Call Number:

3659

Repository:

Historical Society of Pennsylvania

Extent:

1.8 linear feet (; 6 boxes, 1 volume)

Language:

English

Preferred Citation:

Cite as: [Indicate cited item or series here], James D. B. Weiss Jr. collection of hospital and miscellaneous genealogical records (Collection 3659), The Historical Society of Pennsylvania.

Date:

1851-1914 (bulk) and 1845-1979 (inclusive)

Creator:

Hospital of the Protestant Episcopal Church in Philadelphia., St. Mary's Hospital of Philadelphia., and Stoehr family.

Abstract:

The first meeting of the founders of the Hospital of the Protestant Episcopal Church occurred in March 1851, though it would be some time before the hospital was unveiled. In March 1852, the members were given the former estate of John Leamy, Esq., which they suitably converted. The Hospital of the Protestant Episcopal Church (also known as the Protestant Episcopal Church Hospital) officially opened to the public in December 1852. Records in the collection from the Hospital of the Protestant Episcopal Church are primarily annual reports (also titled "Reports to the Board of Managers") dating from the 1850s to 1914. Some years are missing, so please see Boxes 2-5 in the collection inventory. Box 2, Folder 1 contains a copy of the hospital's charter and by-laws from 1851.

St. Mary's Hospital was founded in 1860 by the Order of the Sisters of St. Francis, who wished to assist the sick poor of Kensington. It was first located on the northeast corner of 4th Street and Girard Avenue; but in 1866, the hospital moved to the corner of the Frankford Road and Palmer Street. The hospital was very successful -- almost 16,000 patients had passed through its doors by the mid 1860s. The facility still stands and is today known as the Neumann Medical Center. This collection contains two items from St. Mary's: a patient register from the early to mid 20th century (Box 6) and a daybook dating from the mid 1880s to mid 1890s (Volume 1). Please note that the patient register, because it contains sensitive 20th century records, is closed to researchers until 21 January 2021.

In addition to these hospital records, the Weiss collection contains a single folder (Box 1, Folder 1) of miscellaneous genealogical papers pertaining primarily to the Stoehr family of Philadelphia.