USA > Pennsylvania > A gazetteer of the state of Pennsylvania : a part first, contains a general description of the state, its situation and extent, general geological construction, canals, and rail-roads, bridges, revenue, expenditures, public debt, &c. &c. ; part second, embraces ample descriptions of its counties, towns, cities, villages, mountains, lakes, rivers, creeks, &c. alphabetically arranged > Part 63
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The average number of paupers sus- tained in the alms house during the year ending May 28, 1831, was 1,116
Cost, 87 2-10 cts. each per week $50,610 04
And the sum expended for the relief of out door pau- pers, was about $30,000
The whole expenditure for this year, was $116,359 09
A tax for the maintenance of the poor is levied at the instance of the managers, by a board of directors of the poor, specially elected for that pur- pose, who are empowered to raise the necessary sum by a rate of levy not
The city hospital, erected by the board of health, for patients in the yellow fever and other epidemics, exceeding that of 50 cents upon the
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$100, at assessed value of real andj personal estate. Passyunk, Blockley, Bristol, Moreland and Byberry t-ships support their poor under the provisions of the general poor laws. Moyamen- sing, Germantown separately, and Lower Dublin and Oxford united, have their respective poor houses, and spe- cial systems. The amount assessed on the incorporated portion of the city and county for the year 1832, is $139, 871,70.
By a late law, (1828) a new alms house is now being erected for the city of Philadelphia, and upon a tract of land of near 200 acres, on the west side of Schuylkill river, the estimated cost of which, with the buildings im- mediately necessary, exceeds half a million of dollars. Appurtenant to the present alms house, but located in Southwark, is an asylum for poor chil- dren, at which the health and morals of the inmates are carefully regarded. At the alms house there is an infirma - ry, and clinical lectures are delivered to the medical class during the winter, by the professors of the medical school. Two graduates and four medical stu- dents reside in the house, and four surgeons and four physicians, and two accoucheurs are attached to the in- stitution. Resident students pay an initiation fee of two hundred dollars, and are boarded and lodged in the house
for one year. Medical students pay $10 for a ticket to attend the practice of the infirmary, and have the use of the library, containing near 3000 vol- umes. The poor maintained in the house who are able to work, are em- ployed in various mechanical labors, and a portion of the expenses of the in- stitution are defrayed by the profits of their work. The great cost of the farm and new buildings has been in- curred in the hope that the enormous annual and growing burden of support- ing the poor may be thereby diminish- ed.
The Friends' alms-house, situated in the city, is a building forming a hol- low square, and consists of a number of small rooms opening to a lot of
ground appropriated to the cultivation of herbs. The inmates, without be- ing altogether deprived of the feeling of independence, have a comfortable refuge for their declining years.
The orphan asylum was instituted by a society of ladies, in 1814, to pro- vide for the support and education of children deprived of their parents. From 3d March, 1815, to 1st January. 1830, 232 orphans had been received, and 105 apprenticed. There are from 90 to 100 in the house, who are sup- ported at an expense of about $4,000 per ann. The munificent legacies of the late Frederick Rohne, Esq. con- firmed the prosperity and utility of this institution.
The St. Joseph's orphan asylum was instituted in 1807, for the educa- tion and support of children of Catho. lic parents. Twenty three orphans have received support and education from the institution since its establish- ment ; about 30 are at present in the asylum under the care of sisters of charity, who receive no compensation for their services. 4 The institution. is
supported by donations and annual subscriptions.
The asylum for indigent widows, and single women, instituted in 1817, provides a house and respectable main- tenance for females in reduced circum- stances. It is supported in the same manner as the orphan asylum.
The Pennsylvania institution for the deaf and dumb, incorporated Feb. 8, 1821, is supported by annual contri- butions from the citizens and liberal appropriations by the state. The sys- tem of education adopted here, is that of Abbe de l'Epee and Sicard. The asylum, a fine building with a front and columns of granite, consists of a centre edifice, 50 feet front, by 63 in depth ; with wings of two stories each, 25 feet in width, extending at right angles with the centre 92 feet ; is lo- cated at the corner of Broad and Pine streets. Beside the culture bestowed on the intellectual and moral faculties of the pupils, they are taught some useful trade by which they may sup-
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port themselves in life, and their labor in the institution produces for it a small pecuniary profit. The average num- ber of pupils during the last few years, has been about 75, and the annual expenditure between ten and eleven thousand dollars.
Christ church hospital was founded for the relief of aged females of the Episcopal church, by Dr. John Kears- ley, formerly an eminent physician of Philadelphia. Subsequent bequests and contributions have augmented the funds of this charity, which possesses a large and commodious building in Cherry street, between 3d and 4th streets.
The asylum for lunatics, located near Frankford, about 5 miles from the city, was founded in 1814, chiefly by funds furnished by members of the society of Friends, belonging to the yearly meeting held at Philadelphia. The buildings and farm have cost about $55,000. The former are admirably adapted for the purpose for which they were designed ; and the administration of the institution combines all that hu- manity and prudence can produce, to cure or solace the unfortunate objects of its care. A physician visits the house daily, and consulting physicians attend from Philadelphia when neces- sary. The house is under the direc- tion of of twenty managers, a commit- tee of whom visit it weekly.
The provident society was estab- lished in 1824, with the view of en- abling persons in indigent circumstan- ces to support themselves, by their own industry.
The female society, for the relief and employment of the poor, was in- stituted in the year 1793, and affords employment to industrious females. The female hospitable society, a simi- lar institution, was founded in 1809.
The saving fund society was incor- porated on the 25th February, 1819. It may receive deposits to an amount not exceeding $600,000 ; but not a larger sum than 500 dollars in one year from one person. The institu- tion is managed by twenty five direc-
tors, and has been extensively use- ful.
The saving fuel society is similar in its objects to the last named associa- tion. It enables the poor, by the pay- ment of a small sum of money weekly, in the summer and autumn, to obtain fuel at a moderate cost in the winter.
To these institutions we may add the soup societies, for supplying the poor with nourishing soup during the winter. The humane society, for re- suscitating persons whose animation may be suspended by drowning, &c. The Magdalen society, for reclaiming debauched women. The Roman Cath- olic' society, for the relief of destitute orphans, and the very many benevo- lent societies, established by the re- spective artisans, by the captains of vessels and mariners, by citizens and others for the support and aid of for- eigners, as the St. George, St. An- drews, the German society and others, and even by the people of color.
The Philadelphia society, for allevi- ating the miseries of public prisons, or- ganized in 1787, has the merit of hav- ing directed the attention of the author- ities of the state to the improvement of the criminal code, and of having mov- ed the public to found the house of re- fuge. The Pennsylvania society, for the abolition of slavery, the relief of free negroes unlawfully held in bond- age, and for improving the condition of the African race, was formed in 1724. "The chief end of its institution, the abolition of slavery in Pennsylva- nia, having been accomplished, the so- ciety is employed in improving the con- dition of the blacks, by supporting ele- mentary schools, in which colored chil- dren are gratuitously instructed, and in vindicating the rights of free ne- groes when fraudulently claimed as slaves.
There are some 40 Masonic lodges® in the city and county, under the direc- tion of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylva- nia, which has a very large hall on Chesnut, above 7th street. A society of similar scope and aim, called odd fellows, consisting also of many lodg-
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es, have a large hall in South 5th street| below Walnut street.
The " Franklin fund," may also be numbered among the charities of Phil- adelphia, Dr. Franklin having be- queathed 1000 pounds sterling to the corporation of the city, for the pur- pose of lending in small sums, " to such unmarried artificers under the age of 25 years, as have served an appren- ticeship in the city, and faithfully ful- filled the duties required in their in- dentures," no one loan to be more than 60,nor less than 15 pounds. The inter- est is at 5 per cent. The donor calcu- lated that at the end of one hundred years, his gift would increase to 131,- 000 pounds sterling, of which he re- commended that £100,000 should be applied to public purposes, and the bal- ance be left to accumulate for another century, when he supposed it would amount to four millions of pounds sterl- ing, or seventeen millions of dollars, which is then to be divided between the inhabitants of Philad. and the gov- ernment of the state. Mr. John Scott, in 1816, bequeathed the sum of $3000 to the corporation, to be applied after the same manner. It has not been found practicable to keep in constant employment the sums thus bequeath- ed, and the capital has not increased as rapidly as the donors anticipated.
The Franklin fund, on the 1st Jan. 1830, amounted to $22,062. Mr. Scott bequeathed to the city the furth- er sum of $4000, to the intent that the interest should be expended in premi- ums, to be distributed among ingen- ious men and women who make use- ful inventions ; but no such premium to exceed 20 dollars, and that there- with shall be given a copper medal with this inscription, " TO TIIE MOST DESERVING."
his will dated 19th April, 1802. The funds for supplying the poor with bread, arises from moneys bequeathed by Messrs. Carter and Pelly, respec- tively.
But one of the greatest benefactors of the city charities was Mr. John Keble, who bequeathed the residue of his estate to the Episcopal ministers of Philadelphia, to be distributed to pi- ous and charitable purposes, accord- ing to their judgment.
But no institution in the city claims greater attention and praise, than the house of refuge, established for the re- formation of juvenile offenders, whose lamentable fate was formerly incarcer- ation among the greatest adepts of crime, and who were thus educated by society, that they might perpetually prey upon it. The institution was founded by the benevolence of the cit- izens, who subscribed the sum of $8104,41 towards it; but it has re- ceived from the commonwealth, and from the county of Philadelphia, the encouragement and protection neces- sary to make it extensively and per- manently useful. Very large build- ings of stone, judiciously adapted to the purposes of the institution, were com- pleted in November, 1828, when the house was opened. As the law author- ises the reception of all idle and desert- ed males, not only of the vicinity, but of any part of the state, under the age of twenty one, and of female's under eighteen, the number of inmates has in- creased with a rapidity which will shortly imperiously require an exten- sion of the means for their support. Two hundred and seventy nine inhab- itants can be lodged, educated and em- ployed, viz. 196 boys, and 83 girls. During the year 1830, 52 were ap- prenticed. The annual expense of maintenance for the institution, is about $1200. The following description of the employment of a single day will afford a correct view of the adminis- tration of this charity.
There is a fund for supplying the necessitous poor with fuel, the capital of which by sundry donations amounts to $1932 28. A fund for the relief of persons in the city hospital, during the existence of the yellow fever, was cre- The bell rings at a quarter before 5 o'clock in the morning. At 5, the ated by a legacy of £1000, given for the purpose by John Bleakly, Esq. by |dormitories are opened, and the boys
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after washing and combing, assemble || their several collections of books; and in the hall for morning worship ; after which they attend school until seven o'clock, when they breakfast. At half past seven they go to work, at which they continue until twelve, the hour of dinner. After dinner they re- ceive a lesson or a lecture on some useful moral or scientific subject, until one o'clock. From one until five, when they go to supper, they are en- gaged at their respective employments. If their work be done within the allot- ted time, half an hour is allowed for recreation. School begins at half past five, at which they remain until a quar- ter before eight, when, after evening prayers, they retire to rest, and the dormitories are safely locked. With slight variations the occupations and duties of the females are similar.
The managers thus conclude their report of 1831 : " The government of the house is designed to be of a paren- tal character, kind, yet firm; cautious in the provision of all that can contri- bute to a substantial and lasting advan- tage, and yet denying all indulgencics which would merely foment unneces- sary desires ; scrupulously just in the distribution of well earned rewards, the system exacts no less anxious and un- failing an infliction of merited punish- ments. With these principles to guide them, and the countenance and encour- agement of a liberal community for their reward, the managers hope to persevere in the good work which they have begun, and with the blessing of divine providence it cannot fail to pros- per."
Institutions connected with Litera- ture, Science, and the Arts .- The re- gard which the Philadelphians have for these objects, has elevated the minds of her citizens generally, and has given to her mechanics a consider- ation, which men of that class seldom attain elsewhere. Much of this is justly ascribed to the city library. We are indebted for this noble insti- tution to the creative genius of Frank- lin, at whose suggestion, in 1731, a number of his friends united in one
as the members were allowed to take the books they wished to study, to their own homes, the plan soon became popular, and several similar associa- tions were formed, which were amal- gamated with the first company. The instrument of association, signed by 38 members, is dated July 1, 1731, and the company was incorporated 25th March, 1742, under the name of the " Library company of Philadelphia." In 1790, the present neat and orna- mental edifice was erected on the east side of Fifth street, opposite the state house square. Over the front door is placed a marble statue of Franklin, executed in Italy, and presented by William Bingham, Esq. In 1803, an accession of valuable works, amount- ing to 2500 volumes, was obtained un- der the bequest of the Rev. Mr. Pres- ton, rector of Chevening in Kent, Eng- land ; and a further valuable addition in 1828, by the bequest of Wm. Mc Kensie, Esq. The number of books now exceeds 24,000, exclusive of the Loganian collection which is in a sep- arate room of the building ; the num- ber of members is above eight hun- dred. The price of a share is forty dollars and an annual payment, former- ly of $2, but now of $4. All persons are permitted to read books at the li- brary without charge.
The Loganian library is a rich col- lection of ancient and classical works, chiefly in the Greek and Latin langua- ges, made by the celebrated James Lo- gan, and some of his descendants, and was bequeathed to the public,together with the income from certain real es- tates, for its gradual increase. The a- mount of the fund is now about 10,000 dollars. The number of vols. 11,000.
The Atheneum, established in 1814, and incorporated the ensuing year, contains a valuable collection of books of reference in most departments of lit- crature and science, with the period- ical journals of Europe and America, maps, plates, &c. The institution oc- cupies two rooms of the philosophical hall, opposite the city library, one of
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which contains the library, amounting to near 6000 volumes ; and the sec- ond is supplied with more than 70 news- papers of the United States, four Eng- lish, and two French, besides papers occasionally from other parts of the world. The rooms are open daily, (Sundays excepted,) from 8 o'clock A. M. to 10 P. M. The contributors are stockholders, who pay a principal of twenty five dollars, and four dollars annually, or subscribers who pay eight dollars annually. The number of stockholders is about four hundred ; subscribers, ninety. The sum of $10,- 000 was lately bequeathed to the insti- tution by Wm. Lehman, Esq. for the purpose of erecting a suitable building; and Samuel Breek, Esq. has made it a donation of 863 books. Strangers are admitted to the use of the rooms on the introduction of a stockholder or sub- scriber. More than a thousand thus visit it annually.
The Friends' library, kept in a room of their meeting house at the corner of Arch and 4th street, contains about three thousand volumes, principally on theological subjects. Books may be obtained from it by any respectable applicant every Saturday afternoon.
The "apprentices' library," incorpo- rated 2d of April, 1821, is designed, by the loan of well chosen books to the apprentices of the city and county, to cultivate their minds and improve their hearts. Its success is most encourag- ing ; and the desire of information dis- played by a large number of intelli- gent boys who regularly apply for books, gives the most favorable augu- ry of the future character of the me- chanics and tradesmen of Philadelphia. The number of books is about 6000,- and the number of readers about 900. The members pay an annual contribu- tion of two dollars.
The mercantile library, instituted in 1822, consists of about 4000 vol- umes, principally on commerce, com- mercial law, the arts, sciences, &c. The members pay on admission, ten dollars, and two dollars annually after- wards.
The Southwark library and reading room, was commenced in 1822, and contains about 6000 volumes. The li- brary and reading room company of the Northern Liberties, was establish- ed in 1830. In each of these institu- tions about 20 newspapers, European and American, besides magazines and reviews, are regularly received.
The Law library, established in 1802 by the members of the bar, is kept in the county court house for the use of the members whilst in the courts ; contains about 1400 volumes, the greater portion of which, is com- posed of the ancient and modern re- ports of adjudged cases.
The American Philosophical society gives honor at once to the city of Philadelphia, and the U. S. It was founded in 1743, principally by the exertions of Dr. Franklin ; in 1766, another institution of a like nature was formed, called " the American society for promoting useful know- ledge." The two were united in 1769, under the title of " the American Phi- losophical society, held at Philadel- phia, for promoting useful knowledge." The society has been from time to time aided by the legislature ; and it erected in 1785 a large and commodi- ous building, on a part of the state house square, granted for that purpose by the state. The society has a most valuable library of about 6000 vols. ; an interesting collection of objects of natural history, principally of minerals and fossil remains. It has published 10 vols. of philosophical transactions, and by a committee specially raised for the subject, three volumes relating to the history of the aborigines of our country.
In 1786, John Hyacinth de Magel- lan, of London, presented the society with funds for the establishment of an annual premium, to be awarded by the society, to the author of the best discovery or most useful invention re- lating to navigation, astronomy, or natural philosophy, mere natural his- tory only excepted. The premium consists of an oval plate of standard
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gold, with suitable devices engraved| here upon subjects of natural science. upon it. The funds having produced an annual surplus, the society offer extra premiums of a gold medal, value not less than $20, nor more than $45, or that sum in money, to the author of the most useful invention, improve- ment, discovery or communication in any department of science, or of the useful arts.
The academy of natural sciences, founded in 1812, and incorporated in 1817, has contributed much to the stock of general science, and acquired a high and well merited reputation. It has a library of about 5000 vols., comprising the largest collection of works on natural history in the U. S., a large herbarium, and museum of shells, fossils, mineral and geological specimens, birds, quardrupeds, &c. Much of the riches of the cabinet has flowed from the munificence of Wm. McClure, Esq., its president.
The society publishes an account of its labors, under the title of the " Jour- nal of the Academy of Natural Sci- ences." It has purchased, and occu- pies the building formerly used by the Swedenborgians for a church. Stran- gers are admitted at all their meetings save that for business.
The Phila. museum was commen- ced in 1784, by Charles Wilson Peal, and has been the parent of several similar institutions in the union. Its proprietors are now incorporated, and it is established in rooms formed cx- pressly for its use in the arcade. It contains a large and admirable collec- tion of quadrupeds, birds, reptiles, fish, insects, shells, minerals, fossils, among which is the wonderful mammoth ; many miscellaneous articles of works of art, implements, dresses, arms, an- tiquities &c., from every part of the globe ; original portraits, 200 in num- ber, of the officers and diplomatic cha- racters of the revolution, painted by C. W. Peale ; many portraits of the professors of the national institute of France, painted by Rembrandt Peale, and many other valuable paintings. Popular lectures are sometimes given
The Pennsylvania academy of fine arts was founded in the year 1805, by the voluntary association and contri- butions of a number of the citizens of Philadelphia, and was chartered by the legislature in March, 1806. This institution at once supplies a refined and rational recreation for the public, improves the general taste, and pro- vides a school for the instruction of American genius in the fine arts of statuary, painting, architecture and engraving. It contains a large and very meritorious collection of models in all these arts ; many of them by the most famed European artists.
The college of physicians was insti- tuted in 1787, for the advancement of medical science. It is composed of fellows resident within the city and district, and associates who do not dwell within the prescribed limits.
The Philadelphia medical society, incorporated in 1792, also for the pro- motion of medical science, consists of honorary and junior members; the former, being such as have obtained a degree in medicine, or have become eminent in the practice of physic ; the latter, of students of medicine, or practising physicians, who have not received the degree of doctor in medi- cine. The society has a fine library.
The Philadelphia college of phar- macy, incorporated in 1822, is com. posed of druggists and apothecaries ; a school of pharmacy has been estab- lished with three professorships under the direction of the college.
The Kappa Lambda society ; a branch of this association was estab- lished here a few years since, by the late Dr. Brown of Alabama. Its main objects, are the promotion of so- cial intercourse and harmony among the members of the profession-the establishment of a code of medical ethics, and generally to advance the character and standing of the medical profession. About seventy of the physicians of the city belong to the society. The North American Medi- cal and Surgical Journal is published
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under the auspices of this society and | relieving distressed musicians and their its several branches.
The " Franklin Institute," an asso- ciation worthy of all praise, which is doing much to enlighten with the rays of science, the artists and manufac- turers of the country, was incorpora- ted on the 30th March, 1804. Its members consist of manufacturers, artists and mechanics, and persons friendly to the mechanic arts. The object of the institute is pretty fully stated in their charter, to be " the pro- motion and encouragement of manu- factures, and the mechanic and useful arts, by the establishment of popular lectures on the sciences connected with them; by the formation of a cabinet of models and minerals, and a library ; by offering premiums on all subjects deemed worthy of encourage- ment ; by examining all new inven- tions submitted to them, and by such other means as they may judge expe- dient." Each member pays $3 annu- ally ; but the payment of $25 consti- tutes a member for life, with exemp- tion from further contribution. Two thirds of the managers must be manu- facturers or mechanics. Annual ex- hibitions of domestic manufactures are made by the institute, which con- tinue for several days, and have never failed to attract crowds of visitors. A monthly journal has been establish- ed by the society, and lectures are regularly delivered on architecture, practical mechanics and other bran- ches.
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