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Germantown Historical Society deed collection, 1688-1952 (inclusive)

Extent:

12.5 linear feet

Abstract:

Germantown, a section of northwest Philadelphia, was settled in the late 1600s. It is well known as the site of the first American anti-slavery protest, the Revolutionary War Battle of Germantown, and the seat of the National government during the yellow fever epidemic of 1793. The Germantown Historical Society deed collection, 1688-1952, contains original deeds and land titles for properties in the region of Germantown, Philadelphia.

Held at: Germantown Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Germantown Historical Society small manuscripts collection, 1701-1987 (inclusive)

Extent:

8.0 linear feet (one filing cabinet ("box 1"), two boxes ("box 2" and "box 3"))

Abstract:

Germantown, a neighborhood in the northwest section of Philadelphia, was the site of several nationally significant events. It was settled in the late 1600s by Mennonite and Quaker German-speaking emigrants and incorporated as a borough in 1689. Germantown is sometimes called the home of the American anti-slavery movement; the first organized protest against slavery in the Americas was begun by four members of the Germantown Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in 1688. In 1777, the courage displayed by American troops at the Battle of Germantown helped to spur the French to assist the United States in the Revolutionary War. During the yellow fever outbreak of 1793, government officials escaping the epidemic in Philadelphia relocated to Germantown, and it served as the temporary home of George Washington and the First Bank of the United States. Germantown was incorporated into the City of Philadelphia in 1854. The Germantown Historical Society small manuscript...(see more)

Held at: Germantown Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Michael Billmeyer family papers, 1719-circa 1940

Extent:

1.4 linear feet

Abstract:

Michael Billmeyer (1752-1837) was a well-known printer and bookseller in the Germantown section of Philadelphia who catered especially to Pennsylvania German and Mennonite communities. The Michael Billmeyer family papers, 1719-circa 1940, are comprised primarily of materials relating to Michael Billmeyer (1752-1837) and his publishing company, with a small amount of materials relating to other family members and the family home.

Held at: Germantown Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Germantown Historical Society small collections, 1764-1989 (inclusive)

Extent:

42.5 linear feet

Abstract:

Germantown Historical Society small collections, 1764-1989, consists of small accumulations of records and papers from various families, individuals, and organizations based in the Germantown section of Philadelphia. There are four general groups of materials: "Organizational records," "Family and personal papers," "Unprocessed papers," and "Small manuscript collection." Rough, preliminary inventories exist for the first three groups and are provided below. There is an online finding aid for the fourth group, "Small manuscript collection," at http://hdl.library.upenn.edu/1017/d/pacscl/HSP_GHS34SM.

Held at: Germantown Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Dr. Naaman H. Keyser family papers, 1802-1924 (inclusive)

Extent:

2.5 linear feet

Abstract:

Naaman Henry Keyser (1867-1922) was a dentist and historian who resided in the Germantown section of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was the author of many dental journal articles, historical addresses, and local histories. The Dr. Naaman H. Keyser family papers, 1802-1924, are comprised of family documents assembled by Dr. Naaman H. Keyser for his genealogical and local history research, as well as some of his research notes and manuscripts. The family documents date from about 1802 to the 1870s, and Naaman H. Keyser's research dates from the 1920s.

Held at: Germantown Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Germantown Historical Society collection on the Wister family, 1814-1966 (inclusive)

Extent:

2.8 linear feet

Abstract:

The Wisters were a prominent merchant family, established in the Germantown section of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in the 18th century. The family built many homes in the area which are now on the National Register of Historic Places. The Germantown Historical Society collection on the Wister family, 1814-1966, is comprised of materials created by various members of the Wister family, such as business records, correspondence, diaries, knitting patterns, and photographs.

Held at: Germantown Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Perot family papers, 1816-1940 (inclusive)

Extent:

1.8 linear feet

Abstract:

The Perot family were residents of the Germantown section of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Perot family papers, 1816-1940, include correspondence, scrapbooks, account books, and ephemera relating to various members of the Perot family, especially Mary Lea Perot.

Held at: Germantown Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Philadelphia, Germantown and Norristown Rail Road Company records, 1831-1981 (inclusive)

Extent:

80.0 linear feet

Abstract:

The Philadelphia, Germantown and Norristown Rail Road Company, one of the first railroads in the Philadelphia area, was incorporated in 1831 and liquidated in the late 1970s. The PG&N became part of the Reading Railroad system under lease in 1869 and became the Reading's primary entrance for passenger trains into Philadelphia. The Philadelphia, Germantown, and Norristown Rail Road Company records, 1831-1981, include executive business records, financial records, and stock records. There are also materials relating to property and depots owned by PG&N, and records from subsidiary and other rail companies.

Held at: Germantown Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Naaman K. Ployd scrapbooks, 1901-1912 (bulk) 1849-1912 (inclusive)

Extent:

1.7 linear feet

Abstract:

Naaman K. Ployd (1840-1918) was a Civil War veteran, newspaper columnist, and local historian who lived in the Germantown section of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Naaman K. Ployd scrapbooks, 1849-1912, consist of ten scrapbooks relating largely to the Civil War and Germantown history.

Held at: Germantown Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Foulke and Long Institute for Orphan Girls records, 1857-1948 (inclusive)

Extent:

4.75 linear feet

Abstract:

The Foulke and Long Institute for Orphan Girls was established in Philadelphia in 1882 for orphaned daughters of soldiers, firemen, and others sacrificed for the public benefit. In 1888, Foulke and Long merged with the Industrial Home for the Training of Girls in the Arts of Housewifery and Sewing. Foulke and Long moved to the Germantown neighborhood of Philadelphia in 1913, where it remained until the institute merged with the Youth Study Center of Philadelphia in 1960. The Foulke and Long Institute for Orphan Girls records, 1857-1948, are primarily comprised of administrative, financial, and pupil records for the Foulke and Long Institute, with some materials from the Industrial Home for Girls. There are Admission and Dismission Committee records, meeting minutes, account books and ledgers, and many other document types.

Held at: Germantown Historical Society [Contact Us]