USA > Pennsylvania > Philadelphia County > Philadelphia > An historical catalogue of the St. Andrew's Society of Philadelphia, with biographical sketches of deceased members > Part 6
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He was a member of the American Medical Association and the Philadelphia County Medical Society. He was a member of Frankford Lodge, No. 292, F. and A. M., and of Siloam Royal Arch Masons. He served as Physician of The St. Andrew's Society 1884-1896.
The funeral services were conducted in St. Luke's Re- formed Episcopal Church, Frankford, of which he was a member. The rector, Rev. William A. Freemantle, in clos- ing his remarks upon the life of Doctor Burns, said, he could "say of him, from personal knowledge, that he steeped his mind and heart in the truths of God's word, and that he faced the crisis of his life and did all his work in the spirit of true prayerfulness."
A memorial to Doctor Burns in St. Luke's Church, Frankford, consisting of a carved oak pulpit, prayer desk and brass lantern is inscribed :
To the Glory of God and In Loving Memory of ROBERT BRUCE BURNS, M.D. 1851-1912 " He Being Dead yet Speaketh " " The Beloved Physician " " The Memory of the Just is Blessed"
JAMES CARSTAIRS, member 1813, second son of Thomas and Margaret (Hood) Carstairs, referred to following, was born in Philadelphia, December 9, 1789, and died in that city February 3, 1875, in his eighty-sixth year. He was for many years cashier of the Mechanics' Bank of Phila- delphia and was noted for his courtesy and business tact.
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About the year 1834 he engaged in business as a wholesale grocer and ship-chandler on Delaware Avenue above South Street, where he had a large and profitable business. He was an upright business man of wide acquaintance and in good repute, a consistent Christian, and a useful citizen. He gave much of his time to philanthropic objects, being for many years president of the Southwark Benevolent Society. During the greater part of his adult life he was a member of the board of directors of the public schools and filled other positions of public trust.
Mr. Carstairs married, on March 25, 1815, Sarah Britton Summers, daughter of Andrew Summers, a wealthy banker of Philadelphia and an intimate friend of Robert Morris, the "financier of the Revolution," and his wife Helen Stewart, sister of Rear Admiral Charles Stewart, U. S. N. They had issue, six sons and two daughters. Robert, the youngest son, born in 1841, was killed at the Battle of Fair Oaks, Virginia, May 31, 1862.
Mr. John Haseltine Carstairs, member 1909, is in direct descent from the above family.
THOMAS CARSTAIRS, member 1786. He was the young- est son of David and Margaret (Fair) Carstairs, of the parish of Largo, Fifeshire, Scotland, where their five chil- dren were born. They were descended from an old Fife- shire family ; one was an elder of the church of St. Andrew's in 1652, closely related to the Reverend John Carstairs, of Lanarkshire, a member of the extreme Covenanting Pro- testers, and whose distinguished son, the Reverend William Carstairs (1649-1715), was the strenuous supporter of the Scottish Church and intimate friend of William, Prince of Orange.
Thomas Carstairs was baptized in the parish church of Largo, August 23, 1759, and later learned the trade of architect and builder. He came to Philadelphia in 1780, and an advertisement in the Pennsylvania Packet and Gen- eral Advertiser, February, 1784, stated that he had lately
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arrived in this country, and that as an architect and builder he would follow his profession, " and had bespoke lodgings with the Reverend William Marshall next door to the Indian Queen on Fourth Street." (Mr. Marshall was the first Chaplain of The St. Andrew's Society, 1788-93. His small income from the church was eked out by Mrs. Marshall keeping boarders. )
Mr. Carstairs married in Philadelphia, September 16, 1785, Sarah (Hood) Bradford, widow of Joseph Bradford, to whom she was married in 1774. He died in Philadelphia, July 26, 1830, and was buried in St. Peter's church-yard. His eldest son, David, born in 1787, went to London, Eng- land, where he lived some years with his uncle John Car- stairs, a prominent merchant of that city. He entered the British service, became a major, and died in India in 1820.
COLONEL ALEXANDER CUMMINGS, member 1858.
Alexander Cummings was born in Williamsport, Penn- sylvania, about 1810, and died at Ottawa, Canada, July 17, 1879, while consular agent of the United States at that place.
His father, James Cummings, was one of the early settlers of the central part of Pennsylvania and was the first mail-stage contractor in that section.
Mr. Cummings married Miss Sarah Yard, of Phila- delphia, where he entered later into the wholesale dry-goods business as a member of the firm of Cummings, Reeves & Peterson. He remained with this firm about five years, and then became interested in the editorial management of the North American in connection with George R. Graham. Through political differences this connection was dissolved in 1846, and on April 12, 1847, Mr. Cummings issued a specimen number of Cummings' Evening Telegraphic Bulle- tin from 108 South Third Street. Dr. Alexander D. Black- burn (member 1841), for many years the fire-marshal of Philadelphia, was city editor. The title "Telegraphic "
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was introduced in the name of the paper on account of its specialty of telegraphic news. The venture proved finan- cially successful from the start.
In 1859 Mr. Gibson Peacock, whose father previously had a financial interest in the Bulletin, purchased a one- third interest in the paper; and a year later Mr. Cummings went to New York and founded the New York World, con- ducting it as a daily journal on evangelical lines, refusing all advertisements which he regarded as in any way im- moral, but the venture proved a financial failure, and his interest in that paper was transferred to other parties.
In 1869 Mr. Cummings founded The Day in Philadel- phia, but soon parted with it, which concluded his direct connection with journalism.
Mr. Cummings took a very active part in the organ- ization and work of the Young Men's Christian Association in Philadelphia.
At the outbreak of the Civil War he was appointed one of three commissioners authorized to make immediate pur- chases of a large amount of military supplies for the use of the government. Notwithstanding the high character of the gentlemen selected for this important work, scandals arose as to the qualities of the goods purchased and the prices paid.
In 1863 Mr. Cummings organized the 19th Pennsyl- vania Regiment of Cavalry, was commissioned colonel Oc- tober 24, 1863, and honorably discharged February 6, 1865. He, however, did not serve in the field with this regiment, having been authorized to organize a brigade of colored troops, and went to Arkansas for that purpose. He was later placed in command at Camp Cadwalader, Philadel- phia, where soldiers were mustered out of service.
After the Civil War, Colonel Cummings was appointed, by President Johnson, collector of internal revenue for the fourth district of Pennsylvania, and later Governor of the then Territory of Colorado. For a time he occupied in Philadelphia the fine mansion at Fifteenth Street and Girard
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Avenue, later known as the residence of Colonel William B. Mann.
Colonel Cummings had led an eventful life; was con- spicuous for his influence in the conduct of public affairs ; and was upon terms of the closest intimacy with many of the leading politicians of both parties and also of officials of the national administration. He was much consulted in matters of great public concern as a counsellor whose judgment was full of knowledge and wisdom. His inti- mate knowledge of men and affairs made him a delightful companion. He was genial, hospitable, and kind; strong in his convictions and decided and pronounced in their expression.
[Evening Telegraph, July 18, 1879, et al.]
THOMAS DOBSON, member 1791, on charter of 1808.
No biographical sketch of Mr. Dobson has been found, but in Watson's Annals, vol. ii, page 400, it is stated, " Thomas Dobson gave the first impulse to printing among us. He also came from Scotia [following a reference to James Ronaldson, member 1795] soon after the Peace. Before his time five or six printers used to club to print a Testament, etc."
In the " History of Printing in America," by Thomas, Mr. Dobson is referred to as having printed, in Philadelphia, " The British Encyclopedia," " with large additions," a work in twenty volumes; two half volumes came from the press annually. The type for the work was cast by John Baine, referred to above.
THOMAS DUNDAS, member 1776. The founders of the Dundas family in America were two brothers, James and Thomas, both born in Manour, Perthshire, Scotland.
They were of a distinguished family, noted for public service in the highest offices in Scotland. These brothers came to Philadelphia about 1757, and James Dundas became an important factor in the commercial life of Philadelphia,
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and was especially active on the part of the colonies during the Revolutionary War. He died January 16, 1788, and was buried at Christ Church.
Thomas Dundas, our member, came over with his brother or shortly afterward, but soon removed to Reading, Pennsylvania, and there established himself in business and became a successful merchant and a public-spirited citizen of considerable influence.
He is recorded in 1772 as having subscribed to an edition of Blackstone's " Commentaries," a purchase of that period indicating that he was a man of superior education and with a propensity for legal knowledge.
During the early stages of the Revolution, he was active in support of the colonists' demands. In 1774 he was a member of the Berks County Committee of Corre- spondence. He also represented that county in the Pro- vincial Convention of July 15, 1774, which met in Phila- delphia. The proceedings of Congress show that, July II, 1776, he was voted the sum of $313.78 for rifles supplied to Colonel Irvine's battalion. The same year, September 3, 1776, he was commissioned a justice of the peace, an appointment which gave him a seat on the Common Pleas bench of Berks County.
During all this period there seems to have been no deviation in his devotion to the popular cause. Before the year in question closed, however, certain events happened which caused great indignation and an emphatic protest on the part of Mr. Dundas.
The period was a very troublous one. At various times during the Revolution, when the populace was excited and unreasonable, many remarkable and unjust things were done, not only by the hot-headed populace, but by their governors, the Supreme Executive Council, as well. Thus, many inno- cent men were placed under arrest, generally prominent citi- zens and ex-officials, in response to popular clamor, for acts of commission or omission deemed inimical to the struggling revolutionists.
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Just what Thomas Dundas did or left undone we do not know. The matter was probably of no consequence, and the action taken against him entirely unjust and totally uncalled for ; as unreasonable as the arrest, in the following summer, of many of the leading citizens of Philadelphia, Quakers chiefly, resulting from the semi-mob-rule, which then pre- vailed. To Major Heister, who had ordered his confine- ment, Mr. Dundas wrote from the Reading jail an earnest protest against such arbitrary action, and his release promptly followed. He had been subjected to the indignity of arrest and imprisonment, in compliance with the de- mand of an irresponsible mob-and this, too, in spite of two years of devotion to the patriotic movement for national independence.
The high character of the man is shown in connection with the will of his friend and neighbor, Dr. Jonathan Potts, one of the highest officers in the medical department of the Continental army. In this instrument, the testator made this bequest :
To my beloved friend, Thomas Dundas, 100 guineas and my sword and pistols as a small testimony of my great regard and esteem, and in consideration of his many acts of kindness and friendship.
Mr. Dundas appeared at the probate of the will and renounced the legacy, declaring that the money and other articles bequeathed to him should go to the family of the deceased.
His death took place April 25, 1805, the event being thus referred to in Poulson's American Daily Advertiser, of May 4, 1805 :
On Thursday the 25 of April 1805, at Reading, Penna., Thomas Dundas, Esq., a very respectable Inhabitant of that Borough, where he had resided nearly forty years. As a man of Business and as a Gentle- man of sound Understanding and liberal Manners, his Death may be regarded as a Public Loss-by a numerous Circle of private Friends, his memory will be long and affectionately cherished for his Urbanity and social Virtues.
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Mr. Dundas is recorded as one of the few members of The St. Andrew's Society present at the meeting November 30, 1776, when they adjourned " without supping, on ac- count of the disordered state of the times."
He left a considerable estate, his son and daughter being the principal beneficiaries. His son William died unmar- ried, and the daughter, Jane, married July 13, 1793, Marks John Biddle, a member of the well-known family of that name.
[Condensed from Frank Willing Leach's monograph in the Philadelphia North American.]
TRISTRAM B. FREEMAN, member 1804. He was a grandson of Sir Tristram Bampfylde, of England, after whom he was named and was educated as a clergyman. It is not clear when he came to America, but he is recorded as a merchant in Philadelphia as early as 1798.
Mr. Freeman was a member of a committee of The St. Andrew's Society appointed in 1808 to make application for a new charter of incorporation. He was also a member of the St. George's Society.
On November 12, 1805, he was appointed official auc- tioneer in Philadelphia by Governor Thomas Mckean. His descendants are still engaged in that business.
Mr. Freeman held high rank in the Masonic Order in Philadelphia, entered Lodge No. 51 in 1805, and was its Worshipful Master in 1820, reaching the office of Right Worshipful Grand Master in 1836, and he was Grand High Priest at the time of his death, March 28, 1842, then in his seventy-fifth year. There is a steel portrait, by Samuel Sartain, of Mr. Freeman as Grand Master in the Masonic Temple, but no details of his life are recorded. On June 22, 1821, he delivered an address on the principles of Masonry.
WILLIAM THOMAS GALEY, member 1890. Born in Lon- don, England, May 19, 1852. Died, at his home in Phila- delphia, September 2, 1910.
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Mr. Galey was the son of Thomas W. Galey, who was of English birth, and of his wife Helen Fairrie, born in Scotland. Mr. Galey came to the United States when a young man and settled in Brooklyn before coming to Phila- delphia. He married Miss Sarah J. Holt, of Wissahickon, Philadelphia, January 27, 1880, and they had four children : William T., who was associated with his father in business; Frank, in business in New York; and Miss Helen and Miss Theresa Galey.
Mr. Galey was president of the Aberfoyle Manufactur- ing Company, and the Galey & Lord Manufacturing Com- pany of Chester, and a partner in the firm of Lord, Galey & Lord, New York.
He was a member of the Union League, Masonic Order, Sons of St. George, the Merion Cricket and the Overbrook Golf Club.
His sons, Frank Holt and William Thomas, Jr., joined The St. Andrew's Society in 19II.
GEORGE GOODFELLOW, member 1889, was born in Hawick, Roxburghshire, Scotland, in 1840, and died in Phila- delphia, April 2, 1911.
After receiving a liberal common-school education he learned the trade of carpenter, excelling in the science of construction. He served as foreman to a large building corporation in Edinburgh prior to coming to the United States. His wife having died, he came to Philadelphia in 1872, with his three motherless boys, accompanied by their maternal grandmother. He immediately procured employ- ment with Mr. Adam Catanach, a prominent carpenter and builder of that period, and in due course of time started business in a small way on his own account. The oldest son read law and became successful as a lawyer; the other two associated themselves with their father in carpentry.
Mr. Goodfellow was intensely patriotic and held at great value the history and traditions of the land of his birth. He was a past-president of the National Caledonian Associa- tion, a past-chief of the Philadelphia Caledonian Club; for
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many years treasurer of the Scot's Thistle Society, and past- president of the Burns Club. So great was his admiration for the national poet, that, at a banquet some years ago to celebrate the birth of the poet,-a number of celebrities be- ing present,-a prominent Presbyterian minister was to de- liver the oration on Burns. A great deal of good-natured banter was being exchanged at the table, and, when the " dominie " had delivered his address, in response to the toast of the evening, which appeared to disappoint Mr. Good- fellow, he arose and took exception to what he considered the flippancy displayed, then merged into a masterly and eloquent eulogy of the poet and his works.
Plodding through life a widower for thirty-five years, he married the widow of a deceased personal friend, with whom he improved his domestic conditions and lived very happily until his somewhat sudden demise, superinduced by being knocked down on the street by a horse driven to a wagon.
Mr. Goodfellow's latter days were somewhat embittered through depression in business and ill-health following his accident.
On the day of his funeral, many of his old friends felt sad to learn, for the first time, how obscure and humble were his environments. A man possessed of his qualities deserved a scene mounted with more attractions in the final act, but, like his idol, " The Poet," he departed this life in distress, yet his couthie social and attractive qualities will long remain graven in the memories of his many friends and associates:
WILLIAM GRAHAM, member 1804.
" Died on the 29th inst. [May, 1823] after a lingering illness which he bore with Christian fortitude, Mr. William Graham, in the 40th year of his age. His friends and those of the family are invited to attend his funeral from his late dwelling No. 10 Myer's Court, between 5th and 6th Streets, this morning at 8 o'clock."
[Poulson's Advertiser, May 30, 1823.]
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GAVIN HAMILTON, SENIOR, member 1778, Secretary 1788-89. Father and son of the same name were both active members and office-holders in The St. Andrew's Society.
Gavin Hamilton, Sr., was born in the same village in Scotland as his kinsman Thomas Leiper, Strathaven on the River Avon, in Lanarkshire, a tributary of the Clyde. He was the pioneer of the snuff business in this country, and it grew in his hands and in those of his son, taken later into partnership, into a large and lucrative business.
It was on the advice of the senior Hamilton that Thomas Leiper came to Philadelphia, who proved to be a most valuable citizen and good soldier in the American Revolu- tion, and, as was Mr. Hamilton, an active member and officer of The St. Andrew's Society.
It appears, from an advertisement in the Pennsylvania Gazette, February 22, 1775, that with Mr. Leiper, forming the firm of Hamilton & Leiper, they had removed from Second Street above Market, to the northeast corner of Water and Spruce Streets, " three doors below the draw- bridge, where they will manufacture in the best manner all kinds of snuff and tobacco as usual as desir- able as any imported from London." Later there was a friendly separation of interest, and Mr. Hamilton had a snuff-mill located on Cobb's Creek on the border line between Philadelphia and Delaware counties. On the ruins of this old mill a cotton-mill was built in 1864, which still stands there.
Mr. Hamilton lived in a small house still standing on the grounds at 60th Street and Baltimore Avenue, West Philadelphia ; the grounds were purchased by the Hamiltons in 1790 and covered a large area.
Mr. Hamilton is recorded on the Treasurer's books of The St. Andrew's Society as having paid £15 when elected a member, November 30, 1778, and was one of the number who retained membership during the Revolutionary War, and until his death on May 20, 1800.
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The following, in Poulson's Advertiser, of May 23, 1800, was the only reference there found to one of the most active business men of his time.
" Died at his house on Second Street on the 20th inst., Mr. Gavin Hamilton, Senior, aged 83 years, long a respect- able member of society in this city."
GAVIN HAMILTON, JUNIOR, member 1791, Assistant 1792-1802, Vice-president 1814-22. He was a partner in the snuff business with his father, above referred to, and succeeded to his property as sole heir upon his father's death.
During the lifetime of his father, with a view to mar- riage, he had built not far from the elder Gavin Hamilton's home a larger residence of stone, at 60th Street and Balti- more Avenue in West Philadelphia, and which, since his death, has been occupied by the Hoffman family, one of whose descendants is now a member of The St. Andrew's Society. The marriage, however, did not take place, and Mr. Hamilton occupied the house as a bachelor until he died.
His estate included over 250 acres. He also built a hunting-lodge on the place, near Cobb's Creek, for the enjoy- ment of himself and friends and for the accommodation, in the winter season, of players on the ice of the old Scottish game of curling.
He died October 12, 1830, and Poulson's Advertiser of October 14th contained this notice:
Died suddenly on Tuesday morning the 12th inst. at his residence in Blockley Township, Gavin Hamilton, Esq., a gentleman eminently endowed with honour, candour, honesty and benevolence.
The funeral will pass Market and Broad Streets this afternoon at half-past three o'clock, at which time and place his friends from the city are particularly invited to attend.
The members of The St. Andrew's Society are respectfully invited to attend as above.
On October 15, 1830, the Advertiser copied from the New York Gazette the following :
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ALEXANDER HARDING Member 1877 Treasurer 1886-1910 Died September 4, 1910
Biographies of Deceased Members
In publishing the death of Gavin Hamilton, Esq., the Gazette says :
"He was in reality a true Scotian, possessed of all the amiable and honourable qualities of a man. The latter part of his life was devoted to literary pursuits in which he was aided by his relatives in Scotland, who forwarded to him every recent work on the arts and sciences.
" The loss of this gentleman will be felt by numerous persons who have experienced for many years the benefits of his philanthropic charities."
October 23, 1830.
" A tribute of Gratitude and Respect to the memory of the late Gavin Hamilton, Esq., by one to whom he had been a generous benefactor."
How wide is the breach in the circle late round thee Where worth in distress a kind patron oft found thee Hospitality's fled ; thou, its soul, art departed How sad will thy guest view thy mansion deserted There oft social virtue and wit entertained us,
Though anxious to go, yet their magic long chained us.
ALEXANDER HARDING, member 1877; Treasurer 1886 until he died, September 4, 1910. Mr. Harding was born in Philadelphia, March 30, 1832, the son of John Harding, Jr., and Margaretta S. McAlpin, who were married in Phila- delphia, April 23, 1828. He was a grandson of James McAlpin, who was born in Glasgow, Scotland, and, on coming to this city, joined The St. Andrew's Society and served some years as Assistant, then as Vice-president, and at the time of his death in 1839 had served eight years as President.
Alexander Harding was educated in the public schools of Philadelphia, but finished a course in the select academy of the Rev. Dr. Crawford. He entered early into mercan- tile pursuits and was for over forty years engaged in the wholesale grocery business. Upon joining The St. Andrew's Society he at once took an active part in its work, was elected Treasurer in 1886, and served faithfully in that position until he died. For a number of years prior to his death he
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had charge of the disbursement of the charities of the Society under the direction of the Assistants, and discharged the trying duties of that office with tact and fidelity.
Mr. Harding was a past master of Union Lodge No. 121, F. and A. M. of Philadelphia, and a member of Gen. George G. Meade Post, No. I, Grand Army of the Republic.
Mr. Harding was married in St. Philip's Church on June 13, 1867, to Miss Sarah Seal, who with two sons and three daughters survived him.
JOHN HAVILAND, member 1838. Mr. Haviland was born near Taunton. England, December 15, 1792, and died suddenly in Philadelphia, March 28, 1852.
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