Annals of the Swedes on the Delaware (history of Old Swedes Church of Philadelphia), Part 7

Author: Clay, Jehu Curtis, 1792-1863
Publication date: 1914
Publisher: Chicago, Swedish Historical Society of America
Number of Pages: 346

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not found at Amsterdam, we humbly request your kind aid to procure a clergyman from Sweden, by let- ters to the proper authorities."

NOTE C. P. 47.

A list of the Swedish families residing in New Sweden in the year 1693, with the number of individuals in each family; taken from the document left by Mr. Rudman.

Heads of Families.

Persons.

*Peter Rambo, sen.

Peter Rambo, jun.

Anders Rambo, -

Gunnar Rambo, -

Capt. Lars Cock,

Erick Cock,

Mans Cock, -

Johan Cock, -

Gabriel Cock,

*Anders Bengtson,

*Anders Bonde, - Sven Bonde, -

*Johan Svenson, -

Gunnar Svenson, -

*Michel Nielson, - -

John Rambo, -

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ANNALS OF THE SWEDES

Heads of Families.

Persons.

Anders Nielson, -

Brita Gostasson, -

Gosta Gostasson, -

*Jonas Nielson, - -

Niels Jonason, -

Mans Jonason, -

Anders Jonason, - -

Jon Jonason, -

Hans Joranson, -

*Mans Staake, -

Peter Stake, -

*Marten Martenson, sen.

*Marten Martenson, jun.

Mats Martenson, - -

Otto Ernest Cock, -

Anders Persson Longaker,

Peter Jocom, -

Johan Bonde, -

Johan Schute, -

Mats Hollsten, - -

Johan Stille, -

Anders Wihler, -

Mans Gostasson, -

Niels Laican. -

*Eric Mollica, -

Jonas Kyn, or Keen, -

Mats Kyn, - -

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ANNALS OF THE SWEDES

Heads of Families.

Persons.

Bengt Bengtson,

- 2

Christian Clason,

Niels Gastonberg,

Lars Bure, -

Lars Johanson, -

Dirich Johanson,

John Johnson, -

Peter Steelman, -

Frederick Konigh,

Elias Toy, - -

Jons Stelman, -

Casper Fisck,

Staphan Ekhorn,

Peter Dalbo,

Otto Dalbo,

Johan Matson, -

*Antony Long, -

*Niels Matson, -

*Israel Helm, -

*Anders Homman,

*Olle Dirickson, -

Anders Lock, -

Mans Lock, -

*Hans Petterson,

*Hindrick Collman, -

*Jons Gostasson, -

117

Eric Gastonberg,

ANNALS OF THE SWEDES

Heads of Families.

Persons.

Johan Hoppman,

- 7

Frederick Hoppman,

Anders Hoppman,

*Mans Hallton, -

*Johan Anderson,

Olle Pehrsson, -

Lars Pehrsson,

*Hans Olofson, -

William Talley, -

Morten Knutsson,

Nils Trende's widow,

Anders Trende, -

Reiner Peterson,

Anders Hindrickson,

Johan Von Culen,

Hindrick Faske, -

Johan Arian, -

William Cabb, -

Lucas Stedham, -

Lyloff Stedham, -

Asmund Stedham,

Adam Stedham, -

Benjamin Stedham, -

118

Johan Hindricsson,

Hans Keen's widow,

Chriestin Stalcop,

Nicolas Hoppman,

ANNALS OF THE SWEDES

Heads of Families.

Persons.

Brita Petterson, -

Joran Anderson,

*Broor Seneka, -

Jesper Wallraven,

Jonas Wallraven,

Conrad Constantine,

Olle Thomasson, -

Peter Palsson, -

Johan Ommerson,

*Matthias De Foss,

Christiern Joransson,

*Carl Springer, - Johan Anderson,

*Hendrick Jacobson, -

Cornelius Van Der Weer,

William Van Der Weer,

Jacob Van Der Weer, -

Hans Petterson,

Paul Petterson, -

Peter Petterson,

Peter Manson, -

Johan Manson, -

Hindrick Tossa, -

Johan Tossa, -

Thomas Jonson, -

*Jacob Clemson, - -

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Jacob Van Der Weer, -

ANNALS OF THE SWEDES

· Heads of Families.

Persons.

*Olle Rosse,

Jacob Classon, -

*Hindrick Iwarson,

Johan Skrika,

Mats Skrika,

*Olle Paulsson, -

Johan Steelman,

Hindrick Parchon,

*Simon Johanson,

Johan Grantom, -

Bengt Paulsson, -

Lasse Kempe, -

Gostaf Paulsson,

Hans Gostasson,

Peter Stalcop, -

Joran Bagman, -

Eric Joranson, -

Joran Joranson, - .

Lorentz Osterson, -

*Johan Hindricson, -

David Hendricson,

Carl Petterson, -

Isaac Savoy, -

*Olle Fransson, -

Lars Petterson, -

Mats Repott, -

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*Hindrick Anderson,

ANNALS OF THE SWEDES

Heads of Families.

Persons.

Olle Stoby,

- 3

Mats Stark,

Johan Stalcop,

Israel Stark, -

*Paul Mink,

Johan Schrage,

Nils Repott,

Hindrich Jacob, -

Mats Jacob, -

*Anders Sinnika,

Johan Hinderson, jr.

*Anders Weinom,

Lars Larson, -

Hindric Danielson,

Olle Thorson, -

Jonas Skagge's widow,

Lars Tossa, -

Mats Tossa, -

*Staphan Joranson, -

Lars Larsson, -

Joran Ericson, -

Jacob Hindricson,

Lucas Lucason, -

Hans Lucason, -

*Olle Kuckow, -

Hindrich Slobey, -

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Peter Lucason,

الد

ANNALS OF THE SWEDES

Heads of Families.

Persons.

Christopher Meyer,

- 7

Hindrich Larsson,

Mats Ericson,

Eric Ericson,

Thomas Dennis, -

Anders Robertson,

Robert Longhorn,

* Anders Didricsson,

Christiern Thomas' widow,

Paul Sahlunge, -

Lars Halling, or Huling,

Making 139 families. 939 individuals.

NOTE .- Of the foregoing list thirty-nine were native Swedes, of whom Peter Rambo and Andrew Bonde had been in this country fifty-four years. Those who were born in Sweden are distinguished by an asterisk, thus *.

The reader will perceive how much the orthography of many of the above names has changed in the prog- ress of time. Bengtsen is now Bankson-Bonde has become Boon-Svenson, Swanson-Cock, Cox-Gos- tasson, Justis-Jonasson, Jones-Jocom, Yocum- Hollsten, Holstein-Kyn, Keen-Hoppman, Hoff- man-Von Culen, Culin-Halling, Hulings or Hewl- ings-Whiler, Wheeler, &c. And so also of Christian

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ANNALS OF THE SWEDES

names : Anders is now Andrew-Johan, John-Mats, Matthias -- Carl, Charles-Bengt, Benedict - Nils, Nicholas -- Staphan, Stephen - Wilhelm, and also Olave, became William, &c.

The river Delaware was called by the Swedes and Dutch South river, in contradistinction to the Hud- son or North river. Schuylkill, which signifies hidden creek, was so named from its mouth being concealed from view in passing up the Delaware. The Indians called it Manaiung. Many of the Swedish names of places are no longer retained, and it is difficult, in some instances, to identify them. Amasland is said by Acrelius to have been in Chester county, fifteen miles from Philadelphia. It was, probably, what is now called Upper Merion. Kalkon-hool: still retains its Swedish name, and is below Darby.

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XEュー

A CONDENSED VIEW OF THE · MINISTERS WHO SUCCESSIVELY PRESIDED OVER THE SWEDISH CHURCHES IN AMERICA.

1. Reorus Torkillus accompanied Peter Menewe, who brought over the first Swedish colony, about the year 1638, and died here in 1643, aged 35 years.

2. John Campanius Holm came over in 1642 with Governor Printz, and remained here six years. Cam- panius was his proper sirname-Holm having been added because of Stockholm having been his place of residence. He translated Luther's Catechism into the language of the Indians.

3. Laurence Lock came over in the time of Gov. Printz. He preached at Tinicum and Christina. He was for many years the only clergyman the Swedes had. He died in 1688.

4. Israel Holg came about the year 1650, but did not remain long.

5. With Governor Rising, in 1652, a chaplain came over, and returned after the conquest of the Dutch in 1655.

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ANNALS OF THE SWEDES

6. Another clergyman came over in the ship Mer- cury, in the year 1656, and returned home two years afterwards.

7. Jacob Fabritius, who had been preaching for the Dutch in New York, was induced to settle among the Swedes, and preached his first sermon at Wicaco in 1677. He officiated as their pastor for fourteen years, nine of which he was blind. He died about 1692.

Three clergymen arrived in 1697; from which period we may date the regular supply of the churches here with Swedish ministers. ' These were Andreas Rudman, Eric Biork, and Jonas Auren. The first settled at Wicaco, the second at Christina, and the third at Racoon and Penn's Neck.

WICACO CHURCH.

1. Andrew Rudman was the founder of the present church, which was built in 1700. In 1702 he went to preach for the Dutch in New York; afterwards offi- ciated at the Oxford church, near Frankford; then in Christ Church, Philadelphia, where he died in 1708.

2. Andrew Sandel arrived in 1702. Returned home in 1719.

3. Jonas Lidman sent over in 1719. Recalled in 1730. The Rev. J. Eneberg took charge of the church during the vacancy.

4. Gabriel Falk appointed rector in 1733. De- posed the same year.

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ANNALS OF THE SWEDES

5. John Dylander came over in 1737. He died honoured and beloved, in 1741.

6. Gabriel Nesman appointed rector in 1743. Re- turned home in 1750.

7. Olof Parlin arrived in 1750; died in 1757. .

8. Charles Magnus Wrangel came in 1759; re- turned in 1768; died 1786.

9. Andrew Goeranson, sent over in 1766; became rector in 1768; officiated until the close of 1779; re- turned home in 1785; died in 1800.

10. Matthias Hultgren commenced his official duties in 1780; recalled in 1786.

11. Nicholas Collin, of Upsala, sent over in 1771; appointed to Wicaco 1786: died 1831. Close of the Swedish mission.

CHURCH AT' CHRISTINA.

1. Erick Biork built a new church at Fort Chris- tina, in 1698, in lieu of that at Tranhook. Returned home 1714 ; died in 1740.

2. Andreas Hesselius, sent over in 1711; provost 1719; recalled 1723; died in 1733.

3. Samuel Hesselius, brother to the former. Sent over 1729; returned 1731; died 1755.

4. John Eneberg, pastor, 1733; returned home in 1742.

5. Petrus Tranberg took charge of this church in 1742, and died in 1748.

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ANNALS OF THE SWEDES

6. Israel Acrelius, sent over in 1749; returned in 1756, died 1800, aged 86. He was the author of the work on the Swedish congregations in America.

7. Erick Unander, sent from Racoon and Penn's Neck to Christina in 1756.

8. Andreas Borell, sent to preside over the Swedish churches in 1757; arrived there 1759; pastor in 1762; received the king's diploma, constituting him provost (præpositus) over all the Swedish churches here, where he died in 1767.

CHURCH AT RACOON AND PENN'S NECK.

1. Jonas Auren came over with Rudman and Biork in 1697; appointed 1706; died in the exercise of his functions 1713.

2. Abraham Lidenius, sent over in 1711; pastor 1714 ; returned home 1724 ; died 1728.

3. Petrus Tranberg and Andreas Windrufwa, sent over in 1726. They divided the churches between them, and so continued until 1728, when Windrufwa died. Between the time of Tranberg going to Chris- tina and his death in 1748, these churches had no pastor.

4. John Sandlin, appointed pastor 1748; died the same year.

5. Erick Unander, sent over 1749.

6. John Lidenius, (son of Abraham above-men-

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ANNALS OF THE SWEDES

tioned,) appointed pastor in the place of Unander, 1756.

7. John Wicksell, sent over 1760; arrived 1762; returned home 1774; died 1800.

8. Nicholas Collin, pastor 1778; appointed to Wicaco in 1786 .- See above.

The following Clergymen have been at different times Assistant Ministers in the Swedish Churches.

The Rev. Charles Lute was appointed assistant to the Rev. Mr. Georgeson in 1774.

While Dr. Collin was rector he had for his first assistant the Rev. Joseph Clarkson, who was ap- pointed in 1787, and continued to officiate as such until 1792.

The Rev. Slator Clay was appointed in 1792, and officiated once a month at Upper Merion, and when there was a fifth Sunday in the month, at Kingsessing. Only part of his time was given to the Swedes, for whom he continued to preach until the day of his death in 1821.

The Rev. Joseph Turner was appointed also in 1792, and was for many years connected with the Swedes as one of their assistant ministers.

The Rev. J. C. Clay soon after his ordination in 1813, was called into the same churches, and officiated therein as an assistant for one year, when he was called to the churches at Norristown and Germantown.

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ANNALS OF THE SWEDES

The Rev. James Wiltbank was appointed to the same office in 1816, and performed its duties for four years, or until 1820.

The Rev. M. B. Roche in 1820 became an assistant minister to the Swedes, in which situation he officiated for a period of six months.

The Rev. J. C. Clay became a second time con- nected with these churches in 1822, having been ap- pointed an assistant for Upper Merion church, in connexion with the Norristown and Perkiomen churches. He also officiated on every fifth Sunday, or four times a year, at Kingsessing. He continued to fill this station until called in 1831 to the rector- ship.

The Rev. Charles M. Dupuy was, in 1822, ap- pointed the assistant for Wicaco and Kingsessing, and was continued as such until 1828.

The Rev. Pierce Connelly succeeded Mr. Dupuy, and officiated chiefly at Kingsessing, though part of the time at Wicaco also, till the close of 1831, when he accepted of a call to Natchez, on the Mississippi.

The Rev. Raymond A. Henderson was chosen as- sistant in 1832, and continued in the churches until the close of 1834, when he was called to the French Protestant Church in New Orleans.

The Rev. John Reynolds was assistant for one year at Upper Merion, having been appointed about the same time with Mr. Henderson.

130

CHARTER OF 1765

Thomas Penn and Richard Penn, true and absolute proprietors of the province of Pennsylvania, and counties of Newcastle, Kent and Sussex, on Dela- ware, to all persons to whom these presents shall come, greeting:

WHEREAS divers members of the Swedish Lutheran Congregation residing in and near the city of Phila- delphia, have at considerable expense erected and built onė church in Wicaco, one in Kingsessing, and one in Upper Merion.

And whereas it hath been represented to us by the Reverend Doctor Charles Magnus Wrangel, the pres- ent rector of the said churches, Reynold Keen, William Jones, Charles Robinson, Peter Rambo, the present church wardens of the said churches ; Joseph Johnson, Elias Toy, Benjamin Johnson, Jacob Keen, George Mellin, John 'Peywell, Otto Nesillis, Nels. Jonason, Luke Nedermark, Andrew Urien, George Grantham, William . Boon, George Morton, Moses Yockam, Tobias Rambo, Peter Holstein, the present vestry- men of the said churches, that for want of being a body corporate, they have lost several legacies and pious bequests, whereby the intentions of the donors

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have been frustrated, and find great difficulty in man- aging and holding the lands and other estate belong- ing to the said congregation; and have therefore prayed us to incorporate them by the name of the Rector, Church Wardens, and Vestrymen of the United Swedish Lutheran Churches of Wicaco, King- sessing, and Upper Merion in the county of Philadel- phia, in the province of Pennsylvania, and they and their successors by such name may be erected and constituted into a body politic and corporate and have perpetual succession :

Now Know Ye, That we favouring the prayer and application of the said rector, church wardens, and vestrymen, and willing, as much as in us lies, to en- courage virtue, piety and charity, and for other good causes and considerations, us, thereto, specially mov- ing, have granted, ordained, declared, constituted and appointed, and do for us our heirs and successors, by these presents, grant, ordain, declare, constitute and appoint, that the said Reverend Doctor Charles Magnus Wrangel, rector; Reynold Keen, William Jones, Charles Robinson, Peter Rambo, the present church wardens; Joseph Johnson, Elias Toy, Benja- min Johnson, Jacob Keen, George Mellin, John Pey- well, Otto Nesillis, Nels. Jonason, Luke Nedermark, Andrew Urien, George Grantham, William Boon, George Morton, Moses Yockam, Tobias Rambo, Peter Holstein, and their successors, duly elected and nomi-

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nated in their place and stead, be and they are hereby created one corporation and body politic, to have con- tinuance forever by the name of the Rector, Church Wardens, and Vestrymen of the United Swedish Lutheran Churches of Wicaco, Kingsessing, and Upper Merion in the county of Philadelphia, in the province of Pennsylvania.

And we do for us, our heirs and successors, grant, ordain and declare, that the said rector, church war- dens, and vestrymen, and their successors by the name aforesaid, shall forever hereafter be personable and capable in law to purchase, have, receive, take, hold and enjoy in the fee simple, or any other lesser estate or estates, any lands, tenements, rents, annuities, liber- ties, franchises, and other hereditaments, within the said province of Pennsylvania, or the three lower counties of Newcastle, Kent, and Sussex on Delaware, by the gift, grant, bargain, sale, alienation, enfeoff- ment, release, confirmation, or devise of any person or persons, bodies politic or corporate, capable to make the same.

And further, that the said corporation and their successors, may take and receive any sum or sums of money, and any kind, manner or portion of goods and chattels, that shall be given or bequeathed to them by any person or persons, bodies politic and corporate, capable to make a gift or bequest thereof, such money to be laid out by them in a purchase or

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purchases of land, tenements, messuages, houses, rents or hereditaments, to them and their successors forever.

And we will and require that the rents and revenues of the said rector, church wardens, and vestrymen, and their successors, be from time to time applied by the said rector, church wardens and vestrymen, and their successors, for the maintenance and support of the rector, ministers and officers of the said united churches and their church yard and parsonage houses, and other houses which do now or hereafter shall be- long to the said united churches, or either of them, and to no other use or purpose whatsoever. Provided always, and it is the express intention of these our let- ters patent, that the particular rents, income and revenues arising from the land now belonging to Wicaco Church shall be applied only to the repairs, support, or rebuilding the said church and parsonage house, thereto belonging, and for the support of the rector and ministers, officiating to the said congre- gation, in any of the three churches aforesaid, and to no other use whatsoever. And we do further will and require, that the said rector, church wardens and vestrymen, and their successors shall not by deed, fine or recovery, or by other ways or means, grant, alien, or otherways dispose of any manors, messuages, lands, tenements, or hereditaments, in them and their suc- cessors to be vested, nor charge, nor encumber the same to any person or persons whomsoever.

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ANNALS OF THE SWEDES

And we do further for us, our heirs and successors, authorise and empower the said rector, church war- dens, and vestrymen, and their successors, or a major- ity of them met, from time to time, the rector being always one, to make rules, by-laws, or ordinances, and to do every thing needful for the good government and support of the said churches. Provided always, That the said rules, by-laws and ordinances be not repugnant to the laws and statutes in force in the kingdom of Great Britain, nor to the laws and statutes in force in the said province of Pennsylvania, and entered in the vestry book.

And we do hereby give and grant unto the said rector, church wardens, and vestrymen, and their suc- cessors, full power and authority to make, have and use, one common seal, with such device and inscrip- tion as they think proper, and the same to change, break, alter, and renew at their pleasure.

And we do hereby grant and ordain that the said rector, church wardens, and vestrymen, and their suc- cessors, by the name before mentioned, shall be able in law to sue and be sued, plead and be impleaded in any court or courts, before any judge, judges, or justices within the said province of Pennsylvania, or said counties in Delaware, in all and all manner of suits, complaints, pleas, causes, matters, and demands of whatsoever kind, nature, or form they be, and all and every other matter or thing therein to do, in as

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full and effectual manner as any other person or per- sons, bodies politic or corporate, within that part of Great Britain called England, or within the said province of Pennsylvania, or the three lower counties aforesaid, in the like cases.

And we do hereby at the request of the said congre- gation, nominate and appoint Reynold Keen, William Jones, Charles Robinson, Peter Rambo, to be the first and present church wardens of the said congregation, and Joseph Johnson, Elias Toy, Benjamin Johnson, Jacob Keen, George Mellin, John Peywell, Otto Nisellis, Nels. Jonason, Luke Nedermark, Andrew Urien, George Grantham, William Boon, George Mor- ton, Moses Yockam, Tobias Rambo, Peter Holstein, to be the first and present vestrymen, to continue in their respective offices till the second Monday in May, one thousand seven hundred and sixty-six.

And we do further for us and our heirs and suc- cessors, grant, ordain, and declare, that the said cor- poration shall always consist of twenty-one persons, namely, the rector for the time being, four church wardens, and sixteen vestrymen, to be chosen in man- ner following, that is to say, the rector, church war- dens, and vestrymen for the time being, shall on the first Monday of May in every year, meet in the church at Wicaco, and there nominate and present to the con- gregation, forty persons fit to serve as church war- dens and vestrymen for the ensuing year, viz., sixteen

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out of the members of the church at Wicaco, sixteen out of the members of the church at Kingsessing, and eight out of the members of the church at Upper Merion, which forty persons so presented shall be descendants of, or intermarried with the descendants of, those ancient Swedes, whose names are on record in the church books at Wicaco as donors or purchasers of the lands belonging to the said church, and out of the said forty persons so presented, and the twenty vestrymen of the preceding year (being sixty in all,) the members of the said congregation being descended or intermarried as aforesaid, shall on the second Mon- day of May in every year, choose eight vestrymen members of the church at Wicaco, eight more vestry- men members of the church at Kingsessing, and four vestrymen members of the church at Upper Merion, out of which twenty vestrymen so elected, two church wardens shall be chosen to serve for the church, Wicaco, one for Kingsessing, and one for Upper Merion, the rector nominating one-half of the said four church wardens, and the vestry or a majority of them, the other half.

And we do further give and grant to the said rector, church wardens, and vestrymen so elected, full power in case of the death or removal of the rector of the said congregation, and till another shall be duly appointed agreeable to former method and usage, the church wardens and vestrymen, or a major-

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ity of them regularly met, shall have the same power and authorities relating to the disposition of the revenues of the said corporation, as is herein before vested in the rector, church wardens, and vestrymen.

And lastly, we do for us, our heirs and successors, grant, declare, and ordain, that these our letters patent and charter, and every clause, sentence, and article herein contained, shall be in all things firm, valid, sufficient and effectual in the law, unto the said rector, church wardens, and vestrymen, community and cor- poration, and their successors forever, according to the purport and tenor hereof, without any further grant from us, our heirs or successors, to be procured or obtained. Provided always, and it is hereby de- clared and ordained, that the clear yearly value of the messuages, houses, lands, tenements, rents, annuities, or other hereditaments and real estate of the said corporation, shall not exceed the sum of six hundred pounds sterling, exclusive of the monies arising from the letting of the pews belonging to the said churches, or either of them, and also exclusive of moneys aris- ing from opening the grounds for burials, in the church yards belonging to the said churches, or either of them, which said moneys, shall as it is now, be dis- posed of by the church wardens and vestrymen for the time being, for the purposes herein mentioned.

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Annals of the Swedes on the Delaware (history of Old Swedes Church of Philadelphia), Part 7

Author: Clay, Jehu Curtis, 1792-1863 Publication date: 1914 Publisher: Chicago, Swedish Historical Society of America Number of Pages: 346

Author: Clay, Jehu Curtis, 1792-1863
Publication date: 1914
Publisher: Chicago, Swedish Historical Society of America
Number of Pages: 346