, annuities, pensions
or other hereditaments, within the said province

1762

of Pennsylvania or elsewhere.
And we do hereby for us, our heirs, and successors,
grant, ordain, and declare, that the said Rector,
Church Wardens, and Vestry men and their successors
by that name shall be able and capable in law
to purchase, have receive, take hold, and enjoy
to them and their successors, in few simple, on 
any other lessen estate or estates, any lands,
tenements, rents, annuities, pensions or other
hereditaments within the said Province of
Pennsylvania or elsewhere; by the gifts, grants,
bargain, sale, alienation, entitlement, release
firmation or devise of any person or persons
bodies politic or corporate capable to make
the same, and such lands, tenements, rents,
annuities, pensions, or other hereditaments,
or any other lesser estate rights or inter
of or in the same, at their pleasure and grant

1762

Alien, sell and transfer in such manner and
form, as they shall think meet, and convenient,
and further, that they may take and receive any
sum or sums of money, and any kind, manner, or
portion of goods and challets, that shall be given
sold or bequeathed to them, by any person or
person's bodies politic or corporate capable to
make a gift sale or bequest thereof. And
therewith to support and repair the present,
erected and non United Churches of Christ
Church and St. Peter's Church in said city, and
any other church or churches that may hereafter
(by the increase of members) be deemed necessary
by the said Rector, Church Wardens and Vestry
men or their successors, to be erected and built
in the said city; where they shall judge the
same most convenient and also therewith to support

1762

the Rector, and Ministers for them time being.
And we do further, for us, our heirs and successors
authorize and empower the said Rector, Church
Wardens, and Vestry men and their successors,
or a majority of them, meet from time to time,
to make rules and statutes, and to do every
thing needful for the good government and
support of the said churches; provided always
that the said rules and statutes be not repug-
nant to the laws and statutes then in force in
the Kingdom of Great Britain; nor to the
laws and statutes then in force in our said
Province of Pennsylvania.
And we do hereby give and grant unto the said
Rector, Church Wardens, and Vestry Men, and
their successors full power and authority to
make have and use one common seal, with
such devise and inscription as they shall think

1762

proper, and the same to change, break, alter,
and rename at their pleasure.
And we do hereby grant and ordain, that the 
said Rector, Church Wardens, and Vestry men
and their successors by the names before mentioned
shall be able in law to sue and be sued; plead
and be impleaded, in any court or courts before
any judge, judges or justices within our said 
Province of Pennsylvania, and elsewhere, in
all and all manner of suits, complaints, pleas,
causes, matter, and demands, of whatsoever
king, nature, or form they be; and all and every
other matter and thing therein to do, in as full and
effectual a manner, as any other person, or 
person's bodies politic or corporate within
that part of Great Britain called England
or with our Province of Pennsylvania afore
said in like cases may or can do.

1762

And we do further fro us, our heirs and successors,
give and grant to all and every person that shall 
or does pay for a pew or a sitting in either of the
said United Churches, right to a vote in the 
choice of a Vestry on Easter Monday next ensuing
and every other succeeding Easter Monday for
ever, which Vestry so Elected by a majority of 
votes, shall have full powers to elect and choose 
annually, one of their own numbers to be
Church Warden and the Rector for the time
being annually out of the Vestry so elected
and chosen, shall choose one other person to
be the joint Church Warden; and in case of
the default, death, or absence of the Rector,
it shall be lawful for the Vestry so elected as
aforesaid to choose two persons, out of their
number to serve as Church Wardens for the
current year which said Church Wardens and

1762

Vestry men shall have the dispersal of all monies
arising from the pews of both the United Churches,
and shall also have the regulation of all matters
relating to the burying grounds, together with
the election or nomination of their officiers. And
shall likewise meet agreeable to their own
appointments.
    And lastly we do for us, and our
successors, grant, declare, and ordain, that the said
our letters patents and charters, and every clause,
sentence and article herein contained shall be
in all things firm valid, sufficient and effectual
in the law unto the said Rector, Church Wardens,
and Vestry Men community and corporation, and 
their successor's for ever, according to the purpose
and tenure here of without any further grant from
us, our heirs and successors, to be pressured or
obtained, provided the clear yearly value of

1762

the messages, houses, lands, tenements, rents,
annuities or their hereditaments, and real
estate of the said corporation, do not exceed the
sum of five thousand pounds sterling.
In testimony whereof, we have caused these our 
letters to be made patents, and the great seal of
our said Province to be here unto affixed. Witness
James Hamilton Esquire; our Lieutenant
Governor, and Commander in Chief, in and over
our said Province of Pennsylvania and Counties
of New Castle, Kent, and Sussex on Delaware
this
    in the third year of the Reign of our
Sovereign Lord George the Third King of Great
Britain, France, and Ireland. And in the year
of our Lord, One thousand, seven hundred, and
Sixty-

1762

Ordered that the Rector, Church Wardens,
Doctor Kearsley and Mr. Ross be a committee
to prepare an address to his honor the
governor, praying him to pass the aforesaid
charter, then the Vestry adjourned until to
morrow morning 11 o'clock.

1762

At a meeting of Vestry held at the school
house December 28, 1762:

Present:

The Reverend Mr. Richard Peters, Rector

Church Wardens:
Henry Harrison
Alexander Stedman

Vestry Men:
John Kearsley
John Ross
Redmond Connyngham [Conyngham]
Jacob Duché
Peter Turner
Charles Steadman [Stedman]
William Pywell [Pyewell]
James Child
William Bingham
Edward Duffield
Joseph Sims
Townsend White
Joseph Redman
James Humphreys

The committee appointed to prepare an address
to the governor reported the same which was 
agreed to and follows in the words vis.
To the Honorable James Hamilton Esquire
Lieutenant Governor and Commander in Chief of
the Province of Pennsylvania, Counties of New
Castle, Kent, and Sussex on Delaware.
The Humble Address of the Rector, Church

1762

Wardens, and Vestry of the United Churches of 
Christ Church and St. Peter's in the City of
Philadelphia.
    Thankful for the kind protection we
have been favored with under your administration and
encouraged by the assurances you have heretofore given us
that you would be pleased with every opportunity of
promoting the interest of the established Episcopal Church;
we wait on your honor to represent to you that
the members of our communion are now greatly increased
that they have at a very considerable expense built two
large churches which are supplied by a Rector and
two Ministers. That, on taking the state of our said
churches into our serious consideration, we find that
as well divers charitable donations, heretofore
given fro the support of them and their Pastors,
are actually lost[?], and others in danger of being so,
as that many persons who are now desirous to
give generously for the same pious purposes, are

1762

discouraged for want of a charter of incorporation
in these unfavorable circumstances it is our peculiar
happiness to have recourse to your sun and promise
on your known attachment to the welfare of our church
we have prepared a draught of such charter, while
we lay before your honor for your consideration.
And if we should be so happy as to have the same 
with your approbation, we earnestly request you now
pass it, that we may be enabled to receive what had
been already and recover what shall hereafter be 
given.
    Your favor in the grant of this our earnest
request will lay all of our communion under the 
strongest obligation to your honor, and us in
particular who shall not cease to pray that you may
be blessed with every happiness temporal and eternal.
One motion of Mr. John Ross to address the Bishop of 
London on the appointment of the Reverend Mr.
Richard Peters to the Rectorship of this Church
it was unanimously agreed to and the Church

1762

Wardens, Mr. Ross and Doctor Kearsley are appointed
a committee to prepare the same to be laid before
the Vestry at their next meeting.

1763

At a meeting of Vestry held at the school house
January 21, 1763:

Present:

The Reverend Mr. Richard Peters Rector

Church Wardens:
Henry Harrison
Alexander Stedman

Vestry Men:
Charles Stedman [Steadman]
James Child
Joseph Sims
Townsend White
Peter Sonmans
William Bingham
James Humphreys
William Pywell [Pyewell]
Jacob Duché
Joseph Redman
Peter Turner
Edward Duffield

    The Governor having returned the charter
with an amendment that the clause relating to the
power of erecting more churches, to be under the
government of the present Vestry and their successors
should be loeft out, the Board taking it into consideration
are of opinion that the clause aforesaid should be
left out of the Charter to be sent to the Honorable
the Proprietaries for their approbation.
The committee appointed to prepare an address
to the Bishop of London reported the same which
was approved of and follows in these words,

1763

To the Right Reverend Father in God Richard 
by Divine Permission Lord Bishop of London,
    The Humble address of the Church
Wardens and Vestry Men of the United Churches of Christ
Church and St. Peter's CHurch in the City of Philadelphia.
        May it please your Lordship,
    We the Church Wardens and Vestry
Men of the United Churches of Christ Church and Saint Peter's
in this City beg leave to return our most sincere acknowledge-
ments to your Lordship for the kindness and condescension 
with which you were placed to take notice of our last
address which contained our petitions in favor of the 
Reverend Mr. Duché and the Reverend Mr. Sturgeon,
whom we had appointed Ministers of our United Churches.
Mr. Duché has been arrived some time since and has
laid before us your Lordship's license to him for
officiating here; agreeable to the prayer of our petition,
we return your Lordship our most hearty thanks for 
this instance of your regard. We have most cheerfully

1763

and unanimously received, confirmed, and established
Mr. Duché as one of our Ministers, and have made
a proper provision for his support, and we have the 
satisfaction to assure your Lordship that from his
pious labors and exemplary life, we have the prospect
of a very considerable increase in our congregations.
    We cannot proceed to establish Mr. Sturgeon
in the same manner as your Lordship's determination with 
respect to him is not yet come to our hands; all that we
can do is to renew our petition to your Lordship in his
favor for the reasons we have set forth in our former
address.
    After having carefully enquired into the state of
the church, and the means that were most likely to contribute
to it's advancement, we were convinced my Lord that
many difficulties and inconveniences might arise for
want of a head, that many jealousies and uneasiness
might proceed from our Ministers being all on an

1763

equality which would necessarily injure the Peace of 
the Church and obstruct the progress of piety and goodness
amongst us; we were therefore, unanimously of 
opinion that a Rector was absolutely necessary and 
immediately proceeded to choose and appoint one. Now
were we long deliberating, who should be the person,
our eyes had been for some time before fixed upon the
Reverend Mr. Richard Peters late of Wadham College
Oxford, but now of this city. The amiable and good
character, he has supported among us for above twenty
years past, his age his learning, his piety, his zeal,
his charity, all attracted our particular regard; and
the opportunity we had of judging of Mr. Peter's abilities
during the absence of Mr. Duché when he kindly and
gratuitously rendered us his services by performing
every part of his Ministerial function to the great
satisfaction of our congregations; convinced us of
the propriety of such a choice.

1763

Actuated by these considerations, we have unanimously
chosen and appointed the said Reverend Mr. Richard Peters
Rector of our United Churches of Christ Church and
St. Peter's in this city, and we now unanimously aply
to your Lordship to confirm our choice.
    We are very sensible that it is Mr.
Peter's duty to wait upon your Lordship, and he is very
desirous of doing it; but as we are circumstanced his
absence would be very detrimental to our churches'
therefore we most humbly request since your Lordship's
license in this usual form cannot be obtained that you
would be graciously pleased to signify your approbation
of our choice in any manner your Lordship's shall think
proper by a letter under your own hand and seal 
to Mr. Richard Peters himself. This practice we can assure
your Lordship has been heretofore observed by 
your pious predecessors.
            We humbly hope

1763

therefore, your Lordship will take this our address
into your consideration, and relying upon the same
goodness and condescension with which you have
honored us already, we trust. You will return a 
favorable answer to our unanimous petition.
        Ever praying that your Lordship
may long be continued a blessing to the church of Christ
and particularly to that part of it over which you
preside, he are
                                May it please
Philadelphia January 21, 1763   Your Lordship's with
                                all duty and respect,
                                Your Lordship's
                                most obliged and most
                                obedient humble servants

1763

At a meeting of Vestry held at the school house
March 5, 1763:

Present:

The Reverend Mr. Richard Peters Rector

Church Wardens:
Alexander Stedman

Vestry Men:
Jacob Duché
Townsend White
Joseph Sims
William Bingham
James Humphreys
Peter Turner
James Child
Redmond Connyngham [Conyngham]
William Pywell [Pyewell]
Joseph Redman
John Ross

The Committee appointed for building St. Peter's Church
report as follows vis
"We the committee appointed to superintend the
building of St. Peter's Church beg leave to report as
follows.
    That the said church is now happily
finished (the pulpit and chancel excepted) that
we have disbursed and paid the sum of four 
thousand seven hundred and sixty five pounds,

1763

nineteen shilling and six pence half penny to the
sundry persons employed in erecting and building
the said church including the purchase money
of a lot of ground for the use of said church;
all which will more fully appear by the accounts
which we now exhibit to you we have likewise
received by subscription and donations, from 
sundry pious and well disposed persons for
the uses above mentioned the sum of three
thousand five hundred pounds, fourteen shill-
ings and six pence, which will also appear
by list of the subscribers names which we
now lay before you, and it will further appear
that there remains due to your committee a
balance of one thousand two hundred and
sixty five pounds and five shillings, we

1763

therefore pray that you will examine, and
approve of the said accounts and that you will
be pleased to make such Minister of Vestry that
the balance due to your committee may paid out
of the money arising from the church funds,
all which we submit to the consideration of
Vestry.             Signed Jacob Duché
March 2, 1763       James Child, Jo Sims, William
                    Bingham, James Humphreys
                    William Plumsted, John Wilcocks
Ordered that Townsend White, and Edward Duffield
be a committee to examine the accounts of the
committee for building St. Peter's Church, and
make report of thereon to the Board at their 
next meeting.
Resolved that Richard Gardner be the 
present School Mast of the School belonging

1763

to Christ Church, and that the said school
be under the direction of the Rector, Minister,
and Vestry for the time beng of the United
Churches of Christ CHurch and St. Peter's.
The Vestry agreed to the erecting of an organ
in St. Peter's Church, provided that neither
the said organ nor the organist, shall be
any charge to the churches until the debt,
from building St. Peter's Church is paid. Then
the Vestry adjourned to Saturday next three
o'clock afternoon.

1763

At a meeting of Vestry held at the School house
the March 30, 1763:

Present:

The Reverend Mr. Richard Peters Rector

Church Warden:
Henry Harrison

Vestry Men:
Jacob Duché
John Kearsley
William Pywell [Pyewell]
Joseph Sims
Joseph Redman
Peter Sonmans
Peter Turner
James Child
Redmond Connyngham [Conyngham]
Charles Stedman
Townsend White
James Humphreys
William Bingham
Edward Duffield

The committee appointed to examine the accounts of the
committee for building Saint Peter's Church report as
follows vis "We your committee have carefully examined
all the accounts for the building Saint Peter's Church and
do find them to be exactly right, and that there remains
due to the committee for building said church, the sum
of one thousand, two hundred and sixty five pounds and
five shillings. Signed Edward Duffield, Townsend White.
Resolved that this Vestry will take proper care that,
the above sum of one thousand two hundred and
sixty five pounds, and five shillings be paid to

1763

the committee for building St. Peter's Church out
of the money's arising from the Church Funds
together with the interest thereon, and the church
funds are hereby mortgaged for the payment of
the same.
Resolved that the thanks of this board be made
to the committee for building Saint Peter's Church
and particularly to the Treasurer Mr. Joseph Sims,
for their care, industry, and management, in the
whole of this affair and the Rector is desired to
return them the thanks of this Board accordingly.
The Reverend Mr. Sturgeon produced a letter to the 
Vestry from Doctor Burton Secretary to the Society for
Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign parts communicating
to him a complaint that has been made to the Society against
him for totally neglecting his duty as the Society's Catechist
which follows in these words vis.
"Reverend Sir
              I am directed by the Society to acquaint,

1763

you with a heavy charge, exhibited to them against you
of neglect of your duty as Catechist, namely, that you
have not, as my correspondant, informs them, for
these last two years catechized one Negro, nor done
any the least service in that way: I must also further
acquaint you that in consequence of this information
it is required that you draw no more for your salary, til
this matter is cleared up fully to their satisfaction: you
are not to understand by this; that the Society prejudged
your case, before they have received your answer
in vindication of your self: the charge is of a very
serious nature, and is affirmed by a person of good
rank and character.
Mr. Sturgeon observed that he was able to clear himself
from this charge but as no persons were appointed by the 
Society before whom he could lay the proof he had to
offer in favor of his innocence he requested the
Vestry as a body of worthy members of the church,
would take the trouble to appoint a committee to hear
and examine his evidence and to make such a report.

1763

thereon as he might transmit to the Society.
The Vestry took into consideration Mr. Sturgeon's request
and tho they are unanimously of opinion that they
have no manner of Business with the matter, yet
in regard to Mr. Sturgeon's character, do at his pressing
instance undertake it and appoint the Rectors, John
Kearsley, William Pywell [Pyewell], James Humphreys, and Town-
send White to be a committee to hear such evidences in
this matter as Mr. Sturgeon shall submit to their
examination.

1763

Easter Monday April 4, 1763:
The United Congregation of Christ Church, and
Saint Peter's Church in the City of Philadelphia,
after Divine Service elected the following officiers
for the ensuing year vis.

Church Wardens:
William Plumsted
Edward Duffield

Quest Men:
Jacob Duché
Peter Turner
James Humphreys
Joseph Sims
William Bingham

Vestry Men:
Thomas Gordon
John Kearsley
William Pywell [Pyewell]
Charles Stedman
John Ross
Redmond Connyngham [Conyngham]
Peter Sonmans
Joseph Redman
James Child
Henry Harrison
Thomas Willing
Townsend White
Alexander Stedman

1763

At a meeting of Vestry held at the School house
April 11, 1763:

Present:
The Reverend Mr. Richard Peters Rector

Church Wardens:
Edward Duffield

Vestry Men:
Jacob Duché
James Humphreys
William Pywell [Pyewell]
Thomas Gordon
Joseph Sims
Peter Turner
Joseph Redman
Henry Harrison
John Kearsley
Charles Stedman
Peter Sonmans
John Ross
Alexander Stedman

Ordered that Charles Stedman and James Humphreys
be a committee to examine and settle the late
Church Wardens accounts and make report thereon
to the Board at their next meeting.
Ordered that Henry Harrison, James Humphreys,
Joseph Sims, William Bingham, be a committee
to enquire into the state of the Church Funds,
and also make plans of the pews of both Churches

1763

with the names of the persons who occupy the same
and make report thereon to the Board at their
next meeting.
Resolved that the Vestry have a Secretary who's
duty shall be to collect the pew money of both
churches, oblige the Clerk to account for all fees
every month, attend the Vestry at their meetings,
and keep the minutes.
Resolved that Francis Hopkinson Esquire be 
the Secretary to this Board, and that he be paid
five per centum on all money's he shall receive
for the use of the churches, for his trouble and
services.
Resolved that collections be made twice a day
in both churches, during the ensuing year
and that the boxes be carried morning and
afternoon for this purpose every Sunday.

Resolved that the Clerk of Saint Peter's Church
be allowed for his services twenty five pounds
per annum from this date. then the Vestry
adjourned to Monday next the 18th instant
3 o'clock afternoon.

    At a meeting of the Vestry at the School-House
April 19, 1763 Present:
    Richard Peters, Rector
    
    Church Wardens:
    William Plumstead
    Edward Duffield

Vestry Men:
Alexander Stedman, James Humphreys, James Child
Redmond Cunnyngham [Conyngham], Peter Turner, Henry Harrison, Jacob
Duché, Thomas Gordon, and the Secretary.
    
    The Committee appointed to settle Mr. Harrison's, the
late Church Warden's account with the Church, report, that
they have carefully examined the same, and do find that he
hath received the sum of 666.0.1 exclusive of 1.6.9 due
from Mr. Townsend White for box money and that he hath dis-
bursed the sum of 809.10.8 1/2, and that there remains due to
the said Henry Harrison 143.9.9 1/2: and further that he
hath received and distributed the sum of 60.7.4 1/2 Sacrament
money.
    Resolved that Mr. Jacob Duché Sr. be paid 45 per
anum for four years; in consideration of his building a kit-
chen with a cellar below and a study or chamber above
with a piazza adjoining the Parsonage House; and that Thomas
Gordon, Henry Harrison and James Child be a committee
for considering the dimensions of said Building and laying
them before the Vestry at their next meeting.

Ordered that notice be given both churches, on
Sunday next that the Church Wardens with Messieurs Redmond
Cunnyngham [Cunyngham], William Byngham [Bingham], Joseph Sims and Thomas
Gordon will attend at St. Peter's Church on the Monday following at
10 o'clock in the forenoon in order to let the gallery pews
agreeable to the minute formerly made respecting the
letting of pews.
    Resolved that for the future the breaking of the 
ground for any grave in either burying ground be 7/6;
of which the clerk is to have immediate notice given.
    Resolved, that the Bell Ringer of St. Peter's Church
have 10.0.0 pounds per annum; for the future for that service.

    At a meeting of the Vestry at the School House
April 28, 1763:

Present:
The Reverend Mr. Richard Peters Rector

Church Wardens:
Edward Duffield
William Plumstead

Vestry Men:
Alexander Stedan, William Byngham [Bingham], Thomas
Gordon, Joseph Sims, William Pyewell, Peter Turner, Charles
Stedman, John Kearsley, James Humphreys, Townsend
White, & Peter Sonmans.

    The Rector produced to the Board the report of a
committee appointed by a former minute (see page 63)
to examine the proofs of the Reverend Mr. Sturgeon respecting
his fulfilling his duty as the Society's Catechist to
the Negroe Children in this City. The Secretary
having read this report, the Vestry approved of the same
and ordered a copy of it to be entered on their Minutes;
which copy follows in these words, Vizt.
    "Pursuant to the foregoing Minute of Vestry
(see page 63) We the committee therein named do

report that we have carefully taken the examinations
of several persons communicants and constant attenders
at the sacred offices of the church respecting the catechising
of the Negroe Children belonging to the members of these
congregations, which we now lay before you; whence it
appears that the Reverend Mr. William Sturgeon that not
neglected the exercise of his duty as catechist to the Society 
for Propagating the Gospel in foreign parts, but
that he hath constantly once a week and sometimes
oftener (except when out of town, which was very seldom
the case) duly catechized and instructed sundry Negroe
children in the principles of the said church, witness
our hands this 27th day of April 1763.

                        (signed)
                                
                                Richard Peters Rector
                                John Kearsley
                                William Pyewell
                                James Humphreys
                                Townsend White

    And we the underwritten do for ourselves
respectively declare, that to our knowledge the matters
set forth in the said examinations are strictly true
witness our hands the day and year above said.

            (signed)        William Pyewell
                            James Humphreys
                            Townsend White
                            
    Testimonials of the conduct of the Reverend Mr.
William Sturgeon the Society's Catechist to the Negroes
in the City of Philadelphia in the Province of Pennsylvania
taken at the said City of Philadelphia the second day
April 1763 Before the Reverend Mr. Richard Peters Rector
of the United Churches of Christ Church and Saint Peters

in the said City, and Doctor John Kearsley, William Pye-
well, Townsend White and James Humphreys and Com-
mittee of Vestry appointed for that Purpose Vizt.

    Ann McCall of the said City Widow, aged
about forty years saith she has been frequently at
Church on weekly prayer days, particularly in the fall
and winter seasons, when he was in town, and has all
ways for about two years and a half, and until the last
fall, seen about fifteen or sixteen Negroe children or
more at the rails of the communion table attending to
be catechized and has sometimes heard Mr. Sturgeon cate
chise the said Negroe Children.

    Elizabeth Harrison aged about forty eight 
years, wife of Richard Harrison master of the free-school
in the college and academy in the said city, says that on
the eighteenth day of May in the year 1761; she was ap-
pointed shool mistress to the Negroe children in this
city; that the said children were then about eighteen in
number and soon afterwards, in about a month, increased
to about thirty two and so continued about three quarters
of a year, and then decreased to about sixteen or eighteen, are
at present about twenty one: that Mr. Sturgeon continu-
ally catechized the said children from the aforesaid eighteenth
day of May to his present time without intermission, except
sometimes in the very severe cold in the winter; but that at
no time was there a fortnight together that the said child-
ren were not catechized.

    Elizabeth Jones of the said City Widow, aged
about fifty years, a member of the church from her infancy
and for some years a communicant, says she has constantly

attended at church on weekly prayer days, except prevented
by sickness, now about eleven years: that for about three
years and a half she has observed a due attendance given
by Mr. Sturgeon during which time he never omitted to her
knowledge, catechizing a number of said Negroe children
once a week, except sometimes when out of town.

    Rebecca Blake about forty three years, wife of 
Roger Blake of the said city Fruiterer, a member of said chur-
ches and a communicant, says she has been constantly at
church as well on Sundays as weekly prayer days, for a-
bout seven years past, and has always observed Mr. Stur-
geon attend constantly once a week and catechize the Ne-
groe children for about three years past.

    Ordered, that the Church Wardens furnish the
Reverend Mr. Sturgeon with a copy of the above miinute; and
that they sign the same.

    The Committee appointed by a former minute to
prepare the plan of a kitchen to be built adjoining the
Parsonage House, produced the aid plan to the Board
who considered the same and approved of it; by which,
the said kitchen was to be of the dimensions of eleven feet
and an half by twenty feet, with a piazza of twelve by
ten feet in the clear.
    
    Ordered that Messieurs John Ross, John Kearsley
and Thomas Gordon be a committee for collecting and ex-
amining the deeds belonging to the Churches and that
they have the same recorded in the rolls office, and
make report to the Board at their next meeting.

At a meeting of the Vestry
July 26, 1763

Present:
The Reverend Mr. Richard Peters, Rector

Church Wardens:
Edward Duffield
William Plumstead

Vestry Men:
Jacob Duché Sr.             William Pyewell
Peter Sonmans               Joseph Sims
John Ross                   James Humphreys
William Byngham [Bingham]   James Child
Alexander Stedman           Francis Hpkinson Secretary

    The Rector representing to the Vestry that the
back inhabitants of this province are reduced to great
distress and necessity by the present Indian invasion,
proposed, that some method be considered for collecting a
charity for their relief from the congregations of Christ
Church and St. Peter's; and it was unanimously resolved
that a preamble to a subscription proper for that purpose
be immediately drawn up, which was accordingly
done and follows in these words, Vizt.
    "We the subscribers being charitably moved
with the very great distress and miseries to which our
poor fellow subjects inhabitants on the frontiers of this
province are reduced, by being obliged to fly from their ha-
bitations to avoid the Indian ravages and cruel murders,
many of them lying the open fields without clothes or
any sustenance but what they obtain from charitable and
well disposed persons; do therefore agree to give for
their support and relief the several sums affixed to our
names, and to pay the same, on demand, into the hands
of Mr. William Plumstead and Mr. Edward Duffield the pre-
sent Church Wardens of Christ Church and St. Peter's in
order that the sums of before us subscribed may be transmitted

to such persons as shall be recommended to the Rector,
Wardens and Vestry of the said Churches, to be distri-
buted in such manner as may best answer our charitable purposes."
Dated July 26, 1763

    Resolved, that the Rector and Ministers
of Christ Church and St. Peter's be desired to recommend the
above charity in the warmest manner to their Congre-
gations, in their sermons on Sunday next; and that
the subscriptions paper be carried about on the Monday
following.

At a meeting of the Vestry:
August 10, 1763

Present:
The Reverend Mr. Richard Peters, Rector

Church Wardens:
William Plumstead
Edward Duffield

Vestry Men:
Jacob Duché         Townsend White
Thomas Gordon       Redmond Conyngham
Alexander Stedman   William Byngham [Bingham]
James Humphreys     John Kearsley
Peter Sonmans       and the Secretary

    The Church Wardens reported to the Vestry
that, in consequence of the matters concluded on at 
their last meeting, they had carried about a subscription
paper, and made a collection from the congregations
of Christ Church and St. Peter's for the relief of the distressed
frontier inhabitants; which collection amounted to
662.3.__ It was then considered what method of
disposing this money would be most beneficial for the
unhappy sufferers who are the present objects of charity

Charity: upon which the question was put whether
or no it be not necessary to appoint persons in Cum-
berland County to correspond with a Committee of the
Vestry respecting the Distribution of the Charity a-
bove mentioned; and it was unanimously carried
in the affirmative. It was then;
    Resolved, that the Reverend Mr. William Thom-
son, Messrs. Francis WEst and Thomas Donnellan, the
Reverend Mr. John Steel and the Reverend George Duffield be
the persons with whom this correspondence shall be
carried on.
    Resolved, that the Rector and Church
Wardens be a committee for corresponding with the
above named gentlemen respecting the matters under
consideration.

    At a Vestry held at the School House
on Wednesday September 7, 1763:

Present:
The Rector

Church Wardens:
William Plumstead
Edward Duffield

Vestry Men:
John Kearseley [Kearsley]   Peter Turner
Redmond Conyngham           Thomas Gordon
James Child                 Joseph Sims
Townsend White              William Byngham [Bingham]
William Pyewell             Jacob Duché

    The Committee of Correspondence for the Service
of the Back Inhabitants laid before the Vestry their
letters to the gentlemen with whom they were ordered
to correspond, and the answers to the said letters, which
the Reverend Mr. Thomson was so good as to deliver himself,
these letters were read to the Vestry, and are as
follows Viz't.

    To the Ministers and Church Wardens of the 
Episcopal Churches at Carlisle and to the Reverend Mr. Stell and 
the Reverend Mr. Duffield.

Gentlemen,          Philadelphia, August 12, 1763
            "We the Rector and Church Wardens of the 
two united Episcopal Churches within this city, in
behalf of ourselves and the Vestry of the said churches,
take the liberty to acquaint you that there is now
at our disposal a sum of money which has been
raised by the charitable contributions of the members
of the said Episcopal Churches for the relief of the
poor back inhabitants; on a representation made
to them that these distressed people were in most
deplorable circumstances having been obliged to fly
from their habitations with such precipitation as to
leave all their worldly substance behind, and are now
lying in crowds in the open air in and about Carisle
and Shippe[n]sburgh, and in other places near the frontiers.
    "The Vestry having it much at heart, that
whatever is put into their hands for this humane and
pious use should be distributed in such manner as to be
of the most effectual service, have come to a resolution
that before they part with any of this money, they will
be made acquainted with the numbers and present
circumstances of these poor people; and that the money
shall be disposed of to such only as continue where
they are, till they shall either be enabled to return to
their habitations or be sent to such relations and good
people as have declared they will take them in and
supply them with necessaries. Further, the Vestry do
in express terms declare that no part of this money shall

shall be given away to such as ask charity in the
streets of this city; tho they may be of this sort of distres-
sed people. They have therefore appointed us to be
their committee to correspond with you who they sup-
pose can, and will be glad to give us full and true informa-
tion of every thing material relating to these poor suffe-
rers; and that you will if desired understake to make
the distribution according to such instructions as shall
be given you by us.
    What we desire of you at present, is, that
you would be pleased to inform us what are the num-
bers of these distressed people; in what places they are
now dispersed and what things they are in immediate
want of that they may be purchased where it can be
done cheapest and sent up to them in such kinds and
quantities as you shall advise.
    It is apprehended that some of these poor
people, when they hear that collections have been
made for them in this city, will be for coming here
to prevent this, be so good as to let all of them know
that none of this money can be given them upon
any personal applications to be made within this
city; so that if they come here, they will not only
loose their labor, but may likewise loose their
chance of this charity too, as it is to be distributed a-
mong them where they now are and no where else.
    If anything occurs to you necessary to
acquaint us of that has escaped our observation, be so
kind as to communicate it.
    We shall wait impatiently for your answer
being desirous that this relief may be sent to the suffe-
rers as soon as it possibly can. We are, Gentlemen
    Your most obedient and humble servants
        Richard Peters Rector
        William Plumstead and Edward Duffield Wardens

(Answer to the above)

Gentlemen,      Carlisle August 24, 1763

    We take the earliest opportunity of answe-
ring your letter dated the 12th last in which you in-
form us that there is at your disposal a sum of money
to be distributed amongst the poor unhappy people on
our frontiers who have been obliged to fly their habita-
tions and take shelter in this town, Sheppensburgh,
Littleton, Bedford etc. We assure you that we shall now
and at all other times be ready to give you as full and true
information of every thing material relating to the suffe-
rers on our frontiers as we shall be able; and also that
we shall be ready to give our assistance in the distribu-
tion of such sums of money as you shall think proper to
end up from time to time for the relief of those in dis-
tress. We have taken pains to get the number of the
distressed, and upon a strict enquiry we find 750 fa-
milies have abandoned their plantations; the greatest
number of which have lost their crops, some their
flock and furniture; and besides those we are informed
that there are about 200 women and children coming
down from Fort Pitt. We also find that the sums of 
money already sent up are almost expended and that
each family have not received twenty shillings
upon an average tho the greatest care hath been ta-
ken to distribute it to those alone who appeared the
greatest objects of distress. The unhappy sufferers
are dispersed thro every part of this county and many
have passed thro unto York. An exact number of 
those actually in distress we can't possibly ascertain
we can only inform you that in this town and its

its neighborhood there use upwards of 200 families
many of which are in the greatest exigence, the
small pox and flux raging much amongst them,
and from hence you may form a judgement of the
numbers distressed thro the other parts of this county
as well as that of York. The other sums being al-
most expended, we conceived that immediate re-
lief should be sent up that those poor people may
be enabled to employ a physician for the recovery
of their sick as well as to purchase bread for their
families, and this alone is what their present necessities
call for. We also think that it will be necessary
that some part of these donations should be laid
out for clothing and purchasing provender for the
cattle of those who stand in the greatest necessity
of it; but we shall be more able to advise with
you concerning this affair in our next as that
will be a matter worthy of observation on the
approach of winter.
    We think you judged very prudently
in giving no contributions in the city, as you
would not only thereby be liable to be imposed
on; but it would be also a means to draw down
a burthen upon the city from our frontiers.
    When anything occurs worthy your
notice we will communicate it to you by the
first opportunity that shall offer.
        We are Gentlemen,
        Your most obedient humble servants
To the Rector and       William Thompson, Itinerant MIssionary for
Church Wardens                              the Counties of York and Cumberland
of the two United
Episcopal Church        Fran. West          Wardens of the Episcopal
in the city of          Thomas Donnellan    Church of Carlisle
Philadelphia.           John Steel
                        George Duffield

    The Vestry taking into consideration the above
letters together with the verbal information that Mr.
Thompson was pleased wo give tem of the present state of the
said inhabitatnts; it was their unanimous opinion
    1st That one hundred pounds should be sent in
cash to be laid out in flower or any other necessaries
that should appear to be more immediately wanted.
    2ndly That a proper assortment of medicines should
be put down i a list by Dr. Kearseley [Kearsley] and Dr. Sonmans.
    3rdly That 4 pieces of           should be sent up.
    4thly Two tierces of rice.
    And whereas it is represented to us by Mr. Thomson
that it might be of great and immediate use if some arms
were sent up to them to be sold at their first cost to such of these poor people
as are disposed to return to their plantations and would
make a good use of them, and the money to remain in
those gentlemen's hands to be employed according to such
instructions as should be given them. The Vestry are
therefore of opinion, that they should be furnished with
two chests of arms, half a barrel of powder, 400#
of lead, 200# of sewn[?] shot and 1000 flints.

    At a meeting of the Vestry at the School
House, October 17, 1763, Present:
The Rector

Church Warden:
Edward Duffield

Vestry Men:
Alexander Stedman   Jacob Duché
Thomas Gordon       John Kearsley
Redmond Conyngham   William Byngham [Bingham]
Peter Sonmans       Townsend White
James Child         John Ross
James Huphreys      and the Secretary

    Mr. Stedman produced to the Board two letters
directed to the Church Wardens and Vestry Men of Christ
Church and St. Peter's; the one form the Lord Bishop
of London which follows in these words. Vizt.

    "To the Church Wardens and Vestry Men of
Christ Church and St. Peter's in the City of Philadelphia.

Gentlemen       Fulham May 24, 1763

    I received your address to me, signify-
ing your having chosen the Reverend Mr. Richard Peters
to be Rector of your United Churches of Christ Church
and St. Peter's in Philadelphia, and requesting at the
same time, my approbation of your choice.
    From the credentials which have been
transmitted to me both from the missionary's and
others of the Clergy of Pennsylvania, and also from
Mr. Sturgeon and Mr. Duché your assistant Minister
concerning Mr. Peters' moral character, I can en-
tertain no doubt but it is altogether unexceptiona-
ble; and therefore I do approve of your appoint-
ment of him to be your Rector in the Churches aforesaid.
    I depend on it Mr. Peters wil embrace
the first convenient opportunity of coming to England
and he will find me disposed to grant him a license
in due form.
    I have likewise received your address
in relation to Mr. Sturgeon, who hath undoubtedly
acted a very indiscreet and independent part, in regards
to the marriage complained of; but as it seems to have
arisen merely from inadvertency, and in other respects
his character stands clear, I shall, upon his taking

the utmost care not to be guilty of giving any offence
hereafter, overlook this step of his independence, and
approve of his officiating in the United Churches of
Christ Church and St. Peter's according to your appointment
till he hath an opportunity of coming to London to be
duly licensed by me.
    I pray God to bless you and your pious en-
deavors to promote as far as in you lies our most
holy Religion, and am, gentlemen,
    Your affectionate Friend Humble Servant
        Ric: London


    And the other letter from the Reverend Dr. William Smith
Provost of the COllege in Philadelphia, in these words Vizt.

    To the Church Wardens and Vestry Men of Christ
Church and St. Peter's in Philadelphia.

Gentlemen       London June 4, 1763.
        "The Reverend Mr. Peters your Rector having
done me the honor to transmit, thro my hands, your
address to the Lord Bishop of London, I lost no time in
delivering the same, and have at length received his
Lordship's answer most cordially approving your
choice of Mr. Peters, and also giving his approbation
of Mr. Sturgeon, in regard to his general good character,
tho he has not quite escaped his Lordship's censure
in the affair of the irregular marriage complained of.
    You will perceive that his Lordship in-
sists on it as necessary both for Mr. Peters and Mr. Stur-
geon to come to England to be regularly licensed,
and this the strict Rules of the Church would require.

But as one sea voyage of six thousand miles back-
wards and forwards for ordination is already a burden
under which our American Church groans grievous-
ly, his Lordship is far from expecting that the
clergy will increase this burden, by coming
second, third, or fourth time, as often as there may
be any new Bishop, or any new appointment for
a clergyman himself. His Lordship only thinks
that, as this is regular, his insisting it may
help to place in a stronger light, the inconveni-
ency of our not enjoying on the spot, the full-
rights of a Christian Church, as to the good disci-
pline of the Clergy and keeping up a succession in
the holy office of the Ministry; and trusts that
these and the like things may lead the adminis-
tration here to consider seriously at last of this
matter __ But the time seems yet at a distance
and indeed while things are so unsettled at home,
we cannot be much thought of abroad.
    I thought it necessary to be thus particular
in regard to the paragraph in the Bishop's letter;
and if you make any record of it in your books, as I
doubt not you must, it will be extremely proper
to enter likewise this explanation or the substance
of it, least it should have a construction put upon
it which it was not meant to bear, namely as
subjecting the American Clergy to new inconve-
nienceis which might deter many from taking
holy orders in our church.
    I have seen the draught of your character
which is a good one; only I think, power should
have been reserved to the Vestry, if they should ever
find it convenient, to constitute a separate head

for each church under such regulations as they
might think proper. A time may come when they
would find this a very necessary power. A few words
would have conveyed it to them, and if they should be
never have occasion to use it, it would have too
very innocently on the face of the charter.
    Mr. Penn seems well disposed to pass the
charter and oblige the people of the church, as soon as
he has received his solicitors advice as to the law
parts of it. If any illumination of mine be necessary
it shall not be wanting in this or any other busi-
ness, were I can serve the general cause of religion
or the particular one of your church.
    I rejoice to hear of the Christian harmony
that subsists among you, and am sure that under
so good a man as Mr. Peters (and his assistants) it
must continue to flourish, which is the sincere
prayer of
            Gentlemen,
                Your Affectionate humble servant
                            Will Smith

    It was then proposed and unanimously resol-
ved that agreeable to the assent of the Lord Bishop
of London, the Reverend Mr. Richard Peters be received con-
firmed and established as Rector of the United Churches 
of Christ Church and St. Peter's in the City of Philadelphia
and he is hereby received, confirmed and established accor-
dingly.
    The Reverend Mr. Sturgeon being likewise
approved by the Bishop of London to be an officia-
ting Minister in the United Churches of Christ
Church and St. Peter's, it was put to the vote and
                                        Resolved

Resolved, that the said Mr. Sturgeon be received, confir-
med and established agreeable to the address made by
the Vestry to the Bishop of London in favor of Mr.
Sturgeon dated the 14th Day of June 1762; and he 
is hereby received, confirmed and established accordingly.
    Mr. Peters produced to the Board several letters
which passed between the committee in Philadelphia and
Carlisle, appointed to distribute the monies collected for
the relief of the distressed frontier inhabitants;
which letters were as follows, vizt.
    "To the Ministers and Church Wardens of
the Episcopal Church at Carlisle and to the Reverend
Mr. Steel and the Reverend Mr. Duffield.
Gentlemen,             Philadelphia September 21, 1763
    We are obliged to you for your kind
answer to our letter relating to the supplies
proposed to be sent up to the relief of the back inha-
bitants. Mr. Thomson, at our instance, was so
good as to attend the Vestry which was called on
the receipt of your answer; and after having carefully
considered it, as well as several other matters
which he informed us, we concluded to hasten the
sending such things as were recommended to us to
be immediately wanted; and having thro the
favor of Mr. Plumstead procured wagons, they
were forthwith dispatched. We hope that they
are come safe to hand and have fully answered the
present exigency of those poor people. What could
not be sent then is since gone up, and Mr. Plumstead
whose occasions call him to Carlisle, has with
him a complete invoice with the prices every thing
cost, and he will give you a copy of it.

    Dr. Allison tells us that the dissenting congre-
gations in the city and county have been very liberal,
and as he has been made acquainted all along with
our proceedings and approved them; he has wrote to Mr.
Steel that they will follow our track, in the disposal
of what is raised among them. If so, you will be 
able to supply from their stock as well as ours, the
necessities of these poor people in such proportions as
they shall most need it; having a due regard that
the colder the weather grows, the more they will be
distressed and want larger supplies.
    We return your our thanks for your cheer-
ful acceptance of this troublesome commission, and
the great care and goodness with which you execute it.
    You will please to conger with Mr. Plum-
stead on the spot and whatever else you shall think
necessary; having an eye to the other generous contri-
butions as well as our will be readily permitted
you by, Gentlemen.
            Your most obedient and affectionate 
                    humble servants
                        Richard Peters, Rector
                        Will Plumstead
                        Edward Duffield  Wardens

Gentlemen,          Philadelphia September 21, 1763
        This is our second letter of this date and
wrote to supply an omission in our first.
        On Mr. Thomson's acquainting the Vestry
that you had some discourse among yourselves of
the great want of arms and ammunition that the
country people are in, and that it was your opinion
many would gladly give the first cost, and that

we should do infinite service would we send up a
parcel of arms to be sold at this rate; this was like
wise taken into consideration and the Vestry una-
nimously concurring with you in opinion of the
utility of this measure, and thinking it would be
even better than to make presents of ams, as the
back inhabitants would be thereby induced to take
better care of them; we have sent fifty arms, with
a proper assortment of powder and lead for a trial
and do direct that you sell them to such prudent and
good people as are in want of them and will use
them for their defense, for the prices charged in the
invoice; and you do retain in your house the
monies for which they sell to be disposed of accor-
ding to our future direction.
    This, we are sensible will give you a
great addition of trouble; but as it is your own
thought and does appear to us to be a good measure
we would not be wanting on our part to enable
you to make the trial and if it succeeds we are
ready to send up more arms. We are ever more
Gentlemen,
        Your most obliged and humber servants
                Richard Peters, Rector and 
                Edward Duffield      Wardens
                Will Plumstead

    To the Reverend Mr. Richard Peters and to William
Plumstead and Edward Duffield, in Philadelphia.
Gentlemen,              Carlisle October 3, 1763
        As it is our desire to act up to your
instructions in the distribution of your charity
for the greatest advantage of the may distressed

Families on our frontiers; we beg leave to lay before you
the measures we have this day agreed on for their relief.
    As there is little prospect that the inhabitants
who have fled from Sherman's Valley, Tuscarora and Juniata 
shall return this winter, and the greatest part of
them have saved very little of their crops, we believe
it will best answer the design of their relief, to purchase
a quantity of wheat and corn; and as this and the two follow
at the cheapest rates, we intend to open a market for
this end as soon as we can be favored with your
advice. You have had already an account according
to our best information, of the number of families
that have been banished from their habitations; and
tho' all of them have not applied for relief out of 
the funds heretofore opened, we apprehend all, or
the greatest part must apply before winter is over.
Our other funds are exhausted, upon which the most
necessities have subsisted hitherto. This day 25 pounds
the generous contribution Tredyffrin is come to hand
and Mr. Steel has wrote Dr. Allison, recommending it
to him that the contributions of the Presbyterian
Congregations be applied the same way, to prevent
confusion and other inconveniences, under the directions 
of the same managers here tho it may in-
crease our labor, yet, for the sake of the distressed,
we are willing to bear with it.
    The fifty firelocks sold readily at the
price you fixt, and from the great demand, we
believe 100 more may be sent up, which we warmly 
recommend, as it will strengthen our frontiers
without diminishing the charity. We likewise
agreed to inform you, that there is so little difference

in the shop prices of ammunition, and so much trouble
in disposing of it, that you need not at present send
any more. Whatever call there is for blankets and
other necessaries for clothing, we apprehend the
demand of bread corn will be so very great, that
we recommend it that your charity be mainly applied 
this way. Tho we are sure it would require
several thousand bushels of grain to answer in
any comfortable degree the craving wants of the
poor; yet it is our duty to wait for your instructions 
on this point; recommending it withall that
what sum will be appointed to this end, be remitted 
or signified to us that we may know how to
proceed, and may have the opportunity of the cheapest 
market.
    The medicines were very seasonable;
but as they were mostly calculated for the Flux,
Mr. Steel desires a few more that he may be able to
answer a greater variety of disorders.
    Gentlemen, we assure you, your charitable 
contributions are gratefully acknowledged,
not only by the distressed but by the whole county,
and by none more than by
                    Your humble servants
                            William Thompson
                            Jonathan Steel
"P:S: By the advice of      George Duffield
Mr. Plumstead we            Francis West
have bespoke one            Thomas Donnellan
thousand bushels
of wheat.  Pray let the arms you send, be such
as the former, if they can be got."

    To the Reverend Mr. Richard Peters, Rector of
the United Churches of Christ and St. Peter's in Philadelphia.

Dear Sir,           Carlisle October 4, 1763
                I was yesterday with Messrs. Thom-
son, Steel etc. and after some conversation with
them on the circumstances of the poor district inha-
bitants, it was judged most for their benefit to
purchase a quantity of wheat and rye so as to be
ready in the mills near this town to be delivered
to such of the necessitous as may be wanted.
And by this they will in some degree be enabled
by the bran for their share of the grain, to keep
their creatures alive. And I did not in the best
doubt this necessary supply would meet the
approbation of the Rector and the Vestry. I desired,
they would, as soon as conveniently they could,
this being the season for purchasing, lay in one
thousand bushels of grain in the mills; which
I believe they wil soon set about; and have
promised them that you would furnish them
with money for the payment thereof, as it may
be wanted. As the arms sent up here were good
in kind and very reasonable those gentlemen desire
that if about 100 more could be purchased of the like
sort, that they might be sent up, being a very
good and cheap way of furnishing the inhabitants
with arms to defend themselves, as well as restai-
ning the distressed. I hope I may be able t obring
down with me a particular list, Mr. Thompson
says he has near completed it. You will also
end up the medicines which Mr. Steel has

furnished a list of and is enclosed in their letter.
        I am your obliged humble servant
                William Plumsted [Plumstead]
    P.S. I greatly fear the Indians are between Laegonia
and Fort Pitt; but as yet we have no other reason for it
then no advice from Fort Pitt above a month since.

    To the Reverend Mr. Thomson, itinerant Minister
and to the Church Wardens of the Episcopal Church of
Carlisle, and to the Reverend Mr. Duffield and Mr. Steel.

Gentlemen,          Philadelphia October 20, 1763.
        Agreeable to your advice of the 3rd last
we have sent 100 firelocks more, which must be
sold at 21 pounds as they could not be got at the price the
others were; with a box of medicines answerable to
Mr. Steel's list. We have also sent by Mrs. Rachel
Mitchall 200 pounds in cash, which, with the money
to be sent by Dr. Allison, added to the neat proceeds
of the firelocks and ammunition formerly sent, and
of those now sent, will enable you to purchase
wheat to supply the necessities of the poor people
agreeable to the scheme you have concluded upon
which we very well approve of.
        Tis our desire that the arms be sold
to such of the people as have families and will defend
themselves therewith; and not to idel strolling fellows
that would render the good design fruitless.
        The care and industry with which you
execute this task gives us great pleasure, and
satisfaction; and we doubt not, will also give
great content to the poor distressed people, for
whom this trouble is taken, and to all others

        We pray God that peace and happiness may
once more be restored to our frontier inhabitants
in the mean while we remain
        Your most obedient and humble servants
                        William Plumsted [Plumstead]
(The Rector out of Town)Edward Duffield

    The Vestry approved of the measures taken
in the distribution of this charity, and recommended it
to the committee to proceed in the same.
    Resolved, that the funds of the united
churches should be thrown into one common stock,
and, after all incidental charges were deducted,
the remainder should be equally divided among
the Rector and his assistant Ministers Mr. Duché
and Mr. Sturgeon; and that the said method of 
dividing the revenues of the said churches, with
the distribution thereof should take place from
Easter last; and that from that time the Reverend MR.
Duché is desired to account with the Rector
for the rent for the Parsonage House, in which
he now lives.

    At a meeting of the Vestry November 2, 1763:
    Present:
    The Rector
    Edward Duffield, Church Warden

Vestry Men:
John Kearseley [Kearsley]   Jacob Duché
Thomas Gordon               William Byngham [Bingham]
Peter Turner                William Pyewell
Joseph Sims                 Townsend White
James Humphreys             Joseph Redman
            and the Secretary.

    Resolved, that this Board address the
honorable John Penn Esquire one of the proprietors
family, who lately arrived from London as Lieutenant
Governor and Commander in Chief of the Province of
Pennsylvania, and implore his countenance and
protection to the Church of England in his Province.
    Resolved, that the Rector, Edward Duffield
Alexander Stedman and Dr. Kearseley [Kearsley] be a committee
for drawing the rough draught of an address for
this purpose; and that the Vestry be summoned
to meet on Monday next at 10 o'clock in the
morning in order to wait on the Governor with
the said address.
    Dr. Kearsley informed the Board that
subscriptions had been obtained by Messrs. John
Lawrence and Matthew Clarkson to the amount of
500 pounds, towards purchasing an organ to be erected
in Christ Church and it was.
    Resolved that Mr. Edward Duffield and
Mr. Townsend White be a committee for collecting
said subscriptions, or more if necessary, and apply-
ing the same to that purpose; and further, that
the said committee, in the name of the Vestry
thank Messrs. Lawrence and Clarkson for the trou-
ble they have taken in this affair. And it is
recommended to the said committee to make the
best agreement they can with Mr. Philip Feyning
who built the ordan now in St. Peter's Church;
and to employ him in the said service for Christ
Church.

    At a meeting of the Vestry November 9, 1763:
        Present:
    The Rector
    
    Church Wardens:
    Edward Duffield
    William Plumsted [Plumstead]

Vestry Men:
William Pyewell     John Kearsley
Townsend White      James Humphreys
Joseph Redman       Redmond Conyngham
Thomas Gordon       Peter Sonmans
Joseph Sims     and Francis Hopkinson, Secretary

    An address to his honor the Governor was
read to the board, in these words. Vizt.
    To the honorable John Penn Esquire
Lieutenant Governor and Commander in Chief of
the Province of Pennsylvania and Counties of New
Castel, Kent, and Sussex upon Delaware.
    The address of the Rector, Ministers, Church
Wardens and Vestry Men of the united congregations
of Christ Church and St. Peter's in the City of Philadelphia
    May it please your honor!
        We the Rector, Ministers, Church
Wardens and Vestry of the united Churches of Christ
Church and St. Peter's in this City beg leave to offer
you our hearty congratulations upon your arrival
to the Government of this province.
    Amongst the many objects that call
for the care and protection of that authority with
which you are now invested, the interest of reli-
gion and virtue demand a principal place, and few
temporal blessings can that state expect to receive
where God is not publicly honored, and the gospel
of the blessed Jesus contenance and revered;

we trust therefore that you will be the happy instu-
ment in the hands of Heaven of recommending and
enforcing by your influence and example, the practice
of true religion and virtue among us.
    It is with pleasure we embrace this op-
portunity of sincerely and thankfully acknowledging
the many obligations we are under to that honor-
ble and benevolent family whose name you bear and
to which you stand so nearly allied. The large
benefaction which the members of these united
churches have received from them, we hope will
ever be remembered with the warmest gratitude.
    To your kind patronage and protection as
our Governor, and as a member of the Church of
England we humbly recommend the Churches under
our care; sincerely imploring the divine blessing
upon your administration; by which alone it
can become a comfort to yourself and a happi-
ness to those over whom you are appointed to
preside.

Signed by order of Vestry   Richard Peters, Rector
November 9, 1763
which address was approved of.
Resolved that the committee who drew up the
above address should prepare another to James
Hamilton Esquire thanking him for the favor and
protection he was pleased to show the united churches
during his administration.
    The Vestry then waited on the Govern-
nor and delivered their address; to which his honor
was pleased to return the following answer.

Gentlemen,
    I thank you for your kind congratula-
tions on my arrival. I can sincerely assure you that
the established church will find in me a hearty rea-
diness to promote their prosperity, and to do them
every good office in my power.
    The proprietaries cannot but be pleased
with your warm expressions of gratitude, which
I shall not fail to communicate to them by the first
opportunity.

At a meeting of the Vestry November 14, 1763:

Present:
The Rector
Will Plumsted [Plumstead]

Vestry:
Jacob Duché         William Byngham [Bingham]
Joseph Redman       Charles Stedman
Thomas Gordon       James Humphreys
William Pyewell     Peter Turner
Joseph Sims         John Ross
John Kearsley and the Secretary

    An address to Mr. Hamilton was read to
the Board and approved; the Vestry then waited on
Mr. Hamilton and delivered the same in these words
Vizt.
    To the Honorable James Hamilton Esquire.
The Address of the Rector, Minister, Church War-
dens and Vestry Men of the United Churches of Christ
Church and St. Peter's in the City of Philadelphia.
Sir,
        "We have received during your adminis-
tration, so many instances of your kind regard
for us and the Churches under under care, that we

cannot but take this opportunity of making you
our warmest acknowledgments, and of expressing the
high esteem with which our breasts are filled towards
you: an esteem on which no change of station can
have any effect.
    We take our leave of you, Sir, with the
most cordial wishes for your future welfare, fer-
vently praying that the God of all goodness may
impart unto you every grace and blessing that can
render the remainder of your days comfortable
and happy.
    To which Mr. Hamilton was pleased to
make the following answer.
Gentlemen,
    You have done me a great deal of
honor in your address of this day; more indeed
than my poor endeavors to assist you can have
deserved.
    I desire you will be pleased to accept of
my hearty thanks for your great civility to me
upon this occasion; and to assure yourselves
that, either in a public or private station, I
shall never remit my regards for the good and pros-
perity of the Churches under your care, or for
your own persons.


    At a meeting of the Vestry, in the Rector's
Chamber, April 3, 1764:

Present:
The Rector

Church Wardens:
William Plumstead
Edward Duffield

Vestry Men:
Alexander Stedman       Charles Stedman
Jacob Duché             William Pyewell
Thomas Gordon           John Kearseley [Kearsley]
Peter Turner            Joseph Redman
Townsend White          James Humphreys
    Francis Hopkinson, Secretary

    It being represented to the Vestry that there
yet remained a sum of money due to Mr. Smith for
the Building of St. Peter's Church and likewise a fresh
debt arising from his erecting a pulpit there it was
resolved that Messrs. Thomas Willing, Redmond Conyng-
ham and James Humphreys, or any two of them be
a committee for taking in subscriptions and
collecting monies from the united congregations to
discharge the aforesaid debts. It was, at the
same time recommended to the Committee formerly
appointed to take in subscriptions for St. Peter's
Church that they use their best endeavors to
collect the monies which yet remain unpaid
on said subscriptions.
    An account, amounting to 31.0.0 pounds was pro-
duced to the board from Messrs. Benjamin Franklin
and David Hall against the Vestry for printing
Steeple Lottery TIckets, advertisements and
Resolved, that Messrs. Charles Stedman and James Hum-
phreys be a committee for settling the same with
Mr. Franklin, who was one of the Managers of said
lottery; and make report to the Vestry at their
next meeting.
    The Rector produced to the Board a petition
from several of the inhabitants of Northampton
County setting forth the miserable situation to

which great numbers of people were reduced by the
Indian war, and imploring some assistance in
there distress. Upon which it was, Resolved
that 50 pounds should be sent to their relief from
the monies formerly collected fro these charitable pur-
poses; and that Mr. Lewis Gordon of Easter, Mr. David
Chambers, Mr. Arthur Latimer and Mr. Richard Wal-
ker or any two of them be trustees for distributing
this benefaction agreeable to the directions of
the committee of Vestry formerly appointed to man-
age matters of this kind.
    The Members of Vestry who frequently
attended while the children of the united Congre-
gations were improved in the Art of Psalmody,
reported, that they had observed Mr. William Young
in conjunction with the Secretary, to take great
and constant pains in teaching and instructing the
children: it was therefore unanimously agreed
that the thankful acknowledgements of 
this Board be given Mr. Hopkinson and Mr. Young
for these their kind services; which they are
requested still to continue.

    Easter Monday April 23, 1761:

    The United Congregations of Christ CHurch
and St. Peter's in the City of Philadelphia after divine
service elected the following officers for the ensuing
year, vizt.

Church Wardens:
Charles Stedman
Edward Duffield

Vestry Men:
John Kearsley       Jacob Duché
*Townsend White     Henry Harrison

William Pyewell         *Redman Ronyngham
*William Plumstead      *Joseph Sims
Thomas Gordon           *Will Bingham
Joseph Redman           Charles Stedman
Alexander Stedman       Peter Turner
John Ross               *James Humphreys
Edward Duffield         *Joseph Stamper
Joseph Swift            *Samuel Johnston
            Vestry Men
    Francis Hopkinson Secretary

    N.B.: Those persons who have this mark (*)
prefixed to their names are Quest Men.

At a meeting of the Vestry April 30, 1764:

Present:

Church Wardens:
Charles Stedman
Edward Duffield

Vestry Men:
Jacob Duché
William Bingham
Joseph Sims
Joseph Stamper
William Pyewell
James Humphreys
John Kearsley
Redmond Conyngham
Joseph Swift
Thomas Gordon
and the Secretary

    Messrs. Redmond Conyngham, Joseph Stam-
per, Thomas Gordon and Joseph Swift or any of three of them
were appointed a committee for settling the last year's
accounts with the late Church Wardens.

    At a meeting of the Vestry at the School
House on Wednesday June 13, 1764:

Present:
The Rector

Church Wardens:
Charles Stedman
Edward Duffield

William Pyewell
James Humphreys
William Byngham [Bingham]
Thomas Gordon
Joseph Stamper
Henry Harrison
Jacob Duché
John Kearseley [Kearsley]
Joseph Sims
Joseph Redman
Townsend White
Alexander Stedman
William Plumstead
Francis Hopkinson Secretary

    The Rector informed the Vestry that he had
convened them together in order to acquaint them
with his design of embarking for England in a few
days; and that for the supply of their churches, he
had an intention, if it should be agreeable to them
inviting the Reverend Dr. Smith to officiate occasionally
for him, during his absence. To which the Vestry
readily assented.
    The Rector having informed the Board
that the purchase of the lot in the south end of
this city amounts to 500 pounds sterling, and that the
sale of the South-Sea Stock amounts to no more than
284 pounds. The Rector having generously given 100 pounds
sterling towards the purchase of the aforesaid lot, pro-
poses, as there will yet be wanting 116 pounds sterling to
complete the purchase, to advance the said sum
if the Vestry would promise to repay him; which
they accordingly agreed to do. Resolved, that
this Vestry will pay to the Reverend Mr. Richard Peters
the sum of 116 pounds sterling, it being money advanced by
him for the purchase of the said lot in the south
end of this city.
    An account was produced to the Board from
Mr. Robert Smith for building a Pulpit, reading desk
and for erecting rails round the Chancel in St.
Peter's Church, amounting to 285.13.3. Resolved
that Messrs. Joseph Stamper, Charles Stedman and

and Henry Harrison be a committee for examining
said account.
    The Rector informed the Board that Mr.
Samuel Kirk, who formerly served as Sexton to the
Church, was again desirous of that office in St. Peter's
which was now vacant. Resolved, that Mr. Samuel
Kirk should be the Sexton of St. Peter's Church; and
receive the salary which the former Sexton had; to
commence from the time when he began to serve.
    The two Church Wardens, Dr. Kearseley [Kearsley]
and Mr. Alexander Stedman were appointed a committee
for preparing an address to the Rector, to be delivered
him before he sails for England; thankfully ac-
knowledging the many favors which the Chur-
ches have from time to time received from him.
The Vestry therefore agreed to meet at 3 o'clock on
Saturday next in the afternoon, for this purpose.

    At a meeting of the Vestry on
Saturday June 16, 1764:

Present:
The Reverend Mr. Sturgeon and the Reverend Mr. Duché

Church Wardens:
Charles Stedman
Edward Duffield

Vestry Men:
James Humphreys
John Kearseley
Jacob Duché
William Pyewell
Joseph Redman
William Bingham
Thomas Gordon
Joseph Sims
Townsend White
John Ross
Joseph Swift
Redmond Conyngham
Francis Hopkinson Secretary

    The Committee appointed for that purpose
produced to the Board an address to our Reverend
Rector, which was read by the Secretary and approved of
the Ministers, Wardens, Vestry Men and Secretary

then proceeded to wait on the Rector and delivered him
their address in the following words vizt.

    To the Reverend Mr. Richard Peters Rector
of the United Churches of Christ Church and St. Peter's in
the City of Philadelphia,

    Reverend Sir,
                We, the Ministers, Church Wardens
and Vestry of the United Congregations of Christ Church
and St. Peter's, cannot suffer the present opportunity
of your departure for England to pay without testifying
the grateful and affectionate sense which we must
ever retain of your long and faithful services to our
churches, both before and since your appointment to
the Rectory of these Congregations.
                The Prudence of your conduct,
your liberality, piety and other good qualities
have endeared you to us; we shall not cease,
therefore to offer up our sincere prayers to Heaven
that you may be preserved from the dangers of
the sea, restored in your health and speedily re-
turned to the exercise of your Ministry among us.
Philadelphia
June 16, 1764       Signed by order of Vestry
                        Charles Stedman Church Wardens
                        Edward Duffield


    To which the Rector was pleased to make the
following answer Vizt.

    "My dear fellow laborers in Christ, and you

you Gentlemen of the Vestry!
    The affection expressed in your kind address
fills my breast with the tenderest sensibility. Could
the bad state of my health, or my engagements to an
absent branch of my family have permitted, I would
never have suffered the pain I now feel at the approach
of my separation from you: And I do assure you that
it is my full purpose, with the divine permission,
to return to you at the close of the next Summer.
Even this absence, tho as short as it publicly can
be, will appear tiresome to me.
    Continue in the agreeable harmony and
affection in which I leave you. Be perfect. Be of
good comfort. Be of one mind. Live in peace. And
may the God of love and peace be with you!"

    The Committee appointed to examine the
Church Wardens accounts for year 1763 reported
that the Wardens had received 881.12.8 and that
they had disbursed for incidental charges 474.16.0 1/2
and that the balance amounting to 406.16.7 1/2 had
been divided between the Rector and Ministers in equal
proportions: and further that the money collected at
communions amounting to 101.14.7 had been
distributed amongst the poor of the congregations.

At a meeting of the Vestry:
October 30, 1764

Present:

Church Wardens:
Charles Stedman
Edward Duffield

Vestry Men:
Alexander Stedman
Redmond Coningham [Conyngham]
William Pyewell
Henry Harrison
William Byngham [Bingham]
James Humphreys
Townsend White
Thomas Gordon
Joseph Swift

and the Secretary.
    It being reported that Mrs. Henmarsh
deceased had left a legacy to the Churches; the War-
dens were desired to wait on Mr. B. Franklin her
Executor and enquire into this matter.
    The Reverend Mr. Sturgeon having some time
ago, given public notice that he did not intend to
remain long amongst us in a public capacity the Wardens were desi-
red to wait on him and know his determination.
    Resolved that the Wardens pay out
of the church funds 100 pounds to Mr. Robert Smith
in part payment of his account, so soon as the
money shall come into their hands.

At a meeting of the Vestry November 19, 1764:

Present:

Church Wardens:
Edward Duffield
Charles Stedman

Vestry Men:
William Plumstead              Thomas Gordon
John Kearseley [Kearsley]      William Pyewell
Joseph Swift                   Henry Harrison
Jacob Duché                    Townsend White
William Bingham                Peter Turner
James Humphreys                Joseph Sims
and Alexander Stedman

    A letter from the Reverend Mr. Sturgeon to the
Vestry was read, and follows in these words. Vizt.

    "To Messrs. Stedman and Duffield Church Wardens
    Gentlemen,
                Having received a message from you
by the Church Wardens, desiring to know my determ-

nation with respect to the expression made use of by
me sometime in August last Vizt. that I had thoughts
in some time of resigning the Ministry amongst you.
At that time and long before I labored under a bad
habit of body, this joined with some hard usage which
I thought I received had a great effect upon my spirits
and was the cause of that intimation, which I did
not intend to carry into execution hastily; nor with
out giving proper opportunity to supply the churches.
    In compliance with your message, Gentle-
men, my answer is, that being, thro God's blessing,
restored to my health, I am resolved to continue in
the discharge of my duty; and whenever I determine
on the time of leaving the united Churches, the Vestry
may depend on receiving proper notice; and that I
shall do nothing, in so near a relation as that which
subsists between us, without the greatest deliberation.
After my most fervent prayers to almighty God for
the peace and welfare of the united Churches, and
that brotherly love and every grace and virtue may grow
into perfection amongst you, I remain,
        Gentlemen,
            Your most obliged
                most humble servant
                    and Minister
                        William Sturgeon

November 8, 1764
and the 15th year of
my Ministry in
Philadelphia.

At a meeting of the Vestry:
January 7, 1765

Present:

Church Wardens:
Charles Stedman
Edward Duffield

Vestry Men:
Jacob Duché             William Pyewell
Joseph Swift            James Humphreys
William Bingham         Joseph Sims
Thomas Gordon           Redmond Conyngham
Townsend White          Alexander Stedman
    and Francis Hopkinson Secretary

    A proposal was made to the Board to
apply to the Honorable House of the Free Men of
Pennsylvania for Liberty to raise by way of
lottery 1500 pounds, in order to discharge the debts
due for the building of St. Peter's Church; which
amounted to near that sum. To this the Board
assented. Intimation being at the same time
given that the memebers of the Church of England
in the county towns of York and Reading had the
same intentions of petitioning the house for
liberty to raise by way of lottery 300 pounds each
for erecting places of worship for their use in the
said towns: it was thought expedient to draw
one petition for the whole; and that the three
lotteries may be joined in one scheme.
    A petition to the house was accordingly
drawn up and read to the board in the following
words Vizt.
    To the honorable the representa-
tives of the Free-Men of Pennsylvania in
Assemble met.
    The petition of the Church Wardens
and Vestry Men of the United Congregations

of Christ Church and St. Peter's in the City of
Philadelphia.
                    Humbly sheweth
                        That some years
ago it was represented and made appear to the
Rector, Church Wardens and Vestry Men of Christ
Church aforesaid that by the late growth of this
city and increase of the members of the Church
in it, many serious and well disposed persons in the
communion and persuasion of the said church were
without the opportunity of attending regularly on
the public exercises of religion (agreeable to that
from which their consciences approved) by reason
that they could not be accommodated with pews
or room in Christ Church aforesaid; and the account
of the great distance it lay from many of them, which
made their attendance inconvenient in the extremi-
ties both of heat and cold.
    That the said Rector, Church Wardens and
Vestry Men, duly considering the premisses and being
desirous to promote the service of almighty God
with which the welfare of Society is inseparably
connected, did obtain a convenient lot for building
a new church.
    That it being considered that public
buildings may be rendered among the chief
ornaments of every city, and that the said proposed
Church would be of lasting use to the public, it
was determined to erect it in a commodious man-
ner, with as much elegance as might be consis-
tent with plainness and simplicity.
    That the members of the Church of
England in this city determined to defray the
expense of this building by contributions among
themselves, being unwilling to have recourse

to lotteries, which were then very frequent for
similar designs; or to apply for assistance from
other societies, who were generally laboring
under burdens for finishing or enlarging their
own places of worship.
    That a neat and convenient Church called
St. Peter's has been accordingly built, in union
and under the same government with Christ Church
aforesaid, at the joint expense of the members of
both congregations, who have raised upwards of
three thousand six hundred pounds among them-
selves, for this purpose. But by the sudden rise
of the price of materials and labor, your petitio-
ners, who are the representatives of both con-
gregations, find that they still lie under a
heavy det of near fifteen hundred pounds for
furnishing the said St. Peter's Church for enclosing
the burying ground and purchasing an addition
to it; as they are willing to make appear to
the house; which debt they have no prospect
of being able to pay by further contributions
among their own members; as almost every
person capable of contributing has already
repeated their original subscriptions and some
who did subscribe are unable to perform their
engagements.
    That under these circumstances your
petitioners found they had no other resource but
to apply to the legislature for aid by way of
lottery: but while they were deliberating on
this matter, application was made to them, set-
ting forth that the Society for Propagating the
Gospel did at a great expense support two
Missionaries for the advancement of religion in
the frontier parts of this province; that the county
town of York was within the mission of one of

them, and that the members of the Church of England
in that town having no place of public worship wanted
the sum of three hundred pounds, exclusive of
their own subscriptions to enable them to erect
one: that the county town of Reading was
within the other mission and in similar circum-
stances with York; wanting the like sum of
three hundred pounds to enable them to erect
a place of worship for the congregation of the
Church of England there; and both these Congre-
gations intimated to your petitioners their in-
tentions of praying the legislature for aid by
way of lottery and requested us that they might
be joined under one scheme and in one law with
our congregations aforesaid; to which, if agreea-
ble to your Honorable House, we are very desirous
to consent, as the same cause of religion is to
be served by the whole, and the design may be
more successful and more an object of public atten-
tion upon this joint plan.
    Your petitioners, therefore, trusting in the
good disposition of your Honorable house towards the
advancement of religion and the Church established
in the mother country humbly pray for leave
to bring in a bill to enable them, by way of lottery,
to extricate themselves from the said debt, and
if the house thinks proper to allow the said Congrega-
tions of York and Reading to be joined in the scheme
either now or when their petitions to the house
for that purpose shall come to stand, we would further
pray that the sum to be raised may be two thou-
sand two hundred and fifty pounds agreeable to a
scheme which shall be presented with the bill
so that one thousand five hundred pounds may
come clear to the united congregations fo Christ
Church and St. Peter's aforesaid; and three hundred

pounds to the Episcopal Congregation at York
and the like sum to the Episcopal Congregation
at Reading, or in sums proportionable to the
above, if there should be any deficiency by the
loss or sale of tickets: and your petitioners
shall ever pray etc.

        Signed in behalf of the Congregations
        of Christ Church and St. Peter's
Philadelphia
January 8, 1765     Church Wardens:
                    Charles Stedman
                    Edward Duffield

    The above petition was approved of and the
Church Wardens desired to deliver the same into the
house at a proper time.
    Resolved that Mr. Cash shall for the future
settle with the secretary of this board for all Church Fees
once every month, shall render him an exact
account of all outstanding debts and pay into his
hands the monies he shall from time to time have
received agreeable to a minute made the 11th of August
1763. And the Secretary is desired to furnish Mr. Cash
with a copy of this minute.

At a meeting of the Vestry:
March 26, 1765
    
Present:

Church Wardens:
Charles Stedman
Edward Duffield

Vestry Men:
Alexander Stedman   John Kearseley [Kearsley]
Townsend White      Joseph Sims
Joseph Swift        William Bingham
Joseph Redman       William Pyewell
Jacob Duché         James Humphreys
    and Francis Hopkinson Secretary

    It being represented that it is necessary to 
have a shed built for keeping the Bier belonging
to St. Peter's Church and the spades and other utensils 
necessary for the grave digger; it is resolved that
a shed should be erected in some convenient place
for that purpose in as cheap and commodious a
manner as may be: and Mr. Charles Stedman is
appointed to superintend this work.

Easter Monday
April 8, 1765

    The United Congregations of Christ Church
and St. Peter's met and after divine service elected the
following officers for the ensuing year. Vizt.

Church Wardens:
Charles Stedman
Townsend White

Vestry Men:
John Kearseley [Kearsley]   William Pyewell
Jacob Duché                 *James Humphreys
Alexander Stedman           John Ross
Edward Duffield             Henry Harrison
*Joseph Swift               Joseph Redman
*Joseph Sims                *William Bingham
*Joseph Stamper             Redmond Conyngham
*Thomas Gordon              *William Plumstead
Peter Turner Sr.            Peter Sonmans
    Francis Hopkinson Secretary

    N.B. Those person who have this
mark (*) prefixed to their names were chosen
Quest Men.
    Ordered that the Vestry be summoned
to meet at the old Church School House, on Monday
afternoon next at four o'clock; as usual.

At a meeting of the Vestry at the School House
April 15, 1765

Present:
Charles Stedman     Townsend White
Alexander Stedman   John Kearseley [Kearsley]
Peter Turner        Redmond Conyngham
William Pyewell     Jacob Duché
Joseph Stamper      Joseph Sims
Joseph Swift        William Bingham
    and Francis Hopkinson Secretary

    Messrs. Joseph Swift, Townsend White and
Joseph Stamper were appointed a committee for
settling the last year's accounts with the late Church
Wardens, and desired to make report at the next meeting.
    Francis Hopkinson declining to collect
the pew money any longer, as it did not suit
his other business; Mr. William Pyewell was chosen
and appointed to that office: for which service he
is allowed to draw 5 pounds for all pew money by
him from time to time collected. He is like-
wise desired to settle with Mr. cash once every
month for all church fees, and to draw like com-
missions for the same.

At a meeting of the Vestry:
April 23, 1765

Present:

Church Wardens:
Charles Stedman
Townsend White

Vestry Men:
Joseph Sims         Alexander Stedman
Joseph Redman       Jacob Duché
William Pyewell     Peter Turner
Edward Duffild      John Ross
Joseph Swift     and the Secretary

    The Committee for building an organ for Christ
CHurch reported that the same was now ready to be

put up: The Vestry therefore ordered that the same
should be erected in the west end of Christ Church
aforesaid in the front of the gallery.
Resolved that two single should be built, one on
each side of the communion table; and the Church
Wardens are desired to see the same accomplished as
soon as possible.

At a meeting of the Vestry
May 25, 1765

Present:

Church Wardens:
Charles Stedman
Townsend White

Vestry Men:
Jacob Duché         James Humphreys
Joseph Redman       William Pyewell
Peter Sonmans       John Kearseley [Kearsley]
Alexander Stedman   John Ross
Peter Turner        William Bingham
Edward Duffield     and the Secretary

    A packet was opened containing a letter
from the Rector in England, in the following words
Vizt.
                        London, March 17, 1765
    Gentlemen.
                When I arrived in London I found
your draught of a charter in the hands of the Arch
Bishop of Canterbury. Mr. Penn has the honor to be
on very good and friendly terms with him; and as the
Arch Bishop had interested himself heartily for the
academy and expressed himself very handsomely with
respect to our churches, whose situation and occurrences
he knew exactly well, Mr. Penn thought he could not be
excused from laying the draught before
his grace and desiring it might be made agreeable
to his judgement. His grace made some very weighty
objections to it; and I thought what his grace said

carried reason in it, as to excluding your Rector from
sundry things incident to his office; but I removed
them in such a manner as did honor to my Vestry
and the Congregations and shewed my own disinteres-
tedness. The Proprietors, who really love the church
were greatly delighted at the thing, as it was
agreeable to their own judgements. After this
my system for the recovery of my health obliged
me to go to Liverpool, and as the charter was
not just then ready. I left it to be sent according to
a promise Mr. Penn directed me to give to Dr. Kearsley
to whom he found me writing a letter, that it should
be sent by the then next packet. However, after
I went away other things occurred, and they did
not think it right to make the least alteration
without my consent. Do not imagine the least
fault in MR. Penn, he always was and always
will be well disposed to your churches and to your
persons. As to the alterations, they were mostly
such as I told you in Vestry Mr. Penn's council
thought should be made Vizt. That as the charter
could not give you a power out of Pennsylvania
so the word (elsewhere) ought to be struck out.
And that it would be right to begin with a small
sum in mortmain at first; because other churches
would want like powers, and they might be
better restrained when no more was given to you.
As to this, you see it is put for the present as 600 pounds
which will do as it is exclusive of the monies
arising from pews and the burial ground, of which
you have the sole disposition. I told the Arch-
Bishop of your present practice this satisfied
him tolerably well but then he insisted I should
make it point with you that the present ap-
propriation of the pews to the Rector and Ministers
in some proportions or other, should be stipulated

between us. The present Proportions were well enough
as they arose from my desire; but these will admit
of alterations as you may see occasion hereafter.
Of any change be made in Vestry let the new Char-
ter conform to it. Wait on the governor every respect
fully. Orders are given to my brother to
convey the lots to the Churches; but as the trust
will be difficult to be expressed, so as to preserve
that part of the lot which is bought with the
Society's money for the use of the Rector of Christ
Church, and that which is bought with my money
(for I suppose no body will now contribute a
farthing) to the Minister of St. Peter's, if ever,
separated; I think it would be better to postpone
this affair to my return. I am the only lover.
    My heart is with you, and as my vows
are made to Heaven to devote the remainder of
my life to prepare you and my self for another
World I shall not suffer any opportunity of em-
barkation for your city to pass that shall offer
after the first of August. London is very disa-
greeable to me. Tomorrow I go to Bristol to drink
the waters. As I know any thing that I can say in
favor of my health will give you pleasure, I tell
you with truth and satisfaction and abundance of
thanks to my good God that I am likely to be resto-
red to my former health. To the divine protection
and favor I commit you; praying for you and
your and my dear Congregations with the utmost
fervency. I am with the most cordial esteem
        Dear Gentlemen,
            Your most affectionate
                and faithful Pastor
To the Church Wardens      Richard Peters
and Vestry Men of Christ
Church and St. Peter's

    On the back of the above letter was
written the following note vizt.

"Gentlemen,
        Herewith you have the draught
of the charter to your churches as it is settled
by the proprietaries. In the packet directed
to the Governor there is a duplicate of this
draught and a warrant from the proprietors
to affix the great seal to such a charter at
your desire. You will please to peruse the
draught carefully, and as I know it is perfectly
agreeable to your constitution, practice, and
the several conversations I had with you
upon the subject, you will testify your ap-
probation to the Governor at the time you
deliver him the packet - that is in case you
approve of it; for your full consent must be
first given in Vestry. The Governor will ap-
point a time for you to wait on him for the
acceptance of the charter which must be
made conformable to the present Vestry, and
dated at the same time the great seal is
affixed. I give you joy at this event and
hope many benefactions will follow on it.
My letter of yesterday will satisfy you as
to the alterations and the delay.
        I am once more
            Your's  R. P.

    The copy of the charter mentioned in the
above letter was twice read, and Messer's Alexander
Stedman, John ross, and John Kearseley [Kearsley] were ap-
pointed a committee for comparing the same with
the draught of a charter formerly proposed
and entered in this book (Fol: 37 etc.) to examine

the same carefully and make report at the next
meeting.
    Ordered that in summoning the next Vestry
the business of the meeting be mentioned in each
ticket; that there may no delays for want of a
full board.
    Ordered that the Secretary bring the old book
of minutes at the next meeting; that the rules 
respecting the conduct of the Vestry at their meetings
may be read to the board.
    Messrs. Alexander Stedman and James Humphreys
were appointed a committee from conserving of
ways and means for increasing the salary of the
Reverend Mr. Duché and to make report at the next
meeting.

Ata meeting of the Vestry:
June 11, 1765

Present:

Church Wardens:
Charles Stedman
Townsend White

Vestry Men:
James Humphreys         Joseph Sims
Jacob Duché             Joseph Swift
William Bingham         Thomas Gordon
Joseph Stamper          Joseph Redman
William Pyewell         Peter Sonmans
Redmond Conyngham       Alexander Stedman
John Kearsley           and the Secretary

    The draught of a charter lately come
from England, was read and carefully compared with
the Charter formerly proposed, and, after mature
deliberation it was agreed by all present and
Resolved that the following amendment should
be made therein Vizt In the latter end of the said

Charter, after the words "until another Rector shall
be duly appointed" that these words should be in-
serted Vizt. "and approved for the said Churches
agreeable to former Method and usage."
Resolved that the Secretary should engross the
Charter with the aforesaid amendment.
    A letter from the Rector was then read to
the board in these words.

Gentlemen
            Hot Wells near Bristol April 15, 1765
            
        I wrote to you by the Reverend W. Munro,
lately appointed one of the Missionaries in the
Province of New York. With my letter I sent you
a draught of a charter of Incorporation, which
as it is now demanded, will I dare say be readily
approved, and if so, there is a letter to the Governor
enclosing a duplicate of this draught and a
warrant under the seal of the proprietaries au-
thorizing him to pass such a charter when re-
quested by you.
    As the congregation have on this
day sevennight chosen a Vestry, if Mr. Charles
Stedman be returned, I chuse him for my
Church Warden. This I do with great cheerful-
ness. Hereafter, as I have an entire confidence
in any that shall be chose by the congregation
for their representatives, I shall change my
Church Wardens every year that I may become
acquainted with all in their turn. There
may reasons for making alterations even in
this determination; but till such reasons
occur I shall have a pleasure in placing my
confidence in you all as fast as the year comes
about.

    Mr. Charles Stedman's name as my
Church Warden for the ensuring year I desire
may be entered in your Vestry book; and likewise if
the Charter be approved you will be so good as to
have it put in that likewise.
    I shall write no more: I hope to have the
pleasure of embracing you in October at furtherest;
purporting to keep my appointment I am,
        Gentlemen,
            Your affectionate Rector
                and Servant
                    Richard Peters

    To the Church Wardens and Vestry of the
united Episcopal Churches of Christ Church and
St. Peter's in Philadelphia.

    A motion was then made to increase the
church funds by raising the price of the best
sittings in the two churches; and the following
plan was laid before the board for that purpose
Vizt.

        In St. Peter's Church
From No. 1 to No. 10 Inclusion: being 60 settings 2/6 each is 7.10 pounds
--------11--------26------------------80---------ditto--------10.--
--------29--------39------------------72-----------5/--------18.10
                                                             36.--
Opposite side of the church the same-------------------------36.--
All the front fo the galleries being 95 settings at 5/ is    23.15
                                                             95.15
        In Christ Church
From No. 1 to 10 and from 89 to 98--117 settings of 2/6 is -  14.15
Pews in the body of church below stairs 260 settings at 5/ is 65.--
All the front of the galleries----------102-----------ditto - 25.10
                                                              105.5
St. Peter's Church--------------------------------------------95.15
Total increase; over and above        }----------------------201.--
the present in come of the churches   }

    But as this was a matter of considerable impor-
tance, it was thought proper to defer it till the
return of the Rector.
    Ordered that the Church Wardens wait
on the Governor with his letter and draught of the
Charter, and know from him when it will suit him
to pass the said charter, if he should approve of it.

At a meeting of the Vestry:
June 28, 1765

Present

Church Wardens:
Townsend White

Vestry Men:
James Humphreys                 Edward Duffield
Peter Turner                    Joseph Redman
Jacod Duché                     Joseph Swift
Joseph Stamper                  Redmond Conyngham
Henry Harrison                  William Pyewell
Alexander Stedman               Peter Sonmans
William Bingham                 Joseph Sems
William Plumstead [Plumsted]    John Ross

    This day the Charter granted by
the Honorable proprietaries of this Province to
the united Churches of Christ Church and St. Peter's
in this city, signed by the Honorable John Penn Esq.
Lieutenant Governor and under the great seal
of this Province for Incorporating the Rector,
Church Wardens, and Vestry Men of the said united
Congregations and enabling them to take, receive,
and hold lands and was brought into Vestry and 
distinctly read paragraph by paragraph.
And thereupon the question was put.
    Whether this Vestry will receive
and accept the said Charter of Incorporation
    And thereupon, Resolved, Nemine Con-
tradicente, that this vestry do now receive and

accept the said charter.
    Ordered, that the thanks of this Vestry
be given to me Honorable Proprietaries and to JOhn Penn
Esq. their Lieutenant Governor for their favor
in granting the said charter.
    Ordered, that the Church Wardens do prepare
an address for this purpose.
    Ordered, that the Charter aforesaid be delivered
to the Master of the Rolls of this County; by him
to be enrolled and recorded.
    Then the following questions were put, and
    Resoled that this board shall for the
future have a Secretary.
    Resolved, that Francis Hopkinson Esquire
be the Secretary to this board, during the pleasure
of the corporation.
    Resolved, that the present Secretary's
salary by fifteen pounds per annum.

able to the Vestry; it was agreed that said William
Young should serve as clerk in St. Peter's Church
aforesaid till the return of the Rector and should enjoy
the salary and privileges of the former clerk till
that time.

At a meeting of the Vestry at the school house:
December 28, 1765

Present:

Church Wardens:
Charles Stedman
Townsend White

Vestry Men:
James Humphries      Joseph Swift
Alexander Stedman    Joseph Redman
Peter Sonmans        William Bingham
Thomas Gordon        Redmond Conyngham
Jacob Duché          William Pyewell
Joseph Stamper       Joseph Sims
Edward Duffield      and the Secretary

    The Vestry having met in order to address
the Rector on his safe arrival from England; provi-
ded to wait on him at the Parsonage House, and then
addressed him in the following words Vizt.

    Reverend Sir
            The Vestry of the united Congre-
gations of Christ Church and St. Peter's wait upon you
to offer their sincere and hearty congregations
on you safe arrival.
            It affords them the greatest plearsure
to see you return to your Pastoral care amongst them
after so long an absence; and they, with the warmest
gratitude, bless the author of all good that you
have conducted safe thro' the dangers of 
the seas, and are so visibly restored in your
health.

    The Vestry find themselves heartily disposed to
do every thing in their power to render your Ministerial
Function easy and agreeable.

    To which the Rector was pleased to return
a very kind and affectionate answer.


At a meeting of the Vestry:
December 31, 1765

Present:
Richard Peters Rector

CHurch Wardens:
Charles Stedman
Townsend White

Vestry Men:
Alexander Stedman   John Ross
Joseph Redman       Redmond Conyngham
Joseph Stamper      John Kearsley
Edward Duffield     William Bingham
Thomas Gordon       Joseph Sims
Jacob Duché         William Pyewell
James Humphreys     Peter Sonmans
Joseph Swift        and
        Francis Hopkinson, Secretary

    The Vestry being summoned to meet the Ma-
nagers of the St. Peter's and Church Lottery, in order to con-
sider the most proper means for bringing the same to a con-
clusion, proceeded to deliberate on the following propo-
sals. Vizt.
    1st. Whether the offers made by Mr. John Ord, the
the Vestry, as a Corporation, shall undertake to ensure
tickets in the said Lottery at 25 pounds per hundred tickets, and
that Mr. Ord should re-ensure the Vestry at 30 pounds per
hundred or not.
    Put to the vote, and carried in the negative.

    2nd. Whether this corporation shall take any
number of tickets in the said lottery, in order to
hasten the drawing, or not; which tickets shall
be at the risque of the corporation.
        Carried in the affirmative.

    3rd. Whether or no the number of tickets this
corporation shall take shall be 800.
        Carried in the affirmative.

    The Secretary was thereupon ordered to get
800 tickets in the said lottery, and deliver them
to Dr. John Kearsley, on account of the corporation.

At a meeting of the Vestry at the School House:
January 21, 1766

Present:
Richard Peters Rector

Church Wardens:
Charles Stedman
Townsend White

Vestry Men:
John Kearsley           Joseph Redman
William Bingham         James Humphreys
Thomas Gordon           Joseph Swift
Jacob Duché             Alexander Stedman
Joseph Stamper          William Pyewell
Peter Sonmans           John Ross
Edward Duffield         Peter Turner
Joseph Sims             
    Francis Hopkinson Secretary

    The Secretary reported that agreeable to an order
of last meeting he had procured 800 lottery tickets Vizt
from No. 801 to 1600 inclusive, excepting No. 1264 supp-
plied by No. 420; all signed Jacob Duché, which tickets
he had delivered to Dr. John Kearsley for the use of the
Vestry.

    At the Desire of the Rector, the charter was read.
    Ordered, that the Rector and Church Wardens
be a committee for drawing up an address of thanks
to the Honorable the Proprietaries for the Charter of
Incorporation by them granted to this board; which
address was, by former minute ordered to be drawn up,
but was postponed till the arrival of the Rector.
    Ordered that the Secretary enter a fair copy of
the said charter in the Book of Minutes.
    The Committee appointed to examine the late
Church Wardens accounts, report, that they found
a balance in favor of the corporation amoun-
ting to 559.13.6 which had been equally distribut-
ted between the Rector and the two assistants Mi-
nisters.
    Edward Duffield having been formerly ap-
pointed Treasurer to receive and distribute certain
charitable contributions raised for the relief of the
back inhabitants distressed by the Indians; Messrs.
Joseph Redman and Joseph Swift were appointed a Com-
mittee to examine said Treasurers accounts with respect
to the contributions aforesaid and to make a report at
the next meeting.
    Several complaints having been made
against the Reverend Mr. Sturgeon for his late conduct,
particularly for his behavior in Christ Church
last Sunday; the Rector was requested to speak
to Mr. Sturgeon respecting said complaints.

    (Here followeth a copy of the Charter as
it was signed by his Honor the Governor.)

     Loco Sigilli


        "Charter of the united
Churches of Christ Church and St. Peter's
Church in the City of Philadelphia in the
Province of Pennsylvania.
        Thomas Penn and Richard Penn
true and absolute Proprietaries of the Province of
Pennsylvania and Counties of New Castle, Kent, and
Sussex on Delaware to all persons to who this
Presents shall come greeting:
        Whereas divers Members of the Episco-
pal Church of England residing in the City of Phila-
delphia have, at a very considerable expense, erected
and built two churches in the said city; the one
called Christ Church and the other St. Peter's
Church.
        And whereas it hath been represented
to us by the Reverend Richard Peters the present Rector
of the said Episcopal Churches in the said City, Charles
Stedman and Townsend White the present Church
Wardens of the said Churches; John Kearsley, Jacob
Duché, John Ross, Alexander Stedman, Edward Duf-
field, Joseph Swift, Joseph Sims, Joseph Stamper,
Thomas Gordon, Peter Turner Senior, William Pyewell,
James Humphreys, Henry Harrison, Joseph Red-
man, William Bingham, Redmond Cunningham [Conyngham],
William Plumstead, and Peter Sonmans the present

Vestry Men of the said Churches, that for want of a
corporate body in either of the said churches capable
of taking or holding by law the donations, grants,
and requests of divers charitable and well disposed
persons heretofore made for the use and benefit of the
said churches or either of them and for and towards
the support and maintenance of the Rector and Mi-
nisters thereof have been lost and the pious intentions
of the donors frustrated and defeated, and that all funds
and provisions that may or can be established for the
good purposes aforesaid will be precarious and ineffectu-
al until a suitable remedy is provided in that
behalf; Wherefore they have prayed us to incor-
porate them by the name of the Rector, Church
Wardens and Vestry Men of the united churches of
Christ CHurch and St. Peter's Church in the City of
Philadelphia in the Province of Pennsylvania,
and that they and their successors, by such name,
may be erected and constituted a body politic
and corporate and have perpetual succession.
Now know ye that we, favoring the prayer
and application of the said Rector, Church Wardens,
and Vestry Men and willing as much as in us lies
to encourage virtue, piety, and charity; and for other
good causes and considerations us thereto specially
moving have granted, ordained, declared, constituted
and appointed an do for us our heir and successors by
these presents grant, ordain, declare, constitute and ap-
point that the said Reverend Richard Peters Rector,
Charles Stedmanm Edward Duffield, Joseph Swift,
Joseph Sims, Joseph Stamper, Thomas Gordon,
Peter Turner Senior, William Pyewell, James Hum-
phreys, Henry Harrison, Joseph Redman, William

Plumstead and Peter Sonmans and their successors duly
elected and nominated in their place and stead be and
they are hereby created one corporation and body politic
to have continuance forever by the name of the
Rector, Church Wardens and Vestry Men of the
United Episcopal Churches of Christ Church
and St. Peter's Church in the City of Philadel-
phia in the province of Pennsylvania.
    And we do hereby for us, our heirs and
successors grant, ordain and declare that the said
Rector, Church Wardens, and Vestry Men and their
Successors, by the name aforesaid shall forever here-
after be persons able and capable in law to
purchase, have, receive, take, hold and enjoy in
fee-simple, or any other lesser estate or estates any
lands, tenements, rents, annuities, liberties,
franchises and other hereditaments within the said
Province of Pennsylvania or the three lower counties of
New Castele, Kent and Sussex on Delaware by the
gift grant, bargain sale, alienation, enfeoffment,
release, confirmation or devise of any person or persons,
bodies politic or corporate, capable to make the
same. And further that the said corporations and
their successors may take and receive any sum or
sums of money and any kind, manner or potion
of goods and chattels that shall be given or bequea-
ted to them by any person or persons, bodies
politic and corporate capable to make a bequest or
gift thereof; such money to be laid out by them
in a purchase or purchases of lands, tenements,
messuages, houses, rents, or hereditaments to
them and their successors forever.
    And we will and require that the
rents and revenues of the said Rector, Church

Wardens and Vestry Men and their successors be from
time to time applied by the said Rector, Church
Wardens and Vestry Men and their successors for the
maintenance and support of the Rector, Ministers and
officiers of the said united Churches and their church
yards and parsonage houses and other houses which
do now or hereafter shall belong to the said united
churches or either of them; and to no other use of
purpose whatsoever.
    And we further will and require that
the said Rector, Church Wardens and Vestry Men
and their Successors shall not by deed, fine, or reco-
very or by any other ways or means grant, alien, or
otherwise dispose of any manors, messuages, lands,
tenements or hereditaments in them and their
successors to be vested; nor change nor encumber
the same to any person or persons whomsoever.
    And we do further for us our heirs
and successors authorize and empower the said
Rector, Church Wardens and Vestry Men and their
successors, or a majority of them met from time
to time to make rules, by-laws and ordinances;
and to do every thing needful for the good government
and support of the said churches: Provided
always that the said rules, by-law and ordi-
nances be not repugnant to the laws and statutes
in force in the Kingdom of Great Britain; nor to
the laws and statutes in force in the said Province
of Pennsylvania; and be entered in the Vestry book.
    And we do hereby give and grant
unto the said Rector, Church Wardens, and Vestry
Men and their successors full power and authority
to make have and use one common seal, with such

device and inscription as they shall think proper;
and the same to change, break, alter and renew at
their pleasure.
    And we do hereby grant and ordain
that the said Rector, Church Wardens, and Vestry Men
and their successors, by the name before mentioned,
shall be able in law to sue and be sued, plead and
be impleaded in any court or courts, before any
Judge, Judges or Justices within the said Province
of Pennsylvania or said Counties on Delaware, in
all and all manner of suits, complaints, pleas, cau-
ses, matters, and demands of whatsoever kind, na-
ture or from they be; and all and every other
matter or thing therein to do in as full and ef-
fectual a maner as any other person or persons,
bodies politic or corporate within that part of
Great Britain called England or within the
said Province of Pennsylvania or the lower
Counties aforesaid in the like cases may or
can do.
    And we do further for us our heirs
and successors grant, ordain and declare that the
Vestry of the said united churches shall always
consist of twenty persons members of the said
churches or one of them; of which number the
Church Wardens are always to be two, and
that the election of such Vestry shall be made
every year on Easter Monday, by a majority of
such members of the said churches as shall ap-
pear by the Vestry books to have paid three suc-
cessive years preceding the time of such election
for a pew or setting in either of the said churches
who only shall have a right to vote for the
Vestry Men of the said united Churches.

    And we do further give and grant to
the said Vestry then so elected full power to choose their
own officers, and to elect and and choose annually
and every year one of their ow number to be one
Church Warden of the said united Churches; and
the Rector for the time being shall choose one other
of the said Vestry Men to be the other Church Warden
of the said united churches: Provided always
nevertheless that in case of the death of a Rector
of the said united Churches we will and ordain
that from the death of such Rector and until another
Rector shall be duly appointed, and approved for
the said Churches agreeable to former method and
usage, the Church Wardens for the time being
with the consent fo the Major Part of the whole
Vestry Men in Vestry met shall have the same
powers and authorities relating to the disposition
of the rents and revenues of the said corporation
as is herein before vested in the Rector, Church
Wardens and Vestry Men.
    And lastly we do for us our
heirs and successors grant, declare and ordain that
these our letters patient and charter and every clause
sentence and article herein contained shall be in
all things firm, valid, sufficient and effectual in
the law unto the said Rector, Church Wardens,
and Vestry Men, Community and Corporation
and their successors forever, according to the pur-
port and tenor hereof; without and further grant
from us our heirs and successors to be procured or
obtained: Provided always and it is hereby de-
clared and ordained that the clear yearly value
of he Messuages, Houses, Lands, Tenements, Rents,
Annuities or other Hereditaments and real estate

of the said corporation shall not exceed the sum of
six hundred pounds sterling exclusive of
the monies arising from the letting of the
pews belonging to the said churches or either of them
and also exclusive of the monies arising from ope-
ning the ground for burial in the church yard
belonging to the said churches or either of them
which said monies shall, as it is now, be dispo-
sed of by the Church Wardens and Vestry Men
for the time being for the purposes herein before
mentioned In testimony whereof
we have caused these our letters to be made
patent and the great seal of our siad Province
to be hereunto affixed witness John Penn Esquire
our Lieutenant Governor and Commander in
Chief in and over our said Province of Pennsylva-
nia and Counties of New Castle, Ken, and Sussex
on Delaware this twenty fourth day of June
in the fifth year of the reign of our sovereign Lord
George the Third King of Great Britain, France,
and Ireland Defender of the faith etc And
in the year of our Lord One Thousand Seven
Hundred and Sixty Five.
                    John Penn



    Recorded in the office for recording
deeds for the city and county of Philadelphia in Pat
Book AA Vol. 6 pa. 357 and the 30th Day of July 1765
witness my hand and seal of my office aforesaid
                            C. Brockden Record

At a meeting of the Vestry at the Rector's house:
February 17, 1766

Present:
Richard Peters Rector

Church Wardens:
Charles Stedman
Townsend White

Vestry Men:
Alexander Stedman                  James Humphreys
Joseph Sims                        Edward Duffield
William Pyewell                    William Bingham
Thomas Gordon                      Joseph Swift
Joseph Redman                      John Ross
Jacob Duché                        Peter Turner
John Kearsley                      Joseph Stamper
Redmond Cuningham [Cunyngham]
        Francis Hopkinson Secretary

    An address of thanks to the honorable
the Proprietaries for their Charter of Incorporation
was read to the Board in the following words Vizt.

    To the Honorable Thomas Penn
and Richard Penn Esquires true and absolute Proprietors
of the Province of Pennsylvania etc.
    The humble address of the Rector, Church
Wardens and Vestry Men of the united Episcopal
Churches of Christ Church and St. Peter's Church in
the City of Philadelphia in the Province of Penn-
sylvania.
    Honored Gentlemen,
                    With the most un-
feigned sincerity, permit us to express our deep sense
of your constant readiness to promote the interests
of religion and knowledge in this province; and
more particularly your benevolence and kindness
to the members of the Church of England in this city,

which have laid the congregations we represent under
peculiar ties of gratitude to you.
    Your generous and free gift of a let for
St. Peter's Church gave us an opportunity some years
ago to offer our warmest acknowledgements to you,
which we are now called to repeat by a fresh instance
of your indulgence in granting our Churches a
Charter of Incorporation, which has been most
gratefully accepted. By the aid and sanction of
this charter, we trust the pious benefactions of pious
persons to charitable uses in our Congregations may
by more effectually managed; and the order, govern-
ment and decorum of our Churches better main-
tained.
    As these were the purposes for which the
charter was humbly sollicited on our poart, and
kindly granted on your's it shall be our endeavor
as we hope it will be that of our successors to make
use of it only for these important ends.
    Praying every Happiness temporal and
eternal to you and your families, we are with
the utmost esteem and gratitude
            Honored Gentlemen
                Your servant
Philadelphia
February 17, 1766   Richard Peters Rector
                    Charles Stedman     Church Wardens
                    Townsend White

    This address being approved of the Rector
was requested to transmit the same to the Honorable
the Proprietaries.

    The Rector reported to the Board that he
had communicated to the Reverend Mr. Sturgeon the sundry

Matters recommended to him at the last meeting;
and that he had this morning received from Mr. Sturgeon
a letter; which was read to the board in following
words vizt.

    For the Reverend Mr. Peters, Rector
    
    Reverend Sir.
                    Having duly weighed the
several things you communicated to me from the Vestry,
my answer is as follows:
        As to the sermon at which I hear some of
the congregation were offended, I aver to you that I
did not mean to give offence; and hope the impor-
tance of the subject should there have been any
warmth will be a sufficient excuse.
        As to the reports which prevail of my
not having acted in character upon some occasions
with intemperate heat and passion; I do declare
that if any such instance can be produced, it took it's
rise from a mind disturbed by indisposition of body;
which my intimate friend and the physicians that
attend me can testify.
        As to the complaints made against me
for a backwardness in not paying my debts, I own
with concern, this may be true in some instances; not
for want of a love of justice, but owing to disability
and the hardness of the times, a large family and sup-
port; and perhaps too great an anxiety to provide
something for my wife and children, in case it pleased
God to take me from them.
        Thus, Reverend Sir, I have answered you
with the integrity of heart becoming a Minister of the
Gospel, and I make not the least doubt but that
you will treat me with the usual candour and

139
February 
1766

Friendship. I have been a Minister in the Church 
almost 19 years, and can declare I have endeavoured
to do my Duty to the best of my Knowledge; tho' at
the same time I feel that I am a frail * and no
Doubt in so long a time, some words or actions
may be found that will prove the same Truth.
However, here I rest, that my Conduct upon the
whole will be found, when judged by the Golden
Rule, that of an honest man, a sincere Christian
and a faithful Minister of Christ. After proper 
Regards, I am
           Revd. Sir,
              Your most humble servant
                  Wm. Sturgeon
P.S. I would not have
the Meeting of the Vestry
put off any longer

* A word wanting in the Original, probably
the word Man.

   The said Letter being taken into Consideration
and some Debates had thereon, Resolved
N. C. [nolo contendere] that this Board decline at this time to enter
into an Enquiry of the Revd. Mr. Sturgeon's character
and conduct without his particular 
desire: upon which the Rector proposed an amicable
way to settle the matter; which being considered,
it was unanimously agreed to that
Mr. Sturgeon should be called in.
   But before he came in, some of the 
Members expressed their uneasiness at some declarations
said to be made by Mr. Sturgeon to Mr.
James Craig and Capt. William Morrell, giving 
them to understand that he, Mr. Sturgeon, had
received his Quietus from the Rector, thro' the Vestry.
   Whereupon Mr. Sturgeon, being desired, came

came in, and the Rector in the name of the Vestry
acquainted him, that he had laid his letter before
the Vestry, who had considered the same: whereupon
the Minute of last Vestry relative to Mr. Sturgeon
was read. Some of the Members, then, enquired
of Mr. Sturgeons whether he had not made the de-
clarations before mentioned to Mr. Craig and Captain
Morrell; to which Mr. Sturgeon answered, he referred
to these Gentlemen to declare what had passed
between him and them, as they were Gentlemen
of Veracity: some other questions being about
to be proposed to Mr. Sturgeon, he suddenly rose up
and departed, wishing the Vestry well and that
they might do right.
        The Committee appointed to examine
Mr. Duffields accounts in regard to the receiving
and distributing certain charitable contribu-
tions; made the following report vizt.
        We the committee appointed by the
Vestry to inspect Mr. Duffield's accounts of the sums
of money raised for the relief of the back inhabitants
distressed by the Indian incursions, do report the
same amounted to nine hundred and forty
seven pounds; which, by vouchers produced to us,
was distributed by him.

            Joseph Redman
            Joseph Swift

Philadelphia
January 22, 1766

At a meeting of the Vestry at the Rector's
February 25, 1766

Present:
The Reverend Richard Peters Rector

Church Wardens:
Charles Stedman
Townsend White

Vestry Men:
Peter Sonmans       Peter Turner Sr.
James Humphreys     Joseph Redman
Jacob Duché         William Bingham
John Kearsley       Edward Duffield
Joseph Swift        Alexander Stedman
Joseph Sims         Redmong Cuningham [Conyngham]
        Francis Hopkinson Secretary

    The Rector with Messrs. John Kearsley,
Alexander Stedman, and Jacob Duché were appoin-
ted a committee to inspect the minutes of Vestry
and to extract from there whatever relates to the
Constitution, Rules and usages of the church and
to make a draught of a sett of such by-laws
and rules as they shall think necessary for the
good Government of the Church; likewise to
receive the deeds for the church groung and lots
from a committee formerly appointed to collect
them and have them recorded; and to report what
further things may be necessary to be done to
vest the said grounds in this corporation.
    The same committee are likewise to
apply to the Secretary of the land office for a
patent for the lot for which the humble proprietor's
have been already paid the consideration money
amounting to 500 pounds sterling; but before it passes
the seals they are to lay a draught of such
patent before the Vestry for their approbation.

    Messrs. Jacob Duché, Joseph Sims and Thomas
Gordon were appointed a committee to make a plan
of the ground before mentioned and to divide the same
into lots to be let out to such persons as shall offer
the best ground rent for the same: and to lay
said plan before the next Vestry.
    A memorial from Mr. Joseph Garner the
present school master in the Church School-House
requesting a lease of said School-House for 21 years
subject to a rent of 16 pounds per annum: and engage in to en-
large said School-House 18 or 20 feet at his own
expense was read to the Board and considered.
    Ordered that the committee for framing
by-laws and should construct the original deed or
grant of said School-House, examine the uses
limited in said deed and make report to the
next Vestry.
    And Messrs. Jacob Duché, Alexander Stedman,
Joseph Sims and William Bingham, the survi-
ving members who stand bound by too bonds
for the payment of 900 pounds with interest thereon
for the building of St. Peter's Church, thinking
it reassembled that this board, being now a
body corporate should give them every assurance
in their power for the payment of said sum with
interest: Resolved that this corporation will
take care that the said sum of 900 pounds with its
interest shall be paid to the aforesaid persons out 
of the monies arising from the Church funds.

    At an election held at
Christ Church on Easter Monday the 31st of
March 1766; by the congregations of Christ
Church and St. Peter's Church the following
persons were elected Church Wardens and
Vestry Men. Vizt.

Church Wardens:
Joseph Swift
Joseph Sims

Vestry Men:
John Kearsley           Jacob Duché
Peter Turner            Redmond Conyngham
William Pyewell         Alexander Stedman
*William Bingham        *Townsend White
*Charles Stedman        *Joseph Redman
*Edward Duffield        *Joseph Stamper
Thomas Gordon           Peter Sonmans
Joseph Humphreys        Archibald McCall
Thomas Willing          William Coxe
*Quest Men


At a meeting of the Vestry April 7, 1766:

Present:
The Rector

Church Wardens:
Joseph Swift
Joseph Sims

Vestry Men:
William Pyewell     Redmond Cuningham [Conyngham]
Joseph Stamper      William Bingham
Joseph Redman       James Humphries [Humphreys]
Thomas Willing      Edward Duffield

William Coxe        Jacob Duché
Peter Sonmans       Peter Turner

    All former committees are continued
    James Humphries [Humphreys] was added to the committee
appointed to make a draught of such by-laws
and rules as shall be judged necessary for the good
government of the churches; and they are requested
to loose no time in preparing said draught.
    The Rector having received from Mr. John Ross
all the deeds which he had collected for any ground or
lots belonging to the church together with a list thereof,
the same were compared with the list and found to
agree. Upon examination, it appeared that the follow-
ing deeds were not amongst them, namely a decla-
ration of trust from Joshua Carpenter for the 32 feet
lot on which the Parsonage House and School-
House now stand, the deeds for the CHurch Bu-
rial ground; and the patent for the ground on
which St. Peter's Church stands: This list, is in
the hands of Mr. Duché. The Deeds of lease and release
for the church burial ground were formerly
delivered to the late Dr. Jenney and have been seen and read by
Mr. Humphries [Humphreys], Mr. Redman and Mr. Peters, and are
supposed to be amongst Mr. Okil's [Okill] or perhaps
with Mr. Lawrence; as they were delivered either to
Mr. Okill or Mr. Lawrence in order to settle a diffe-
rence between Mr. Stanley and the Church about
the place where the fence should stand, on that
side where the burying ground borders on Stanley's
lots. Mr. Duché remembers to have seen Joshua
Carpenter's Declaration of trust for the ground
on which the Parsonage Houe stands; and thinks
Dr. Kearsley may know something about it.

    Dr. Kearsley surviving trustees for
some of the ground belonging to the church, is
descried to convey it to the corporation and Mr.
Humphries [Humphreys] is to prepare a conveyance for him
to execute: as is likewise Mr. Duché the survi-
ving trustee in the proprietary patent for St.
Peter's Church lot descried to convey the same
to the corporation.
    Mr. Duffield, Mr. Cuningham [Conyngham] and Mr.
Bingham are appointed to settle the late Church
Warden's accounts.
    As one half year's pew money became
due on the 25th of March last Resolved that
notice be given in Church next Sunday for all
persons owing pew money to come and pay the
same in church to the Church Wardens on
Monday between 10 and 12 o'clock in the moning
who will attend at each church for that pur-
pose: and the secretary is to draw up a proper
notice thereof.
    The Vestry took again into consi-
deration the petition of Mr. Joseph garner the
School-Master for leave to make an additon
to the School-House, on a lease of 21 years at
the same rent he now pays; and it was una-
nimously agreed that no such lease should be
granted, as the school does now, and would then
much more incommode the Rector; and as
hereafter it may be thought convenient and even
necessary to build a parsonage house on some
part of the lot more remote from the street, or
otherwise to employ the ground, to the greater
benefit of the church.

    Mr. Josiah refusing to give up the seat
which Mr. Venables and some others were rightly
possessed of some time past and in which he was
admitted to have one seat by Mr. White the late
Church Warden: the present Church Wardens
are desired to tell him that he is forthwith to pay
his subscription of 15 pounds towards the building
of St. Peter's Church and to take the whole pew;
or he will not be permitted to set there any long-
er

=================================================

At a meeting of the Vestry May 19, 1766:

Present:
The Rector

Church Wardens:
Joseph Swift
Joseph Sims

Vestry Men:
Townsend White      William Pyewell
William Bingham     William Coxe
Edward Duffield     Jacob Duché
Peter Sonmans       James Humphreys
Charles Stedman     Alexander Stedman
        Francis Hopkinson, Secretary

    Mr. Hopkinson having acquainted the Vestry, that
his affairs required him to take a voyage to England, they
unanimously expressed their satisfaction with him for the
faithful discharge of his duty whilst their Secretary returned
him their thanks for this services, and received from him the
Minute Book, Charter, and such other papers as he had relating
to the church, and gave him an order upon the Church War-
dens for a year's salary amounting to 15 pounds.

    Resolved that for the future all persons applying
for burials in either of the churches shall make their
application to the officers of the respective churches,
who are to attend and take the usual fees; and they
are hereby ordered to settle their accounts with the
Church Wardens and pay the money due punctually
every quarter.

___________________________________________________

    At a Vestry in the Parsonage House held on Monday
    July 28, 1755:

Present:
The Rector

Church Warden:
Joseph Swift

Vestry Men:
Thomas Willing          Jacob Duché
Alexander Stedman       John Kearsley
Joseph Redman           James Humphreys
William Pyewell         Charles Stedman
William Bingham         Peter Turner
Townsend White
        The Reverend Mr. Sturgeon,

    Mr. Sturgeon acquainted the Vestry, that he had a de-
sire to resign his office of Assistant Minister, and requested
that a committee of Vestry, together with the Rector might
be appointed to confer with him on what might be the
most proper manner of doing it.
    And the Vestry accordingly were pleased to ap-
point the Rector, Mr. Joseph Swift Church Warden

Dr. Kearsley, Mr. Willing and Mr. Charles Stedman to be a Com-
mittee to confer with Mr. Sturgeon on the subject of Mr. Stur-
geon's Resignation.
    The committee agreed to meet Mr. Sturgeon on Wed-
nesday afternoon at 3 o'clock at the Recotor's

_____________________________________________________________

    At a Vestry held in the Parsonage House on Thursday
    July 31, 1766:

Present:
The Rector

Church Wardens:
Joseph Swift
Joseph Sims

Vestry Men:
John Kearsley       Peter Sonmans
Charles Stedman     Alexander Stedman
Joseph Stamper      Townsend White
Jacob Duché         William Bingham
Joseph Reman        Edward Duffield
James Humphreys     Thomas Willing

    The committee appointed to confer with Mr. Sturgeon on
his proposed resignation, delivered in their report, which was
read in these words

At a meeting of a committee of Vestry, July 30, 1766.
Present,
The Rector
Dr. Kearsley            Mr. Joseph Swift
Mr. Charles Stedman     Mr. Thomas Willing

    The Committee being met agreeable to the order of Vestry
to confer with the Reverend Mr. Sturgeon relative to his proposal
for resigning his office as one of the assistant Ministers of these
Churches; and several matters having been mentioned to

them concerning Mr. Sturgeon's indisposition of body, and difficulty
in his circumstances, it was proposed to consider what might
reasonably be resumed to him against the 29th of next
September, the end of his present half-year, both by the
outstanding pew money and the perquisites of his office; and
that the same might be allowed to him in as liberal a
manner as possible and paid as son as convenient that he
may be the better enabled to settle his private matters, and
might not retire with anything due him from the con-
gregations.
    Mr. Sturgeon's desire was also intimated to the committee
to have a certificate, that his resignation was his own
free act and motion, owing to his ill state of health, and that
he was not discharged for any irregular or immoral conduct.
    The committee having taken the above into their seri-
ous consideration, with the state of the church funds, and
having a tender regard to Mr. Sturgeon's long services
thought the sum of two hundred pounds would be a full
and generous allowance to him in lieu of all arrears
of salary and other perquisites due or that could be presumed
due to him against the 29th September next, and
Resolved to recommend it to the Vestry to accept of his
resignation, and give him the proper certificates; and
also to fall on ways and means to pay him one hundred
pounds of that sum against 1st day of September and the remain-
ing hundred pounds at the expiration of the present half-
year, viz, the 29th of September next.
    July 30th, 1766, upon the Vestry's approbation
of the committee's report, I freely resign my office of
Minister in the united Churches.
                            W Sturgeon

    After reading the report, some of the members took notice
that Mr. Sturgeon had often mentioned in conversation, that there
was a sum of money due to him from Dr. Jenney out of
the burial fees, which he received all the time he was unable
to do duty himself, tho' he promised Mr. Sturgeon should
have the benefit of these; and desired to know of the Com-
mitte, if these made up any part of the sum proposed to
be now given him in lieu of all demands from the committee aforesaid
the Vestry, that Mr. Sturgeon had himself mentioned this
matter to the committee and declared that the churches had
nothing to do with these sums, but that it was a private
contract between Dr. Jenney and him, and to be settled between
him and Dr. Jenney's Executors.
    Then the report was carefully considered in all of its parts,
and the Vestry unanimously agreed to accept of Mr. Sturgeon's
resignation as his own voluntary [unclear], and to give him a cer-
tificate, when demanded, that it was so and that he was not
discharged for any irregular or immoral conduct. They
likewise agreed to pay to him the sum of one hundred
pounds on the first day of September next, and the fur-
ther sum of one hundred pounds on the twenty-ninth
day of September next, if such sums could possibly be
collected, as a full compensation for all salaries, perqui-
sites and demands whatever that Mr. Sturgeon has or can
be supposed to have upon the united Churches; and
the Church Wardens are required to pay him the
above sums in manner aforesaid, taking his receipt for
the same, as a full discharge for all his demands on
the churches; and that the same might be punctually
paid, the members of Vestry kindly undertook to collect
the monies due for pews; and for expedition's sake they agred
to collect the same by districts, two to take a district
till the whole was collected.

At a Vestry held in the Parsonage House
on Monday, August 18, 1766:

Present:
Richard Peters, Rector

Church Wardens:
Joseph Swift
Joseph Sims

Vestry Men:
Jacob Duché         John Kearsley
Townsend White      Alexander Stedman
Peter Turner        Joseph Redman
Peter Sonmans       Edward Duffield
James Humphreys     William Bingham

    The Church Wardens acquainted the Vestry, that Mr.
Garner, their tenant for the School House, having taken
another house, and left the School House abruptly without
giving them warning or paying his rent, they had been obliged
to distrain upon an organ, which he had taken from them by
a writ of replevin, and therefore they desired the Vestry's or-
der about their further proceedings and in consideration of
Mr. Garner's good public character, as well as his ex-
pense in making some alterations that were to the advan-
tage of the School House, they were not for proceeding
any further, but desired the Rector would settle the matter
with him and if he could not pay, take his penal note
for what was due.
    As the School House was now vacant and the
Vestry were without any room to meet and do business in,
and the Rector had it not in his power for want of room
in the Parsonage House to lodge any of the Clergy, who
might come to town on their own business, or be inclined

to come and offer their service to the churches, it was unanimously
resolved, that the School House and chamber over it should not
be let, but left to the Rector to make such use of, as would best
serve the conveniency of his family: so that the library belong-
ing to the churches should be where it is and be well taken care
of, and the lower room be made use of by the Vestry for when
meetings, whenever they should want to meet upon business.
    The Rector and Church Wardens are desired to get the
catalogues of the old and new library, and see that the books
are all in their places, and when examined, a true and perfect
catalogue is to be made not out and entered in the Vestry book.
    It was then moved by the Rector, that the Vestry would
consider what steps should be taken to have Mr. Sturgeon's
place filled up, and several things were mentioned, but no-
thing concluded upon.

_______________________________________________________________

At a Vestry held in the School House
on Saturday, September 27, 1766:

Present:
Richard Peters, Rector

Vestry Men:
John Kearsely [Kearsley]    Jacob Duché
Alexander Stedman           James Humphreys
William Pyewell             Thomas Willing
Edward Duffield             Peter Turner

Church Wardens:
Joseph Swift
Joseph Sims

    The Vestry resumed the consideration of the state of the
church and determined to wait patiently for some time
in hopes, that some worthy Missionary or Minister upon
the continent might offer to supply Mr. Sturgeon's place

of Assistant Minister, and left it to the Rector to procure any
occasional supply the churches might stand in need of.
    A draught of a patent drawn by the secretary of the
land office for the proprietary lot of 396 feet by 102, on
Spruce Street was read, as were likewise all the papers recited
thereon: And it was not approved, because the patent, when it
expressed the uses, makes them to be for the use of the parson
or parsons, Minister or Ministers of the united churches: where
as it is well known to Mr. Duché, Mr. Ross, and Dr. Smith, the
surviving trustees of the Society for the Propagation of the
Gospel, that the money given by the said Society in pur-
suance of Mr. Jenney's will for the purchase of this
ground, was expressly for the use of the Rector of Christ
Church for the time being, and also the gift of Mr. Pe-
ters the present Rector of the said churches, who was
then the Secretary and agent of the Proprietaries of one
hundred pounds sterling was then and all along declared
to be for the sole use of the Rector of St. Peter's Church in
case of a separation of the two churches, and the sub-
scriptions were to be asked for what would make up the
500 pounds, or if these should at any time be money enough
belonging to the church, the Vestry was to make it up with
their money on no other condition, than that the rents should
go to the sole use of the Rector, while the Churches were
united, and Rectors, whenever separated.
    The Rector was desired to make Mr. Tilghman
the Proprietary secretary acquainted with this Mis-
take, and to tell him that the Vestry would make a de-
claration of the truth of the above fact and enter it
in their books, which they imagined would be all
that was necessary to be done, in order to rectify
the mistake.

    Mr. Garner laid before the Vestry an account of sums
expended by him in the School House and chamber over it,
amounting to above thirty pounds, and in as much as these
things were doen for his own private conveniency and that
he had the School House on an easy rent, on account of his
expenses it was determined not to allow him the whole,
but to abate one half of what he was in arrear to the
Churches for rent.
    The Vestry not knowing how to pay the interest
of the money they owe, and finding that the pecos bring in
a scanty supply for the Ministers think it advisable to
raise the pew money by making such seats as have the
most advantageous situations pay five shillings a sitting
additional pay and those who have the next best situations
pay half a crown additional pay for a sitting. They would
include for the five shilling the front seats in the gal-
leries, and the center seats abutting on the middle ayle and
for the additional half-crown the seats next to the
center seats on the ground floor: of which notice is to
be given tomorrow at church at the same time that the
notice is given that the Church Wardens will attend
three successive Mondays from ten to twelve o'clock
in the forenoon to receive the half-year's pew money due
the 25th instant, and the people are to be likewise told,
that they may at any time pay their money to the Church
Wardens at their own honses.
    It being represented to the Vestry, that the organ
lately erected in Christ Church was now finished; and
that the congregation recommended Mr. Bremner to be the
Organist for whom a subscription had been made to his
satisfaction, Resolved, that Mr. Bremner be the organist
of Christ Church, on this express condition, that the Vestry be
at no expense either as to the organist or organ.

At a Vestry held in the School House
on Tuesday October 14, 1766:

Present:
Richard Peters, Rector

Church Wardens:
Joseph Sims
Joseph Swift

Vestry Men:
John Kearsley       Charles Stedman
Jacob Duché         Alexander Stedman
James Humphreys     Edward Duffield
Peter Turner        William Bingham
William Pyewell     Peter Sonmans

    The Vestry took into consideration what was done at the
last meeting with respect to raising the pew money, and
resolved, that it should not take place, but that the pay
for the sittings should remain the same as before.
    The Rector reported that he had made Mr. Tilghman
the Proprietary Secretary acquainted with the mistake in
the draught of the Proprietary patent for the church
lot on Spruce Street and with the method proposed to be
taken by the Vestry to se the thing right; and he said
it was a good one, and that on receipt of such de-
claration he would make out the patent: Whereupon
    the Rector, Church Wardens and Vestry Men of the 
united Episcopal Churches of Christ Church and St. Peter's
in the City of Philadelphia taking into consideration
an agreement executed between the proprietary agents
and William Smith Doctor in Divinity Provost of the
College in the said City, Jacob Duché Esquire, John Ross Esquire
and Evan Morgan gentleman, surviving attorneys of the
incorporated Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in

foreign parts, bearing date the 16th day of January, 1762,
for the purchase of a certain lot of ground in the said City
partly for the use of Christ Church, and partly for the use
of St. Peter's church aforesaid, do resolve, that notwithstanding
it be expressed in some parts of the said agreement, that
the said purchase was to be made for the use of the Parson
of Parsons, Minister or Ministers of the said churches, yet
it is well known to have been the real intent and true
design of the contracting parties that the said purchase was
made for the use of the respective Rectors or principal
Ministers for the time being of the said churches, and
their respective successors for ever, and such is hereby
declared to have been the true intent and design of the law
purchase, and this resolve and declaration is ordered
to be entered on the Vestry. Books of the said united
Episcopal Churches and it is also ordered, that a fair
copy of the same be made out and transmitted to the
Secretary of the land office, for his direction in ma-
king over the patent for the said lot.
    And as all the other parts of the draught laid before
them at their last meeting were right and approved by them
they desired that the patent might be immediately
made out.

At a Vestry held at the Parsonage House
December 2, 1766

Present:
Richard Peters, Rector

Church Wardens:
Joseph Swift
Joseph Sims

Vestry Men:
William Coxe            Townsend White
Peter Turner            Peter Sonmans
William Pyewell         Thomas Willing
Jacob Duché             Charles Stedman
Alexander Stedman       William Bingham
                        Joseph Stamper

    The Rector informed the Vestry that at the instance of Mr. Sims
he had twice convened the members to meet, but could not get a
quorum together, in order to consider a matter that was now grown
very serious and particularly distressful to Mr. Sims, and those other
gentlemen, who had with the approbation of the Vestry borrowed
and given their bonds for the sum of 900 pounds, money that was want-
ed to finish the inside work of St. Peter's Church, as there bonds
had been put in suit against them by Mr. Harrison to whom
they now belonged: and now that there was a pretty full Vestry
the Rector recommended this matter to their most series
consideration, and then spoke as follows,
    Gentlemen,
                I always considered my relation to you as Rector
to be of a spiritual nature, and that all temporal matters, such
as your grants for support, be the same more or less, were
but a secondary consideration. I know the money arising
from the seats in both by constitution and charter appropria-
ted for the maintenance of the Rector and Ministers: and

as this, after such a large payment as has been made out of
it to Mr. Sturgeon is not sufficient for that purpose, I think it
proper to declare to you, and this with the utmost affection, that
I will forbear receiving any thing further for my support, all
you shall get so far out of your difficulties as to be able to
afford me a reasonable one.
    After which the Vestry proceeded to consider the above
matter recommended to them by the Rector, and after the
most serious consultation thereupon, as well as upon the state of
the church funds, and the scanty provision heretofore made
for Mr. Duché, which would by no means give him a base
support, with the approbation and concurrence of the Rector,
they came to the following resolutions.
    Resolved, that from and after the 25th of September last past
the revenues of the united churches of Christ Church and St. Peter's
shall be disposed of and appropriated in the following manner,
that is to say that the incidental and contingent charges of both
churches shall be first paid; after which the remainder of the
revenue shall be paid into the hands of the Rector, who shall
pay to the Reverend Mr. Duché the sum of three hundred
and fifty pounds per year and every year; and shall also
pay off and discharge the interest money due and to become due
to the Representatives of Henry Harrison Esquire deceased until
the Principal sum of the nine hundred pounds is discharged
and paid off: after which, it is the resolve of this Vestry
that the residue of all the revenue shall be retained and
kept by the Reverend Richard Peters Rector of the said united
churches for his own use and benefit: provided never-
theless, that when the principal money shall be so paid
off, it is resolved, that the whole revenue of the churches,
after the incidental and contingent expenses and charges, and the
three hundred and fifty pounds hereby given to Mr. Duché

are and shall be annually paid, that the said Rector shall have
and receive all the rest and residue of the said revenue
for his own use and benefit. This minute shall continue
during the pleasure of Vestry.
    A patent from the proprietaries to the corporation for a
lot of ground in Spruce Street 396 fet in length, and
102 feet in breadth, as mentioned in the minute of the
14th October was read, accepted and approved.

________________________________________________________________

At a Vestry held at the Parsonage House
January 12, 1767

Present:
Richard Peters, Rector

Church Wardens:
Joseph Swift
Joseph Sims

Vestry Men:
John Kearsley           Charles Stedman
Alexander Stedman       Townsend White
William Bingham         James Humphreys
William Pyewell         Joseph Stamper

    Information having been given to the Rector, that the season
proving very sever, wood and other necessaries of life were grown
so dear, that many poor house keepers were in danger of perishing
and that the poor and insolvent debtors in Jay C were likewise in
a most miserable condition, sermons were yesterday preached in
both churches, recommending their relief as a most Christian
Charity: and the collections amounted to one hundred and thirty pounds

and the Rector now desired, that a committee might be appoint-
ed to distribute this charity,
    Resolved, that the Ministers and Church Wardens together
with Dr. Kearsley and Mr. Bingham be a committee for that pur-
pose, and it was given them in charge to use great care, that
the money so bountifully given might be properly disposed of
to the most deserving and necessitous object.
    The organ in Christ Church being finished, the same was care-
fully examined by the Governor, Mr. Bremner the organist, and several
others, who were deemed to understand such work, in the presence
of the Rector and Church Wardens and other members of the church; and
they reported that the work in every part of it was not only well and
faithfully done, but that the expense had exceeded the estimate, upon
which the original contract was founded and that for this reason
the maker Mr. Fyring ought to receive proper allowance.
    On this repost, the organ was delivered to the Church
Wardens, and the key lodged with the Rector.

____________________________________________________________________

At a Vestry held at the Parsonage House
January 23, 1767

Present:
Richard Peters, Rector

Church Wardens:
Joseph Swift
Joseph Sims

Vestry Men:
John Kearsley       Charles Stedman
Thomas Willing      Peter Turner
Jacob Duché         James Humphreys
William Bingham     William Coxe
William Pyewell     Peter Sonmans
Townsend White      Alexander Stedman

    The committee appointed to draw up a sett of by-laws for the
good government of the churches presented a draught of such
laws as appeared to them to be necessary, which was very care-
fully considered, and after it was altered and amended in several
place, it was then read paragraph by paragraph, unanimously
approved and ordered to be engrossed, that the same might be
enacted and published to the congregations.

________________________________________________________________

At a Vestry held at the Parsonage House
April 14, 1767

Present:
Richard Peters, Rector

Church Wardens:
Joseph Swift
Joseph Sims

Vestry Men:
Jacob Duché         Charles Stedman
William Pyewell     Alexander Stedman
Peter Sonmans       William Bingham

    The laws as amended and unanimously agreed to at the
last Vestry having been copied, the same was compared with the
original draught, and found to agree with it. Resolved, that
the same be enacted into laws and published in church on
Easter Monday just before the election of the new Vestry.
    The Committee appointed to distribute the charity collected
for poor housekeepers and insolvent debtors desired that their
accounts might be examined and Mr. Duché and Mr. Humphreys
were desired to examine and make report thereof at the next
Vestry.

At a general meeting of the Rector and members of the
united Churches of Christ Church and St. Peter's in
Christ Church, on Easter Monday, April 20, 1767

    The persons met for the annual election of Vestry Men were
informed, that a body of laws had been enacted by the Rector,
Church Wardens and Vestry Men in virtue of their charter of
incorporation: and it was now thought proper to publish them at
this general meeting, that the congregations might know and conform
to them. Then the laws were read twice over audibly and distinct-
ly, and a pause made at the ending of each law, that every
one might be well and clearly understood.
    The laws were all approved except that one, which makes
the 11th chapter, concerning the choice of a Rector; with respect
to which it was observed by several, that the Vestry by this law
might go on precipitately into the Election of a Rector, and choose
one, of whom the Congregation might be totally ignorant, or one
who might be on many accounts disagreeable to the majority
of the congregations; whereas they thought no one should be cho-
sen either precipitately, or who would give general dissatisfaction
and desired that some addition preventive of this might be made
to that law, that would give the congregation an opportunity, if
they pleased of expressing their sentiments to the Vestry. And
as this appeared reasonable, they were told that such an addition-
al clause should be prepared and laid before the congregations,
who were desired to meet again, on this day sevennight,
for that purpose.

    After this they proceeded to the choice of Vestry Men, and
the majority of votes fell on the following persons, viz.

John Kearsley       William Pyewell
Jacob Duché         Townsend White
James Humphreys     Joseph Redman
Peter Sonmans       Joseph Swift
Peter Turner        Charles Stedman
Thomas Willing      Joseph Sims
William Bingham     William Coxe
Joseph Stamper      Archibald McCall
John Ross           John Baynton
John Willcox        John Gibson

Who were accordingly published in presence of the voters.

    Then the Rector agreeable to usage and charter proceeded
to name William Bingham for his Church Warden, and
the Vestry Men chose James Humphreys Church Warden for
the Congregations, and
    Quest Men for Christ Church:
    Townsend White
    Joseph Swift
    
    Quest Men for St. Peter's:
    Joseph Stamper
    John Willcox

At a Vestry held at the Parsonage House
on Monday April 27, 1767:

Present:
Richard Peters, Rector

Church Wardens:
William Bingham
James Huphreys

Vestry Men:
John Kearsley       Charles Stedman
William Pyewell     Jacob Duché
Thomas Willing      William Coxe
John Gibson         John Baynton
Peter Sonmans       Joseph Sims
Peter Turner        Townsend White
        John Willcox

    The proceedings of the Meeting of the congregations on
Easter Monday, as entered in the preceding minute were read
and approved; and after long and careful deliberation, it was una-
nimously resolved, that the following additions should be made
to the law relating to the election of a Rector, namely,
    And it is also further declared that no person chosen Rector
as aforesaid shall be recommended by the Vestry to the Bishop
for approbation till one month at least after such election, in
order, that if the major part of the congregatoin, that is to say,
of those, who have paid the pew money, as is heretofore direct-
ed, should have any reasonable objection to the person so
chosen, they may have an opportunity of signifying the
same in writing to the Vestry.

    After which the Rector, Church Wardens and Vestry Men ad-
journed to Christ Church in order to attend such members of the
congregations as might be met there in consequence of the ap-
pointment made on Easter Monday to meet again as this
day. When come there, and numbers, as might be expected
being assembled, the Rector took notice to them of the inten-
tion of this general meeting, and that agreeable to the Senti-
ments expressed by several at their annual meeting for
the election of Vestry Men, an additional clause had been
made to the law relating to the election of a Rector, and
that the laws should be again read distinctly together with this
clause, which was done accordingly, and this particular law
so amended was read three times distinctly and audibly, and
no further objection being made either to that or any other
of the laws, but all appearing to be well satisfied, the
assembly broke up.
    Ordered, that the great seal of the corporation be af-
fixed to the laws, and that they be centered in this day's
Minister of Vestry.

Lobo Sigilli


            Rules and Statutes of the Corpora-
        tion of the Rector, Church Wardens and Vestry
        Men of the United Episcopal Churches of
        Christ Church and St. Peter's Church in the
        City of Philadelphia in the Province of
        Pennsylvania
        
        Chapter 1
    Preamble and Fundamental Declaration.
    
    Whereas the Honorable Proprietaries of the Province of
Pennsylvania, by their Charter or letters Patent, bearing date
the twenty-fourth day of June 1765, were pleased to create the
Rector, Church Wardens and Vestry Men of the united Episco-
pal Churches of Christ Church and St. Peter's Church in the
City of Philadelphia in the province of Pennsylvania, one
corporation and body politick to have continuance for ever with
divers ample rights and privileges for making by-laws, and
doing other matters for the good government and weal of the
said churches, and to have and use one common seal, with
such inscription and devise as they should think proper,
as will more at large appear by the said charter, which
has been thankfully accepted by the Rector, Church Wardens
and Vestry Men, on behalf of the said congregations.

    Now be it therefore declared, and it is hereby declared
and solemnly enacted by the said Rector, Church Wardens and
Vestry Men, that the said charter, and the several regulations
and provisions therein made and set forth shall be the first and
fundamental law of this corporation to be inviolably obser-
ved in every matter and thing therein expressed. And in
pursuance of the powers given by the said charter to make
by-laws and ordinances for the good government and support
of the said churches, the following are enacted this 27th day
of April, in the year of our lord 1767.


            Chapter ii.
            
Concerning the Vestry Men, their number, and the right
            electing them.

    Be it enacted by the said corporation, that the Vestry of
the said Churches of Christ Church and St. Peter's Church shall
always consist of twenty persons, members of the said churches, or
one of them, of which number the Church Wardens are always
to be two. And the election of such Vestry shall be annually made
on Easter Monday at Christ Church immediately after morning
prayer by a majority of such members of the said churches as
shall appear by the Vestry Books to have paid three successive
years, preceding the time of such elections, for a pew or sitting
in either of the said churches, who only shall have a right to
vote for the Vestry Men of the sid united Churches.

            Chapter iii.
        Concerning the Power of Vestry.
    It is enacted, that the Vestry so elected shall have full
power to choose their own officers, and to elect and choose annually
and every year one of their own members to be one of the Church
Wardens, and the Rector for the time being shall choose one other
of the said Vestry Men to be the other Church Warden of the
said United Churches.

            Chapter iv
        Concerning the meeting of the Vestry and how many shall
        be sufficient to do business.
        
    It is enacted, that notice shall be left by the clerk in
writing at the house of each Vestry Man, at least four hours
before the proposed time of meeting, signifying the time and place
of any meeting of Vestry, and that after such notice is served,
any seven Vestry Men being met in pursuance thereof, together
with the Rector and one of the Church Wardens for the time being,
may one hour after the time appointed proceed to consider any
business that shall come before them relating to their trust, ex-
cept in the cases herein after particularly mentioned. And a
determination of a majority of those so met shall be as valid
and conclusive as if the whole number of Vestry Men were
present; provided always nevertheless, that when any sum of
money is to be disposed of exceeding ten pounds, or any salary
to be augmented at any meeting of Vestry, the same shall
be first proposed at a preceding meeting, and particularly
expressed in the written notice to be given.

            Chapter v

 Concerning the Calling or Summoning of Vestries.

    The Rector for the time being, or any three Vestry Men
shall have power to call a meeting of Vestry and to direct, that
proper notices be given in due time, and at every Vestry the
Rector, or in his absence the Senior Church Warden shall be
President, regulate the debates, state the questions and collect
the voices on every Resolve of Vestry.

            Chapter vi

    Concerning the Assistant Ministers and equal duty to be done
                in both Churches.

    The Rector for the time being shall regulate the Duties
and turns of preaching of his Assistant Ministers, and shall
take due care that there be equal and life duty done at
both Churches without preference or distinction.

            Chapter vii
    
    Concerning the Revenue of the Churches and the Estate
            of the Corporation.

    It is enacted, that the rents, revenue and income
of the estate of the corporation shall be in the disposal of
the Rector, Church Wardens and Vestry Men to be applied
in such manner as they shall thin proper for the support
of the Rector, the Assistant Ministers, and officers of the said
United Churches, and in the necessary repairs of the

Churches, Church-yards, Parsonage-Houses that now do, or
hereafter shall belong to the said corporation, and to no other
use or purpose whatsoever. Provided always, that the
monies arising from letting the pews in the said two churches
and each of them, and the monies arising from opening the
groung at burials continue agreeable to the last clause in
the said charter to be particularly applied, as they have always
heretofore been for the support of the Rector and his Assistant
Ministers; and provided also, that any legacy or bequest
now given or that hereafter may be given for any particular
purpose or pious use in the said two congregations be con-
statinly appropriated to the particular use for which it is so
given.

                Chapter viii
    Concerning  the letting of the pews and seats in both Churches

    It is enacted, that the Church Wardens for the time
being shall have power to let any vacant pews or sittings
in either of the said churches; and no person having a pew
or sitting in either of the said churches shall let the same to
any other person or persons. And if any person or persons shall
be more than one year in arrear, and shall neglect to make
payment of the same for the space of six months after a demand
made by either of the Church Wardens, or other persons properly
empowered to collect the pew money, then the Church Wardens
for the time being shall have full power to let the seats or
sittings of such delinquents to any other person or persons
who shall apply.

        Chapter ix
    Concerning a Church Chest

    Be it enacted, that there shall be a good strong
chest, with three good locks and keys: one key to be depo-
sited with the Rector, and one with each Church Warden,
which chest shall always remain in the Vestry Room, be-
longing to Christ Church; and all the deeds, minute books,
papers, accounts, catalogues of books, and every other writing
belonging to the churches and to the estate of the said
corporation shall be lodged in the said chest, and never taken
out but by order of Vestry, and as soon as the use is over,
for which any of the said papers are taken out; they shall
be forthwith returned and locked in it.

        Chapter x
    Concerning the duty of clerks and other officers

    Whereas the clerks and other officers of the said
churches have usually collected, but of late not accounted
regularly to the Church Wardens as they ought to have done
for the fees due on burials etc. Be it enacted, that from
and after this time, the clerks and other officers do account
once in every three months at least, and as often besides
as the Church Wardens shall call on them for all such
fees, and pay the same to the Church Wardens for the
time being, upon pain of being turned out of office by the
Rector and Vestry, on refusal or neglect of the above menti-
oned duties.

        Chapter xi
    Concerning the election and qualifications of
        Rector and Assistant Ministers

    Whereas there is a power in the charter, that in case of
the death of a Rector, another is to duly appointed and
approved for the said Churches, agreeable to former methods and
usage, which it is here necessary to explain; Be it enacted,
that at least fourteen of the Vestry shall be absolutely consent-
ing and shall hereafter be appointed to the said United Church-
es; and the consent and vote of the Rector and at least
ten of the Vestry shall be absolutely necessary to the electing
of every Assistant Minister in the said united Churches or
either of them: Provided always, that neither a Rector
nor any Assistant Minister shall be chosen, unless a notice
be served on evenly Vestry Man, mentioning that the meeting
of Vestry is particularly appointed for such election: And
it is further enacted, that agreeable to the constitution
and invariable usage, which has always been observed
in the said united churches, and in Christ Church before
its union with St. Peter's Church, no person shall be capa-
ble of being nominated and elected Rector or Assistant
Minister of the said United Churches or either of them,
except shall not be finally, settled and inducted into
the Rectory of the said Churches or confirmed as Assistant
Minister in them or either of them, until, on the Recom-
mendaton of the said Vestry, the person so nominated

Rector or Assistant Minister, shall have obtained from the
Bishop of London, or such other Bishop as shall by his Ma-
jesty's Authority, exercise Episcopal Power in these parts
of America, a LIcense under his Episcopal seal of Office,
or letter under his stand, authorizing the person so nomi-
nated and elected Rector or Assistant Minister as aforesaid,
to do the office and duty of a Rector or Assistant Minister,
in the said united Churches: and it is also further de-
clared, that no person chosen Rector as aforesaid shall be
recommended by the Vestry to the Bishop for approbation
till one month at least after such election, in order that
if the major part of the congregation, that is to say, of
those, who have paid the pew money, as is heretofore di-
rected, should have any reasonable objection to the person
so chosen, they may have an opportunity of signifying
the same in writing to the Vestry.

            Chapter xii
        Concerning a seal for the said corporation
    Whereas a silver seal has been procured by the
Rector and Church Wardens, and the Representations of
the two Churches are engraven thereon, with a glory, and
motto in the words, "Unity in Peace & Love," within the
rim or circumference of the said seal, and on the rim there
are cut these words, namely, "The Seal of the Corporation
of Chirst Church & St. Peter's in Philadelphia;" Be it
enacted, that the said seal shall be the seal of the
said corporation, and as such used in all papers, deeds
and writings, to which it shall be necessary to affix
the corporation seal.

At a Vestry held at the Parsonage House
on Wednesday, May 27, 1767:

Present:
The Rector

Church Wardens:
William Bingham
James Humphreys

Vestry Men:
Joseph Sims         Charles Stedman
William Pyewell     Peter Sonmans
Jacob Duché         Joseph Redman
William Coxe        John Baynton

    This being the day, on which the lottery for St. Peter's
Church etc., is by publication to be drawn, the Vestry were re-
minded, that agreeable to the resolve of the 21st January 1766,
eight hundred tickets were now in the hands of the Church
Wardens, as tickets taken at the risque of the United Churches;
and it was further said, that there were yet in the hands of the
managers above two thousand tickets undisposed of; and as
this was the case, if the church tickets should continue at
the risque of the united churches, it might happen, that the
Church would not receive any benefit from the lottery, may
might incur a much larger debt: Resolved, that the
Church Wardens and Vestry should use their utmost endea-
vours to sell the eight hundred tickets immediately, that
the united Churches might stand no other risque, than in
proportion to the other churches, for whose benefit equally
with them this lottery was granted.

At a Vestry held at the Parsonage House
on Monday, June 15, 1767:

Present:
The Rector

Church Warden:
James Humphreys

Vestry Men:
Joseph Sims         Jacob Duché
Joseph Stamper      William Pyewell
Charles Stedman

    The Rector acquainted the members present, that he had
summoned several Vestries to meet in order to consider the state
of Christ Church. It was known to be much out of repair
both within and without; that it wanted white-washing
and new painting, that a great deal of the glass in the
windows was broken, and the leads for the most part wan-
ted repair and to be soldered again; that the roof leaked
in several places, and the tenants and mortars of the ba-
lustrades, as well as the coping boards were all rotten
and that the work at the east end of the church was so
bad as to be in danger of falling. The Rector added,
he was sorry that the Vestry was so thin, but as something was necessary
to be done, it should be set about immediately, that this
fine season might not be lost.
    On considering the several things laid before them by the
Rector, it was unanimously agreed, that these several matters
were necessary, but that, as there was no money in the
people could be paid, who were to do the work, they could
not undertake it. The Rector then offered, that if they
would procure and overlook the workmen, he would advance

all necessary cash; and thereupon it was resolved, that
these several matters should be done; and the Church Ward-
ens were desired to engage workmen; and such the Vestry
as understood there things, particularly Dr. Kearsley and
Mr. Pyewell, should, with the Church Wardens be desired
to inspect the workmen, and to give the necessary orders
from time to time.
    Mr. Anthony Denormandie proposed to whitewash the
church for forty pounds, and to repair the glass and new
lead the windows for twelve pounds, and to do it so, that
for 5 years together, he would keep the windows in re-
pair for five shillings a year: the Vestry agreed
to his proposals.

________________________________________________________

At a Vestry held at the Parsonage House
on July 6, 1767:

Present:
The Rector

Church Wardens:
James Humphreys
William Bingham

Vestry Men:
Dr. John Kearsley       Jacob Duché
Joseph Sims             Peter Turner
Charles Stedman         William Pyewell

    The old Church wanted to be painted, it was proposed to
take the advantage of the scaffolding poles, that had been erec-
ted for  white washing the church, and to have it new painted.
Whereupon Mr. Anthony Denormadie laid before the Vestry the
number of feet that the said work would amount to; that it must
have two coats of painting in general, and the galleries would
require three coats of paint, the said that the chancel would
want to be freshened, particularly the gilding: and the paintings

on the arch would likewise want to be mended and cleaned, all which
he proposed to do for the sum of 65 pounds. It was said, that the
painting over the sides of the communion table would want to be
varnished.
    Agreed to give Mr. Denormandie the sum of 65 pounds, including
the varnishing. And the Church Wardens with Dr. Kearsley, and
Mr. Pyewell were defined to inspect proper directions about the
right doing of the work.
________________________________________________________________

At a Vestry at the Parsonage House
on November 20, 1767:

Present:
The Rector

Church Wardens:
William Bingham
James Humphreys

Vestry Men:
Dr. Kearsley        William Pyewell
Jacob Duché         John Gibson
Joseph Swift        Townsend White
Peter Turner        Joseph Redman
Charles Stedman     Joseph Sims

    Mr. Sims, one of the managers of the lottery represented to the
Vestry, that MR. Craig as Executor of the late Dr. Jenney proposed
to Mr. Samuel Bard, who married the Residuary Legatee of the
late Dr. Jenney, to take out the debt of 60 pounds due to the late
Dr. Jenney in lottery tickets, and accordingly he delivered to
Mr. Bard 40 lottery tickets. That Mr. Bard now calls on him
to pay some prized that were drawn by those tickets; and be-
fore he pays those prize, he now applies to the Vestry for an
order for the 60 pounds, as that is the sum settled to be due to the
late Dr. Jenney.

    Resolved unanimously, that the 60 pounds shall be paid to Mr. Sims
out of the Church funds, on taking a receipt in full from Mr. Bard.
    Mr. Charles Stedman and Mr. John Wilcox report, that they being
appointed a committee to examine and settle the accounts of the late
Church Wardens Mr. Sims, had accordingly examined the paid accounts
with his vouchers in proof thereof, amounting to the sum of
926:16:10; and that it appears by vouchers produced by him
which have also been carefully examined, that he had expended
the said sum. They further report, that there had come into his hands
the sum of 94 pounds money given at the Sacrament during his year,
that he had distributed to Church Pensioners of that money the
sum of 88:10:7 1/2, and had paid the balance into the hands of
Mr. Humphreys the present Church Wardens amounting to 5:4:8.

__________________________________________________________________

At a Vestry held at the Parsonage House,
on December 21, 1767:

Present:
The Rector

Church Wardens:
James Humphreys
William Bingham

Vestry Men:
Dr. Kearsley        Joseph Sims
Peter Turner        Joseph Swift
Dr. Sonmans         Townsend White
Charles Stedman     Thomas Willing
Jacob Duché         William Pyewell
William Cox

    The accounts of Mr. Denormandie for work done at the church
were inspected and allowed. The bricklayers account, and
the account for shingles and pine boards were allowed.
    The State of the Church requiring an Assistant Minister
the same was considered and postponed.
    Mr. Townsend White mentioned to the Vestry, that he had

advanced a large sum of money towards the organ in Christ
Church; and desired, that a committee might appointed to
examine and settle his and Mr. Duffield's accounts.
    The minute of Vestry, by which they were appointed to un-
dertake this cook was read, and the consideration thereof
referred to another meeting.

___________________________________________________________

At a Vestry held at the Parsonage House
on Tuesday, February 16, 1768:

Present:
The Rector
The Reverend Mr. Duché Assistant Minister

Church Wardens:
William Bingham
James Humphreys

Vestry Men:
Dr. Kearsley    William Pyewell
Joseph Swift    Peter Sonmans
William Coxe    Joseph Sims

    On Sunday last charity sermons were preached at both
Churches in the morning and afternoon for the relief of the
prisoners in jayl, and likewise of the poor belonging to these con-
gregations, at which there was collected the sum of one hundred
and twenty pounds. And the Rector desires a committee
may be appointed to distribute said sum, so as may best answer
the pious purposes of the generous benefactors.
    Mr. Jones the Prison Keeper was kind enough to attend; but
as Mr. Redman the Sheriff, who is a member of this Vestry
was absent, it was thought proper, after examining Mr. Jones
to get a calendar and state of the jayl from Mr. Redman.

    The Rector reported the state of the poor as far as it appeared to
him from the many applications and informations made to
him, and it was agreed, that a proper regard be had thereto.
    The Vestry were of opinion that the Rector, his Assistant,
and the two Church Wardens would be enough to distribute
this charity, and desired they would undertake it, which they
accordingly did.
    The trees planted in the Church Yard belonging to the new
Church have been wantonly cut down by some bad people. It is
agreed, that this matter shall be advertised in the Garette and a
reward of five pounds offered for the discovery of such as have
be concerned in it.
    The streets leading to St. Peter's Church not being paved
are ofter so bad that people cannot come to church. There-
fore the Rector, Church Wardens, and such of the members of
Vestry as will join them are desired to lay this matter before
the commissioners for paving the streets and request that that
part of the city may be paved.
_______________________________________________________________

Easter Monday, April 4, 1768

    At an annual meeting of the united Congregations held
at Christ Church immediately after Divine Service in Prefence
of the Rector and the to Church Wardens, the following
persons were elected Vestry Men for the ensuing year, viz,

Dr. John Kearsley       William Bingham
William Pyewell         John Baynton
Peter Turner            William Coxe
Jacob Duché             Thomas Willing
John Ross               Joseph Stamper
Joseph Sims             John Gibson
Townsend White          Joseph Swift
James Humhreys          Edward Duffield
Joseph Redman           John Wilcox [Wilcocks]
Charles Stedman         Charles Meredith

    The Rector nominated Mr. James Humphreys his Church Warden
and the Vestry Men persent elected Mr. Joseph Stamper for the
Church Warden of the united Churches for the year ensuing. They
likewise elected Joseph Redman and Charles Meredith Qust
Men for Christ Church, and Joseph Sims and John Willcox [Wilcocks]
Quest Men for St. Peter's.
    The Church Wardens and Vestry Men and Quest Men were
published in both churches the Sunday following according
to usage.
________________________________________________________________

At a Vestry held at the Parsonage House
on Monday April 11, 1768:

Present:
The Rector

Church Wardens:
James Humpreys
Joseph Stamper

Vestry Men:
Dr. Kearsley            William Pywell [Pyewell]
Jacob Duché             Peter Turner
Joseph Sims             John Wilcox
William Bingham         John Gibson
Townsend White          Charles Meredith

    Then were read the proceedings of the election on
Easter Monday, and the Vestry chose the following officers
for the ensuing year, viz.
        Caleb Cash, Clerk of Christ Church
        William Young, Clerk of St. Peter's
        John Wiley, Sexton of Christ Church
        George Stokes, Sexton of Mr. Peter's
    Mr. Joseph Sims, Mr. William Bingham and Mr. Townsend White
are appointed a committee to inspect and report Mr. Humphrey's,
accounts as acting Church Warden.
    William Young, the Clerk of St. Peter's, by Mr. Stamper,
acquaints the Vestry, that he has received no salary for
near two years - agreed, that his salary as Clerk, shall
be 25 pounds per annum - and ordered, that he be paid at that
rate for the time past.
________________________________________________________________

At a Vestry held at the Parsonage House
on Tuesday, June 21, 1768:

Present:
The Rector

Church Wardens:
James Humphreys
Joseph Stamper

Vestry Men:
Dr. John Kearsley       Charles Stedman
William Pyewell
William Bingham

    Mr. Sims and Mr. Duffield are appointed a committee to in-
spect and settle an account delivered in by Bernard and Jugier for
work done at the churches.
    Mr. Gordon the collector of the pew money complains, that several
persons refuse to pay for their seats on pretences that they were given
up to former Church Wardens; and that several persons, who appear
to be in arrears contest the arrears they are charged with, and
others, who acknowledge them, tho' often called upon, yet have not
paid. It was the unanimous opinion of the Vestry, that this mat-
ter should no longer proceed in this loose way, but be adjusted,
that it might appear, what pews are vacant, and likewise what
sums are really due for seats and what part of them can be
recovered and as the present Church Wardens Mr. Sims and
Mr. Bingham and Mr. Swift are well acquainted with this matter
they are appointed a committee to inspect and settle it, and
they are desired to proceed therein with all possible dispatch.
    Mr. Robert Smith the carpenter applies for the balance of
his accounts for work done at St. Peter's. He says, these accounts
have been delivered a long while ago, and prays, if they have
not been inspected, they may now be, that he may no longer
be kept from the money that shall appear to be due to him.

    Mr. Duffield and Mr. Sims are appointed a Committee to exa-
mine and settle Robert Smith's accounts.

______________________________________________________________


At a Vestry held on Monday September 5, 1768
at the Parsonage House:

Present:
The Rector

Church Wardens:
James Humpreys
Joseph Stamper

Vestry Men:
Thomas Willing      Dr. John Kearsley       Jacob Duché
Townsend White      John Gibson             John Ross
John Baynton        William Pyewell         Joseph Sims
William Coxe        Charles Meredith

    The Rector informed the Vestry, that there was to be an
Indian Treaty held at Fort Stanwix for the settlement of a
boundary line between the Indians and his Majesty, and other
matters of importance; and that the Governor and Council had
desired he would attend it, from a belief that his long experience in Indian
Affairs would enable him to be of great service there; and that
as he thought with them, that he might do some service being per-
sonally acquainted with Sir William Johnson, and having received
letters from Mr. [ED: George] Croghan, Sir William's Deputy, expressing their
opinion, that his attendance would be serviceable, he had
consented to go; and Dr. Smith was so good as to promise,
to do his duty in his absence. The Vestry unanimously
expressed their satisfaction and kindly said, they were a
little fearful it would be too great an undertaking, consi-
dering the Rector's State of Health.

    Mr. Ross desired he might be permitted to erect a small monu-
mental stone over his daughter, who lies buried at the west
end of Christ Church Yard near the Steeple. Dr. Kearsley
and Mr. Duché are appointed a committee to examine the
place and see if it is clear from the passage into church this
the Steeple, and to examine whither this is not some resolution
of Vestry relative to tomb stones in the church yard, and
to acquaint Mr. Ross with the result of their examiniations,
that the answer might be given to him at the next meeting
of Vestry.

____________________________________________________________

At a Vestry held at the Parsonage House
on Monday, January 2, 1769:

Present:
The Rector

Church Wardens:
James Humphreys
Joseph Stamper

Vestry Men:
Dr. John Kearsley       Townsend White          Charles Stedman
Jacob Duché             Charles Meredith        William Pyewell
John Ross               Edward Duffield         Joseph Sims

    The Committee appointed to examine the accounts of Mr. Humphreys
acting Church Warden for the last year do report, that they had ex-
amined and compared them with the vouchers produced by him and do
find a balance of four pounds ten shillings and four pence, and
likewise that there was the sum of ninety seven pounds seven
shillings collected at the Sacrament and distributed by him among
the poor pensioners. The said accounts were delivered to the present
Church Warden to be kept with the other Church accounts.

    The Committee appointed to examine what orders and regulations
had been at any time made by the Vestry with respect to tomb-
stones in the old church yard, and afterwards to confer with
Mr. Ross upon his request to erect a monumental stone over
his daughter's grave, do report, that for want of a copy of the
minute of their appointment, and as the Vestry books could not
be found in the Rector's absence, they had not been able to inform
themselves of the usage: and therefore had not had a conference
with Mr. Ros upon the subject. But Mr. Ross repeating his appli-
cation the committee were continued.
    The Rector acquainted the Vestry that all the necessary repairs
of the old church were now finished, that the Church Wardens had
paid as far as the church funds would admit, and that he had
cheerfully supplied and advanced all the rest, agreeable to his
offer entered on the Minister of June 15, 1767, which he desired
might be repaid him, when the church should be in ability. And
that the Vestry might know what had been expended, the Rector
produced his accounts, which were read, and the sum advanced
on the occasion of repairs, together with sums advanced for 
the churches in other necessary matters amounted to the sum
of 464:7:4.
    Mr. Townsend White and Mr. Edward Duffield, who were appoint-
ed by an order of Vestry of November 2, 1763 to build an organ in the
old church produced their accounts of the sums collected and
expended by them; and at their special instance to have a
committee named for the examination of their accounts, Mr. Swift
and Mr. Meredith were appointed and desired to report the state
thereof to the next Vestry.
    Yesterday charity sermons were preached in both churches
the sum of 103:17:8 was collected in the churches and soe
who were not at church gave afterwards to the amount

of 10:8:0. The Rector, Assistant Minister and Church Warden
were appointed to distribute it among the poor belonging to the
churches.








_______________________________________________________________

Easter Monday, March 27, 1769.

    At an annual meeting of the United Congregations held at
Christ Church immediately after morning prayer, the Rector and the
Church Wardens present, the following persons were elected Vestry
Men for the ensuing year, namely,
    John Kearsley           Joseph Stamper
    Jacob Duché             John Gibson
    Peter Turner            Joseph Swift
    Joseph Sims             John Willcox [Wilcocks]
    Townsend White          Charles Meredith
    James Humphreys         Edward Duffield
    Joseph Redman           Benjamin Wynkoop
    Charles Stedman         John Morgan
    John Baynton            Francis Hopkinson
    Thomas Willing          Thomas Charlton

    And then the Rector named Joseph Stamper for his Church
Warden, and the Vestry Men present named Joseph Swift Church
Warden for the united congregations.
Quest Men for the Christ Church:        Quest Men for the St. Peter's Church:
Charles Meredith                        Benjamin Wynkoop
Thomas Charlton                         Dr. John Morgan

    And on the Sunday following the Church Wardens, Vestry
Men and Quest Men were published in both churches.

At a Vestry held at the Parsonage House
on Monday April 3, 1769:

Present:
The Rector

Church Wardens:
Joseph Stamper
Joseph Swift

Vestry Men:
Dr. John Kearsley       Charles Meredith
Peter Turner            John Wilcox [Wilcocks]
Thomas Willing          Benjamin Wynkoop
John Baynton            Francis Hopkinson
Jacob Duché             James Humphreys
Joseph Sims             Thomas Charlton
Charles Stedman         Dr. John Morgan

The following officers were chosen for the ensuing year, viz,
    for Christ Church:
    Caleb Cash, Clerk
    James Weyley, Sexton
    
    For St. Peter's:
    William Young Clerk
    George Stoakes Sexton

    Nothing having been done by the committee appointed on the
21st June last to examine and settle the arrears due for pew money
and likewise the disputes subsisting about the claims for sittings,
another committee was appointed, viz, the Church Wardens,
Mr. Willing, Mr. Duché, Mr. Duffield and Mr. Gibson.
    Mr. Humphries [Humphreys] and Mr. White were appointed a committee
to examine Mr. Stamper's accounts as Church Warden last year.
    The deeds and patents for land belonging to the churches were put
into the hands of Mr. James Humphreys, that from such of them
as required further conveyances to be made to us as a corporate
body, proper assignments might be made and forthwith executed: And
then the deeds with all necessary surefil papers are to be put
and locked up in the church chest.

At a Vestry held at the Parsonage House
on Monday, August 14, 1769:

Present:
The Rector

Church Warden:
Joseph Stamper

Vestry Men:
James Humphreys     Charles Meredith
John Gibson         Francis Hopkinson
Dr. John Morgan     Benjamin Wynkoop

    Mr. James Humphreys delivered a deed duly executed by Dr.
John Kearsley, a surviving trustee for lots belonging to Christ Church,
and likewise another deed for some ground belonging to St. Peter's Church,
executed by Jacob Duché Esqure, a surviving trustee, which were read
and delivered to the Rector along with the other deeds, which he
had taken as necessary for him to draw the deeds by.
    Mr. Stamper and Mr. Gibson two of the committee appointed to
settle the disputes about arrears of pew money reported, that they
had met and stuck out such sums as appeared to them not
capable of being recovered, and had likewise given it in charge
to Mr. Gordon the collector to try to get notes of hand from such as
owned the debt, but yet did not pay him.
    The Rector informed the members present, that his nephew
Mr. Richard Peters just had paid him the sum of 66:12:3,
as the remainder of one hundred pounds, which was left by
Mrs. Andrews for a double use, viz. for a monument and for a
pulpit in Christ Church; and that his nephew had produced re-
ceipts for the monument amounting to 33:7:9, and further
informed the Rector, that by the will of the deceased Mrs. Andrews
his father was made executor and was charged to see that
this sum was really laid out according to her desire in or

towards making a new pulpit in Christ Church. Resolved, that
a new pulpit be forthwith built, and that plans or draughts of a
pulpit be prepared and laid before the next Vestry; and it was re-
commended to the gentlemen who were appointed by a former
Vestry to do this service, to give the matter no further delay,
as the Rector was ready to pay the money into the hands
of the Church Wardens so soon as they had concluded on a
form of a pulpit and likewise n the place in church where
it should stand.

______________________________________________________________

At a Vestry held at the Parsonae House
on Monday October 23, 1769:

Present:
The Rector

Church Wardens:
Joseph Stamper
Joseph Swift

Vestry Men:
Jacob Duché            Thomas Willing
Charles Meredith       Charles Stedman
Townsend White         Peter Turner
John Gibson            James Humpreys
Dr. John Kearsley      Francis Hopkinson
Benjamin Wynkoop       Joseph Sims

    The fence about the church burial ground in Arch
Street being quite out of repair and incapable of being mended
and several members of the church having signified to the
Church Wardens their readiness to subscribe for a brick or
stone wall to go round and inclose in, the matter was taken into

consideration. Some were of opinion, that as nothing could be done
at this season, it would be better to let it alone till the Spring, and
in the mean time to procure estimates of the expense that would
attend the building of a good and sufficient brick wall so far
as the church ground extended on Arch Street and on Fifth
Street, in order that from such estimates they might know
what sum to solicit for.
    Others said, that as there was now a good inclination among
the members of the church to give handsomely towards this
necessary matter, it might be of service to the the church, that the
subscription should be immediately begun and carried on as
there should be opportunity during the Winter. Mr. Peter Turner
particularly was of this opinion, and declared, that to encou-
rage it he would give one hundred pounds. Whereupon
a subscription peper with a proper preamble making it obli-
gatory on the several subscribers to pay the sums they re-
spectively put doen was drawn up, and Mr. Turner subscri-
bed accordingly the sum of one hundred pounds, for which
the Vestry unanimously returned him their hearty thanks.
    The Church Wardens, Mr. Humphreys, Mr. Gibson and
Mr. Wynkoop were desired to carry the paper about, and
to solicit contributions and to take to their assistance such
other members of Vestry as they should find most at leisure
to attend this business
    The plan and elevation of a pulpit was produced drawn
by Mr. John Folwell, who engaged to build one agreeable
thereto for 70 pounds. It appeared to all present to be a
neat performance, and that a pulpit constructed after that

from would be a proper one. The place where it should stand
was then considered; and it was thought by some that it might
best stand where it does. But others thought that if it could be
placed so as not to incommode the two aisle, one leading
across the church pointing the communion table, and the other
through the middle of the church, it would afford more con-
veniencies and a better light. And as this matter had
been frequently talked of and no conclusion made, the
committee were desired to delay the thing no longer; but
to measure the ground carefully, and to see if it would
afford a proper space without incommoding the aisle.

__________________________________________________________

At a meeting of Vestry held at the Parsonage House
on December 6, 1769:

Present:
The Rector

Church Wardens:
Joseph Stamper
Joseph Swift

Vestry Men:
Townsend White              Peter Turner
John Willcox [Wilcocks]     Dr. John Morgan
Charles Meredith            Charles Stedman
James Humphreys             Francis Hopkinson
Thomas Charlton             Benjamin Wynkoop

    The Rector, as one of the Committee for considering the situation
and expense of a pulpit reported from said committee, that they had at last
agreed to recommend it to the Vestry to try the pulpit at the front of
the communion table and as near it as could be done without incommo-
ding the approach to it. And further, that as the draught of elevation
of the pulpit made and laid before the last Vestry by John Folwell had

met with their approbation, they had again considered John Folwell's
estimate and proposals for making an finishing the same agreeable to
that draught, and had agreed with him to do for 70 pounds, which agreement
was read.
    Resolved that the pulpit should be placed agreeable to the committee's
recommendation: And that an agreement should be executed by the 
said Folwell with them as a body corporate upon the terms settled by
the committee.
_____________________________________________________________________

At a Vestry held at the Parsonage House
on January 23, 1770:

Present;
The Rector

Church Warden:
Joseph Swift

Vestry Men:
Dr. Kearsley        Charles Stedman
Jacob Duché         James Humphreys
Charles Meredith    Townsend White
Dr. John Morgan     Thomas Charlton

    The Vestry considered what steps were proper to be taken to have a
wall built about the Church Burying Ground, and it appeared to them
that a draught or draughts should be made of the Ground, and that the
committee when furnished with these should confer with and received estimates
and proposals from any workmen of reputation that would undertake it, provided 
they were members of the church: and it was accordingly recommended 
to the Church Wardens to get draughts of the ground immediately, 
and to make it known that they were ready to confer with and
receive proposals from any workmen belonging to the church and included
to undertake the work. Mr. Duché was so good as to say, that he would
give the Committee all the assistance in his power, particularly as to
signing upon proper workmen, and making proper agreements with
them.
_____________________________________________________________________

At a Vestry held at the Parsonage House
February 19, 1770

Present:
The Rector

Church Warden:
Joseph Stamper

Vestry Men:
Townsend White      Joseph Sims
Jacob Duché         Francis Hopkinson
Charles Stedman     Dr. John Morgan

    The Church Warden laid before the Vestry several estimates
and proposals, that were given in to them by workmen for building a
wall about the burying ground, which were considered but as it
was found that there were great differences between the estimates, and
as the Vestry was but thin, it was agreed to defer the further con-
sideration of it for the present and the Rector was desired to summon
a Vestry for the purpose, and to entreat the attendance of all the
members.
___________________________________________________________________

At a Vestry held at the Parsonage House
March 10, 1770

Present:
The Rector

Church Wardens:
Joseph Stamper
Joseph Swift

Vestry Men:
Dr. John Kearsley       Jacob Duché
John Gibson             Charles Meredith
Francis Hopkinson       Benjamin
Thomas Charlton         Thomas Willing

    The Vestry resumed the consideration of the estimates and proposals
made for building the wall about the burying ground, and came
to the following resolutions, viz

That the wall should be immediately carried on; that the proposals
should be accepted, which were made by Glenn and Davis Brick-layers,
namely, to have twelve shillings for laying every thousand bricks, and
three shillings and six pence per perch for laying the stone-work in
the foundation, and that a contract be made with them upon those
terms;
    That Anthony Gibbon should be employed to dig the stones, he
having offered to do it cheaper than any others:
    That John Brown should be employed to haul the stones and sand
at two shillings per perch for the stones and eighteen pence per load for
the sand:
    That as there were several brick-makers, who were members of
the Church of England, they should all be spoken to on this occasion,
and he who would make the best bricks and at the cheapest rate
would be employed.
________________________________________________________________________

Easter Monday April 16, 1770

    Agreeable to notice given yesterday in both churches, the
members of the united churches of Christ Church and St. Peter's, with the
Rector, and Church Wardens met in Christ Church immediately after
Morning service and the Church Wardens as directed by the Char-
ter and laws proceeded to take the poll for Vestry Men for the year
ensuing, and at the close of the poll, the following persons were found
to have the majority of voices, names
    Dr. John Kearsley       John Baynton
    Jacob Duché             Thomas Willing
    Joseph Stamper          John Wilcox [Wilcocks]
    Peter Turner            Charles Meredith
    Townsend White          Joseph Sims
    James Humphreys         Edward Duffield
    Joseph Redman           Benjamin Wynkoop
    Joseph Swift            Dr. John Morgan
    John Gibson             Francis Hopkinson
    Charles Stedman         John Willday

    And they were accordingly published as the Vestry for the ensuing
year. And then the Rector named Mr. Francis Hopkinson for his
Church Warden and the congregation elected Mr. Benjamin
Wynkoop for their Church Warden.
    After which the Vestry chose the following gentlemen, viz,
Quest Men for Xt Church:        Quest Men for St. Peter's:
James Humphreys                 Charles Stedman
Charles Meredith                John Willcox [Wilcocks]
Townsend White                  Dr. John Morgan
____________________________________________________________________


At a Vestry held at the Parsonage House
on Monday, April 23, 1770:

Present:
The Rector

Church Wardens:
Francis Hopkinson
Benjamin Wynkoop

Vestry Men:
Dr. John Kearsley       Charles Meredith
Peter Turner            Joseph Sims
Townsend White          John Willday
James Humphreys         Joseph Swift
Jacob Duché             Dr. John Morgan

    The proceedings at the election of the Vestry on Easter Monday were
read and approved, and then the following officers were chosen for the
ensuing year, viz,
        for Christ Church:
        Caleb Cash, Clerk
        James Weyley, Sexton
        
        for St. Peter's Church:
        William Young, Clerk
        George Stoakes, Sexton

    Mr. Stamper and Mr. Willday are appointed a committee to examine
and report Mr. Joseph Swift's accounts as Church Warden.

    Mr. Swift laid before the Vestry the accounts for burials of last year,
which he said he only received this morning. He observed that there was
no account of the receipt of the outstanding debts for the preceding
years, which he thought was very extraordinary, as there must be
large sums due to the church.
    Therefore Mr. Wynkoop and Mr. Hopkinson were appointed a committee
to inspect the account now produced as well as former ones and to compare
them with the general list of burials as entered by the Rector in the
Register Book of these Churches, and it is thought necessary, that
the Sexton be present at such enquiry. The Rector is desired to bring
the said register book to the next Vestry, that it may be inspected.
    Offers having been made for the church lot of 396 feet on
Spruce Street, Mr. Stamper, in the room of Thomas Gordon, is appointed
to be of the committee with Mr. Duché and Mr. Sims, to treat with any
persons who may incline to become purchasers.
_______________________________________________________________________

At a Vestry held at the Parsonage House
on Tuesday June 11, 1770:

Present:
The Rector

Church Wardens:
Francis Hopkinson
Benjamin Wynkoop

Vestry Men:
Dr. John Kearsley       Jacob Duché
Townsend White          Peter Turner
Joseph Swift            Charles Meredith
Charles Stedman         Dr. John Morgan

    The Rector acquainted the Vestry, that the Pulpit was finished
according to contract, that John Folwell had done it well, and
that it was universally admired.
    Jesse Roe's Bill for the reading desk, which amounted
to 20:2:10, was considered and passed. Timothy Barrett's
bill for painting the pulpit and desk, which amounted to 18 pounds was
likewise considered and passed.

    Whereas it appears by the account given in by the collector of pew
money in both churches, that several persons are in arrears for their
seats, and tho' frequently called upon, have not discharged the same;
and whereas many persons, who have applied for seats, and cannot
be supplied are much displeased, and have threatened to leave the
church; it is therefore unanimously resolved, that now and at
all times hereafter on the like occasions, notice shall be left by
Mr. Gordon, or the collector of the pew money for the time being, at
the house of each delinquent, acquainting him, that if payment
be not made within three months after serving the notice his
seat by the charter and laws of the united churches is forfeited
and will be disposed of to the first offerer, and that the debt
incurred for arrears will be sued for by the corporation.
    The back seats to the east of the organ in St. Peter's Church
may from henceforth be let for a dollar per sitting but if the
organ should at any time be removed, then they are to be let
in the same manner as they are now.
__________________________________________________________________

At a Vestry held at the Parsonage House
on Monday, September 10, 1770

Present:
The Rector

Church Wardens:
Francis Hopkinson
Benjamin Wynkoop

Vestry Men:
Jacob Duché             Dr. John Morgan
Dr. John Kearsley       Charles Stedman
James Humphreys         Joseph Sims
Townsend White          John Wilcox [Wilcocks]
Peter Turner            Charles Meredith
Thomas Willing

    Mr. Jonathan Brown merchant was so good as to
give an order to the Rector on the vendue master for
two hundred pounds profits on goods sold to him, that
had been deposited in the public warehouse belonging

to the merchants associated to prevent the non-importation of
English goods. Mr. Brown, at the time he gave the order
desired that the money might be considered as a present
to the Vestry for any occasional use that might arise, for
which the sums raised for the current year should not be
sufficient. He added, that he was sensible, that the wall
now building round the burying ground belonging to
Christ Church was a very necessary work, but he hoped
that the present subscriptions with what had been other-
wise given towards it would be sufficient to defray that
expense, but if it should not, the Vestry should be at liberty
to dispose of it for that service, but by no means
to do it, if the wall could be finished without it.
    Mr. Swift, who has kindly undertaken, together with
Mr. Duché to agree with workmen employed in the
building the above mentioned wall and to pay them
agreeable to their contracts acquainted the Vestry, that
the wall was near finished, but that the paving both in
Arch Street and Fifth Street remained still to be done;
that all the monies which had been paid in from the
subscribers together with the sums paid by other orders
on the vendue master were almost expended, and a
great deal still remained to be paid to the several
workmen and that he was daily called upon: He
therefore prayed that as the Vestry could not immediately 
come to a determination respecting Mr. Brown's
Money, they would be pleased to lend it to him to
discharge the present demands that were made on
him.
    Resolved, that Mr. Brown's Request & Declaration
made at the delivery of the order to the Rector be
complied with: and in the mean time, that Mr. Swift
should have the use of the money, as the exigency and
State of his accounts required it; but that when the

accounts came to be closed, the Vestry would resume
the consideration of the disposal of Mr. Brown's present
of 200 pounds, and do therein as might be most for the
service of the church.
    Mr. Townshend White's account for erecting the organ
in Christ Church was delivered in by him, and
referred to be examined and settled to Mr. Swift and
Mr. Meredith; and they were desired to report the
same to the next meeting of Vestry.
    The thanks of the Vestry were ordered to be given
to the several gentlemen, who had given orders on
the vendue master.

________________________________________________________

At a Vestry held at the Parsonage House
on Monday December 10, 1770:

Present:
The Rector

Church Warden:
Benjamin Wynkoop
Francis Hopkinson

Vestry Men:
Charles Stedman     Townsend White
Joseph Swift        Joseph Sims
John Willday        John Stamper
Jacob Duché         John Baynton
Dr. John Morgan     Charles Meredith

    Mr. Church Warden Hopkinson, having been so obli-
ging as to perform upon the organ at Christ Church
during the absence of Mr. Bremner the late organist,
the Vestry unanimously requested of him a continuance
of his kind office till an organist should be appointed
or as long as it should be convenient and agreeable to him-
self. Mr. Hopkinson cheerfully granted this request.

    Mr. John Bankton, at the request of his father, was
appointed organist of St. Peter's Church, his father
having been so kind as to promise that he should
serve without a salary, till the church could be
able to afford one.
    Resolved, that the Rector and Assistant Minister
be desired to preach a sermon once every year in
each of the churches in the month of April or
May for the purpose of collecting money to defray
the necessary expenses which must attend the keeping
both organs in repairs, and paying a salary to the
tuner and bellows blower.

______________________________________________________

At a Vestry held at the Parsonage House
on Monday January 7, 1771:

Present:
The Rector

Church Wardens:
Francis Hopkinson
Benjamin Wynkoop

Vestry Men:
Dr. John Kearseley [Kearsley]   Joseph Swift
Joseph Sims                     James Humphreys
Charles Stedman                 John Baynton
Townsend White                  Joseph Stamper
Dr. John Morgan

    The committee appointed to inspect and settle Mr.
Joseph Stamper's accounts who was Church Warden
from Easter 1768, to Easter 1769, reported that they
had examined said accounts and vouchers and found
the balance to be 2:16:4, which was paid
to the proceeding Church Warden, and then the
accounts were entered into the Church book.

The Committee appointed to examine Mr. Joseph Swift's
accounts, who was Church Warden from Easter 1769
to Easter 1770, reported, that they had examined
the same, and found the balance to be 29:6:1
which was paid into the hands of Mr. Wynkoop
the succeeding Church Warden and then Mr. Swift's
accounts were entered in the Church books
Messers. Stedman, Sims and Wilcocks were appointed a committee
to examine and settle Robert Smith carpenter his accounts against St. Peter's Church.
_______________________________________________________________

Easter Monday April 1, 1771

    Agreeable notice given in both churches, the members
of the united congregations of Christ Church and St. Peter's
with the Rector and Church Wardens me in Christ Church
immediately after prayers on Easter Monday and the
Curch Wardens, as directed by the Charter and lays
proceeded to take the poll for Vestry Men for the en-
suing year. At the closing of the poll, the following
persons were found to have the majority of voices,
namely,
    Dr. John Kearsley Sr.       John Baynton
    Jacob Duché                 Thomas Willing
    Peter Turner Sr.            John Willcocks
    Joseph Stamper              Charles Meredith
    Townsend White              Joseph Sims
    James Humpreys              Edward Duffield
    Joseph Redman               Benjamin Wynkoop
    Joseph Swift                Dr. John Morgan
    John Gibson                 Francis Hopkinson
    Charles Stedman             John Willday

    The Rector then named Benjamin Wynkoop for his
Church Warden, and the congregations elected
Francis Hopkinson for their Church Warden.
    After which the Vestry appointed the follow-
ing officers out of their numbers, viz
Quest Men for Christ Church:        Quest Men for St. Peter's:
Edward Duffield                     Charles Stedman
Charles Meredith                    John Willcocks
Townsend White                      Dr. John Morgan

Messrs. Swift and Meredith reported that they had
examined Townsend WHite's accounts and found the
balance due to him to be thirty nine pounds 8:8.

________________________________________________________

At a stated Vestry held at the Parsonage House
on Monday April 8, 1771:

Present:
The Rector

Church Wardens:
Benjamin Wynkoop
Francis Hopkinson

Vestry Men:
Dr. John Kearsley       Charles Stedman
Joseph Redman           Charles Meredith
Townsend White          John Willday
John Baynton            Joseph Swift
Joseph Sims             James Humphreys

    The Proceedings at the annual election for Vestry
Men and Church Wardens on Easter Monday last
were yesterday published in both churches and had
being read over, were ordered to be entered as on
that day.

Chosen Clerks:
Caleb Cash for Christ Church
William Young for St. Peter's

Chosen Sextons:
James Wiley for Christ Church
George Stokes for St. Peter's

    Mr. Hopkinson and Mr. Sims are appointed a com-
mittee to inspect and settle the late Church Warden
Wynkoop's account.
    Mr. Sims, Mr. Stedman and Mr. Willcocks reported,
that they had settled Robert Smith's account, and found
a balance due to him of 35:13:3, which report
is approved; and the Rector for the honor of the
churches paid the asme to Robert Smith, and took
his receipt in full.
    The Rector then acquainted the Vestry, that he had
something of consequence to the Churches and himself
to communicate to them, to which he desired they would
be pleased to give their most careful attention, and
then spoke as follows.
Gentlemen,
    If you will please to look into your minutes of
Vestry you will find, that on the 2 of December 1766,
after series consultation, you came to the following
resolution, viz. that every accounting Church Warden
should, after paying the church officers, and defraying
all contingent and incidental charges of the year,
pay me the whole of what came into his hands,
on account of the churches, and of which I was to

pay Mr. Duché the yearly sum of 350 pounds for his
salary, and likewise to pay off the interest of 900 pounds
bond given to Mr. Harrison deceased, on account
of St. Peter's Church.
    Now as the said minute was to continue no longer, then
it should be mutually agreeable to the Vestry and
myself; as the church debts and particularly the
bond therein mentioned are paid off; and as the
continuance of the present method of the Church
Wardens according to me might have a tendency
to introduce confusion, and make us lose sight of
what has been already regulated by Charter and
Law relating to the distinct branches of the
Church funds; I do now move, that the said
minute may be considered as of no longer con-
tinuance, and that you would be please to come
to much resolutions, as will clearly show how and
in what manner the pew money, as well as all
other monies received by the accounting Church
Warden, may and ought to be considered and dis-
posed of. And for the government of your consul-
tations in this important matter, I desire, that
the charter and laws, and particularly the 7th
Chapter of the laws, may be read and duly
attended to, as they will be a safe and good guide
to you, as to any resolutions you may think
proper to make.
    On mature consideration of the above and
after a careful perusal of the charter and laws,
and particularly the 7th chapter above mentioned