USA > Washington DC > Washington DC > Centennial history of the city of Washington, D. C. With full outline of the natural advantages, accounts of the Indian tribes, selection of the site, founding of the city to the present time > Part 61
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584
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.
The Church of Our Father, Universalist, stands at the corner of Thirteenth and L streets Northwest. The first movement toward the organization of a Universalist church in Washington was made in 1867, by the General Convention of this denomination. Rev. E. G. Brooks preached two Sundays, and Rev. A. A. Miner, D. D., of Boston, Massachusetts, also preached two Sundays. The first services were held in Union League HIall, on Ninth Street. Meetings were held afterward in Masonic Temple, and in Metzerott Hall, on Pennsyl- vania Avenne, services being conducted by different ministers. The society, named Murray Universalist Society, was organized in May, 1869.
When the charter for the church organization was secured, in 1874, the name given to the organization was "The First Universalist Church in Washington, District of Columbia." This charter was obtained during the ministry of Rev. C. H. Fay, who came here from Middletown, Connecticut, in 1873. About the time of the organization of the church, the services were transferred to Talmage Hall, and were held there and at Masonic IIall, and at Lincoln Hall, until the present church building was ready for occupaney. Rev. Mr. Fay remained pastor until May, 1877, when he resigned, and in the following fall he was succeeded by Rev. Alexander Kent, who had previously preached at Baltimore, Maryland. At the beginning of Rev. Kent's ministry, there were fifty-six members in the church, and as their numbers increased, Mr. Kent, with the consent of the General Convention, in- augurated a movement looking toward the erection of a new church building. This was begun in 1879, the larger portion of the contribu- tions being from friends outside of Washington. This church building was completed and ocenpied for the first time in May, 1883. It was dedicated in October following, under its present name, "The Church of Our Father." The dedicatory sermon was preached by Rev. A. A. Miner, D. D., of Boston, Massachusetts. Rev. Mr. Kent remained pastor of the church until 1890, with the exception of about one year, resigning in October, 1888, being recalled in June, 1889, and entering upon the second portion of his pastorate in September, 1889. At the time of his retirement, there were about one hundred and twenty members in the church. He was succeeded by Professor S. A Whitcomb. The Optimist Club of the Universalist Church was organ- ized October 13, 1874.
All Souls' Unitarian Church was established in 1820. Early in the spring of 1821, active measures were taken to erect a church building, which was dedicated Thursday, June 9, 1822, Rev. Mr. Little preaching
585
CHURCH HISTORY.
the dedicatory sermon in the morning, and Mr. Ralph Eddowes, of Philadelphia, preaching in the afternoon. The bell erected upon this church was the first church bell in the city. It was cast at the foundry established near Boston by the famous Paul Revere, and was purchased with subscriptions by John Quincy Adams, John C. Calhoun, and other distinguished men. This bell was rung for public purposes until 1861, but then its use was discontinued, because it had on the day of the death of old John Brown rung a requiem for him.
The precise date of Mr. Little's retirement from this church does not appear, but it must have been in 1826, for in the file of the papers of that year ( the papers then and for many years afterward being almost devoid of reference to local events) there were occasional notices of ministers of this denomination preaching in the First Unitarian Church. Of these occasional supplies may be mentioned Rev. Dar- nelle; Rev. Mr. Walls, of Cambridge, Massachusetts; Rev. Mr. Motte, of Charleston, South Carolina, and Rev. Mr. Green, of Lynn, Massachu- setts. For the most of 1828 and 1829, Rev. Andrew Bigelow was pastor of this church. During the winter of 1829-30, the church was looking for a minister, and at length secured Rev. Cazneau Palfrey, who was ordained October 5, 1830, sermon and charge by Rev. Francis Parkman, of Boston, his ministry continuing until January, 1836. During the time of his pastorate, in the winter of 1833-34, Rev. Mr. Palfrey delivered a series of lectures on the doctrines of the Unitarian Church, the titles being "The Person, Character, and Office of Christ," " The Holy Spirit," "Total Depravity," and "The Paternal Character of God." In 1839, Rev. Stephen G. Bulfinch, son of the architect of the Capitol, became the pastor, and remained six years. Rev. Edward Everett Hale next became the pastor, from October, 1844, to March, 1845.
Rev. J. Angier preached for this church a short time in 1846, and then Rev. Orville Dewey became pastor of this church. Dr. Dewey preached during the succeeding winter, and in the spring of 1847 Rev. Samuel Longfellow preached for one month. For the next three years the minister was Rev. Joseph Henry Allen, who was succeeded by Dr. Orville Dewey in the winter of 1851-52. During this year, Dr. Dewey, who was one of the matchless orators of Unitarianism, delivered to the Lowell Institute, of Boston, a course of lectures upon Natural Theology, enlarging its scope, however, to include the entire problem of human destiny. This course of lectures was repeated in Washington by request. Dr. Dewey remained with this church until July, 1853, with a short intermission in 1852. Then came Monenre
586
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.
Daniel Conway. He was installed minister February 28, 1855, and remained until the close of 1856. For a short time the minister was Rev. W. D. Haley, who was followed by Rev. William Henry Chan- ning. At this time the city was full of sick and wounded soldiers, and, under the lead of Mr. Channing, the congregation promptly offered the use of the church for hospital purposes -the first church in the city to manifest its patriotism. The officers of the Government soon offered the Senate chamber to the church for Sunday worship, and in December, 1863, Mr. Channing was elected chaplain of Con- gress. During the two winters of his chaplaincy, the American Unitarian Association sent to Washington many of the ablest minis- ters of the denomination, and services were held simultaneously every Sunday at the church and at the hall of the House of Represent- atives. February 12, 1865, Mr. Channing invited Rev. Mr. Garnet to preach for him in the House of Representatives, "the first colored preacher ever heard in the National Capitol."
Rev. Dr. Rufus P. Stebbins preached during the winter of 1867-68 for six months. Then, for a short time, came Rev. William Shargan, and for five years, from December, 1870, to December, 1875, the minister was Rev. Frederick Hinckley. Soon after 1870, .when the center of population was moving rapidly toward the northwest, it was felt that, the old church building becoming, as it was, dilapidated, ill-placed, and inaccessible, a new church building, more eligible in location, larger, and more attractive, was essential to the continued prosperity of the congregation. At the Saratoga Conference of 1876, an appeal for assistance was made to the denomination at large, and the delegates present pledged their several charges for $25,000, which amount was collected the next year. The bequest of Mr. Winn, of Woburn, Massachusetts, of $100,000 was made about this time, and of this amount $10,000 was granted for the purpose of the erection of the new church. The old church property was sold to the city for a police court for $20,000, and additional contributions in the city brought the amount up to $65,000. With this sum, the present lot was purchased for $20,000, the building was erected for $40,000, and the organ was purchased for $5,000, thus completing the purchase and payment for the entire property for the sum secured, and without incurring any debt.
While the new church building was being erected, the society was reorganized in accordance with the laws of the District of Col- umbia, and changed its name to "All Souls' Church," and adopted, June 4, 1877, a bond of union, constitution, and by-laws. Sunday,
587
CHURCH HISTORY.
July 2, Rev. Clay MacCauley was invited to settle as minister, and was installed January 30, 1878. The new church building was dedi- cated January 29, 1878, Rev. Henry W. Bellows preaching the dedica- tory sermon. Rev. Mr. MacCauley remained until the summer of 1880, and is now a missionary of the Unitarian Association in Japan. The next and present minister was the Rev. Rush R. Shippen, who was installed April 13, 1881, Rev. Robert Collyer preaching the instal- lation sermon. His first sermon was preached on the next Sunday, which was Easter Sunday. The membership at the present time, January 1, 1892, is two hundred and twenty.
The Twentieth Century Club was organized in April, 1890, by the women of the church. The "Lend-a-Hand" was organized by twenty- two young women of the congregation in October, 1890, The Chan- ning Club was organized January 20, 1891. The above, together with the Parish Union, constitute the working forces of the church outside of its own organization, and all perform efficient and acceptable labor.
The People's Church is the name of an organization which began in this city in the autumn of 1891. Its first meetings, conducted by Rev. Alexander Kent, the originator, were held in Union Hall, after- ward changed to the Academy of Music, and still later to the Builders' Exchange, on Thirteenth Street Northwest. The fatherhood of God, the brotherhood of man, and the oneness of the life divine and human were announced as fundamental principles. The acceptance of this announcement was not made a condition of membership; but sympa- thy with the purpose and a desire to work for the attainment of these ends were all that was required.
Vermont Avenue Christian Church was organized in 1843, by Dr. Barclay, subsequently a missionary to Jerusalem and author of a large work entitled "The City of the Great King." The organization occurred in the southwest part of the city, in a small frame school- house which stood on Maryland Avenue.
The first house of worship owned by the congregation was a frame structure purchased from the Southern Methodist Church, and removed from M Street to the site on Vermont Avenue, the dedication being conducted by Elder J. Z. Taylor in 1869. Owing to the fact that President Garfield was a member of this congregation, an appeal was made shortly after his assassination to the organization throughout the United States for means to erect a structure which would be a Memorial Church. The appeal was successful. A fine structure was secured, which, including site, cost about $67,000. In this new structure is preserved the old family seat of President Garfield. The new edifice
588
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.
was dedicated January 20, 1884, by President W. K. Pendleton, of Bethany College, West Virginia.
Much of the preaching was at first done by supplies. Protracted meetings were held, from time to time, by such men as D. P. Hender- son, of Missouri; Knowles Shaw, of Indiana, and others. The regular pastors have been Dr. J. T. Barclay, Henry T. Anderson, O. A. Bar- tholomew, and F. D. Power. During Mr. Bartholomew's pastorate, the membership reached two hundred. Under the efficient labors of Mr. Power, it has grown to five hundred and fifty; and in April, 1891, it sent to the corner of Ninth and D streets Northwest a colony of eighty-five, called "Ninth Street Christian Church," which has grown to three hundred and eighty-five under the charge of E. B. Bagley.
The Washington Hebrew Congregation was organized in 1854. Its synagogue is located on Eighth Street, between H and I streets, Northwest. The building was erected by the First Congregational Church, and twice enlarged by them. The Hebrew Congregation took possession of this building May 20, 1859, Rev. Landsberg being the rabbi at the time. In March, 1863, steps were inaugurated to secure funds with which to acquire a larger and better building. The result was the present commodious brick structure. It had been used by the United States Government for hospital purposes. It has been twice renovated and enlarged, viz., in 1877 and 1886. The list of pastors has embraced Revs. Mela, Jacobi, Landsberg, Weil, Jacobson, Stemple, Goldberg, and L. Stern, present incumbent. He was installed in 1872. The present membership is two hundred and eight families.
The Adams Israel Congregation ( Orthodox), whose synagogue is situated on the corner of Sixth and G streets Northwest, was organ- ized in 1875. Its present pastor is Rev. Leopold Heiman.
The Church of the Holy City is situated on Dupont Circle, Northwest. Rev. Jabez Fox was the first regular pastor of the congregation. The present pastor is Rev. Frank Sewall.
CHAPTER XVII.
MEDICAL HISTORY.
Introduction of Vaccination in the District of Columbia - Early Physicians - Healthful- ness of Washington - Board of Health -Cholera Epidemic - Its Prevention by the Board of Health - Deaths from Cholera -Sketches of Physicians - Medical Societies.
ACCINATION was introduced in Washington during the summer of 1801, the President receiving some aura vaccina from Dr. Water- house, Cambridge, with a view of having its effects tried here. This first virus was given to Dr. Grant, of Georgetown, and was used by him.
December 14, 1801, Dr. Tongue informed the citizens of Washing- ton through the public prints, as was then the custom everywhere, that he practiced physic, and particularly surgery. He had been, he said, a private pupil of Dr. Rush, to whom he referred.
T. Bruff, dentist, and inventor of the perpendicular extracting instruments, notified the public December 28, 1801, that he had arrived in Georgetown, and that he offered his services to the ladies and gentlemen of the District.
In September, 1803, it became known to the satisfaction of the authorities of the city of Alexandria that a malignant fever prevailed in a portion of Alexandria, and the authorities of the city of Wash- ington were officially notified of the fact. The Council immediately passed " An Act for the Relief of Certain Persons," and authorized the Mayor to borrow money for the purpose of assisting such of those from Alexandria who might temporarily take up their residence in Washington in order to escape the fever. The trustees of the poor were authorized to render assistance to any of the inhabitants of Alexandria that might stand in need. Three hundred dollars were appropriated, and the Mayor was authorized to borrow $2,000 if the money in the treasury should prove insufficient for the emergency. While it was not thought possible for the fever to spread in Wash- ington, yet every precaution was taken to prevent it. According to the health department of Alexandria, the greater number of deaths and the increase in sickness were in great measure owing to the " uncommon drouth" of the season. In order to more effectually
589
590
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.
assist the distressed in Alexandria, a subscription paper was placed in the hands of Daniel C. Brent, and the public were requested to subscribe to the extent of their ability.
October 2, 1805, Dr. Benson announced that he had removed to the house opposite Mr. Morin's tavern.
April 21, 1806, Dr. Starling Archer, then late of the navy, died on account of a wound received in a duel on the 17th of the same month. He was universally esteemed, and his death was lamented by all who knew him.
Dr. Briscoe, in 1806, was located a few doors west of the "Seven Buildings," on Pennsylvania Avenue, and kept at his house a supply of useful medicines and other articles needed by physicians.
In January, 1808, Dr. Lancaster located in Washington, on Penn- sylvania Avenue, and announced that he had had several years' experience.
In the following September, Dr. William Grayson began the practice of medicine in Washington, locating two doors from Semmes's Tavern, in Georgetown.
Dr. Robert French began the practice of medicine and surgery in Georgetown about May 1, 1809, and had his "shop" in the house then lately occupied by Dr. John Weems, deceased.
Dr. John Willis had been in the city some time in 1809, and was then located on Pennsylvania Avenue. He died April 4, 1811. He was a wealthy man and a valuable member of society. At the time of his death, his home was in Orange County, Virginia.
The precise time when Dr. George A. Carroll first established himself in the city cannot be positively stated, but he resumed the practice of physic here in 1813, in the corner house next door to Gen- eral Van Ness.
In 1815, Dr. William Gardner was a great advertiser, curing caneers, tumors, etc.
Dr. Jolin Ott, of Georgetown, died April 8, 1818. He was spoken of at the time as having had no superior in every relation of life. He was a father to the poor, a friend to the distressed, and an example to others in the performance of every civil and social duty.
In December, 1816, Dr. Henderson came to Georgetown, and estab- lished himself in the practice of medicine, surgery, and midwifery.
Dr. E. Harrison came in April, 1817, and located near Timmon's IIotel, He died about August 25, 1819.
Dr. James HI. Blake was one of the most prominent and most highly respected of the physicians and citizens of early Washington.
591
MEDICAL HISTORY.
He was a native of Calvert County, Maryland, dwelt several years in Virginia, and came to Washington in 1807, where he lived the rest of his life. As a public man he was successively magistrate in Virginia and in Washington, District of Columbia. He was a member of the Legislature of Virginia, and was several times elected Mayor of Washington, and was for a time collector of internal revenue. At the time of his death, which occurred July 29, 1819, he was register of wills for Washington County. He died after a long and painful illness, sincerely mourned by the entire community.
Mrs. Edward Davis, "niece of the late Mrs. Whitewood," estab- lished herself in Washington and Georgetown, as a midwife, in March, 1823. She came highly recommended by Jonathan Barber, lecturer on anatomy and physiology, and Fellow of the Medical Society of London and Royal College of Surgery.
Dr. Richard Randall began the practice of medicine and surgery here in June, 1825. Dr. John Sinnott, A. M., M. D., commenced the practice of medicine, surgery, and midwifery in Washington in De- cember, 1825, with his office at Mrs. Sinnott's Academy, in Varnum's Row, on D Street. He had had fifteen years' experience in the vari- ous branches of his profession. Dr. Sinnott advertised in French as well as in English.
Dr. Gilroy commenced the practice here about July, 1826, as also did Dr. Adam B. Hooe, Jr. Dr. Thomas began here in August, 1827, having his office next door to Dr. Huntt, on Fourteenth Street. About the same time, Dr. A. B. Hayden, dentist, having determined to settle permanently in Washington, offered his services to the people of the District of Columbia.
Reports of the number of deaths in the city began to be made in 1819, and they were for the next few years as follows: For 1819, 279; for 1820, 327; for 1821, 355; for 1823, 356; for 1824, 290. The greatest number of deaths were caused by cholera infantum and con- sumption. From the former in 1819 there were 15; in 1820, 43; in 1821, 31; and from consumption, in 1819, 101; in 1820, 42; and in 1821, 37.
As always has been the case, the people of Washington in the early day were sensitive over the question of the comparative healthful- ness of their city, and to show that cities further north had nothing to boast of over Washington in this respect, the following table was prepared and published, showing the proportion of deaths to the entire population:
38
592
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.
Year.
Washington.
Boston.
Baltimore.
New York.
Philadelphia.
1820
40.51
39.83
38.60
35.16
33.90
1821
38.72
32.73
32.07
37.01
36.82
1822
48.13
40.SS
28.71
43.04
33.21
1823
41.40
45.10
32.54
42.85
26.46
1824
52.57
42.30
48.14
36.05
28.26
1825
70.00
40.19
47.12
33,09
33.29
1826
57.41
49.13
39.01
35.42
31.22
Average
49.82
41.45
38.02
37.12
31.89
From the facts brought to light in the above table, it was sug- gested to the Philadelphia and New York insurers of lives that it would be expedient for them to omit from their policies the stipula- tion that the persons insured by them should not go so far south as the Potomac River.
In 1824, the members of the Board of Health were Drs. Thomas Sim, Henry Huntt, Thomas Sewall, Frederick May, and C. B. Hamilton. In January, 1828, there was a case of varioloid at Greenleaf's Point, in the city of Washington, and as it was easy of communication to others and was occasionally fatal to human life, it became the duty of the Board of Health to do what they could to prevent its spread. They therefore issued rules and regulations for the government of the people in respect to the case. They were not to have any intercourse with the patient, and those attending upon the patient were not to mingle with society until all danger was passed. Vaccination was urged upon all who had not been vaccinated, the poor to be vaccinated free of expense by calling upon the physician of their ward. Henry Huntt was president of the Board of Health, and Andrew Coyle secretary.
The Board of Healthi was provided for by an act of the corpora- tion passed March 30, 1822. It was by this act invested with the power to form a code of regulations with reference to the health of the city, especially with respect to contagious diseases, which, however, were not to be repugnant to the act of incorporation or charter of
593
MEDICAL HISTORY.
the city. It was given power to declare what in its opinion were nuisances or sources of disease, such opinion to be published, and thereupon each member of the board was required to give notice to the ward commissioner of any nuisances in his ward, and upon receipt of such notice the commissioner was required to have the same removed. The board had conferred upon it such other powers as are common to such organizations.
The first great necessity that came upon the board for the exercise of what were considered by many extraordinary powers was in con- neetion with the cholera epidemic of 1832. The cholera appears to have first been noticed in this country that year in New York City, June 26, 1832, and but twelve deaths occurred up to the 7th of July; but during that month it rapidly increased in severity. About August 10, the disease first made its appearance in Washington, several deaths occurring from other causes, however, being thought by some to have been caused by cholera, but which the physicians said were from typhus fever. But one man, named John Nally, a printer, aged about twenty-one, after having been afflicted with diarrhea for several weeks, was suddenly seized with cholera, and died in twenty-five hours. "This unfortunate young man had been an habitual drunkard for four years, and for six weeks prior to his death had indulged in all manner of excesses, and had scarcely been sober during that time." It was com- monly observed that the intemperate man was by far the greatest sufferer. A full report of this case was published by the attending physician, Dr. Alexander MeD. Davis, in the National Intelligencer of August 17, 1832.
In order to prevent the spread of this "great epidemic of the world," as it was then called, the Board of Aldermen and Board of Common Council of the city of Washington appointed six persons for the First, Second, and Third wards, and four persons for the Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth wards, to serve as police commissioners, and to be associated with the Board of Health for four months; and the Mayor was authorized to appoint such additional number of scavengers as he might think proper. . The Board of Health recommended that relig- ious bodies refrain from holding night meetings, and resolved that the vending of ardent spirits in whatever quantity was a nuisance; and inasmuch as they had the authority to do any and everything neces- sary to preserve the health of the city, directed the discontinuance of the sale of such spirits for ninety days from August 14, 1832.
On August 16, the board, "after due deliberation, have resolved and do now declare that the following articles are in their opinion
594
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.
highly prejudicial to health at the present season. Believing them in the light of nuisances, they hereby direct that the sale of them, or their introduction within the limits of the city, be prohibited from and after the 22d instant, for the space of ninety days.
"Cabbage, green corn, cucumbers, peas, beans, parsnips, carrots, eggplant, simblins or squashes, pumpkins, turnips, watermelons, canta- loupes, muskmelons, apples, pears, peaches, plums, damsons, cherries, apricots, pineapples, oranges, lemons, limes, cocoanuts, ice creams, fish, crabs, oysters, clams, lobsters, and crawfish."
"The board also recommend that the city authorities prohibit for ninety days all theatrical performances or other exhibitions which be calculated to produce large collections of persons." The board opposed quarantine regulations, "as tending to create a false confidence in such provisions to the neglect of more important preservatives from the disease." They also recommended that the heads of families make rigid daily inquiries into the health of all those committed to their charge.
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