USA > Washington DC > Washington DC > Historical sketches of the ten miles square forming the District of Columbia : with a picture of Washington, describing objects of general interest or curiosity at the metropolis of the Union. > Part 14
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St. John's Church, Washington, of which the Rev. William Hawley is Rector, was built agree- ably to the design and under the direction of the · late B. Latrobe, esq., in 1816. It was consecra- ted by the late Bishop Kemp, on Christmas day, of that year, and the congregation of which has ever since been large and highly respectable.
The late Presidents, Madison, Monroe and Adams, occupied in succession, the pew set apart for the chief magistrates, the last of whom has been succeeded by President Jackson. The For- eigh ministers from England, the right honorable Messrs. Bagut and Canning, with their respective suites, attended public worship in this Church, as also the present minister, the right honorable Mr Vaughan.
It is well situated on the north of the square fronting the President's house. Its open position is favorable for exhibiting its form and peculiar architecture to advantage. It was built of brick, covered with rough stucco, in 1816, in the form of a Grecian cross; but being soon found too small for its congregation, in 1820 it was enlarged, by lengthening its western arm, to the form of a I.s.
215
Episcopal Church.
tin cross; when an advanced portico of six co- lumns and a lofty steeple were added. The por- tico is of Ionic proportions, but the columns are not yet finished with their appropriate capitals. The inside is formed of a nave and transepts arch- ed, with galleries supported by small Doric to- lumns. Four massy piers, at the intersection of the transepts, support pendantives, from which an hemispherical dome rises in the centre: the whole is finished in a style of simplicity, which gives a remarkably imposing air to so small a building. In 1821 the steeple was erected, and a bell of nearly a 1000 weight placed in it:
Christ's Church, Georgetown, of which the Rev. J. T. Brook is Rector, was built in the year 1818 and placed under the pastoral care of the Rev. Reuel Keith, D. D., who was succeeded on his appointment and removal to a professorship in William and Mary College, in Virginia, by the Rev. C. P. McIlvaine, who continued in charge of the congregation about four years. On his re- ceiving the appointment of professor in the Mili- tary School at West Point, he resigned his charge and was succeeded by the Rev. HI. N. Gray, who ministered to the people about the same period of time; but on account of ill health, was obliged at length to give it up, and about a year ago to seek a more congenial clime in Florida, when in
1 3 am
216
Episcopal Churcht.
August last he died. His congregation cherish his memory with affectionate and christian regard for his faithfulness in the discharge of his clerical duties. In April last, the present Rector took charge of the congregation.
Trinity Church, Washington, of which the Rev H. V. D. Johns, is Rector, was built in the year 1828, and consecrated in May 1829, by the right reverend Bishop Moore, of Virginia. It fronts east on the Judiciary square. It is built of brick, in a modern Gothic style, with four large pointed windows on each side; the front is composed of four open pointed arches, forming a recess for a porch, and a blank arch on each flank, over which rise two towers; this front is yet unfinished, but when stuccoed, and the towers completed with pinnacles, or in some other appropriate Gothic manner, will be an ornament to this part of the city. The inside is finished with a plain arched ceiling, with galleries on each side, and one end, support- ed by reeded columns painted in bronze; as arc the caps of the pews. Strict attention has been paid throughout, to observe the style of the light- er kind of Gothic, in the columns; the front of the galleries, the reading desk, pulpit and altar deco: rations, and the effect is harmonious and pleasing. The congregation although but recently organ- ized, has attained to a respectable size, and i; rapidly increasing.
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£
217
Episcopal Church.
Christ's Church, Alexandria, of which the Rev. John C. McGuire is Rector, is the oldest Church in the District, supposed to have been built more than 100 years ago. A steeple, about ten years since was added to it, and a bell, of good size, placed in the belfry. This Church was honored with the attendance and membership of the Fa- ther of his Country, the immortal Washington. The Rev. Lord Fairfax, for some time after the revolution, was the Rector of it. The Rev. Dr. William Meade, now assistant bishop of Virginia, had charge of this congregation in 1812, shortly after he was clothed with the ministerial office. He was succeeded by the Rev. Oliver Norris, well known as a pious and faithful pastor; but who was cut off in the meridian of his days and of his usefulness. He died in August 1824.
To him succeeded Dr. Keith, one of the pro- fessors in the Theological Seminary in Virginia; but who, in consequence of the arduous duties of his professorship, resigned his charge in 1827, and was succeeded by the late Rev. George Griswold, son of the bishop of the Eastern Diocese. He . died in September last. The present Rector has recently been called to that situation.
St. Paul's Church, Alexandria, of which the Rev. Wm. Jackson is Rector, was erected in the year 1818, then under the pastoral care of the 15
$18. Methodist Episcopal Church.
Rev. Wm. H. Wilmer, D. D., who continued i !: charge of the congregation until his removal to the Presidency of William and Mary College in Virginia, where he died in the year 1826. Hc was a pious, zealous and active clergyman, and greatly contributed in rescusitating the church in Virginia from its depressed situation about twenty . years ago, to its present flourishing condition.
Under the ministration of the present pious and zealous Rector, the congregation has considerably increased in numbers. The church is large and spacious, and in many respects an agreeable build- ing.
In conclusion, it may be useful to remark, that it is contemplated, before many years have elaps- ed, to have the District erected into a new Dio- cese.
THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
There are, within the limits of the District, five respectable houses of worship for the white mem- bers, and two for the coloured people: the com- municants, or members, are about 2,700; the sabbath congregations are from 6 to 7000 .- There has been in Georgetown and the Ebenczer (or Navy Yard) stations, a secession from the church, who call themselves the associate Metho-
219
Methodist Episcopal Church.
dists: they are not included in the above number, as they belong not to this church.
Since the month of August, in Georgetown and the City of Washington, there has been received as probationers in the Church more than 250 per- sons; so that at this time there are more in num- bers in Georgetown, than when the secession took place; and present appearances justify the expec- tation, at the Ebenezer station, that they will shortly receive many more than have withdrawn from them. The Rev. Robert S. Vinton has charge of the Church in Georgetown; the Rev. John L. Gibbon, of the Ebenezer Church: the Rev. Ste- phen G. Rosze!, the Churches in the City, and the Rev. Jacob Larkin, the Church in Alexandria.
The members of the African Methodist Episco- cal Church, consist of about 150 persons, the name of the elder in charge, is N. C. Cannon.
THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
In the District is highly respectable in the number of its congregations, and in the character and piety of its members.
There are four Churches of this demomination in the City of Washington, viz: The Ist in 43 street, near the City Hall, of which the Rev. Reu. ben Post is pastor: the &d at the corner of H street
220
Presbyterian Church.
and New York avenue, of which the Rev. John N. Campbell is pastor: F street Church, of which the Rev. James Laurie, D. D. is pastor: and the 4th in 9th street, of which the Rev. Joshua N. Danforth is pastor. Of these churches, the one in F street is the oldest, having been organized as an Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, and which became simply a Presbyterian Church, upon the union of the Associate Reformed Synod with the General Assembly in 1823.
In Georgetown there is but one Church of this denomination, which was organized by its present venerable pastor, the Rev. Stephen B. Balch, about 50 years since. This is probably the oldest Presbyterian Church in the District.
In Alexandria there are two Presbyterian chur- ches: the 1st of which the Rev. Elias Harrison is pastor; and the 2d, of which the Rev. William C Walton is pastor.
Some of these Churches have received conside- rable accessions within a year or two past, and they are, generally, in a prosperous condition.
The First Presbyterian Church was originally built on the low grounds, near the Capitol, and was once enlarged to meet the increase of the congregation. In 1828, the society determined to build and remove to another more commodious house. This Church is of fine brick, situated
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221
Presbyterian Church.
near the City Hall, in an improving neighbourhood: the building is large and uncommonly neat. It has two rows of square windows on its sides; the front has three doors, with windows above, all finished with circular heads: the roof finishes in a pediment, with modillion cornice. The inside has galleries on three sides, supported by plain small columns; no ornament has been admitted, except a large and well finished mahogany pul- pit. The ceiling is flat, without cornices, and the building is favorable for speaking and hearing.
BAPTIST CHURCH.
The First Baptist Church in Washington City, was constituted in 1802. The Reverend William Parkinson, who is now Pastor of the First Bap- tist Church in the City of New York, was then Chaplain to Congress, and while at Washington, in the discharge of the duties of that office, he became the agent for collecting together the little number of eight persons who belonged to the Baptist communion, and constituting them into this church. Mr. Parkinson, when in Washing- ton, favored them with his ministerial services, and, at other times, different clergymen occa- sionally preached for them ; but they were with- out a regular pastor till 1807, when, by their unanimous election, the Rev. Obadiah B. Brown.
922
Baptist Church.
the present Pastor, was ordained to that office. the number of communicants had then increased to twenty-seven. In 1803, they erected their present house of worship, situated on the corner of I and 19th streets, which remained unfinished till 1809. This Church at present contains a lit- tle upwards of one hundred and fifty communi- cants.
The Second Baptist Church was constituted in 1810, by several members who took their dis- mission from the First Church. It is situated near the Navy Yard, more than three miles from the first, and is more commonly called the Navy Yard Baptist Church. It has had four regular Pastors, viz : Rev. Messrs. Osborn, Barton, Lynd, and Neale, besides being for a considera- ble length of tinte from its formation, and sub. sequently, at different intervals, without a rega- lar Pastor. The present Pastor of this Church is the Rev. Rollen Neale. The church is com- posed of upwards of a hundred communicants.
The Central Baptist Church was constituted of several members from the First Church, in 1827, and the Rev. George F. Adams ordained Pastor. This Church, yet in its infancy. has no house of worship, but meets for divine service in the City Hall. It is at present without a Pastor, Mr. Adams having resigned that charge in 1828. The
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Unitarian Church.
Rev. D. Semple and Mr. Adams, together, have supplied them with stated preaching. most of the time since 1828. Their number of communi- cants is yet small, being short of fifty.
UNITARIAN CHURCHI. ;
The Unitarian Church, built in 1824, is finely situated on the corner of 6th and D streets, and fronting on Louisiana avenue.
This congregation was gathered and continued under the pastoral care of the Rev. Robert Little until his death in 1827; since which time, reli- gious services have been continued by a succes- sion of ministers of that persuasion. The Church is built of brick, covered with stucco, in imita- tion of stone; its side shows three large circular headed windows; the front is composed of an ad- vanced portico of Roman Doric, of two columns and two pilasters. The middle intercolumnia- tion is filled by a tower, which rises over the pe- diment, and supports a light circular cupola, crowned with a gilt ball and cone. The interior is finished without galleries, except an organ gal- lery on the front end; the walls are decorated by arched recesses, in which the windows are placed,. and the ceiling is a segment curve, en berceau, divided into compartments by bands of stucco
224
Churches -- Quakers.
mouldings, and enriched with three centre flow-' ers. A recess is formed at the north end for the pulpit, which is a plain desk of mahogany, sup- ported by a massy cube of stone; the approach is by a flight of stairs on each side, finished with large balustres; the whole aspect of the interior is simple, appropriate to a place of worship, but not without richness and taste.
THE QUAKERS
Have a neat and comfortable house of worship in I street. The situation is quiet, and suited to the retired habits of this highly respectable class of christians
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225
Banks in Washington.
DISTRICT BANKS.
The following is the official statement of the condition of the several Banks within the District of Columbia, on the S1st December 1829. It ap- , pears that all the nine banks possess only in specie $225,852 70, averaging about 625,000 each : and that the notes in circulation, &c., of the whole, amount to $946,061 39, averaging each $105,116
82. The total amount of notes discounted in the nine banks is $3.837,274 64, averaging $426,- $63 75 each: the total capital of the nine banks is $5,955,640 39. This is not a very flattering exhibit. The fact is, that our banks have not formerly been conducted on sound banking principles-that is, in assisting tradesmen, and others, to anticipate payments: but have, generally, employed their credit and capital in aiding speculators to accu- mulate real estate; which is, of course, received in pledge for the payments of discounts. Hence, they have, hermetrically, scaled up their nominal and real capital in such a manner, that the honest laborious and enterprising tradesman or mecha- nic, can seldom ever can borrow a single dollar- if he be not a director. The Bank of the United States, is, we believe, an exception to this remark 'The accommodations afforded to the citizens, by that institution, have generally been impartially distributed, and found more beneficial to the bulk of the citizens than all the others united.
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Banks in Washington.
Condition of the Banks in the Districe of Columbia at the close of the year 1829.
The Bank of Washington.
Statement exhibiting the situation of the Bank of Washing- ton, 31st December, 1829, inclusive.
To capital stock. $479,120 00
Notes in circulation 68,064 50
Balances due to Banks 37,088 0+
Individual deposites .. 77,423 29
Deposites in saving fund.
23,466 68
Discount, interest, and house rent received .. 2,424 60
Profits and loss. 426 35
$688,013 45
By specie. ·$11,350 £6
Specie funds .8,283 41
$19,633 67 -
Notes of other Banks, viz:
Bank of the United States, its branches, Nor- thern Banks and other Banks.
21,559 00
Balances due by Banks .
10,750 39
Bills and notes discounted.
592,905 53
Other debts.
5,202 78
Stock of this Bank rec'd in payment of debts
96,920 00.
Stocks of various incorporated companies re-
ceived in payment of debts, par value $92,- 261 18 cost.
70,628 44
Banking house, old ..
14,180 60
Other real estate.
40,321 70
Expenses, incidendal and legal.
7,340 28
Notes of the District Corporations 741 (1)
Banking house, new.
8,000 00
$688,013 45 R. C. WEIGHTMAN, Cashier.
227
Banks in Washington.
Bank of the Metropolis.
Statement of the Bank of the Metropolis, December 31, 1829. To capital paid in. . 500,000 00
Notes of this Bank in circulation 39,780 00 Treasury of the United States 29.739 76 Amount due to Banks. 6,908 01
do to individuals on deposite 50,579 65
. Surplus, for dividend and expenses 22,235 64
649,243 09
By bills and notes discounted and stocks on hand .
585,358 43
Real estate .
28,955 26
Specie on hand . 12,519 67
Notes of other Banks.
17,286 68
Amount duc from other Banks. 5,123 05
649,243 0? ALEX. KERR, Cashier.
Patriotic Bank of Washington.
Statement of the situation of the Patriotic Bank of Wash- ington, 31st December, 1829.
Capital paid in. .
250,000,00
Notes in circulation 100,068,85
Duc to Banks. 32,449.47
Due to depositors 57,913,27
Profit and loss 27,018 95
Stock of this Bank received in pay- 467,550 54
ment of debts .. 98,795 00
Do. of Bank of Washington ...... 1,000 00
Do. of Corporation of Washington 1,791 95
101,686 65
Suits at law.
2,174 16
Banking house.
8,733 02
Other real estate
7,450 8G
Cash funds-
Specie . 20,591 99
Notes of other Banks 45,423 60
66,015 59
Due from individuals (for notes discounted)
272,613 26
Do. Banks . 8,867 70
467,450 31 H. T. WEIGHTMAN, Cashier.
2.28
Banks in Georgetown'
Farmers and Mechanics' Bank of Georgetown. Statement, to 31st December, 1829, of the Farmers and Me- chanics' Bank of Georgetown. .
Real estate $38,590 47
Specie
36,155 71
Notes of other Banks
41,597 31
Due from Banks
15,544 85
Farmers and Mechanics' Bank stock
68,917 56
Corporation and other stocks 20,488 93
Bills and notes discounted
591,668 74
Expenses
472 67
816, 426 24
Capital stock
485,900 00
Profit and loss for interest and discount to date.
28,102 54
Notes in circulation
171,906 00
Due to Banks
32,209 99
Due to depositors .
95 269 45
Unclaimed dividends 3,038 26
816,426 21
December S1, 1828. J. I. STULL, Cashier.
Union Bank of Georgetown.
Statement of the Union Bank of Georgetown, Dec. 31, 1899. Amount of capital pant in. $478,230 00
Circulation 152,945 00
Duc other Banks
35,839 50
Due individuals. 29,117 82
Partial payments on notes and judgments 21,492 6%
Balance down 2,988 37
720,615 57
Discounted notes 426,257 44
Specie .
31,151 55
U. S. Bank stock.
50,000 00
Union Bank stock-$115,900 cost.
92,075 00
Notes of other Banks
30,178 00
Due from other Banks
27,723 47
Six per cent. stock of Georgetown Corportion .
6,800 00
Six per cent. stock of Cumberland Bank
1,345 00
Turnpike stock
9,553 00
Real estate
42,198 95
Suspense and expense account
S,267 96
D. ENGLISH, Cashier,
720,614 67
229
A Statement exhibiting the situation of the Bank of Alexandria on the 31st December, 1829.
Capital stock.
$500,000 00
Notes in circulation . 108,867 50
Deposites by other Benks 14,501 20
Deposite by ¡the Treasurer of the United States 53,973 81 Deposites in part pay't. of debts & by individuals 50,962 24
Unclaimed dividends
1,255 00
Balance.
29,289 51
758,549 26
Bills and notes
449,042 47
Specie
23,281 23
Notes of other Banks
32,917 73
Due from other Benks
28,574 35
Bank and road stock.
73,974 85
Corporation 6 per cent stock
15,000 00
Do 5 do do
5,000 00
Real estate use of Bank, & taken to cover debts,
129,019 88
Incidental expenses outstanding
1,738 75
758,549 20
Balance
29,289 51
J. L. McKENNA, Cashier.
Bank of Potomac, in Alexandria.
Statement of the Bank of Potomac, ending 31st Decem., 1820.
Capital of the Bank
$500,000 (0)
Notes in Circulation
138,329 54
Individual deposites
69,077 48
Unclaimed dividends
4,484 50
Union Bank Fund
4,233 29
Due to Banks
21,243 62
Surplus
30,653 17
777,001 51
Bills of notes outstanding
481,830 96
Real estate
43,875 SO
Stock of Incorporated Companies
50,976 58
Potomac Bank Stock
85,800 00
Due from Banks
19,733 3%
Notes of other Banks
15,80$ 00
United States 6 per cent stock Do 5 do do
30,000 00
Specie
38,316 83
C. PAGE, Cashier.
777,001 51
Banks in Alexandria.
10,750 00
..
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Banks in Alexandria. Farmers' Bank of Alexandria. Statement of the Farmers' Bank of Alexandria, December 31, 1829, inclusive. CAPITAL AUTHORIZED BY LAW, 500,000 DOLLARS.
Bills and notes discounted. $396,398 27
Notes of other Banks on hand 14,504 29
Due from other Banks 14,301 19
Specie on hand 30,897 40
Real estate
2,204 63
Road stock
1,650 00
Stock of the Corporation of Washington
3,700 00
Axpenses
1,483 95
464,599 78
Capital stock paid in 310,100 CO
Notes in circulation
66,965 00
Due to other Banks
34,715 34
Dividends unpaid . .
218 50
Deposites, &c. &c.
52,550 94
464,599 78
January 1, 1830. JOHN HOOFF, Cashier. Mechanics' Bank of Alexandria.
Statement of the Mechanics' Bank of Alexandria, ending December 31, 1829.
Capital stock .
$372,544 00
Notes in circulation 99,065 00
21,750 60
Due to Banks.
Private deposites 18,784 19
797 65
Surplus, a reservation to meet losses by bad debts
100,711 71
613,653 15
Specie . .
21,654 91
Notes of other Banks paying specie
7,545 00
Due from Banks
9,775 71
Bills of exchange. .
37,215 90
Stock of Corporation of Washington
3,700 00
Stock of Columbia Insurance Company
1,900 00
Bank Stock
82,718 50
Real estate .
201,973 50
Debts due on notes discounted and otherwise, in- cluding interest due on dormant debts 241,169 54
613,653 13 CHAS, CHAPIN, Costic ..
Dividends unclaimed .
231
Branch Bank of the United States.
U. S. BANK.
The following recapitulation of a statement, taken from an Official Document, will shew what was the general state of the Bank of the United States, on the first day of December last, (the latest date of the statement laid before Congress. )
Cn.
Funded debt U. S. various . 11,625,200 99 .
Hills discounted on
personal security 31, 126,407 80
Funded debt 251,128 88
Bank stock
1,120,964 90
32,498,501 08
Domestic bills of exchange
7,718,029 03
Foreign do
40,216,530 11 259,058 12 2,727,016 18
Baring, Brothers, & Co. Hope, & Co. and Hottinguer & Co,
968,378 75
Due from Bank United States and offices
16,281,689 00
Do State Banks
2,143,942 68
18,431,631 77
Do United States
5,267 32
Do J. A. Buchanan, & J. W. McCulloh
612,700 44
Losses chargeable to the contin- gent fund
2,551,693 83
Deficiencies
135,288 02
Banking houses, bonus, premi- um, &c.
1,444,401 89 199,499 29
Expenses
Cash, viz: notes of Bank of U. States and offices 12,589,672 80
Specie
Do Do State Banks 1,405,817 30 7,251,772 78 - 22,247,972 88 189,103 87 40,14+ 17
Mortgages, &c. Navy Agent, Norfolk
100,663,367 54
Real estate
232
Bank of the United States.
DR.
Capital stock
Notes issued
Discount, exchange, and interest
Foreign exchange
Dividends unclaimed
Profit and loss
Contingent fund
1,497,350 36 4,974,557 91
Due to Bank U. S. and offices 14,917,012 52 Do States Banks 1,179,577 24
16,096,589 76
Redemption of Public debt
517,820 50
Deposits of Treasurer U. States 6,743,665 25
Deduct overdrafts and special deposits 230,851 99
6,512,813 26
Deposits of public offices
S01,029 79
Deposits of Individuals
6,260,618 62
13,574,461 68
100,663,367 54
Bank United States, Dec. 1, 1829.
W. M'ILVAINE, Cashier.
A branch of this Institution is located in this city, opposite the northern corner of the Depart- ment of State, and near the Treasury Depart- ment. The banking house is commodious and convenient, with a neat and comfortable dwelling attached to it for the residence of the cashier: Richard Smith, Esq., who holds that appointment, at present, occupies it.
$34,996,269 G3 27,537,793 76 1,374,215 11 13,723 98 80,579 85
933
Columbian College.
COLUMBIAN COLLEGE.
This Institution has a delightful and command- ing site, on the high range of ground North of Washington City, a mile from the President's House, and two and a half from the Capitol. While it looks down from its elevated position, on nearly the whole of the District, it holds with- in its widely extended prospect many highly in- teresting points in the surrounding parts of Ma- ryland and Virginia. The view from the roof of the College edifice is thought to be rarely sur- passed.
To the West, the Potomac is seen coming out from behind the high grounds amid which George- town is so beautifully situated, presenting at mid- day, as it moves down to the Chesapeake with the proud tribute of its waters, the appearance of a dazzling mass of liquid silver, an object, to a poetic mind, at least, of surpassing beauty. To the North and East, distant points of Maryland are seen, " rob'd in their azure hue;" and, far- ther South, the Eastern Branch, at intervals, re- lieves the prospect of forest and cultivated grounds, before it mingles with the Potomac.
Directly to the South, on the ample plain, be- tween the Potomac and the Eastern Branch, 16
1
$34
Columbian College.
stands the Metropolis of our Union. The Presi- dent's splendid Mansion, nearly in the meridian of the College edifice; the Capitol on a rising ground some degrees to the East. Fort Wash- ington, sixteen miles below, in a clear atmos- pbere, is distinctly seen. Over the Potomac, the trees of Mount Vernon rise in view, to mark the long hallowed spot where sleeps the " Father of his country." Higher up, Alexandria, the Episcopal Theological Seminary, and Arlington House, are conspicuous objects: this part of the prospect especially, on a Summer's eve, assumes a peculiarly grand and lovely aspect. Every green-clad tree seems in solemn stillness to look upon the Sun sublimely sinking in the West.
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