Abstract

The community of Bryn Athyn was formed in the late 19th century by members of the Philladelphia Swedenborgian Church (New Church).  This collection documents the early Village Association (before becoming a Burough) as well as the various community groups, old and new, that sprang up in the community.  This collection does not contain any official records of the Borough of Bryn Athyn.

Scope and Contents Legal document settling the controversy over Anna Aitken’s bequeathment of $1000 to “the New Church of Pittsburgh.” In 1892, the General Church of Pennsylvania, represented by Geo. A. Macbeth, attempted to prevent the secession of the First New Jerusalem Society of Pittsburgh and lay claim to its property. This resulted in two bodies claiming to represent the New Church of Pittsburgh. The Court finds in favor of the First New Jerusalem Society of Pittsburgh, represented by Rev. John...

Scope and Contents Handwritten postal card from Dr. George R. Starkey in Washington, D. C. to his wife, Caira Skelton Starkey in Vineland, N.J. Contents: -letters & postal received from Caira, George, & Gertrude -will attend President’s reception with Miss Preston & other lady -recovered from cold -did Caira receive Starkey’s letter on Saturday? -letter from Mrs. Otis, who went to Califor (California?); sends love, Blanch has gone homeNames mentioned: George (George G....

Scope and Contents

Handwritten postal card from Dr. George R. Starkey in Washington, D. C. to his wife, Caira Skelton Starkey in Vineland, N.J.

Contents: -went to President’s Reception; “a crush of the of the first water” -Miss Preston had good time, glad she visited, went home today -hope Caira’s eyes are better, wish she could borrow his for a while -will see family on Saturday

Names mentioned: (Miss) Preston

Scope and Contents Handwritten postal card from Dr. George R. Starkey in Washington, D. C. to his wife, Caira Skelton Starkey in Vineland, N.J. Contents: -postal from Dan; Gertrude went home today -Starkey letter to Dan; if Dan comes to Washington, “she” (?) may not be identified with the business or act as assistant -Secretary Belknap’s resignation; gloom in Washington -how sweeps the new broom? Names mentioned: Dan (Daniel Taber Starkey?), Gertrude (Gerturde Starkey Pitcairn),...

Scope and Contents Handwritten letter from Dr. George R. Starkey in Washington, D. C. to his daughter, Gertrude Starkey Pitcairn. “G. R. Starkey, M. D.” letterhead. Starkey is “naughty” for not responding to Gertude’s letter of a week ago. He has been at the opera or theater five nights in a row and has not had time to write. Mr. Castle gave him tickets to the opera for four nights, and then the mother of Sara Jewett- of Daly’s 5th Avenue Troupe- came into Starkey’s office and gave him three tickets to her...

Scope and Contents Handwritten letter from Dr. George R. Starkey to Gertrude Starkey Pitcairn. Addressed "Dear Baby." Line across the top of the first page reads, "1323 F st. Monday Morning" (Front Street?). No date given, filed under 1876. Starkey writes this letter while stuck inside during a storm. After escorting Lillie Scidmor home on the 5:40 Saturday train, he arrived to find that Dr. H. (Hatch) had departed for Phila. to consult with Drs Rane and Lippe on the case of Mr. Hitz’s Pauline, who is about 7...

Scope and Contents

Handwritten letter from N.D. Pendleton to Bishop William F. Pendleton. Regarding the outcome of the Kramph Will case, Pendleton writes, “The decision handed down by the Supreme Court marks a great day for the New Church. We are moved by a spirit of profound thankfulness, and would attribute all to the Lord’s over ruling Mercy. . . I join with the members assembled in their rejoicing.”

Scope and Contents Handwritten letter from N.D. Pendleton to Bishop William F. Pendleton. Pendleton does not know how to respond to W.F.P.’s last letter; He states that Miss Beekman sent her manuscripts to him for his commentary and general interest, not so that he could arrange them for publication. He again expresses his opinion that the person chosen to edit Miss Beekman’s work should be someone near to her in Bryn Athyn. Pendleton hopes for a favorable outcome of the Kramph Will case, and he looks forward...

Scope and Contents Handwritten letter from N.D. Pendleton to Bishop William F. Pendleton. Pendleton writes that he has not been working on arranging Miss Beekman’s manuscripts for publication; She sent a letter months ago stating that her papers on the Divine Human Form need to be rewritten, and Pendleton took this to mean that he was released from this responsibility for the time being. Pendleton is glad that the Church’s lawyer, Hensel, is hopeful regarding their case against Convention. Pendleton comments,...