USA > Pennsylvania > Philadelphia County > Philadelphia > The Philadelphia Directory, 1794 > Part 17
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The other is called The African Methodift Epifcopal Church. It may not be improper to mention, that in four of thefe places of worfhip divine fervice is in the Ger- mau language, viz. In the German Calvanift Church, in the two German Lutheran Churches, and in one of the Catholic Churches.
The city is provided with a number of public and pri - vate charitable inftiturions ; the principal of which are The Peanfylvania Hofpital, The houfe of Employment commonly called the Bettering houfe ; The Friends Alms houfe ; Chrift Church Hofpital and the dipenfary. Of thefe we fhall now proceed to give a fhort account.
PENNSYLVANIA HOSPITAL.
The defign of this hofpital was firft fuggefted by the late Dr. Thomas Bond, for the purpofe of relieving the fick poor, whether afflicted in body or mind.
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As this benevolent plan was greatly approved of, ma- ny contributors appeared to fupport it.
In 1752, it was firft eftablithed, il was not however till 1756 that any part of the prefent building was e- rected.
In1 1773, they received about 120001. from the unclaim- ed fhares of the Pennfylvania Land Company in London. For this act of the British Parliament in their favour, they owe much to the unceafing labours of their great friends the late Dr. John Fothergill, Sylvanus Baven Jacob Hagen, and others.
The whole property belonging to the Hofpital at pre- fent amounts to £31,740 -.
Of the above mentioned fum the affembly gave of their conftituents money about 5,5001. to reimburfe the ex- pence of the present building. The balance being 25, 83cl. are private legacies, grants and donations, the whole of which would lapfe to the commonwealth if the contributors fail, an event which is at prefent little dreaded.
Befides the above fum the expence of the hofpital poor has been paid by the contributors for thefe laft- forty years.
In addition to the 5,5001. given by the legislature to raife the eaftern wing, they at their feffion in 1792 have granted a further fum of ten thoufand pounds out of a loan office fund for the purpose of enlarging the hofpital on its original plan, fo as to admit a greater number of lunatics, and to obtain a due feparation of them from the fick.
The laft act allows a lying- in and foundling hofpital to be united, with this inftitution, whenever a fund is given to build and fupport the fame.
The medical pupils pay for the privilege of attend- ing the hofpital practice and fuch pay is commonly un- derftood to be a perquifite to the hofpital phyficians ; this, however,- they have generoufly given for the pur- pofe of founding a medical library, and to purchafe Dr. Chovet's preperations ; by the addition of which to Dr. Fothergill's valuable prefent, the inftitution without any expence to. its funds, is poffeffed of the moft ufeful and ornamental collection that was ever feen in America. The pay of thofe pupils exceeds Tool. per annum, which is amply fofficient to furnith the library with new books and to preferve the anatomical caftings, &c.
A great number whofe diforders are not proper for admitlion, have received medicine from the hofpital dit-
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penfary, gratis, and the beft advice from the phyficians.
The managers are by charter prohibited from fpend- ing any part of their capital ftock, the intereft of which with fuch donations as are not expressly given thereto, is applied for the poor : aud when as many paupers are firft admitted as .will abforb the faid income, then if there is room, the managers may take other patients on pay, the profits of whofe board alfo go to the poor. Of fuch patients they will always have a number until the faid income, which is at prefent. not half equal to the expences of the houfe, become fufficient to occupy it with the poor.
The price of pay patients is various, and fometimes changes. The overfeers of the poor of Pennfylvania & all the! focieties therein, who fupport the poor by pri- vate and voluntary fubfcriptions, pay only &s, 4d, in- cluding medicines, attendance, and all other charges, ex- cept cloathing.
The overfeers ofany other State pay I5s. and private perfons from fos. to.35s. as they and the managers can agree. Thefe may choofe their own phyfician, provided he is one of the hofpital phyficians, no others being ad- mitied to practice in the houfe.
All the patients muft fubmit to the orders of the phy- ficians refpecting their cafes, and to the rules of the ma- nagers refpecting their conduct, or be difcharged. No amputation of a limb is allowed, without a confultaton of phyficians, and three at lealt muft agree.
The inftrument's are the moft complete of the kind, and preferved in excellent order for ufe; and every thing convenient for the patient is always provided.
A refident apothecary lives in the houfe ; his duty is to receive and lend out books, to adminifter the prefcrip- tions, and to fummon the phyficians on every urgent oc- cafion ; each of whom confiders it as his duty immedi- ately to attend. "Two managers and phyficians ineet at the hofpital every Fourth-day (Wednefday) and Seventh day (Saturday), at eleven o'clock in the forenoon, to receive and difcharge patients,' and much trouble is fa- ved to thofe who apply at that time.
From the time the hofpital was firft erected to the month of May 1793, 8,608 patients had been admitted into the hofpital, of which number 5,435 had been cured, 925 relieved, 412 removed at the requeft of their friends or fent to the honfe of employment, 119 found incurable, 525 difcharged or eloped for irregular behaviour, . 1140 died, &53 then remain at the bofpital.
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From the 27th. of April 1793 to the 27th. of April 1794 93 poor & 208 pay patients have been admitted ma- king in all 301, of whom have been difcharged.
Cured I48
Relieved, 38
Removed by their friends and at thei r ? own requeft,
Eloped 8
Difcharged for irregularbehaviour - 3 Removed having the fmall pox, . I Died. 3.I
Remained April 27th. 1794-24 poor and 41 .pay pati- ents, 65 in all, of whom 35 are lunatics.
Overfeers of the poor from the country, who bring a patient, are expected to produce a certificate figned by two magiftrates, certifying that they are in office, and that the pauper refides in their diftrict, without which the applicant is rejected.
Perfons afflicted with incurable and infectious difor- ders are not admitted ; but any perfon in Pennfylvania receiving by accident a defperate wound, or a fractured limb, may be brought to the hofpital without an order provided he is brought immediately after the accident happens, and fuch perfons, whether ftrangers or citi- zens, will be well taken care of at the contributors ex- pence.
The name of the corporate body is, The contributors to the Pennfylvania Hofpiral.
A contributor muft pay at leaft rol. for which he re- ceives a certificate from the treafurer ; this he cannot transfer, nor can he receive any benefit from it, but the privilege of electing and being elected.
If he is chofen a manager, phyfician or treafurer, he muft ferve without fee or reward.
An inftitution founded on fuch humane and benevolent principles, embracing the poor of all defcriptions, has done great honour to its founders, many of whofe pi- ous fucceffors have been led by a fecret impulfe to endow it with occafional legacies and contributions, whereby the truft is enlarged, and a greater number of the fick are relieved : many of whom, for want of fuch an afy- lui, would fuffer in folitary places, whilft the poor un- happy maniac, deprived of his fenfes would be roving about without knowing a home, at the rifque of his life or the lives of the people.
Managers. Jofich Hewes, Owen Jones, Fofeph Pafchall,
Samuel Clark, Thomas Penrofe, Lawrence Secke!,
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Bartholomew Wiftar, Samuel Coates, Thomas Morris, Elifion Perot, Pattifon Hartshorne, Samuel NI' Foy. Mordecai Lewis Treafurer.
Samuel Coates, Secretary.
Phyficians. Doctors Shippen, Kuhn, Rush, Parke, Wij- tar & Phyfick.
Stewart, Joseph Henzey .- Apothecary, Samuel Cooper.
The ALMS HOUSE.
The Alms houfe and houfe of employment, is a large and commodious edifice. This inftitution- commenced at an carly period of the city, but the building now appropriated for that purpofe, was not erected till the year 1766. The various objects to which this charita- ble inftitution extends, fufficiently indicate its great u- tility and the relief which it fo liberally affords to the dintreffed of every defcription, reflects the highest ho- nour on the citizens of Philadelphia.
Here the helplefs ftranger finds a comfortable refi- dence, in the hour of ficknefs and diftrefs ; the blind in fome meafure forget the lofs of fight, and the old & emaciated, who might otherwife find it difficult to pro- cure a fcanty fubfiftence, are enabled to pafs the evening of life in tranquility and plenty. Hero alfo, the unhap py woinan, who, either from poverty or mifconduct, may be deftitute of the means of relief at that period when the ftands moft in need of it, is amply provided with every thing requifite for a fafe delivery and an expeditious recovery: Of women of this defcription there are ro- lieved at an average about thirty annually.
Nor is the humanity of this eftablifhment confined to the mother. The fame tender care is likewife extended To their helplefs offspring, fo that in this refpe& it may be confidered both as a lying in and foundling hofpital. When any of the perfons admitted into this boule are found capable of contributing to their fupport by their own labour. they are daily employed for a certain rea- fonable 'number of hours in fuch a manner as may be molt advantageous to the inftitution. The common work . of the houfe is picking oakum, but taylors, fhoemakers, weavers, &c. follow their refpective occupations. Such women as are capable are employed in carding, fpin- ning, knitting, fewing, &c. at the diferetion of the ma- nagrs.
To allure them to a chearful preformance of the talks
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allotted them, and to a regular and becoming conduct, certain fmall rewards are conferred on thofe who are moft induftrious and orderly : with refpect to the refac- tory fuch fatherly and lenient meafures are purfued as generally induce them to return to their duty without the neceffity of a recourfe to punifliment, which, hoie- ver, when it is inflicted, extends no farther than to pri- vacion from fome of their ufual meals, or to confinement to a dark room.
By thefe wife and falutary meafures the utmoft regu . larity and good order is preferved, a harmony prevails which could not well be expected among people of fo many various defcriptions.
The cleanlinef's and neatnefs obferved not only in the rooms, but alfo with refpect to the cloathing of indivi- duals, attract the notice of all travellers, wlic unani - moufly declare that in this respect, this inflitution far exceeds any eftablifhment of the kind in the old world ; and it may at lealt, be fafely afferted that it is not fur- paffed by any in the new.
.The number of panpers is different at different fca- fons. The average is however, about 350. But the charity extenfive as it is, is not folely confined to thofe within the pale of the houfc, a number of neceffitous ter- fons without likewife; meet with accafional afiftance in the hour of calamity.
Many of our readers would no doubt, wifh to learn the kind and quantity of provifions by which thefe peo. ple are fupported. , hi this particular, wecan not better inform them than by laying before them the ftewert's ac- count during the laft weck ending November 2d. 1794 is all follows.
lbs. of hècf. 931 |. lbs. of rice, 232
bufh. indian meal 250 | buffi. cocca nut frells 3
galls. molaffes, 28 | 1bs. of flour, 1834
do. of milk, 105 | buth. of potatoes, 14
buff. of turnips,
5 | lbs of tea, 28
ibis. - of fugar,
1.46
both: of corn. IO
We need not obferve that here is not only abundance of the neceffaries but alfo of the comforts and even lux- uries of life.
To defray this expence, the profits arifing from their manufactures is by no means adequate. Indeed when it is confidered that by far the greater number intirely in- capable of labour, there will obvioufly be a vaft defi-
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ciency. The overfeers and guardians of the poor whs have alfo tho fuperintendence of this;infttuition are by a& of Affembly vefted with power to lay taxes for its fupport ; and furely no good citizen will ever hefi. tate to contribute his quota to the maintenance of an inftitution, which cloathes the naked, feeds the lun- gry, takes in the ftranger, relieves the fick and which fo eminently redounds to the honour of the metropolis of America.
- FRIEND'S 'ALMS HOUSE.
Is fituated in Walnut St. on the South fide, between Third and Fourth Sts.
The Friends alms houfe is fupported by that fociety for the ufo of their own poor. . It is divided into a num- ber of feperate houfes and rooms for families or fingle perfons who have fallen into decay,. moft of whom by their induftry contribute to their own fupport, but are fupplied with 'whatever neceffaries their industry falls fhort of procuring, by a committe of the fociety ; and thus live more comfortably than many, who, in full health and unhurt by accident provide for their own fubfiftenice.
CHRIST CHURCH HOSPITAL.
ITT,. Mulberry St.
Is an endowment for aged women of the Proteftant E- pifcopal cburch, made by. Dr. John Kearfly, formerly. an eminent pliyfician in this city ; who bequeathed for this purpofe, an effate chiefly landed, which he vefted in the rector, church wardens and veftrymen of the u. nitd Epifcopal" churches of Chrift church and St. Pe- ter's
Since the endowment of this inftitution, it has recei- ved a confiderable acceffion of property, by the gift of Mr. Jofeph Dobbins, a native of this city now refiding in Carolina ; fubject to an annuity during Mr. Dobbin's life.
Dr. Kearflv's will requires, that the women belong. ing to this inftitution thall be fupplied with meat, drink and lodging ; with necefary affiftance in phyfic & furgery'-There are now 19 on the foundation.
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THE SOCIETY FOR ALEVIATING THE MISERIES OF PUBLIC PRISONS.
Was inftituted in the month of May 1737. The object of the inftitution may be known from the duties of the acting committee, as laid down in the 7th. article of the conftitution as follows.
" The acting committee fhall vifit the public prifons, or fuch other places of confinement of punifhment as are ordained by the law, at leaft once every week. They fhall enquire into the circumstances of every perfon con- fined ; they fhall report fuch abufes as they fhall difco- ver, to the officers of government who are authorifed to redrefs them ; and fhall examine the influence of con- finement or imprifonment upon the morals of the per- fons who are the fubjects of them.
The benefits refulting from this fociety may be com- prehended under the following heads, viz.
I. Relief in money and provifion, afforded to fuffer. ing prifoners ; which the fuciety's committee have been enabled to accomplifh, to a confiderable extent ; partly by means of the annual contributions of the mem- bers, and partly by directing the diftribution of what is occafionally given in money and victuals. Under this head may be reckoned the fometimes paying of fmall fees, when the cafe feemed to deferve it, and when the party would otherwife have been detained for them in confinement.
II. Applications to the magiftracy for the enlarge. ment of perfons illegally confined, which has fometimes happened from the obfcurity and friendlefs conditions of the parties.
III. Complaints fuccefsfully made to the proper offi- cers of offences againft law, in the management of the jail, efpecially the fale offpirituous liquors, occafioning the corruption of young offenders, and the hardening of the old.
IV. Legiflative improvements of the penal law, in a great meafure is owing to the folicitations of the foci- ety.
Since the legiflature's giving their attention to the making fuch improvements, and 'efpecially fince the appointment of a board of infpectors with legal powers, compofed of members of this fociety, it was thought ex- pedient to alter the conftitution, limiting the meetings at once a year; at which time a committee is chofen, who meet in the interval to tranfact all neceffary bufinefs.
As the fociety's exertions have confeffedly had a con-
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fiderable effect in procuring the prefent improved ftate of the public prifons, it may be proper to mention the evidences of improvements in the prohibition of fpiritu- cus liquors, the feperation of the fexes, and cleanlinefs of the apartments, and the employing of the prifoners in ufeful labour. In regard to the laft article it is wor- thy of the public notice, that fome of the prifoners on the expiration of their terms, have received . a balance due to them from their labours, after deducting for their maintenance. The punifhment of refractory criminals i3. the fecluding them from fociety, in cells, elevated above the ground and not having a ground floor ; but without loading them with irons.
To aid the influence of thefe regulations, the clergy of different religious denominations occafionally attend for the purpofe of public prayer and preaching.
To the benevolent mind, the great and important im- provements which have lately taken place in our penal codes in the ftate of Pennfylvania, muft afford the high- eft fatisfaction. By a law paffed in the year 1786, the following were declared to be the only capital crimes, viz. murder, rape, treafon and arfon. All corporal pu- nifhments for finaller offences were abolifhed, as expe- rience had fufficiently evinced that no great hopes of reformation could be rationally entertained from him who had once been difgraced with the difcipline of the sat, or any fuch infamous puniffiments. The humane muft be much gratified by the falutary effects which this act produced .- The number of the criminals were fo far from being multiplied that they greatly decreafed and many who according to the laws of any other countries, would have been cut off as being unworthy of exiftence a- mongft mankind, have been reclaimed from vice and be- come ufeful members of fociety.
The limits of our plan will not admit of being more particular on this head. The humane will be pleafed to learn where they can receive more extenfive info! ma - lion.
At the laft feffion of the legiflature the penal code was again amended. The preamble to the act declares that the defign of punishment is to prevent the commit- fion of crimes and to repair the injury that hath been done thereby to fociety or the individual. And that it hath been found by experience that thefe objects are better obtained by moderate and certain penalties, than
E e
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by fevere and exceffive punifhments, and that as it is the duty of every government to endeavour to reform ra- ther than exterminate offenders, the punishment of death ought never to be inflicted where it is not abfo- lutely neceffary ; therefore that punifhment is abolished in all cafes except for murder of the firft degree.
Murder which may be perpetrated by means of poi- fon, by lying in wait, or by any other kind of willful, deliberate and premeditated killing, which fhall be com- mitted, in the perpetration or attempt to perpetrate any arfon, rape, robbery or burglary is declared to be murder of the firft degree. For all other crimes hard labour and confinement are the means ufed to reform of- fenders.
We fhall juft add that amongft the humane of every nation, it has long been a matter of concern that the ri- gour of punifhment was feldom in proportion to the guilt of the offender ; thus a petty fcoundrel is often condemned to the gallows for a theft, a forgery of a few pounds, whereas a more cunning rafcal, after a few months or perhaps weeks confinement, is fet at liberty with vaft property, which he has fwindled from thou- lands and again commences his devaftations on fociety.
In Pennfylvania things of this fort can no longer hap- pen : life can only be forfeited for life ; and it is proba- ble that the time is not far diftant, when mankind be- coming more humane, will even in this cafe, not dare to deprive a fellow creature of that which God alone cas give.
THE HUMANE SOCIETY.
Was inftituted in the year 1780, for' the purpofe of recovering perfons fuppofed to be dead from drowning ; and confiderable benefit occurred from their laudable exertions. But either from the objects being too con- fined, or from the difficulty of convening the members, (all of whom were to attend the meeting) or from the late war, the operations of the fociety were for a long time fufpended ; until the year 1787, when a number of the members again met, and concluded, that the bufinefs would be beft conducted by twelve managers, chofen an- nually by the contributors, and that it would be of great importance to extend their objects, not only for the original purpofe of endeavouring to reftore to life thofe who were fuppofed dead from drowning : but alfo
PHILADELPHIA.
fuch as were in the fame condition from many other circumftances ; fuch as expofure to heat or cold, drink- ing cold water, damps, lightning, fuffocation from charcoal. &c. It was accordingly agreed to embrace all thefe objects. The managers have therefore not only publifhed proper rules to be obferved in thefe cafes, but have alfo placed the neceffary aparatus in different parts near the river, and give premiums to fuch per- fons as have been inftrumental in faving the lives of their fellow creatures expofed to accidents of this kind.
It is fincerely to be wifhed that, in imitation of the humane fociety in Bolton, they may be enabled to pro- vide for the relief of fhipwrecked feamen. The prefent funds arife, out of a contribution of one dollar annually from each of the fubfcribers.
FIRST-DAY OR SUNDAY SCHOOLS.
" The fociety for the inftitution and fupport of Firft- day or Sunday Schools in the city of Philadelphia and the diftricts of Southwark and the Northern Liberties," was inftituted early in the year 1791. The members then formed a conftitution for their government, by which the fociety is to meet every three months in eve- ry year. The affairs of the inftitution in the recefs of the fociety are conducted by twelve of its members who are called Vifitors, three of whom form a board to do bufineis, who meet monthly, have the charge of the Schools and expenditure of money, &c.
The fociety is formed of all thofe perfons who fubfcribe the couftitution, and pay to the treafurer at the time of fubfcribing and annually afterwards one dollar ; but ten dollars in one payment conftitutes a member during life, which fubfcriptions form a fund to defray the expences of the inftitution.
Three fchools were opened in March 1791, fince which upwards of 1000 fcholars have been admitted, and have partaken of its advantages ; and there are at this time more than 300 on the lift of attendance.
One of thefe fchools for girls is under the care of John Ely, in the rear of Mulberry St. meeting : the two others for boys, one of which is under the care of John Poor in Cherry St. The other under Thaddeus Brown, in Front near Almond Street.
It is a particular rule with the fociety, that the fcho- lars come clean to the fchools, and attend the places of worfhip to which they refpectively belong.
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By this Dene volent inftitution the children of many of the poorer part of the community who would otherwife have been running through the ftreets habituating them- felves to mifchief, are refcued from vice and innured to habits of virtue and religion : and it is with great plea- fure that the board of Vifitors have obferved that the improvement in reading and writing made by the chil- dren of thefe fchools anfwers their moft fanguine expec- tations.
Officers of the fociety.
Bifhop White, Prefident. Doctor Say, Vice Prefident. Christopher Marshall, Treafurer.
Peter Thompfon junr. Secretary.
The ABOLITION SOCIETY. Incorporated by charter.
The fociety for promoting the abolition of flavery, and the relief of free negroes unlawfully held in bond- age, was firft inftituted in the year 1774, and afterwards enlarged both in its objects and members on the 23d. of April 1737. The zeal and activity of this fociety have been crowned with uncommon fuccefs, and has given rife to many fimilar focieties in the other ftates : and has ' alfo been inftrumental in fuggefting to the legiflature moft of thofe improvements in the laws which relate to the compleat abolition of flavery, which have been e- nacted fince the memorable law of March Ift, 1780, which firft laid the axe to the root of this abominable evil.
The preamble to this act fets forth, " That whereas " the condition of thofe perions, who have heretofore " been denominated negro and mulatto flaves, has been " attended with circumstances which not only deprived " them of common bleffings to which they were entitled " by nature, but has caft them into the deepeft afflicti- " ons by an unnatural feperation and fale of hufband " and wife from each other, and from their children : " an injury the greatnefs of which can only be conceived " by fuppofing that we were in the fame unhappy cafe." In juftice, therefore, to perfons fo unhappily circum- ftanced, &c. it is enacted , That all perfons as well ne- groes and mulattoes and others who fhall be born with- in this ftate from and after the paffing of this act, fhall not be confidered as fervants for life, or flaves ; and that all fervitude for life, or flavery of children in con-
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