Call Number:

2004.023

Repository:

Old York Road Historical Society

Extent:

3.0 linear feet

Language:

English

Date:

1896-1962 (bulk) and 1893-2002 (inclusive)

Creator:

Rowland Funeral Home.

Form:

Funeral homes

Abstract:

Francis Marion Rowland began the Rowland Funeral Home in 1895. The bulk of the Rowland Funeral Home records, 1893-2002, are account books detailing burial costs and other undertaking services. There are also records relating to the purchase and renovation of their building in Abington, Pennsylvania.

Francis Marion Rowland received an undertaking license in 1895, although he apparently was providing coffins and carriage services as early as 1891. The business continued at various locations in North Philadelphia, with T. Mifflin Rowland joining his father in 1915. When T. Mifflin Rowland died in 1944, Gladys B. Rowland carried on under a "widow’s license" until their son Baron, only 15 at the time of his father’s death, obtained his license in 1950. The Rowland Funeral home moved to Abington in 1961 where it was renamed Baron Rowland Funeral Home, Inc., in 1980. It was owned and operated by Baron and his wife Barbara S. Rowland until 2002 when it was sold to Joseph Gritz.

This collection consists primarily of account books of Rowland Funeral Home, 1893, 1896-1962. They document the costs of burials and other undertaking services and include, variously, name of the deceased, address, dates of death and birth (or age at time of death), parents names, and cemetery. Cause of death and occupation are at times indicated. Also included are accounts with other vendors.

There is a hearse account book, 1933-1936, and miscellaneous material among which are papers relating to the purchase and renovations to the Abington building, clippings, and advertising calendars, and other ephemera. Small artifacts include T. Mifflin Rowland fans, Baron Rowland pens, pencils, and smelling salts.